Tag Archive for: smart with debt

Today we are going to discuss whether a cash-out refinance is right for you. A cash-out refinance can be a smart move, or it can lead to big regrets. The key is knowing when it works for your situation. Here’s how it works: You replace your current mortgage with a bigger one. The extra money comes to you as cash. Sounds simple? It is, but there’s more to think about.

For example, let’s say your home is worth $300,000, and you owe $150,000. You might refinance for $200,000, leaving you with $50,000 in cash. This money can help pay off high-interest credit cards, fund home improvements, or even kickstart a new investment.

But it’s not always the right choice. You’re taking on more debt, which means bigger payments. Plus, your home is the collateral. If something goes wrong, like a job loss, you could risk losing your home.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: Only use a cash-out refinance if the money helps you save or grow wealth. For example, using it to upgrade a rental property or consolidate high-interest loans can make sense. Using it for a vacation? Maybe not.

Understanding your goals and running the numbers will help you decide. It’s about making the cash work for you, not against you.

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Is a cash out refinance right for you? Contact us today to find out more about cash out refinances, as well as other ways to use debt to your advantage.

Free Tools For You! 

We also have free tools available! Download our Cash Out Refi vs Home Equity Loan Calculator to see which option is best for you! 

Learn more!

Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about using debt instead of letting debt use you! 

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Today we are going to walk through the process of calculating your HELOC payment. Just to clarify, a HELOC is a mortgage on your house. However, it operates like a credit card. You can borrow money for anything that you need during the draw period and pay back what you borrow. On average, the draw period lasts between 5 to 10 years. Once the draw period is over, then the repayment period begins. 

Calculate your payment in 5 easy steps:

First: What’s your starting balance

Second: What’s your interest rate?

Third: Grab a calculator.

Fourth: Calculate your annual payment. (Balance x Interest Rate)

Final: Calculate your monthly payment. (Annual payment/12 months)

Example:

Starting balance: $50,000

Interest Rate: 8%

Annual payment: $50,000 x .08 = $4,000

Monthly payment: $4,000/12 = $333.33

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Do you want to find out more about calculating your HELOC payment? Contact us today to learn some tips that can help you to achieve your goal quickly and easily!  

Free Tools For You! 

We also have free tools available! HELOC Payment Calculator to see which HELOC is best for you! 

Learn more!

Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about using debt instead of letting debt use you! 

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An adjustable rate mortgage is a type of mortgage with a twist. Unlike a fixed-rate loan, where your interest rate stays the same, an adjustable rate loan starts with a lower rate for a set period. After that, the rate can change based on market conditions.

Let’s break it down with an example. Imagine you buy your first home with a loan that has a 7-year adjustable rate. For the first seven years, your interest rate is locked in, let’s say 4%. That means lower monthly payments compared to a fixed-rate loan at 5%. But after those seven years, the rate adjusts. If market rates go up, your payment could increase. If rates drop, your payment might go down.

Adjustable rate loans can be a smart choice if you plan to move or refinance before the rate adjusts. They’re a way to save money upfront but come with some uncertainty down the road.

The key is to know your goals and plan ahead. This type of loan can work well for people who don’t expect to stay in their home long-term. Want to learn more? Contact us today and we can help you decide if this loan type is right for you.

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Not sure which loan is best for you and your needs? Contact us today to find out more about how to turn your debt into your friend instead of your enemy! 

Free Tools For You! 

We also have free tools available! Accelerate Debt Payments Calculator to see which debt option is best for you! 

Learn more!

Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about using debt instead of letting debt use you!

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Save big on credit cards and keep more cash today! If you’re tired of watching your hard-earned money disappear into high-interest credit card payments, you’re not alone. But don’t worry, there’s a solution! By lowering your interest rates and repositioning your debt, you can save thousands of dollars, pay off your balances faster, and keep more cash in your pocket.

Today we are going to discuss how you can take control and make your money work for you.

Why Pay More When You Can Pay Less?

High-interest credit card debt is like a leak in your financial bucket. It not only drains your cash, but it also keeps you stuck in a cycle of payments. However, there is a solution! Instead of sticking with those sky-high rates, reposition your debt to a lower-interest option like a home equity loan or 0% credit cards.

By making this one smart move, you can:

  • Save on interest payments
  • Pay off debt faster
  • Free up money for what truly matters

Example: The Cost of High-Interest Credit Cards

Let’s look at an example of someone with three credit cards totaling $21,000 in debt:

  1. Card 1: $7,000 at 19% interest
    Monthly Payment: $184
  2. Card 2: $7,000 at 24% interest
    Monthly Payment: $213
  3. Card 3: $7,000 at 29% interest
    Monthly Payment: $244

That’s $641 per month in payments. After putting these numbers in the online debt payoff calculator, it would take 4 years and 6 months to pay it off, with total payments of $34,320. Just to clarify, that’s over $13,000 in interest alone!

The Power of Lower Interest Rates

Now, let’s see what happens if you reposition that $21,000 into a home equity loan at 8.5% interest. Here’s what changes:

  • Monthly Payment: Same $641
  • Time to Pay Off: 3 years and 4 months
  • Total Payments: $25,296

You save $9,024 and pay off your debt 14 months faster! That’s the power of lower interest rates.

How to Reposition Your Debt

Ready to save big? Here are two easy ways to get started:

1. Home Equity Loan

  • Use the equity in your home to consolidate credit card debt.
  • Rates are much lower than most credit cards.
  • Make one monthly payment instead of juggling multiple bills.

2. 0% Credit Card Balance Transfers

  • Many cards offer 0% introductory rates for 12–18 months.
  • Transfer your balances and pay no interest during that period.
  • Repeat this strategy every 18 months until the debt is gone.

Tools to Help You Save

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Try tools like Calculator.net’s Debt Payoff Calculator to compare options. Input your debt details, payments, and interest rates to see exactly how much you’ll save.

Take Control of Your Debt Today!

Why overpay when you don’t have to? By repositioning your debt, you can save money, get out of debt faster, and keep more cash in your pocket to enjoy life. It’s all about making interest work for you, not against you.

Take the first step now. Visit SmartWithDebt.com for more tools and resources to help you get into good, healthy debt. Have questions? Contact us today! We’d love to help you run the numbers and create a plan that works for you.

Watch our most recent video to find out more about how you can save big on credit cards and keep more cash!

Start saving today and take back control of your finances!

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Today we are going to discuss how important it is to find the right debt to enjoy life more. Not all debt is bad. In fact, the right kind of debt can help you build a brighter future and enjoy life more today. The key is knowing how to spot the difference.

For example, let’s say you’re juggling high-interest credit card debt. Each month, you’re paying so much in interest that it feels impossible to get ahead. By switching to a loan with a lower interest rate, like a home equity loan, you could cut your monthly payments and start paying off the balance faster. That extra breathing room could mean finally saving for a vacation or enjoying a night out without guilt.

Finding the right debt means looking at the big picture. Does it simplify your finances? Does it give you more freedom and less stress? The right choice should work with your goals, not against them.

Debt doesn’t have to be a burden. When used wisely, it can help you solve problems, reach your goals, and enjoy life more today and in the future.

Contact Us Today! 

Do you want to find the right debt to enjoy life more? Contact us today to learn some tips that can help you to achieve your goal quickly and easily!  

Free Tools For You! 

We also have free tools available! Accelerate Debt Payments Calculator to see which debt option is best for you! 

Learn more!

Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about using debt instead of letting debt use you! 

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