Is it better to pay off my highest-APR card or my card that's closest to being maxed out?

It depends on your goal. For minimizing total interest and getting out of debt cheapest, pay the highest-APR card first, the avalanche method. For maximizing your credit score in the short term, focus on the card closest to its limit, because a single card near 90%-plus utilization drags your score down more than the same balance spread across cards.

So if you're about to apply for a mortgage or auto loan, knocking down the maxed-out card can bump your score fast. If you're purely trying to escape debt for the least money, chase the highest rate. If your highest-APR card is also the maxed-out one, you get both benefits at once. Weigh your immediate need, then map it out at wealthserene.com/tools/debt-payoff.