Ever thought about paying off your credit card balances? Maybe you would like to be debt free just to reduce your stress. Or perhaps you need to be debt free to retire.

If you have Microsoft Excel running on your computer at home or work, you can use Excels NPER function to calculate how quickly you can pay off a debt such as a credit card balance.

The NPER function calculates the term, or number of regular payments, needed to pay off a debt given its interest rate, payment amount, oustanding balance, balloon payment (if any), and, optionally, the type-of-annuity switch.

The type-of-annuity switch is a little complicated, but here’s how it works. If you set the type-of-annuity switch to 1, Excel assumes payments occur at the beginning of the month, following the annuity due convention. If you set the annuity switch to 0 or you omit the argument, Excel assumes payments occur at the end of the month following the ordinary annuity convention.

But let me show you how the function works in theory and in practice. All of this will become quite clear, I’m sure.

The function uses the following syntax:

=NPER(rate,pmt,pv,fv,type)

For example, to calculate the number of $100 monthly payments required to pay off a 9% credit card that has a $10,000 balance, you enter the following formula into an Excel worksheet cell:

=NPER(.09/12,-100,10000,0,0)

The function returns the value 185.53, representing roughly 185 payments and then another roughly half payment. Notice that to convert the 9% annual interest to a period interest, the formula divides the annual interest rate by 12. Notice, too, that the payment amount, as a cash outflow, shows as a negative value while the loan balance, as an implicit cash inflow, shows as a positive value.

One final note: The NPER function rarely returns an integer, or whole-number result. As in the preceding example, it commonly returns a fractional value, indicating that after the last regular payment, an additional fractional payment will also need to be made.

Maxed Out Your Credit Cards Over the Holidays? Learn How to Get the Balance Back Down

The holidays can be a very financially stressful time. We all know Christmas is not about the gifts or how much money we spend, but its hard not to buy those perfect gifts for our loved ones even if we really cant afford it. In some cases, credit cards can be great especially around the holidays; it means even though we currently dont have the money, it wont stop us from being able to get those gifts. But now the holidays are over and youre looking at your credit card statements saying, did I really spend that much?

Instead of putting your head under a pillow and avoiding the whole subject, why not take this time to start learning about your finances, your financial situation and your credit cards. Lets make it a News Years resolution to get your finances under control. Repeat after me, This year I will take control of my finances; I will no longer allow my credit cards to control me.

Start by making a list of all your credit cards, if you have more then one. Get out your credit card statements, and write down the balances and the percentage of interest that is charged on purchases and cash advances. Many people forget that credit card companies tend to charge more interest on those cash advances as well as withdrawal fee. These charges can add up quickly, so if you have to take out a cash advance from your credit card know which card is best to use will not only save you money but will also remind you that you are taking control. Remember that your finances and money is just a game and once you know the rules, you will become a much better player.

Now that you have your list see if it is possible to transfer any balances over to a lower interest rate credit card. If it is, go do that right now, the sooner you do, the more money you will save. You want to start paying more off on the highest interest rate credit cards first, just pay the minimum on the other ones.

If you do have a few credit cards with balances, another option is to see about getting a consolidation loan. Consolidation loans normally come with much lower interest rates and you save banking fees as you only have one payment to make.

The hardest part for most people when it comes to their finances is admitting that they will never have control if they dont start educating themselves. Many of us tend to be avoiders when it comes to money and unfortunately, most things only get worse, when we avoid them. Finances, credit cards, banks, loans all these things really are not that complicated when we site down and take the time to learn. Try scheduling thirty minutes three or four times a week to read and learn about your finances. Once the thirty minutes is done give yourself a reward, and congratulate yourself on moving closer to your financial freedom.

How to Save Money With a Credit Card Balance Transfer

Would you like to know how a credit card balance transfer can save you hundreds of dollars from your credit card bills? Do you currently have trouble keeping up with your credit card balances? If yes, then a balance transfer may just be what you need.

