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Using 0% Apr Credit Cards To Become Debt-free
By: ASAP Credit Card
Normally, when you're looking to consolidate credit card debt you have the
following options: get a debt consolidation loan -or- apply for a home equity
loan. But if your credit card debt is still manageable, you may want to consider
consolidating your balances to a 0% APR credit card instead. Using a 0% APR
credit card will help you spend more money paying off your balances, and less on
interest charges!
To use a 0% APR credit card to pay off your debts, follow these steps:
1.) Transfer your existing credit card balances to a new 0% APR credit card.
2.) Continue to pay down your balance as usual. But instead of paying only the
minimum each month, also pay the amount of interest you would have paid with
your other card. This will reduce your debt even quicker!
3.) Watch your introductory period. When it's about to expire, shop around for a
new 0% APR credit card and transfer your balances again.
4.) Continue this cycle until you become debt free!
0% APR Credit Cards vs. Debt Consolidation:
So you're considering a debt consolidation loan instead of a 0% APR credit card.
Let's see how much you could save and how much quicker you could pay off your
debt using the method shown above. Here's an example:
Assume you have an existing credit card debt of $15,000. You would like to pay
$250 per month until the debt is paid off. Your debt consolidation loan was
approved at 7% (much lower than your original 12% credit card!).
Beginning Balance $15,000
Total Principal Year 1 $2,014
Total Principal Year 2 $2,160
Total Principal Year 3 $2,316
Total Principal Year 4 $2,483
Total Principal Year 5 $2,662
Total Principal Year 6 $2,855
Total Interest Paid $3,516
Total Amount Paid: $18,516
TOTAL # Payments Made: 70
Now let’s compare paying off this same debt using 0% APR cards
Beginning Balance $15,000
Total Principal Year 1 $3,600
Total Principal Year 2 $3,600
Total Principal Year 3 $3,600
Total Principal Year 4 $3,600
Total Principal Year 5 $ 600
Total Interest Paid $ 0
Total Amount Paid: $15,000
TOTAL # Payments Made: 50
You save $3516 over a six year period! Plus you'll be done with your payments 15
months sooner! Imagine being debt free over a year before you planned!
Words of Advice:
Although using 0% credit cards to pay down your debt is a great option, try not
to switch credit cards too frequently. Doing so can negatively impact your
credit report. Shop around for 0% APR credit cards that have the longest
introductory periods and the lowest APRs (after the intro period) to buy you a
little breathing room. Also, don't fall into the trap of spending again on your
old credit cards. Either close them or deactivate them so that you don't get
yourself into further debt. And don't overspend with your new card either (even
if it is 0%)! Finally, make sure you apply the money you saved on interest to
your new payments to help eliminate your debt faster.
About the Author:
To see a complete list of 0% APR credit cards, please visit: http://www.asapcreditcard.com
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