If you are still working keep paying on your cards; but any extra cash you have don't keep it in the bank. As someone else said buy silver with it, and keep it in a safe at home. Of course you never tell anyone you have this hidden safe or cash or bullion in it. The reason for this is if you have to declare bankruptcy in the future the judge can have any extra cash you have in your bank accounts expropriated and put towards the debts that you owe.