Getting a Balance Transfer Credit Card

What is a Balance Transfer credit card and how is it different from standard credit cards in the market? If you try to shop around for credit cards, youll notice that some credit cards offer 0% APR as part of their introductory offer. The 0% interest rate will usually apply on purchases but if you take a look closely at your choices, youll find credit cards that offer 0% rate on balance transfers. If youre lucky, you can even find a credit card that offers 0% APR for both purchases and balance transfers.

Why should you take advantage of 0% balance transfer credit cards? Carrying over your balances with each billing cycle increases your debt due to additional interest fees. With balance transfer credit card, you can focus on paying your original charges without the interest. Do the math, and youll realize how much you can save from the interest rates alone on your existing balances.

Finding the Right Balance Transfer Credit Card

Does this mean that all balance transfer credit cards are right for you? Take note that different credit card issuers also provide a variety of terms and conditions. Naturally, youll want to go with a company that will give you the best deals.

For instance, how long will the 0% introductory period last? Never forget that the zero interest offer is just a temporary option. Some companies offer as little as three months while others offer up to a year or more. Ideally, enjoying at least 12 months of 0% interest offer should give you enough time to repay your balances completely.

How much is the interest rate after the introductory period? Will the interest rate still be reasonable when the introductory offer ends or will it soar high? Its best to choose a card that will still give you a reasonably low interest even after the 0% APR expires.

How much is the interest on purchases? If the 0% APR is limited to balance transfers alone, how much will the interest be on your charges? If the interest on purchases will be expensive, you may want to consider using this particular card for balance transfers only.

Another thing to keep in mind is how much are the annual fee? Some balance transfer credit cards may have very expensive annual fees. If you have to pay such a large amount each year, will it still enable you to save your money? There are balance transfer cards that have no annual fee so youll want to take your time looking for the right card to fit your needs.

Finding the best balance transfer credit cards is not as difficult as you might think. In fact, there are a number of balance transfer credit cards to select from, making the most difficult part deciding which one of the great deals you should take advantage of.

Balance Transfer Credit Card Interest Rates

Since you are looking for a card to transfer your current balances to, you most likely do not intend to pay the balance off in full at the end of the billing cycle. Therefore, you want a card with a low interest rate. Ideally, you should find a card offering a 0.00% introductory rate. The longer this introductory period lasts, the better. Be aware that the interest rate can go sky high on some cards after the introductory period is complete. So, pay special attention to what the interest rate will be after the introductory period is over. The best balance transfer credit cards will keep the introductory rate on your transferred balanced until you pay it off in its entirety.

If you do choose to get a balance transfer credit card that has a low APR for a limited time, be sure to pay off the balance before the introductory period is over. This way, you won’t have to pay finance charges on the higher APR. Also, hold out for a balance transfer credit card with a 0.00% APR. With so many great introductory offers out there, you are bound to find one with a 0.00% APR that meets your needs.

Balance Transfer Credit Card Fees

The majority of credit cards assess a fee to your card when transferring balances. With balance transfer credit cards, this fee should be waived. If the balance transfer credit card you are considering does not waive the fees, you should move on to a different card. There are too many cards out there that are willing to allow you to transfer balances for free – take advantage of them.

Additional Benefits of the Balance Transfer Credit Card

There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a credit card solely for transferring balances. If you do this, you should only transfer your balances, set the card aside, and use another card for your purchases. If, however, you want to transfer balances and still use the same card for your routine purchases, pay attention to the other benefits associated with the card. For example, some cards offer purchase protection, extended warranties, fraud protection services, auto rental insurance, travel insurance, and more. In addition to looking at the APR and balance transfer fees, consider the additional benefits associated with the card. Don’t just apply for the first card with a 0.00% APR and free balance transfers.

Don’t be Fooled by Balance Transfer Credit Cards

In addition, to choosing the card with all of the right benefits, don’t let yourself be fooled by balance transfer credit cards. Several have great introductory offers on balance transfers, but the interest rates on purchases are high. Be careful to find out what the interest rate will be on purchases if you choose to use your balance transfer credit card for regular purchases. You might be disappointed. In addition, keep in mind that the credit card company can choose to apply your payments toward any portion of your balance that it wishes. Therefore, while you might have a 0.00% APR on balance transfers, you might have a 19.99% APR on purchases. Every dollar you send toward your credit card balance can be used to pay off the balance transfers before the balance for purchases is even touched. So, basically, you are paying off the 0.00% balance while the 19.99% balance goes untouched – and accumulates finance charges.

