Tried rolling my credit card debt into a mortgage refi last year. The lower interest rate was a relief, but now my mortgage payment’s higher and I’m kinda nervous about stretching that debt out over 30 years. It felt like a quick fix, but maybe not the smartest? Anyone else done this and felt weird about it, or did it actually help you long-term?
Rolling credit cards into a new mortgage: worth it?
I’ve seen a lot of folks do this, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. Lower interest is great, but like you said, now you’re paying off that old pizza or vacation for decades. I had a client who did this—she loved the breathing room at first, but later wished she’d just tackled the cards head-on. It’s not always a mistake, but it does stretch things out way longer than most people expect. Sometimes it’s about short-term relief vs. long-term cost... tough call.
I’ve run the numbers on this a few times, and honestly, it’s not as clear-cut as it seems. Sure, rolling credit card debt into a mortgage drops your interest rate, but you’re also turning short-term debt into a 30-year commitment. That $3,000 vacation could end up costing double by the time you’re done. I get the appeal of lower monthly payments, but unless you’re disciplined enough to avoid racking up new card balances, it can be a slippery slope. Sometimes it feels like robbing Peter to pay Paul, just with nicer paperwork.
That’s a fair take. I’ve looked at rolling debt into a mortgage myself, but the long-term cost is what always makes me pause. You might save monthly, but over decades? That interest adds up fast. It only really works if you’re 100% sure you won’t rack up new debt… and honestly, that’s tougher than it sounds.
Yeah, that “quick fix” feeling is real. I did something similar back in 2019—thought I was a genius swapping 18% interest for 3.5%. But now my mortgage looks like it’s been hitting the gym, and I’m still side-eyeing my credit card offers every month.
Couple things I learned:
- Lower interest is great, but 30 years is a loooong time to pay for last year’s pizza and Amazon splurges.
- The temptation to just… use the cards again? Stronger than expected.
- On paper, my monthly bills look better, but mentally it feels weird knowing I just turned short-term debt into a marathon.
If you’re disciplined (unlike me with late-night online shopping), it can work out. But yeah, that “did I just make this worse?” feeling lingers.
