cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Advice on managing my debt

tag
Anonymous
Not applicable

Advice on managing my debt

Hello everyone, I have been looking through a number of threads and doing my own research and I think I came up with a decent idea of how to manage my debt a little better however I wanted to get your opinion on a few things.

 

A little background. I am 25 years old and made heavy use of my credit around the years of 18-22. After that I laid off for a little while, paid off the vast majority of my cards, and thought I was done. Fast forward to now and I find myself in almos the same position, but a little worse off. I currently have a loan that I still need to pay about $6,000 on (car loan, originall about $8,500) three credit cards, (Amex blue cash with $2,900, Citi bank costco card with $3,900, and Wells Fargo credit card with about $4,800 and a Capital One card that I just finished paying off so that balance is now 0) as well as a department store card (Newegg prefferred card with about $1,600 balance). So all in all im looking at about $19,000 of debt that I'm looking to pay off. I am only making about 30,000/year and have a very small amount invested in a few stocks and going into a roth IRA, the stocks won't contribute much to helping me and the amount I put in my roth IRA doesnt really affect what I'd be putting into the cards all too much anyway. 

 

Now, I got a little carried away (or a lot) and didn't necessarily take the time to actually see how much i was racking up per credit card. A few months ago I realized how bad my spending had gotten and made the necessary changes to save some extra money, allocate some of that money to cards with higher interest rates or cards that are close to being paid off, and stopped relying on my credit cards. My question to you is how would you tackle the rest of what I have to pay? 

 

I was thinking of paying off my Amex within the next two months since my Introcuctory 0% APR ends next month and then getting a balance transfer card and transferring the debt from my remaining two cards into that assuming I get enough of a credit line. I might even throw in the balance from my dept. store card if you think it would be a good idea. The only issue I see with that is that I am not entirely certain I'll get a good credit limit if I applied for a balance transfer card and the only reason I would even think about applying for a new card is because of the no fees for balance transfer as well as introductory APR on balance transfer for some of the options available (Chase Slate being the best one i've seen so far). But I've heard horror stories about people getting a ridiculously low credit limit with good credit and, in my opinion, wasting an inquiry. I currently have a 719 (experian) 732 (transunion) and a 709 (equifax) with an oldest account of 10.3 years and average account age of 3.7 years and it appears that I have about 3 inquiries on record still,  credit card inquiry from Amex on 9/30/15, and two loan inquiries from 7/1/15 and 8/27/15.

 

Do you guys think I should go the route of getting a balance transfer card with the given information or should I just stick to paying off the cards with the highest APR for the rest of this year and maybe look into getting a balance transfer card in 2018 once these 3 inquiries are gone? I'm open to any advice you all are willing to provide, thanks in advance! 

Message 1 of 32
31 REPLIES 31
rlx01
Established Contributor

Re: Advice on managing my debt

Can you list card, balance, limit and APR?

Have you checked the Chase pre-qualification site to see if the Slate shows up?

 

Inquiries really mean almost nothing, and have zero FICO effect after 1 year.

Message 2 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Advice on managing my debt

WF- APR: 20.65%  BAL: $4,978.11

AMEX- APR: 0% (22.49% after this month) BAL:$2,944.447

CITI- APR: 15.74% BAL: $3,936.19

 

NEWEGG- APR:25.99% BAL: $1,582.34

 

WF LOAN- APR: 11.15% BAL: $6,184.71

 

and no I have not checked that yet.  

Message 3 of 32
rlx01
Established Contributor

Re: Advice on managing my debt

Alright. Could you please provide the limits as well?

You should go check it. It'll give us an idea of what Chase's system thinks. You can tell from the cards offered and the APR offered.

What you should do:

Pay down that NewEgg card ASAP.

Then Amex. Then WF. Then Citi.

In the meantime, you should see if you can get the car loan refinanced at a lower rate by a credit union.

Your FICO is pretty good. I think you'd see 5-10 point improvement if you pay off that NewEgg card.

Message 4 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Advice on managing my debt

WF- APR: 20.65%  BAL: $4,978.11 ($7,000 limit)

AMEX- APR: 0% (22.49% after this month) BAL:$2,944.447 ($9,500 limit)

CITI- APR: 15.74% BAL: $3,936.19 ($9,500 limit)

 

NEWEGG- APR:25.99% BAL: $1,582.34 ($2,000)

 

WF LOAN- APR: 11.15% BAL: $6,184.71 (started with roughly $8,500)

 

I was under the impression that the store cards like Newegg didnt necessarily affect your credit which is why I was pushing it off, I guess I thought wrong? Thank you for the advice by the way, I appreciate it. I'll go check what you mentioned right now to see if they have it. 