Credit cards are often the cause of financial troubles for many people today. They are often so easy to get – but they can also be so hard to control. However, by taking advantage of some special balance transfer credit cards, help can be found that could bring some ease to financially tight situations. This article will focus on how to choose the best balance transfer credit card, making sure that the card you pick is the right one for you.

What Is A Balance Transfer Credit Card?

This particular kind of credit card allows you to take an existing credit card balance, which is at a standard rate of interest – possibly as high as 29%, and put it on another card. The new card makes the transfer appealing to you by offering either a low monthly interest on the transfer, or even no interest on the balance – for the life of that transfer amount. Making this kind of a credit card balance transfer not only makes good financial sense, but it is also easy to do.

What Are The Special Gimmicks Of The Card?

Obviously, a credit card issuer is not in the business of giving an opportunity like this away without any potential strings attached. Here are a few things that you might want to read the fine print in the offer and look for.

Transfer Charges

Some credit card companies seem to want to play with the fact that not everybody reads the fine print. So, for the unwary, there could be a fee for making the balance transfers, or, it is possible that other advantages made in the offer could offset the transfer charges. You will have to look it over and compare it with other card offers. Ideally, if you accept a card with transfer charges, try to get one that puts a cap on the amount – for example, around $60 to $75.

Yearly Charges

The transfer may be free, and the interest, but there could be an annual fee for the use of the card. This means whether or not there is any balance on the card – you will still pay the fee for as long as the card is active. Many cards will carry no annual fee.

New Purchases

Here is another thing that you need to look for. A balance transfer credit card may offer you 0% interest on the amount transferred, but the amount of interest on new purchases could be very high.

Introductory Rate

Every card has an offer to get you to get their card. One common feature is the promise of a low rate for new purchases. Be careful about focusing only on the promise of 0% interest on credit card balance transfers. Check out the length of time for the introductory interest rate, too. Compare that also with other card offers.

What Are You Going To Use The Card For?

Another consideration about which card to choose should be based upon why you need such a card. If you have a lot of credit card debt, then the purpose should be only to put on the card your current credit card balance transfers. This means that you should try to get a card with 0% interest on the balance transfer amount, and that you will not use it to make new purchases. Also, seek to pay as much as you can as quickly as you can.

When choosing your balance transfer credit card, the ball game is in your hands. It can either help you – or hurt you, if you get a card too hastily. Do a little research, compare cards, and then proceed with comfort – knowing that you got the best one for your needs.

How Credit Card Balance Transfers Can Affect Your Credit Score

Transferring balance from a high interest credit card to a new lower interest card can definitely save you money on interest, if nothing else at least until the introductory rate ends (if applicable). We all receive those infamous credit card offers in the mail, urging us to apply for a new card and transfer our high interest balance over, in order to take advantage of the lower interest rate that this new card has to offer.

This seems like a logical thing to do, right? I mean, lower interest rates on your credit accounts equals more money in your pocket, true? Yes, transferring your credit card balance from a high interest credit account to a lower one is an excellent way to save money on interest, especially if you carry a lot of debt on your credit card(s).

But how does this affect your credit rating and credit score? The answer to that question really depends on your situation, and how you go about it.

A closer look

Lets say you have $5,000 in debt on a credit card account from “ABC Credit Services”, which has a total credit line of $10,000. For this example, lets just say this is currently your only open credit card account. Since your debt takes up half of your total credit line, this would put your percentage of debt compared to your credit line, for this account, at 50%. We’ll call this your “debt percentage”.

You’re making payments to ABC with no problems and you seem happy with the account and the interest rate. That is, until one day you check your mail, and there it is, a credit card offer from “XYZ Credit Services” with a fixed interest rate set at half of what you’re paying now with ABC! Suddenly dollar signs start popping up in your head, and you start trying to figure out how much money you could save by transferring your $5,000 balance to XYZ. You then decide you’re going to apply for the account at XYZ. Your credit is good right? No problem! You receive the card in a week or so, and go ahead with the balance transfer.

