Dear YOUNG MONEY,
Of the many student loans I have, two of them are private TERI loans, currently at 8.25% with no cap. They total about $17,500. One of my credit cards is having a balance transfer promotion of 3.99% for life. It also will charge me $75 to do this transaction, but I figure it's a small price to pay for the savings in interest. I have an $18,600 limit on the card, and so if I transferred this balance I would just about max out the card. Of course, I would use another card for future purchases until this balance is paid off.
What do you think about this decision? Does interest accrue differently on credit cards, and in such a way that may work to my disadvantage here?
Thanks so much!
Brian
Dear Brian,
Thank you for reading Young Money and thank you for the email.
Initially this could look like a no-brainer but watch out! This could be a big financial mistake. I know the lower rate seems attractive but credit cards accrue interest on outstanding balances daily. I would guess, without seeing your loan paperwork, that your student loan is a simple interest loan. In fact, with your student loan you have options for deferment and payment of interest only if you are still in school. With a credit card you would have only one option, pay the monthly minimum payment every month or face a default penalty interest rate, and damaged credit. ...
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