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Pay Less For Debt: Credit Card vs. HELOC Calculator

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Pay Less For Debt: Credit Card vs. HELOC Calculator

Are you a homeowner looking for ways to put more money into your life? Whether it’s for relief, fun, or just to survive, moving money from a credit card to a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) can save you a lot. Let’s take a closer look at how you can pay less for debt today! 

Understanding Your Debt

Nowadays, most of us have more debt than investments. Therefore, it’s smart to spend some time looking at our debt and finding ways to save money.

Example Scenario

Let’s first consider a person with three credit cards totaling $21,000. The average interest rate on these cards is 24%. Therefore, over a year, they will pay about $5,040 in interest.

Now, we know credit cards have different rates and balances, but for simplicity, let’s say each card has a balance of $7,000 with interest rates between 19% and 29%. This gives us an average interest rate of 24%.

If you want to find your average interest rate, you can use a simple spreadsheet. Just plug in your numbers to get a rough estimate.

Moving to a HELOC

What happens if this person moves their $21,000 debt to a HELOC?

A typical HELOC today has an interest rate of about 8.5%. On $21,000, that’s around $1,785 in interest per year.

The Big Difference

Let’s break it down:

  • Credit Card Interest: $5,000 per year
  • HELOC Interest: $1,785 per year

That’s a difference of $3,200 per year!

What Can You Do with $3,255?

Think about what an extra $3,255 can do for you:

  • Go out to lunch
  • Take your family to dinner
  • Go on a vacation
  • Simply enjoy life more
  • Or wake up knowing your day will be better without worrying about making payments

Real-Life Impact

This extra money can bring so much relief as well as joy into your life. Whether you decide to use it to get out of debt, enjoy life, or make sure your kids have what they need, the goal is the same: putting more money in your pocket and less in the banks.

Conclusion

By using a HELOC to pay off your credit card debt can save you thousands of dollars each year. As a result, this simple move puts more money in your pocket, and allows you to enjoy life more. Whether you use the extra cash to get out of debt, have fun, or cover essentials, the goal is to relieve stress, as well as improve your financial situation. 

Download our spreadsheet in order to see your potential savings, and start making smarter financial decisions today. More importantly, if you found this information helpful, please visit our website for more tips on managing debt and boosting your finances.

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What Is Debt?

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Debt is when you borrow money from someone and promise to pay it back later. To put it another way, people and businesses use debt to buy things they can’t afford right now.

How Does It Work?

First, Borrowing Money: You ask for money from a lender. This could be a bank, a friend, or a company.

Second, Promise to Pay Back: You agree to pay back the money over time. This is called a loan.

Finally, Interest: The lender charges a fee for letting you borrow money. This fee is called interest and is a percentage of the loan.

Types of Debt

Credit Cards

Credit cards let you buy things now and pay later. They are handy; however, they come with high-interest rates if you don’t pay off the balance each month.

Mortgages

A mortgage is a loan to buy a house. It’s a big loan that you pay back over many years. The house is the collateral, which means the bank can take it if you don’t pay.

Student Loans

Student loans help you pay for college. You pay them back after you finish school and start working.

Car Loans

Car loans let you buy a car. You pay back the loan over a few years. The car is the collateral for the loan.

Good vs. Bad 

Not all debt is the same. Some can be good, and some can be bad. Let’s see the difference:

Good Debt

This will help you grow your wealth or income. For example:

  • Student Loans: Help you get an education and a better job.
  • Mortgages: Help you buy a home, which can increase in value over time.
  • Business Loans: Help you start or grow a business.

Bad Debt

This doesn’t help you grow. Instead, it can hurt your finances. For example:

  • High-Interest Credit Cards: These can be hard to pay off.
  • Payday Loans: These have very high fees and can trap you in a cycle of debt.

How to Manage Debt

Managing your finances well is important. Here are some tips:

  • Make a Budget: Know how much money you have and where it goes.
  • Pay On Time: Always try to make payments on time to avoid extra fees.
  • Pay More Than the Minimum: This helps you pay off debt faster.
  • Avoid Unnecessary Debt: Think twice before borrowing money for things you don’t need.

In Conclusion

Debt is a way to borrow money and pay it back later. It can help you reach your goals if you manage it well. Always remember to borrow what you can afford to pay back. With smart choices, debt can be your friend, instead of your enemy.

Contact Us Today!

Do you need help navigating your financial future? Contact us today!

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