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Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

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KB808
New Member

Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

Hello, 

Thanks for any advice!

So, I had about $37k on two CCs whose 0% APR is about to expire. I came up with a plan using two AI's, that as you may have guessed... turned out to be quite wrong. I only got $9k for TB. Anyone have any ideas on how to get the remaining $15k (put in some cash too)? Or as much of it as possible?

Starting Cards:

  • Discover (opened 1997): $26k limit, ~$25,000 starting balance, 0% APR expiring.
  • Citi Double Cash: $13,798 limit, ~$12,000 balance, 0% APR expiring.
  • Citi Simplicity: $6,800 limit, $0 starting balance.
  • Bank of America: $6,900 limit, $3,900 starting balance.

What I Did:

  • Got Discover CLI: $26k → $30k
  • Transferred $6,300 Discover → Citi Simplicity
  • Transferred $2,100 Discover → BofA
  • Paid $5,000 cash → Discover (Balance down to ~$11.3k, asked for mid-cycle CB update)
  • Scores jumped to: Experian 750, Equifax 716, TransUnion 716 (Citi and BofA new balances not showing yet)

I Applied For:

  • Amex Blue Cash Everyday: $10k limit approved  ($5k max TB - AI's missed this..)
  • Wells Fargo Reflect: $4k limit approved (AI's were confidence it'd be over $10k or I could ask for an increase -wrong)
  • Had a previously relationship with WF, Mortgage 2016 - 2024 (when they sold it)
  • Total BT capacity: $8,800
  • Shortfall: ~$15k

Bureau Status / CCs Right Now:

  • Experian: Score 747
  • TransUnion: Amex pulled from TU. Score at 715
  • Equifax: Score at 716
  • WF pull not showing yet.
  • MyFICO says score FICO 8 is 754.
  • Discover: $30k limit, $11,369 balance, 38% utilization
  • Citi Double Cash: $13,798 limit, $12,000 balance, 87% utilization
  • Citi Simplicity: $6,800 limit, $6,300 balance, 93% utilization (Not showing on CB's yet)
  • Bank of America: $6,900 limit, $6,000 balance, 87% utilization (Not showing on CB's yet)
  • PayPal Credit: ~$1,300 limit, $0 balance
  • Wells Fargo Reflect: $4,000 limit, $0 balance (Opened 3/16)
  • Amex BCE: $10,000 limit, $0 balance (Opened 3/16)

What bureaus currently show (ghost window as AI calls it):

  • Discover: $30k limit, $11,069 balance, 37% utilization
  • Citi Double Cash: $13,798 limit, $12,000 balance, 87% utilization
  • Citi Simplicity: $6,800 limit, $0 balance, 0% utilization
  • Bank of America: $6,900 limit, $3,944 balance, 57% utilization
  • PayPal Credit: ~$1,300 limit, $0 balance
  • Total reported: $27,034 balance on $58,800 total credit = 46% aggregate utilization
  • Also have a mortgage ~486k
  • Car loan $42k
  • Everything in good standing.

Hawaii, self-employed $90k, 29 year credit history

Question: AI now says the best bet is PenFed, Citi Diamond, BankAmericard... but I've learned my lesson. Does anyone have any advice for what to do next? There a card that could help cover the gap? Or maybe a hopefully loan interest considilation loan? Or something else I could try? Or just really f'ed myself? LOL

9 REPLIES 9
BankDealer
New Contributor

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

Brother it sounds like you are overleveraged. Balance Transfers won't save you. Really difficult to transfer $37K and play the BT game. Your car loan is half of your yearly income. Which those 90K are significantly less because of SE Tax and Taxes (you are paying those, right?)

 

PenFed is super stingy so don't waste an HP. Sounds like you are under 5/24. Apply for a Chase Biz Ink or consider Skyla CU (if you can backup your income)

 

Consider credit counseling and financial education.

Personal


Business

In Memoriam (closed cards)


Desired Cards (in order)

Inquiries
TU: 0/3 · 0/6 · 4/12 · 16/24
EQ: 0/3 · 3/6 · 7/12 · 18/24
EX: 0/3 · 4/6 · 5/12 · 13/24
Chase 5/24: 9/24 (under 5/24 on 05/2027)

Message 2 of 10
KB808
New Member

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Unfortunately I made stupid mistakes in the past, got scammed pretty hard, and had a bad lawyer that lost what should have been a winable case. Then had some businesses not do so well. Since November, I finally have a strong income... it's just now trying to juggle the debt away from high interest, so I can get it paid off in the next few years. 

 

My financial education came the hard way, now trying to mitigate the damage.

Message 3 of 10
Tdatb64
Frequent Contributor

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

Never trust Artificial Idiocy!

Message 4 of 10
BankDealer
New Contributor

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.


@KB808 wrote:

"... got scammed pretty hard, and had a bad lawyer that lost what should have been a winable case. Then had some businesses not do so well." 


