I totally get where you’re coming from. The math looks good at first, but stretching out that debt over 30 years is brutal. I’ve seen people roll $10k of credit cards into a refi, feel relieved, then rack up new balances within a year. Unless you’re laser-focused on not using those cards again and actually pay extra on the mortgage, it’s just kicking the can down the road. For most, it’s a short-term fix with long-term pain.
Unless you’re laser-focused on not using those cards again and actually pay extra on the mortgage, it’s just kicking the can down the road.
That’s what freaks me out, honestly. I’m looking at my first place and the idea of rolling in a few grand from my cards sounds tempting, but I keep thinking I’d just end up with more debt in the long run. My friend did this and felt “free” for a minute, but then she got hit with a bunch of home expenses and the cards crept up again. It’s like a trap if you’re not super disciplined… not sure I trust myself yet.
Rolling credit cards into a new mortgage: worth it?
Totally get where you’re coming from—it’s so tempting to just “wipe the slate clean” and start fresh, especially when you’re staring down a pile of high-interest card debt. But here’s the thing: rolling that debt into your mortgage isn’t magic, it’s just moving it to a different bucket. Sure, your monthly payment might look nicer, but you’re now potentially paying off that debt over 30 years instead of a couple. That $3k could turn into $8k or more with interest over the life of the loan.
And yeah, life as a homeowner throws curveballs—water heaters die, roofs leak, and suddenly you’re reaching for the credit card again. If you’re not 100% ready to change your spending habits (and honestly, who is right out of the gate?), you could end up in a worse spot.
Not saying it never works. Some folks really do get their act together and never touch those cards again. But if you’re already worried about falling back into old patterns...might be worth tackling the cards separately before jumping in. Just my two cents—seen too many people think they’re getting ahead only to end up further behind.
I get the hesitation, but sometimes rolling credit card debt into a mortgage can make sense—especially if the interest rate drop is huge and you’re drowning in minimum payments. Not everyone can just “tackle the cards separately” without relief.
True, but if you’re disciplined and pay extra toward the principal, you can knock it out faster and still benefit from the lower rate. It’s risky if you don’t change habits, but for some people, breathing room is what actually helps them break the cycle.“That $3k could turn into $8k or more with interest over the life of the loan.”
That’s a fair point about discipline—rolling debt into a mortgage isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix, but sometimes it’s the only way people get their heads above water. The real catch I see is that, if you don’t address the habits that led to the credit card debt in the first place, you’re just moving the problem around. Out of curiosity, has anyone here actually tracked how much they saved (or didn’t) after rolling consumer debt into a home loan? Numbers always tell an interesting story...