Message 5 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Advice on managing my debt

I went to Chase prequalification and it did say I was prequalified for the Chase Freedom, Chase Slate, and Chase Sapphire Preferred. 

Message 6 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Advice on managing my debt

Here's the information from the 3. Well the min. information.

 

Chase Freedom®

Cash Back and Save On Interest

 

EARN A $150 BONUS

after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening*

  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
  • Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it’s automatic*
  • 0% Intro APR and No Annual Fee†

 

Chase Slate®

Save on Interest & get your monthly FICO® Score for free*

 

$0 INTRO BALANCE TRANSFER FEE†

0% Intro APR†

  • $0 Annual Fee†
  • NEW! Free Monthly Credit Score and More - See the reasons behind your score and View a summary of your Credit Report information
  • No Penalty APR Paying late won’t raise your interest rate (APR)†

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Premium Travel & Dining Rewards

 

EARN 50,000 BONUS POINTS

after you spend $4,000 spent on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening*

  • 2X Points on Travel and Dining at Restaurants*
  • $0 Foreign Transaction Fees†
  • $0 Intro Annual Fee, after that $95†
Message 7 of 32
rlx01
Established Contributor

Re: Advice on managing my debt

Can you click the link on the Slate that says "Rates and Fees" or something like that (maybe "Terms") to see the APR after the 0% period?

Message 8 of 32
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Advice on managing my debt

this is for the slate card

 

Pricing & Terms

Please take a moment to carefully review the Pricing & Terms below.

PRICING INFORMATION

INTEREST RATES AND INTEREST CHARGES

Purchase Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

0% Intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles that your Account is open.

After that, 13.24%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.a

Balance Transfer APR

0% Intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles that your Account is open.

After that, 13.24%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.a

Cash Advance APR

25.24%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.b

How to Avoid Paying Interest on Purchases

Your due date will be a minimum of 21 days after the close of each billing cycle. We will not charge you interest on purchases if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month. We will begin charging interest on balance transfers and cash advances on the transaction date.

Minimum Interest Charge

None

Credit Card Tips from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

To learn more about factors to consider when applying for or using a credit card, visit the website of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.

FEES

Annual Membership Fee

None

Transaction Fees

 

Balance Transfers

$0 Intro fee on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Cash Advances

Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.

Foreign Transactions

3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Penalty Fees

 

Late Payment

Up to $15 if the balance is less than $100; up to $27 if the balance is $100 to less than $250; up to $37 if the balance is $250 or more.

Over-the-Credit-Limit

None

Return Payment

Up to $37.

Return Check

None

Note: This account may not be eligible for balance transfers.

How We Will Calculate Your Balance: We use the daily balance method (including new transactions).

Prime Rate: Variable APRs are based on the 3.50% Prime Rate as of 9/6/2016.

aWe add 9.74% to the Prime Rate to determine the Purchase/Balance Transfer APR. Maximum APR 29.99%.

bWe add 21.74% to the Prime Rate to determine the Cash Advance APR. Maximum APR 29.99%.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Authorization: When you respond to this credit card offer from Chase Bank USA, N.A., a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. ("Chase", "we", or "us"), you agree to the following:

  1. You authorize us to obtain credit bureau reports that we will use when considering your application for credit. You also authorize us to obtain credit bureau reports and any other information about you in connection with: 1) extensions of credit on your account; 2) the administration, review or collection of your account; and 3) offering you enhanced or additional products and services. If you ask, we will tell you the name and address of the credit bureau from which we obtained a report about you.

  2. If an account is opened, you will receive a Cardmember Agreement with your card(s). You agree to the terms of this agreement by: using the account or any card, authorizing their use, or making any payment on the account.

  3. When you give us your mobile phone number, we have your permission to contact you at that number about all your Chase or J.P. Morgan accounts. Your consent allows us to use text messaging, artificial or prerecorded voice messages and automatic dialing technology for informational and account service calls, but not for telemarketing or sales calls. It may include contact from companies working on our behalf to service your accounts. Message and data rates may apply. You may contact us anytime to change these preferences.

  4. Balance transfers will be applied to your account and sent to your designated payee(s) 10 days after we mail your new credit card. If you want to cancel or modify your balance transfer within this ten-day period and have received your credit card, please call the number on the back of your card. Otherwise, please call 1-888-338-9464. Please continue to make payments to your other account(s) until you know the balance has been paid.

  5. Rates, fees, and terms may change: We have the right to change the account terms (including the APRs) in accordance with your Cardmember Agreement.

