Rolling credit cards into a new mortgage: worth it?
I hear you on the temptation—those zero balances can feel like a fresh start, but it’s a slippery slope. I’ve seen folks roll their debt into a mortgage, only to rack up the cards again because the root habits didn’t change. It’s not always about willpower, either. Sometimes life just throws curveballs. Freezing the cards isn’t as dramatic as it sounds, honestly. If it keeps you from falling back into old patterns, it might be worth the hassle. Just keep in mind, turning short-term debt into long-term debt isn’t always the magic fix it seems... sometimes you just end up paying more interest in the long run.
I get where you’re coming from—seeing those credit cards at zero can be a huge relief. But as you pointed out, “
” That’s been my experience, too. Years ago, I rolled some credit card debt into my mortgage thinking I’d finally be ahead. The payments were lower, sure, but it stretched out the debt so much longer. And honestly, it was way too easy to fall back into old spending habits because the cards were “available” again.turning short-term debt into long-term debt isn’t always the magic fix it seems... sometimes you just end up paying more interest in the long run.
Freezing the cards or even cutting them up isn’t as dramatic as it sounds, and it can be a solid move if you know temptation might creep back in. It’s not just about discipline—it’s about setting up systems that make it harder to slip. I’d just say, if you do go the mortgage route, have a real plan for the cards afterward. Otherwise, it can turn into a cycle that’s tough to break.
Rolling Credit Cards Into a New Mortgage: Worth It?
“turning short-term debt into long-term debt isn’t always the magic fix it seems... sometimes you just end up paying more interest in the long run.”
You nailed it with that. Here’s what I’ve seen trip people up:
- Lower monthly payments look great, but over 15-30 years, you could pay double (or more) in interest compared to just grinding out the cards.
- There’s a real risk of “resetting” your credit cards, then racking up new balances. That’s a tough cycle to break.
- Mortgage interest rates are usually lower, but the sheer length of the loan changes the math. Have you run the numbers on total interest paid?
- Freezing or cutting up cards is underrated. It’s not about drama—it’s about making it harder to backslide.
One thing I’d add: if you’re rolling debt into a mortgage, set a hard rule for yourself—no new credit card balances until the mortgage is paid down to where you want it. Otherwise, you’re just moving the problem around.
It can work, but only if you’re brutally honest about your habits and have a plan for the freed-up credit. Otherwise, like you said, it’s just a longer, more expensive road.
I’ve seen folks get lured in by the “lower payment” siren song, but man, that long-term interest is sneaky. I always tell people—if you’re not 100% done with credit cards, you’re just setting yourself up for a double whammy. It’s like putting your mess in a bigger closet... it’s still there.
It’s like putting your mess in a bigger closet... it’s still there.
That’s a pretty spot-on analogy. I’ve seen folks roll credit card debt into a mortgage thinking it’s a clean slate, but unless you’re really ready to stop using those cards, it can backfire. Have you ever seen someone actually pay off the mortgage early after doing this? I feel like most just end up with more debt in the long run. Lower payments look good, but what’s the real cost over 20 or 30 years?
