Great Ways to Save Money-Credit Card Interest

If you have credit cards and your credit is in good standing, try calling your credit card company and asking for your interest rate to be lowered.

It really can be that simple. Unfortunately, most people do not even realize this is an option so they never make the call. Just tell the representative that you want a lower rate on your credit card and wait to see if they will honor your request.

A simple five-minute phone call to your credit card issuer could save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in interest charges.

It doesn't hurt to ask!

When Could Refinancing be a Mistake?

Some homeowners mistakenly think that refinancing is always a viable option. This is a dangerous way of thinking and can result in serious financial problems if you choose the wrong time to refinance.

Refinancing can be a mistake when the homeowner does not stay in the property long enough to recoup the refinancing costs. Refinancing can also be a poor choice when the homeowner has had a credit score that has dropped since the original loan. Another example is when the interest rate has not dropped enough to offset the closing costs associated with refinancing.

Recouping the Closing Costs

In determining whether or not refinancing is worthwhile the homeowner should determine how long he would have to hold on to the property to recoup the closing costs. This is an important concern especially in the case when the homeowner intends to sell the property in the near future. There are refinancing calculators that will let homeowners know the amount of time it will take to make refinancing worthwhile.

When Credit Scores Drop

Many homeowners view a drop in interest rates as a signal that it is time to refinance. However, when these interest rates are accompanied by a lower credit score, the refinanced mortgage might not be favorable. It is wise to take advantage of free refinancing quotes to get an idea of whether it will be beneficial to refinance, especially if you now have a lower credit score.

Have the Interest Rates Dropped Enough?

Another common mistake is to refinance whenever there is a significant drop in interest rates. The homeowner should first carefully evaluate whether or not the interest rate has dropped enough to make refinancing worthwhile, after closing costs including application fees, origination fees, appraisal fees and a variety of other costs. These costs can add up very quickly and may negate the benefits of the lower interest rate.

Refinancing Can Be Beneficial Even When It Would Normally be a Mistake

Refinancing is not always the ideal solution, but some homeowners might still choose refinancing even when it is technically a mistake to do so. A common example of this type of situation is when a homeowner refinances to get lower interest rates even though the homeowner winds up paying more in the long term. This can occur when interest rates drop, but not enough to result in an overall savings or when a homeowner consolidates short term debt into a long term mortgage refinance. Although most financial advisors would warn against this approach, a person may occasionally have legitimate reasons for increasing their monthly cash flow by reducing their mortgage payments. Just be sure to do the appropriate research and weigh the consequences befor refinancing.