What is the 15/3 rule for credit cards (and does it actually work)?

The 15/3 rule makes it look like you're managing your credit better, but it doesn't make your debt disappear. mesh cube/Getty Images

If you've scrolled through financial advice threads recently, you may have seen people touting the 15/3 credit card rule as a clever way to boost your credit score . The strategy has grown in popularity recently, especially among those eager to polish their credit profiles without taking on more debt. Taking this route can be tempting, too, as the potential outcome sounds almost too good to be true. By simply timing your credit card payments correctly, proponents claim, you can reduce your credit utilization ratio and quickly improve your score.

But before you start changing your credit card auto-payments to a new cadence, it's important to un