I owe roughly $15,000 (between two cards). I was young and immature when it came to money and now I have to pay the price. I tried to get a new credit card to consolidate both balances but I was told in an application that my credit score was lowered by too many enquiries over a period of time (big bummer) so I can't get a new card. I almost went with Capitol One, thats how desperate I was. But alas I'm still stuck with these two high interest cards. They're college cards that I got when I was 18 (24 now). I tried to get the companies to lower the interest rate but they gave me a song and dance about the rates being on perma-set rate. So i need advice/help bad. :-(
2007-02-06 09:57:40 · 6 answers · asked by GamersLove 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
You dont need to pay another company to lower your debt. Call both credit card companies and explain to them that these are unsecured credit cards and you are being nice and trying to pay them off. Ask for a supervisor and explain this all over again, and threaten to file for bankruptcy which will end up in them losing all the money. Once you explain this nicely, they will end up cutting your interest rate by half and agree to pay installments every month and dont dont charge any more and dont apply for any more cards. This will bring up your credit score too as well not ruin your credit and get the interest rate lowered. This is exactly what a debt consolidation company will do for you and charge you about $1500 for it. You just got that advice for free.
2007-02-06 10:08:58 · answer #1 · answered by Akbar B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Best thing you can do is pay them one at a time, always paying more than the minimum. Once you have one paid off, use the payment from that one and put it on the other one. Consolidation only moves debt, it doesn't get rid of it and you're better off actually having two...that way you can see progress.
Check out Dave Ramsey's website, he has some pretty cool stuff and his book is VERY highly rated on Amazon.com.
2007-02-06 10:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave one for emergencies. Pay off all the rest starting from highest to lowest interest.
Get a home equity or other personal loan to consolidate may be one other option.
Stop using credit cards and live w/in your means.
2007-02-06 10:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by dapixelator 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, check out the Dave Ramsey website and books. if you still want to go the consolidation route, try Christian Consolidaiton Counseling
2007-02-06 10:08:05 · answer #4 · answered by motorized vehicle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Washington Mutual for a 0% interest on balance transfers card. They are pretty lenient.
2007-02-06 10:53:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dave Ramsey all the way! Listen to him, we are out of debt because of him.
2007-02-06 10:53:21 · answer #6 · answered by onephathippo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