Would you like to find a way to save more than $1000 to $1400 this year? If you are one of the American households that has $ 8000 or more in credit card debt, your answer could be a balance transfer credit card.
For most credit cards, the minimum payment due each month barely covers the interest. It could take you years to pay off that balance and with payments totaling at least twice the original amount billed. Substituting a higher interest credit card with a lower interest card with a 0% APR introductory offer for the first twelve months makes perfect sense. If you take the time to compare balance transfer credit card offers and figure out a payment strategy, you could significantly lower your credit card debt, interest free.
Many of the balance transfer credit card offers include a transfer fee, either a minimum of $50 up to 3%. You need to take this into consideration when computing your savings.
Of course the best strategy would be with the intention of having the full balance paid off by the end of the introductory period so you could be debt free. But if that is not possible, by paying what the minimum was previously, estimating $125 per month, add an additional $50 to $75 each month, you could still have a good portion of that balance paid down and save yourself over $1000 in a year. If at the end of the 0% introductory period, the new balance transfer credit card offers a lower rate than your present card, you’re still a winner.
Now there are a few things to remember when you’re playing this trading credit card game. If the purpose is to lower your debt, don’t continue to use the old credit card. After a few months you might want to cancel it.
Another thing to think about if you are planning on applying for another balance transfer credit card with a 0% APR introductory period when this card is twelve months old, that each credit inquiry effects your credit score. So try to keep switching credit cards to a minimum.
Applying for a balance transfer credit card can be effective if you have the right plan and stick to it. You can be on your road to be debt free and rather than pay interest to the bank, pay yourself. Think of how much you could accumulate if you were able to put that $125 to $200 each month into an interest bearing account that pays you!
Looking for low interest credit cards? There are many options out there. With so many companies and banks offering many different styles and types of cards, it’s good to know the basics about how credit cards work so you can find out what type of card would work best for you. Many cards offer an introductory interest rate, which can be as low as 0% on purchases for up to the first 12 months of your card’s use. Banks such as Citi, Chase, and American Express offer many varieties of cards including some with this illustrious introductory offer.