Tackling Debt Crossroads

Unpossible_1 · ‎10-03-2025

Hello, loooong time lurker, first time posting.

I'm looking for some advice on what direction is the ideal choice for my debt situation. Between a divorce and two kids in a college at the same time, I've had to pivot a few times to cover some big expenses like tuition and room and board.

Here is the breakdown

12 CC @ about 20% UT combined

The two cards are currently 0% APR

$16,000/$17,500 promo rate expires 3/2026 and then is 28.24%

$7,000/$7,500 expires 12/2025 29.24%

Also have

HELOC $95k/$107k - This was picked up for some home renos when I decided to keep the house, but ended up having to cover the college expenses on top.

Auto Lease 24 months into a 36 month

Is it more ideal to go with a PL to cover the two 0% CCs with expiring promo, or a new CC with a 0% BT Intro? Seems like an installation loan with a set time, % and payment would be the smart choice, but I'm not totally convinced.

Appreciate any suggestions or tips and hopefully I started in the right place.

AndySoCal · ‎10-03-2025

@Unpossible_1 if you decide to go the personal loan route I would suggest a credit union. Usually credit union rates are lower than the banks. If the is a federal credit union the highest rate is 18% which will be in affect til sometime next year. If that is not extended it will revert to 15% or something close it. Most credit unions will give you the interest rate range for their loans banks usually do not. Credit cards rates at a credit union will be lower make sure it federal credit union. Non federal credit unions do not have that rate cap. I would suggest you find one near you. I can give you a link to help you find one if your interested.

FIC Scores XPN v8 805 V2 831 (SDFCU) TUC V 8 800 07/25 EFX Bankcard v8 822 EFX FIC0 v8 807 Vantage score 4.0 817 via JC Penney
JC Penney 10/2008 4,700 US Bank Cash 08/2010 12,000 Citibank Custom Cash 5/2015 14,100, State Dept. FCU 06/2023 25,000 02/2024 Redstone FCU Signature VISA 10,000 08/23/2024 Commonwealth Credit Union 15000 07/25 Walmart One 5000 12/04/25
Banking: Lafayette FCU Fortera FCU State Department FCU Redstone FCU Hughes FCU Commonwealth FCU
My personal blacklist Axos Bank, Bank of America, Synchrony Bank Capital One TD Bank Comerica Bank BMO US Bank Wells Fargo

Unpossible_1 · ‎10-03-2025

This is true. I've got a NFCU account, along with their Flagship and Amex CC, and my HELOC is with them. I hadn't fully explored doing a PL with them yet though.

Checked out SoFi (7.71-10.6% but I don't quite understand why there was two different rates for the same thing) and had a pre-approval with Discover for being a long time customer (16%).

CreditCuriosity · ‎10-03-2025

@Unpossible_1 wrote:
This is true. I've got a NFCU account, along with their Flagship and Amex CC, and my HELOC is with them. I hadn't fully explored doing a PL with them yet though.

Checked out SoFi (7.71-10.6% but I don't quite understand why there was two different rates for the same thing) and had a pre-approval with Discover for being a long time customer (16%).

NFCU isn't the best for personal loans just a FYI. Many better options exists such as lightstream, etc depending on your credit score and DTI etc.

FlaDude · ‎10-03-2025

Most BT cards have transfer fees of 3-5%. I don't know what kind of loan interest rates you can get but when I was in that boat I used the prequal tool at CK and over time found three loans totalling 40k that way. You really need to find out what kind of loan interest rate you can get and run the amortization of the upfront BT fees vs. interest over time and see what works best for you.

And of course from a BT standpoint, it's hard to say what kind of limit you can get until you apply.

Scores: March 21 FICO 8: EX 810, TU 808, EQ 813
AoOA: closed: 40 years, open: 30 years; AAoA: 14 years
Amex Gold, Amex Blue, Amex ED, Amex Delta Blue, Amex Hilton Surpass, BoA Platinum Plus, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Amazon, Chase CSP, Chase United Explorer, Citi AA, Sync Lowes, total CL 203k

ptatohed · ‎10-03-2025

How much can you pay down the current balances before the promo rates expire?

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card // primis Perks debit Visa (50c CB per transaction (5% CB or more up to $10 spend))

5% CB rotating:
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:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // 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)

Thomas_Thumb · ‎10-04-2025

I'd go the PL route.

Fico 9: .......EQ 850 TU 850 EX 850
Fico 8: .......EQ 850 TU 850 EX 850
Fico 4 .....:. EQ 809 TU 823 EX 830 EX Fico 98: 842
Fico 8 BC:. EQ 892 TU 900 EX 900
Fico 8 AU:. EQ 887 TU 897 EX 899
Fico 4 BC:. EQ 826 TU 858, EX Fico 98 BC: 870
Fico 4 AU:. EQ 831 TU 872, EX Fico 98 AU: 861
VS 3.0:...... EQ 835 TU 835 EX 835
CBIS: ........EQ LN Auto 940 EQ LN Home 870 TU Auto 902 TU Home 950

Unpossible_1 · ‎10-06-2025

Lightstream is the other one I looked at, along with SoFi. I just haven't done the initial portion yet, to see what my rate would be.

Thanks for the tip on the PL with NFCU!

Unpossible_1 · ‎10-06-2025

Those BT % definitely make or break that direction, not to mention the not knowing the CL until fully committing.

I hadn't considered the prequal offers on CK, as I do get those regularly. I'll have to check out what's there, thanks!

Unpossible_1 · ‎10-06-2025

If I really push it, I could probably knock off about 1/3 of the lower amount and $3k off the higher.

That's a part of why I haven't fully pursued another CC or PL yet. I've got a couple months left of no interest on the one, and about 5 months on the other, so why not hold off a bit longer.