First of all, do not take this as an attack or a dig. Since you have been a victim of scams in the past, I want you to understand that there is no easy solution to this debt situation. I am saying this because since you have been shopping around for cards, have a looming balance you will start getting mailers and targeted ads offering "relief" o "consolidation loans". Especially as you move from the BT strategy to shopping for consolidation loans. Anybody that is willing to underwrite a loan to you in your situation will put you in a worse financial situation than just keeping the credit card balances. Again, there is no easy solution to this but arduous hard work in the upcoming years. 

 

Since you are an entrepreneur, your main asset is access to credit in order to expand your business. Do not let one of those "relief" companies take it away from you. As you draw closer to the 0%. Call your creditors and ask them to enroll you in a workout program or hardship program. That will give you some lower interest and allow you figure out if this venture of yours will pay out long term. I say this because even though you feel like you have "a strong income" reality is that you are still in the baby steps. The next 2 years will decide whether you are in business or not, and this debt will make it that much harder for your to be successful. 

 

I once was in a similar position of trying to "juggle the debt" or "trying to find just one monthly payment". There is no easy way out. Your next steps should be 1) do an audit on how you actually spend the money. You might tell yourself right now that you only used to cover necessities while you were down or that you only used it to start your business, but an audit will make you realize that those are lies. Any purchase outside groceries, paying your household *essential* bills, and gas was an unnecessary expense. 2) considering downsizing your vehicle. 3) Learn the Baby Steps from Dave Ramsey. 

 

Lastly, to reiterate: stay away from anyone that promises that you will get rich quick, or any company that tells you that they can get rid of your debt. Both of those options will result in you transferring your potential wealth to others, they get rich while you suffer the consequences. I wish you well in your future endeavors and if you ever want to chat you can send me a PM. 

 

Ps. I would recommend you watch this: Okay, I Think I’m Done… | Financial Audit.   The host is super obnouxious and is there to sell their sponsors products. But the conversation itself helped me reflect on my past self, because I too sounded like this guy when it came to credit cards. 

 

 

Personal


Business

In Memoriam (closed cards)


Desired Cards (in order)

Inquiries
TU: 0/3 · 0/6 · 4/12 · 16/24
EQ: 0/3 · 3/6 · 7/12 · 18/24
EX: 0/3 · 4/6 · 5/12 · 13/24
Chase 5/24: 9/24 (under 5/24 on 05/2027)

Message 5 of 10
KB808
New Member

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

Thanks again for the response.

 

On the positive side, with the cards I got based on the bad AI plan and adding in some more cash, I'm going to get the Discover down to zero, then just have $12k remaining on the Citi card to figure out. The new car, in retrospect was a bad idea, but my main source of income is Lyft/Uber now, so downsizing it would just make the bad idea worse and hurt income. 

 

But I totally hear you on everything else you are saying, if it was possible, I'd consider a loan from a bank / CU, but I do have about $700k in home equity. So guess that could be a last resort is just dawning on me. I definitely will not accept anything from any mailer and promotion though. And I run the other way when someone promises get rich quick now.

 

I do have everything in a spread sheet, I'm good at tracking my expenses... sadly I'm still shocked at myself, at the stupid decisions I've made. But currently I should be able to cover payments, while having extra to pay down the balances and covering basic necessities.

 

 

Message 6 of 10
BankDealer
New Contributor

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

Might be time for a HELOC. 
PenFed would be ok for this. Don't tie up all your cash in paying off the cards until you figure out your SE tax and make sure you are saving for maintenance for your car, since it's your main source of income.

Personal


Business

In Memoriam (closed cards)


Desired Cards (in order)

Inquiries
TU: 0/3 · 0/6 · 4/12 · 16/24
EQ: 0/3 · 3/6 · 7/12 · 18/24
EX: 0/3 · 4/6 · 5/12 · 13/24
Chase 5/24: 9/24 (under 5/24 on 05/2027)

Message 7 of 10
SusanJA
Established Member

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

My initial reaction is that you're overcomplicating things. You did a good job by getting a 0% APR for part of your debt. Now, you just need to pay that off before the regular APRs kick in, while paying at least the minimum on the other balances. Then try to transfer the remainder to another card or two. 

Message 8 of 10
ptatohed
Senior Contributor

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

I don't think transferring debt of this amount from 0% card to 0% card is sustainable.  I think you'll need to figure out some way to consolidate the debt into one loan with the best rate you can find.  

 

I hope you are not using the cards?  

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi CUSTOM CASH “C” // citi ThankYou (5% gas, lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

Rotating 5% CB:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)
Message 9 of 10
FicoMike0
Senior Contributor

Re: Advice on Cards for Balance Transfers - I made some mistakes.

I just got a mailer from associated bank for a visa zero+ card with 0% for 24 months,  5% transfer fee. No idea about limits they give. I think it's run by elan, so the same deal is likely available from other small banks.

 

Message 10 of 10
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