Consolidate Your Credit Cards - Lower Your Monthly Payments
Christopehr M Luck
If you're like most North American people today, you go through life carrying a fair amount of credit card debt. And if you're like most North American people, you're okay with that. $100 per month in repayments is fine, even if you're paying that much on three different cards. It's doable - you can afford it, if you have to. But here's the thing - if you consolidate your credit card debt, you don't have to.
Do the math with me here: You have a Mastercard, a Visa, a Discover card and an American Express. Let's say with each of them you're supposed to pay 12% interest per year, (which would be generous - many cards charge as high as 29% these days!) and the monthly minimum us roughly 2% of your balance that has to be paid back each month. Assuming you owe $2000 on each card, that's a $40 minimum payment on each card, or $120 per month - before interest is even factored into your repayment equation. But if you're paying back $40 per month on a card that you owe $2000 on which charges 12% interest per year, you're paying $280 - or over half your repayments - in nothing more than interest!
Now consider the options when you consolidate your credit card. First of all, you could take out a new credit card and put the balance of all those other credit cards on it. Meaning, you take the debt from your Visa, Mastercard, Discover and AmEx, and you pay it all off using your new card.
Because most credit card offers will allow you to 'transfer your balance' from another card to theirs for 0% interest, you might not reduce your monthly minimum payment each month, but you will reduce your interest rate significantly, thus paying your debt off much sooner. Consolidation of credit card debt can reduce your payments by hundreds of dollars a year!
Another way to consolidate your credit cards and lower your amount owing, is to take out a consolidation loan with your bank. Because credit card interest can be up to 29% (even more in some states) without it being called 'loan sharking', many consumers get trapped in a debt cycle that seems unending. Payday loans are no help - they can be even worse, in fact. But a consolidation loan with a bank can see you pay all of those debts off at an interest rate of 5 or 6% - saving you a fortune on your payments.
But maybe your credit rating is awful and you don't think you can get a consolidation loan, or a credit card to consolidate your old credit card debt - have no fear! There is a multitude of lending institutions whose job it is to find financing for people just like you. Granted, the interest rates will be higher than for someone with a good credit background, but it will still be significantly lower than what you'll pay in credit card fees, and as you pay that loan back, your credit score will quickly begin to heal.
There's just no good reason to carry a huge credit card burden these days, and it's mainly out of apathy or ignorance that so many people do. If you're in need of information to help get out of the burden of credit card debt, there are many institutions and debt counseling organizations that can help you get out from under the unending pressure of debt. In fact, many of them can negotiate a better rate with the banks and credit card companies you own money to, to ensure that you can pay back what you owe without living in poverty.
Credit cards are a handy tool, but the time is right for you to consolidate your credit card loan payments and start living well once more.
About the author:
If you would like to read more of my personal articles like the
one listed above, please visit my cr
edit advice blog
The latest information and news on Consolidate Debt Online :
SALEM ? The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of bogus debt-consolidation or counseling services. Residents in Oregon and southwest Washington have reported getting phone calls from solicitors pushing such services.
More consumers likely to seek help in 2009: debt counsellor (CBC via Yahoo! C...
The Credit Counselling Society says 2009 will likely be a busy year for debt counsellors in British Columbia due to the global economic downturn.
How to escape the debt hole (Dallas Morning News)
The holidays are over, but for many consumers, the headaches are just beginning as the bills start to flow in. Tackle them now, because many experts say 2009 will be a tough year, especially for those who are debt-laden.
Photronics a Sell to $1.50 (Zacks.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Almost all of the debt is convertible subordinated notes, which if exercised, could potentially be dilutive to equity shareholders.
Nonprofit Organization Credit Counseling Debt Consolidation (PIZZAHEROS)
The first man function of a nonprofit debt consolidation company is debt consolidation. This is important because many people will often have many different credit cards and different debt associated with each particular card.
Severe retail downturn forecast for 2009 (San Francisco Chronicle)
The new year is here and the retail party is over. After years of aggressive expansion fueled by easy debt and plastic-wielding customers, the industry is in for a major correction in 2009, analysts predict. The shift could recast much of the Bay Area retail...
Carpetright set to vacuum up rivals (Financial Times)
Carpetright will look at buying weaker peers in a year?s time, including Topps Tiles , as the UK flooring retailer controlled by Lord Harris of Peckham sets out medium-term growth plans.
US Dollar Ends Day Mixed, Could See Directional Moves on Releases of ISM Serv...
- Euro Tumbles on Dovish ECB Comments, Euro-zone CPI Could Exacerbate Sentiment on Tuesday - British Pound Shows Signs of Life as Gilts Yields Rocket Higher
Beating the credit card trap (The Courier Mail)
THERE is no secret to paying off your credit card debt quicker. All you need to do is source a lower interest rate card and increase your repayments.
(AFX UK Focus) 2009-01-06 05:06 Glance-PRESS DIGEST - Financial Times - Jan 6...
The Financial Times