So how does this affect my credit score?

How this balance transfer affects your credit rating and credit score really depends on what you do from this point on, and also what your credit line is on your new card from “XYZ”. If your credit line on your new card is lower than that of the original “ABC” credit account, then your “debt percentage” will be higher, which generally will lower your credit score. This would be true if you closed the original account at ABC, and kept your new account as your only open credit card account.

If you’ve had your “ABC” credit card for a while (maybe 2 years or more), and you have a good payment history with them, then it will most likely be in your best interest to keep that account open, even if you don’t use it. Especially if your credit line with your new lower interest card is below $10,000. Usually for the sake of your credit score, you don’t want to increase your “debt percentage”, you want to decrease it.

For example, if you keep both accounts open, you will have a total credit line of $20,000. With your $5,000 in debt on your new card, and your original account at ABC having no balance, your debt percentage would only be 25%, which is a good percentage and your credit score will reflect that.

Now reverse that and say that you closed your credit account from “ABC”, given that your credit line at “XYZ” stays the same, you would have a debt percentage of 50%, which is what you started out with in the beginning. Add to that a newly acquired credit card with little or no payment history on it, and you’re credit score would almost surely decrease, at least until you establish a longer payment history on your new account.

So for this example, it would probably be best to keep both accounts open. Your lower debt percentage could possibly offset the hit your score took from obtaining your new credit card. And looking to the future, it should look better on your credit report this way too.

Avoid increasing your debt percentage

When trying to keep your credit score as high as possible, try to avoid doing anything to increase your debt percentage. Even though the amount of debt you are carrying on your “revolving credit” is the same, it will always look better if you’re using 25% of your total credit, compared to using up 50% of it.

But don’t try too hard to decrease it either

Be sure not to take it too far by applying for more credit than you need, just because you think it will help your credit score by having an even lower debt percentage. Obtaining any new credit will generally bring down your credit score slightly, at least for a short period of time. Applying for credit too much and too often will almost always have a negative impact on your credit score, which is exactly what you don’t want. Your time would be better spent on trying to pay down this debt instead.

As with anything, being informed is the key

Balance transfers such as this can and will save you money on interest, if you do it right. Stay informed about how things like this affect your credit, and you should be just fine!

Balance transfer credit cards make an excellent choice for consumers looking to transfer a balance from a higher interest rate credit card to one with a lower interest rate. In this way, the consumer can save money by reducing or even eliminating finance charges. When looking for the best balance transfer credit cards, it is important to look at a variety of factors.

The APR is one of the first factors a consumer should consider when looking for the best balance transfer credit cards. Credit card companies are hoping to steal your business away from other credit card companies. As a result, they often make special introductory offers with lowered interest rates for balance transfers. In many cases, this APR will even be 0.00%. Be sure to find the balance transfer credit card offering the lowest APR, and then only use that card for your balance transfer. Don’t use it to make any purchases. This is what the credit card companies are hoping consumers will do so they can assess finance charges on the purchases they make with their card.

The length of the special introductory APR varies from card to card. Sometimes, the length is also dependent upon the applicant’s credit history. It is important to be sure how long this period lasts and to set goals to have the balance paid in full once the introductory period is complete. The best balance transfer credit cards will keep the special introductory rate in effect on the card for the life of the loan. In other words, the APR stays the same until it has been paid off entirely. For consumers that will not be able to pay off the balance within the introductory period, this is certainly the best way to go.

Most credit cards assess fees when making balance transfers. These fees are generally determined as a percentage of the total amount of funds transferred. Most commonly, balance transfer fees are 3% of the amount transferred. Many balance transfer credit cards will, however, waive these fees during the introductory period. It is best for consumers to choose these balance transfer credit cards. Otherwise, they may be paying large amounts in fees, negating the savings in finance charges.

