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BT dilemna what to do

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althes
Frequent Contributor

BT dilemna what to do

I have a BT card coming 15k to use.

Cards with balances.

4000/20000 26.99% monthly interest 95.00

1980/2500 25.99% monthly interest 40

2200/3500 25.00% monthly interest 45.00

2857/4000 28.99% monthly interest 60.00

 

Ok so how do I break this out.

I don't really want to go over 50% on the card, but I am thinking FICO be damned for a year.

Move as much as possible over but not enough to affect FICO too drastically.

Message 1 of 13
12 REPLIES 12
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: BT dilemna what to do

If you're going to do it, do it all since you have enough to cover and then make large payments.  This will keep you motivated to pay it off within the year and not spend on the other cards (hopefully).  You're going to take a hit regardless so might as well use thr BT for its purpose.

Message 2 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: BT dilemna what to do

Well to answer that, one would need to know how much you're currently paying them. And how much you would be able to pay them back monthly.  Also be helpful to know who issued said BT card, as some limit the amount of the BT. And others get skittish with higher balances.

Maybe even know which CC are associated with which balances(more later)

 

If it were me, I'd leave the $1980/2500 balance where it is, and try to make big payments to bring it down. Around $150-250 if possible?

Then I would BT the remaining $9057 to the new card, which would only bring you to about 60% util. Not great but not as bad as 80%, especially if you pay it down quickly. Based on typical BT offers, I'm guessing 12 months 0%? Which would make your monthly payment rougly $800. 

 

As for that $1980/2500 balance, if possible I'd BT it to one of your existing CC's if an offer is available. It would buy you time and save on interest if you're unable to make those larger payments. Discover for instance almost alwasy has one as well as Citi. This is why i ask which cards you have. $1980 blance would look best on that $20K or even $4K CL card.

Message 3 of 13
tcbofade
Super Contributor

Re: BT dilemna what to do

In my little corner of the world, dollars are more important than Fico points.

 

Assuming this is a zero percent BT card arriving, I would transfer all of it and work to pay the new card down to under 49% utilization.

 

 

02/01/24 Fico 8: EX 757, EQ 803, TU 783.
Fico 9: EX 760 12/16/23, EQ 790 02/04/24, TU No idea.

Zero percent financing is where the devil lives...
Message 4 of 13
AverageJoesCredit
Legendary Contributor

Re: BT dilemna what to do

What card is it and what lender? Some lenders love when you use their card for Bts others not so much. If you need to bt 11k , you have 15k card, do it all. One payment , less stress, and the more you pay it will eventually go down. Dont stress fico scoring or points or what a bank thinks, do whats best for YOU and save on interestSmiley Happy.
Message 5 of 13
althes
Frequent Contributor

Re: BT dilemna what to do

I can drop 500-700 depending on the month to the BT card.

Its Navy by the way.

Thanks for the replies.

Have some good stuff to ponder.

20k card is Synchrony.

No BT offers.

 

I don't have a Citi but have a secured Discover, so I am considering waiting until the Discover unsecures and becomes a year old and applying for a Discover to do a BT.

 

Skeptical about Citi as I can't seem to get anything from them, only cards on the retail side.

Recently got a Shell MC.

Will see how it pans out and even if I got up to 9000/15000 on the BT card I can live with that as make payments to knock it down.

Message 6 of 13
althes
Frequent Contributor

Re: BT dilemna what to do

As usual if anyone cares to know, alot of the charges are medical expenses.

 

Message 7 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: BT dilemna what to do

I'd say go all in.

 

Just some data points to help

 

My navy was at $10k, got a bump to $20k then balance transferred over $17k to it about a few days later.

Paid over minimum for a few months and 6 months and a day after the last bump, I got bumped to $25k

at that time my balance was about $13k or so, still over 50% of the 20k limit, but after next payment

it got me under 49% so i am still estatic. currently at 47% and I will be putting $2500 or so each month

until beginning of Feb2020 when my 0% ends.

Note: I also had a 0% BT fee. Smiley LOL

 

Just another note: I BT a lot and max my limits on most of my cards that offered over the years...

 

Navy rocks!

Message 8 of 13
AverageJoesCredit
Legendary Contributor

Re: BT dilemna what to do

Navy? Lol, DO IT! They dont mind and youll build excellent history with them. Next csrd you get with them you might get 20 or 25kSmiley Wink. Im using my Navy card for all my credit card debt and was at 50%. Pay as much as you csn. By end of promo if you still need time you can find another bt card and the amount you need will be less. Where do you think any of mt Sync balsnces went lol. With Sync always pif cuz they interest is insaneSmiley Wink.
Message 9 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: BT dilemna what to do

Dont let the score drive the behavior.  Last month was a slow month for collecting money for dw and mine biz. I took a long term bt on Disco while we wait out the money owed us.  Also I needed to pay our taxes dw had a  0% plan it from Amex  so  we put our tax bill on Amex.  I am all about saving money and hide

 

Message 10 of 13
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