Notice About this Pre-Approved Offer:

PRESCREEN & OPT-OUT NOTICE: This "prescreened" offer of credit is based on information in your credit report indicating that you meet certain criteria. This offer is not guaranteed if you do not meet our criteria. If you do not want to receive prescreened offers of credit from this and other companies, call the consumer reporting agencies toll-free, 1-888-567-8688; or write:

Equifax Options, P.O. Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123,

Experian Target Marketing, P.O. Box 919, Allen, TX 75013,

TransUnion Opt Out Request, P.O. Box 505, Woodlyn, PA 19094-0505.

Before we approve you for a credit card, we will review your credit report and the information you provide with your response to confirm that you continue to meet the predetermined criteria for this offer. Based on this review, you may not receive a card. If approved for an account, your credit limit will be at least $500. It is possible that certain applicants directly applying for a credit card from us, now or in the future, could obtain cards on the same terms or on more favorable terms than the terms available through this offer.

You must be at least 18 years old to qualify (19 in AL and NE). An applicant, if married, may apply for a separate account.

We reserve the right to change the benefit features associated with your card at any time.

New York Residents: New York residents may contact the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or go to www.dfs.ny.gov to obtain a comparative list of credit card rates, fees, and grace periods.

Ohio Residents: The Ohio laws against discrimination require that all creditors make credit equally available to all customers, and that credit reporting agencies maintain separate histories on each individual upon request. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission administers compliance with the law.

Notice to Married Wisconsin Residents: No provision of any marital property agreement, unilateral statement or court decree adversely affects our rights, unless you give us a copy of such agreement, statement or court order before we grant you credit, or we have actual knowledge of the adverse obligation. All obligations on this account will be incurred in the interest of your marriage or family. You understand that we may be required to give notice of this account to your spouse. Married Wisconsin residents must furnish their (the applicant's) name and social security number as well as the name and address of their spouse to Cardmember Service at P.O. Box 15218, Wilmington, DE 19850-5218.

Balance Transfer Option

  • Balance transfers are contingent upon issuance of your account with us.

  • The total amount of your request(s) including fees and interest charges cannot exceed your available credit or $15,000, whichever is lower.

  • We will not process any balance transfer requests that are from any other account or loan that we (Chase Bank USA, N.A.) or any of our affiliates issued.

  • Balance transfers are subject to the transaction fee shown in the enclosed "Pricing Information."

  • We will evaluate your balance transfer requests in the order listed on your response. If your request(s) exceeds the amount that we approve, we may either decline the request or send less than the full amount requested to your designated payee.

  • Each transfer will reduce your available credit just like any other transaction. You will see a payment for the amount transferred on the statement from your other accounts. It may take up to three weeks to set up your new account with us and process the balance transfer(s), so you may still need to make payments to your other accounts to keep them current.

Affiliate Information Sharing: We and our affiliates may share information about you among affiliates in order to offer products and services of interest to you. If you would prefer that we do not share information from your application, credit bureaus or third parties, please call us at 1-888-868-8618. For more information about our information handling policies, visit us on the web at http://www.chase.com/privacypolicy.

Replying to this offer: If we receive your response after the expiration date, or the name and address on this offer differ from the information you provide to us, we will treat your response as an application for an account that was not prescreened. If you omit any information on the form, we may deny your request for an account. Chase cardmembers who currently have or have had a Chase credit card in any Rewards Program associated with this offer, may not be eligible for a second Chase credit card in the same Rewards Program. Chase cardmembers currently receiving promotional pricing, or Chase cardmembers with a history of only using their current or prior Chase card for promotional pricing offers, are not eligible for a second Chase credit card with promotional pricing. You must have a valid permanent home address within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. The information about the costs of the card described in this form is accurate as of 9/6/2016. This information may have changed after that date. To find out what may have changed, write to us at Cardmember Service, P.O. Box 15043, Wilmington, DE 19850-5043.

USA PATRIOT Act: Please note: Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an Account such as your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask for other identifying documents.

Message 9 of 32
rlx01
Established Contributor

Re: Advice on managing my debt

Okay. So with the balance information, I think things are not too bad.

That NewEgg card is really holding down your scores because the utilization is 75%+. Unfortunately, store cards count. Smiley Sad

Your oldest card and AAoA are pretty good. 0 actual INQs, not maxing out any cards (though that NewEgg cards is pissing me off Smiley Happy. Some high limits there.

When was the last time you asked Citi and Amex for a credit line increase?
Message 10 of 32
Advertiser Disclosure: The offers that appear on this site are from third party advertisers from whom FICO receives compensation.