Use mortgage refi to pay off credit card debt
I want to pay off our credit card debt of $23,000 and wonder if it is better to get a debt consolidation loan at a lower interest rate or roll the debt into a refinance of our mortgage. Im 58, and married with a child in college.
Terry Says
If you have credit card debt AND a child in college, you probably need some debt counseling. I would suggest you contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at 800-388-2227, which connects you to the nearest local office. You can discuss this over the phone and get some ideas about how best to handle the credit card debt. The reason I suggest this is that you are likely to get back into credit trouble even if you refinance (and now is a good time to do it if you have good credit and equity in your home). You don't want to make the same mistake again! And that will be tempting -- especially with a child in college. My first suggestion is always: how can someone in your family earn extra money on evenigs or weekends and dedicate it to paying down the credit card debt. Second question: How can you cut back on a big expense in your family -- sell a second car, cut out cable, etc. Then devote that money to paying down debt. You really need to understand how you got into the mess in the first place.