Some balance transfer credit cards require initiating balance transfers at the time of application for the card. Yet others allow balance transfers to be completed throughout the duration of the introductory period. The best balance transfer credit cards are the former, simply because they allow for more flexibility. Consumers who are sure they will not need to transfer balances later may, however, be happy with a credit card that only allows transfers to be made at the time of application.

Some balance transfer credit cards place restrictions on the types of balances that can be transferred. For example, some business credit cards only allow business expenses to be eligible for introductory rates. It is important for consumers to be sure to understand what type of balances can be transferred before applying for a card to ensure it meets their needs.

Many balance transfer credit cards also have special rewards programs. Consumers need to compare the programs before deciding on a credit card so they can choose the card with the rewards program best suited to their lifestyle. In addition, some balance transfer credit cards do not count the funds that are transferred toward the points system used in the rewards programs. To get the most of the card, consumers should find balance transfer credit cards that do count the transfers toward their rewards programs.

Surveys shows 50 percent of credit cardholders don’t pay their bills in full or on time. More than 40 percent of credit cardholders say they don’t know the interest rate on their cards. Suppose you carry a $1000 balance from month to month. That costs you $180 in interest a year if you have a credit card with no annual fee and an 18 percent interest rate. But many credit cards do have annual fees, especially the gold cards with the enticing travel rewards. You’ll be astounded at what you pay once you factor in the fees.

You’re fooling yourself when you slice and dice your debt onto several credit cards. Better to have everything in one credit card, so you know exactly what you owe. You’ll have an easier time monitoring your indebtedness and not letting it get out of control.

Here are some signs of credit card trouble:

1. You’re making only the minimum payments on your accounts.

2. You’re missing payments or due dates.

3. You’re near the credit limit on most of your cards.

3. You’re borrowing from one card to pay another.

4. You don’t know how much you owe.

5.You worry a lot about money.

6. You use credit cards to meet your weekly or monthly living expenses.

7. You transfer balances from one low-rate card to another every few months, just before the introductory offer expires.

It’s time to address your financial problems if you recognize some of these patterns in your own life. Here’s a six-step program to help you get out of the trouble.

1. Be honest with yourself. Do a complete analysis of all your debts, the interest rates and terms.

2. Decide how much money you can use to pay off debt each month.

3. If there is a shortfall, consider getting a consolidation loan or line of credit at a lower rate.

4. Consider selling investments to pay off high-rate debt. If you own a house, bump up your mortgage at renewal time.

5. Pay the minimum amount on each card. Use what’s left to pay off the card with the highest rate.

6. Don’t use the cards any more. Cut them up or put them into a box.

Buying everything with cash, cheques or no-overdraft debit cards forces you to confront the fact you can’t afford something. With a credit card, you can always afford it.

Balance transfers have grown in popularity and importance ever since lenders have started using zero per cent interest rates on balance transfers to lure consumers from other companies to their own.

Introductory Offers

These 0% balance transfer offers give the customer a very low, or zero per cent interest rate on any sum transferred from another credit card, over to them. If you are considering a balance transfer then there are two figures you should be aware of. The first is the APR on the balance transfer, or the balance transfer rate. This will tell you the interest that will be charged on the sum transferred and will generally be very low, or free.

Rate Tarts

In fact these introductory balance transfer offers are what caused the introduction a generation of rate tarts. Basically a rate tart is someone who will search for a 0% balance transfer deal over and over again to save money on interest repayments. They will keep transferring balances and keep the cash they have saved in high interest bearing accounts. In a strange sort of way they actually use the banks money to earn money from them, just what the banks have been doing to customers for years, earning money from their customers savings. However, the banks do not like the rate tarts at all and have declared war. The first step, and a very powerful one was the introduction of the balance transfer charge.

Balance Transfer Charge

The other figure you should pay attention to is the balance transfer charge. While you may be charged nothing on the balance once it is on the new card, you may be charged a fee to get it there. This is usually pretty low, about two to three per cent, but you should be aware of it, and only pay it if you have to, and if you genuinely are going to make use of the low balance transfer rate.

