If you have high interest rate credit cards with outstanding balances on them you may find that the monthly repayments that you are making on the cards are very high. In addition, if you are only making small repayments on the cards you may find that a large portion of what you pay on each balance in getting swallowed up in interest, which means that your actual balance is hardly being touched leaving you at risk of having the debt hanging around your neck for a long time to come.
This is the reason why many people have decided over recent years to transfer their higher interest credit card debts onto a convenient and affordable 0% balance transfer credit card. By doing this cardholders can save a considerable amount of money in interest payments, and as long as they remain within the credit limit on the new card can transfer balances from a range of different credit cards so that they have fewer credit card debts to deal with.
It is important to make sure that you get the best deal possible when you opt for a 0% balance transfer credit card, as getting the best deal can help you to save more money and buy you more time to repay the balance. There are a number of things that you should check when it comes to finding a suitable 0% balance transfer deal, and by taking the time to compare different 0% balance transfer cards and compare these different factors you can increase your chances of getting the most competitive deal.
Of course, one of the most important factors that you will need to look at is how long the interest free credit period is, as the longer this is the more time you will have to repay the transferred balance without being charged any interest. Some 0% balance transfer cards offer interest free periods of just six months or so, but others offer 0% interest for twelve or even fifteen months in some cases. Make sure that you compare cards from a range of providers in order to find the best interest free period.
Most 0% balance transfer credit cards charge a transfer fee, and this is usually a percentage of the total amount that is being transferred. You need to compare the various 0% balance transfer cards and compare how much each charges by way of a transfer fee, as this can vary from one card provider to another. On average the transfer fee ranges from 2-3 percent of the total amount that is being transferred.
Although you should aim to repay the balance in full before the interest free period comes to an end on these 0% balance transfer cards it is worth taking a look at the interest rate that is charged just in case your have a remaining balance by the time the 0% period expires. However, this should not be the priority, as you should aim to have the balance cleared by the time that the interest free period ends.
0 Balance Transfer On Credit Cards
Over the first couple of months of the year many people decide to shift their more expensive credit card balances from high interest cards to 0% balance transfer cards in order to save money on interest charges. However, although this can prove to be an effective moneysaving solution there are things that you need to look out for with 0% balance transfer cards.
By looking at different aspects of these credit cards you can make sure that you are selecting the right solution for your needs, and you can make sure that you are not paying over the odds. Some of the things to bear in mind when looking at 0% balance transfer credit cards include:
1. Check the interest free period
The interest free or 0% period offered by 0% balance transfer credit cards can vary in terms of length from one provider to another. In order to get the best deal and enjoy maximum flexibility you should check and compare the different 0% period offered by different cards and find one that offers a generous interest free period on transferred balanced.
2. Check the transfer fee charged
Most 0% balance transfer credit cards charge what is known as a transfer fee, and this is charged for the privilege of transferring your balances. The transfer fee is usually between 2-3% of the total amount of money being transferred, and can work out expensive. In some cases, depending on how much you are transferring, you may find that a consolidation loan could prove a better solution. You should check the transfer levels and work out how much you will be paying.
3. Avoid making purchases on the card
If you take out a 0% balance transfer credit card then use it for balance transfers only. Avoid the temptation to also spend on the card, as otherwise your purchase balance will get trapped behind the transferred balance, where it will sit and accrue interest whilst your repayments are applied to the interest free transferred balance.
4. Check the interest rate
The idea is that you repay your balance within the interest free period so that you are not charged interest, but it is still worth keeping an eye on the interest rate charged on these cards so that you know what rate of interest you may have to pay in the event that you do not clear your balance in time.
5. Check the small print
It is a good idea to check to small print with these credit cards so that you can see what sort of fees and charges are imposed, as well as check on any restrictions, exclusions, etc.
Both Peter Kenny & Katie George are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Peter Kenny has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, Finances and Best Money Market. Peter Kenny has been writing financial articles for 10 years and is a writer for The Thrifty Scot, please visit us at and. Peter Kenny's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
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