May 04 2008

The Cure for High Interest Credit Card Blues

To add to my lack of wealth, I have $900 worth of credit card debt compounded with a 21% interest rate. This is much better than where I was less then 2 months ago when I had a $2700 balance paying $75 dollars monthly to satisfy the minimum payment. I’ve had a long history with this card, it being the first one I got when I hit the ripe age of 18. Sentiment aside, I think it’s time to move on to bigger and better things…it’s time for a balance transfer! There are plenty of attractive Low or 0% APR Balance transfer credit card offers out there, you just have to choose which one is best for you. Here are a couple I have found:

1.) Discover More - No annual fee, 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months with a 3% balance transfer fee with a $75 cap, 0% APR on purchases for 6 months.

2.) Citi Upromise Mastercard - 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months with a 3% balance transfer fee with a $75 cap.

3.) American Express Blue Card - No annual fee, 0% introductory APR on purchases for up to 15 months, 4.99% APR on balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee with a $75 cap.

Ultimately, I think I will be going with American Express. The 4.99% APR on the balance transfer applies until you completely pay it off, unlike other cards that offer you the 0% APR balance transfer for an allotted amount of time. I plan on paying off this balance within 2 months regardless. The 0% introductory APR on purchases for up to 15 months just sweetens the deal (even though I will be sure to get in the habit of spending only what I can pay off in total at the end of the month). Lastly, the automatic enrollment in their rewards program with no annual fee is great. American Express is a great company known for their superb customer support which is important when choosing any service pertaining to your finances.



One Response to “The Cure for High Interest Credit Card Blues”

  1. Good Blog. I will continue reading it in the future. Nice layout too.

    Aaron Wakling

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