Balance transfer credit card offers are designed specifically for helping individuals consolidate their credit card debt onto one single card. By doing this they save money on interest charges. Some of these types of credit cards even offer a low introductory 0% Annual Percentage Rate interest rate on credit card balance transfers.
In essence, balance transfer credit cards can really help simplify your life. The best balance transfer credit cards can serve plenty of useful purposes, including making life much simpler, easier and less stressful. A good example is credit card consolidation. Instead of paying several credit card bills every month, you can consolidate all your debts simply onto one single card.
This will, no doubt, instantly simplify your finances. You won't need to be sending multiple payments to Visa, American Express, Discover Card or whoever else you have cards with. By consolidating all that you owe into one single charge card account, your paying only one bill and that is it.
However, it is important that you know that if you are interested in considering this option that there are several very important facts to keep in mind. First of all, you must know what the exact interest rate will be. If it is indeed a zero % interest balance transfer, then you can be sure that this is only an introductory offer and won't last forever!
Typically, 0% Annual Percentage Rate balance transfer offers will only last from 6-12 months. After the introductory period ends, the current interest rate, whatever rate it may be, will start to kick in and you will be charged against the balance that's remaining in your account. Zero percent APR offers are great, but they obviously won't last forever.
You do not need to be reminded of this, but I'll say it anyways, credit card companies and banks are in the business of profit making. Many of these organizations will use credit card balance transfers as a way to draw in new customers. You can be sure that when the introductory period ends that they will be hoping that you still carry on a balance that they can charge you interest on. This is how they stick it to you ultimately with these initially enticing offers.
If you are actively seeking balance transfer credit cards to help reduce your current debt situation, then this option might be a great option when used carefully. Do proper calculations to figure out how much you will need to pay each and every month to pay off what you previously owe to the intro period expiration.
It if further advised that even if you have substantial debt and can't pay it all back before the favorable interest rates expire and then the longer term interest rate kicks in, put down as much as you possible can. You can help yourself save a lot of money by taking advantage of the 0% Annual Percentage Rate and you'll be that much closer to getting rid of your debt when you put down as much as you possibly can after the initial period is over.
It is vitally important also that you find out if there are any balance transfer fees and annual fees associated with the offer you are interested in. It is well known that even some of the best balance transfer credit cards will have high fees. This is why it is very important that you carefully read the terms and conditions that are in the fine print on the credit card application. This will ultimately help you make a better decision prior to going into any further obligations as well as possibly save you from future headaches.
You can take advantage of a 0% interest balance transfer credit card by setting up aggressive payment schedules and having the card work in your favor instead of against it. With some careful planning, balance transfer credit cards can really be useful and help make your life much easier!