Credit card for consolidating
23-Jun-2017 05:02
How much of your available credit line you actually use is called “credit utilization”, and you generally want to keep it under 30%.
For example, if your total credit line is ,000, you shouldn't be using more than ,000.
The new card should have a lower interest rate, typically offering a 0% interest promotional period.
These promotional periods can last anywhere between 9 and 21 months.
If you're keeping up with the Jonses, it's probably several thousand dollars across a few cards -- Americans carry, on average, about ,000 in credit card debt, and have three active credit cards in their wallet [sources: CBS Money Watch, Cawad].
In 2012, there were more than 1 billion credit cards held by 160 million Americans, and in the same year, U. consumers collectively charged 0 billion to their plastic [source: Debt.org].
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card offers that appear on this website are from companies which Value Penguin receives compensation.
Before applying, you should be aware of what the new card’s ongoing APR will be once the promotional zero percent period runs out.The new line of credit you are issued sets the limit for how much of your balance you can transfer to it – typically banks will not issue credit limits larger than ,000.The actual number will depend on your credit score and income.We find that the average consumer will still come out ahead by deferring their interest for 3 months, despite the added fee.
There are some risks to your credit score that arise from dealing with balance transfer credit cards.
Doing so can potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and can help you pay down your card loans quicker.