Not saying it’s for everyone, but sometimes that lower rate is the lifeline you need… as long as you don’t treat it like a free pass to go wild at Target again.
That “locking up the cards in a drawer” trick is underrated. Rolling debt into a mortgage can be a relief, but here’s what I’d watch for:
- Lower rate, yes, but now it’s stretched over 15-30 years. That $5k in credit cards could cost way more in interest long-term.
- Discipline is everything—sounds like you nailed it, but most folks slip back into old habits.
- Emergency fund = huge win. But if you’re tempted to use the cards again, maybe cut them up instead of hiding them?
Not saying it’s a bad move, just gotta be honest about the trade-offs.
I hear you on the discipline part—rolling credit cards into a mortgage can feel like a fresh start, but it’s easy to fall back into old spending habits if you’re not careful. I did this a few years back and honestly, seeing that balance wiped out was a relief, but it took real effort not to rack up new charges. Curious if anyone here has actually cut up their cards? I kept one for emergencies, but sometimes I wonder if that’s just tempting fate...
I kept one for emergencies, but sometimes I wonder if that’s just tempting fate...
That’s what I keep thinking about—does having that one “emergency” card actually help or just make it easier to slip? I’ve read that some folks freeze their card in a block of ice (literally), but I can’t decide if that’s clever or just overkill. Also, when you roll credit card debt into a mortgage, do you find your spending habits actually change, or is it just moving numbers around? I worry the lower monthly payment might give a false sense of security.
Honestly, I get the logic behind rolling credit card debt into a mortgage—lower interest, one payment, all that. But I’ve seen people do it and then rack up new card balances anyway, since the cards are “clear” again. It’s like rearranging the furniture but not actually cleaning the room, if that makes sense. The lower payment feels good short-term, but unless you really change how you use credit, it’s just a cycle. I’d say freezing the card is clever if you’re tempted, but yeah, maybe a bit dramatic...
Yeah, I totally get what you mean—it’s super tempting to see those zeroed-out cards as “free money” again. I’ve been looking into this myself as a first-time buyer, and honestly, the idea of rolling debt into a mortgage sounds great on paper, but I keep hearing stories about people ending up in the same spot a year later. Freezing the cards isn’t that dramatic if it helps you break the habit, though. Sometimes you gotta do what works, even if it feels a little over the top.