Length of Introductory Offer

Another figure that will be of interest when shopping for a good balance transfer deal will be the length of time that the balance transfer rate lasts. It may be six or nine months, and most cards are generally about this period, but make sure you check, as if one card offers you twelve months at one per cent, and another six months at zero per cent, the twelve month card may be more suitable, depending on your circumstances, than the six month card, even though this card has a slightly lower rate.

Get The Best Balance Transfer Deal Available

If you are looking for a good balance transfer deal, then the most important thing to do, is make sure that you shop around and give yourself every opportunity to find the best deal that is available to you. Today, using the Internet, it is easier than ever to search among a huge range of credit card providers and find out exactly what each one is offering.

Only be doing a little home work and shopping around will you be giving yourself the best chance to find the card offers you the best deals. And with offers varying buy such large amounts from lender to lender, and given the amount that people pay on credit card payments, it is vital that you give yourself every opportunity to find the best deals available.

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Credit card balance transfers are one of the financial world’s great empowering features, but they can only be done successfully if you follow the rules and don’t fall foul of them. Firstly you must consider the benefits, then the pitfalls. These two aspects are more or less permanent features of the credit card balance transfer system.

The benefits can be summarised as the product of a twofold strategy:

You can transfer credit card balances once the initial interest free period is up to another card, and so continue your interest free credit.

You can more or less plan to do this in advance as long as you have a way of finding new cards to transfer to, and you stay in control of your finances and spending.

Taking these two together – the transfers and the planning – you can aim to give yourself interest free credit for a long time, even interest free credit for years.

The pitfalls are as follows, and must be considered carefully. These are:

Overshooting the Interest Free period

This is a crucial and fundamental issue. There is no point taking out a card with a known zero interest period or low interest period if you just go and breach that time period. Check the date that the interest free allotment ends, and then backtrack by about ten days before then. Ten days is about the right time to apply for a new card. Remember that the application itself will take time, and that this time will vary from card to card. Take into account seasonal changes in the speed and effectiveness of the mail delivery. In the run up to Christmas, for example, it would be wise to allow two weeks.

Minimum Repayment Obligations

Remember to check on what your agreed monthly repayment arrangements are. You may have to pay back a certain percentage (three percent or more, depending on the card) or risk incurring minimum payment fees. This is true even if it occurs within the interest free period, as the credit card provider will want to know that you can at least maintain a minimum repayment to justify the confidence in you when you originally signed up. On some cards, however, such an arrangement may not apply.

Late Payment Obligations

Much the same as above, but this time the emphasis is on paying within a certain time per month. Again, the card issuer may want some kind of assurance that money will be repaid even though interest is not being charged. There will be an extra fee charged if your payment is late, and for small balances this may well be proportionally higher than the interest which would otherwise have been payable (if the charge is a lump sum, as is usually the case). If this arrangement exists, then the best policy is to pay the minimum the same day as you get the statement.

Annual Fees

Remember to check the small print before you apply for the card. This may include information about an annual fee, which is the fee that the issuer will charge you every year for using their credit card. By no means all credit cards have an annual fee, but you must remember to build this in to the total cost of using the card. Things like annual fees tend to muddy the APR figures, which would otherwise give a good indication of how much your credit card actually costs. It is therefore an important factor to consider when deciding which credit card is the right one for you.

Exceeding Your Credit Limit

Whatever you do, don’t exceed the credit limit that you agreed and signed up for at the time you applied for the card. If you do this then you will probably be charged (depending on the card supplier) a percentage or a flat fee. This would be particularly reckless, as it would go against everything that you set out to do in the first place, namely to gain a fixed amount of credit without paying any interest on it!

Of the above five negative factors to be considered, it is always best to think of them all together, as each of them may impact in different proportions depending on the credit card and lender. For example, one card may not charge annual fees, but will come down very heavy on late payment charges; while another card will be lenient about an overextended credit limit but will offset this with a fixed annual charge.

It is possible to meet the criteria of the first two positive benefits, as well as avoid all the pitfalls by careful timing. As long as you transfer your credit card balances in a timely fashion, and observe the rules of the transfer itself, you cannot go wrong. Always remember that there are more credit cards out there to transfer your balances to.