Honestly, I’ve watched a few friends roll their credit card debt into a refi, and it’s a mixed bag. One guy was thrilled at first—monthly bills dropped, stress went down. But he didn’t change his spending, and two years later, the cards were maxed again plus the mortgage was higher. If you’re disciplined and really commit to not running up new balances, it can be a lifeline. But if not... you might just be stretching out that pizza payment for decades. Just gotta weigh if the short-term relief is worth the long-term cost.
But he didn’t change his spending, and two years later, the cards were maxed again plus the mortgage was higher. If you’re disciplined and really commit to not running up new balances, it can b...
I get what you’re saying about the “pizza payment for decades”—that’s what freaks me out. On one hand, lower monthly bills sound great, but is it really worth turning short-term debt into a 30-year thing? I guess if you’re super strict with yourself, maybe it works, but I’d be worried I’d just end up in the same spot, only with a bigger mortgage. Still, I appreciate the honesty here. It’s not as simple as it sounds.
On one hand, lower monthly bills sound great, but is it really worth turning short-term debt into a 30-year thing? I guess if you’re super strict with yourself, maybe it works, but I’d be worri...
That “pizza payment for decades” line really hits home. I refinanced last year and thought about rolling in some card debt, but honestly, the idea of turning a $2,000 couch into a 30-year purchase just made me cringe. Lower payments are tempting, but you’re right—if you don’t tackle the spending habits, it’s just a bigger hole. For me, I had to ask: will I actually change, or am I just kicking the can down the road?
That line about “pizza payment for decades” really does stick, doesn’t it? I’ve seen a lot of folks get caught up in the idea of lower monthly payments, but like you said, it’s easy to end up paying way more in the long run. I get why it’s tempting—cash flow is king, especially if you’re juggling a bunch of bills. But stretching out a small debt over 30 years just to make things easier now? That’s a tough pill.
“if you don’t tackle the spending habits, it’s just a bigger hole.”
Couldn’t agree more here. I’ve watched people refinance, roll in all sorts of debt, and then six months later, the credit cards are right back where they started. It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about whether you’re actually changing how you handle money. If not, you’re just rearranging the deck chairs.
On the flip side, I’ve seen it work for some. One friend used a refi to clear out high-interest cards and then cut them up—literally took scissors to them at the kitchen table. He stuck to a budget and hasn’t looked back. But he was dead serious about not going back into debt.
I guess it comes down to being honest with yourself. If rolling that debt in gives you breathing room and you’re disciplined enough not to rack up new balances, maybe it makes sense. But if there’s any doubt, it might just be “kicking the can,” like you said. Sometimes the pain of paying off a big chunk fast is what keeps those habits from creeping back in.
It’s not always black and white, but your gut check is spot on. If something feels off—like turning a $2k couch into a 30-year purchase—it probably is.
I get the hesitation around rolling credit card debt into a mortgage, but I think there’s a bit more nuance. Sometimes, stretching out a payment isn’t just about “kicking the can”—it can actually be a strategic move if you’re staring down 20%+ interest on cards. I’ve seen folks use the breathing room to invest in property upgrades or stabilize their finances, then make extra payments once they’re back on track. It’s risky if you’re not disciplined, sure, but in the right hands, it can be a tool—not just a trap. Just gotta be brutally honest about your own habits.
