Not exact matches
But that is
lower than the average
credit card interest rate, which is
currently 18.76 percent, according to NerdWallet.
Currently rates are artificially
low on what is essentially an unsecured (no collateral) loan, if student loans were dischargeable in bankruptcy then their
interest rate would be closer to that of
credit cards.
However,
credit card companies have no incentive to
lower the APR automatically for you so as a consumer it is best to know what you're
currently paying and be proactive by contacting the
credit card company and requesting a
lower interest rate.
If you have a good
credit score, you might qualify for a personal loan with a much
lower interest rate than you
currently have on your
credit card.
Debt consolidation loans only work if they offer a
lower interest rate and monthly payment than what you
currently pay on your
credit card debt.
Whether you go the traditional route or online method, you are looking for a loan that has a
lower interest rate than you are
currently paying on your
credit card debt.
While you may be able to get a
lower interest rate through a debt consolidation service than you're
currently paying on your
credit cards or other bills, the main way they reduce your monthly payments is by stretching out your term, the time it takes to pay the loan off.
Instead, take stock of the
credit cards you
currently have, work with them to
lower your
interest rate as much as possible, and focus on managing and reducing the debt you have instead of adding more.
A debt consolidation loan, if you can apply for one and get an
interest rate that's
lower than what you're
currently paying on
credit cards, to consolidate your bills, God bless, by all means try that and see what the answer is.
Credit card interest rates can be as high as 29 % whereas mortgage rates are
currently at all time
lows.
Currently, the
credit card issuer would apply your payment (after
interest is deducted, of course) to the debt with the
lowest interest rate.
You want to consolidate debt - Similar to taking cash out, if you want to pay off your high -
interest - rate
credit card debt with your
low -
interest - rate mortgage, you'll only be able to do that through a normal refinance, because an appraisal and additional underwriting is required to get a loan for a larger amount than you
currently owe on the home.