Verified answer

I consider carrying any credit card debt to be a bad idea. Credit cards are not meant to be long term financing. They are a short term convenience.

If you have a special 0% offer, you should try to pay off the entire balance during that 12 month period. At least your 200 per month payment is more than the minimum. Try to put any extra cash on the debt as the year progresses. The more you get paid down now, the less interest you will get hit with when the special offer expires.

Rule about credit cards (revolving credit).

Any time you use more than 30% of your available credit limit you are reducing your score.

Money magazine had this number at 20%.

Check your credit limit on that card if you are worried about your rating.

For those top 800+ scores (eventually).

Use credit cards wisely.

Use them for things you need like food or gas and pay in full each month.

This way you never pay interest and get top credit.

It is 100% myth that carrying balances is good for your rating.

Paying interest or no interest does not matter to the credit rating.

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if you can't pay it off before the rate goes up from zero, then yes, it is too much - your int rate is probably going to be at least 15-20% on whatever your balance at that point will be

Yes. Pay it off immediately or in the following fiscal year. Cut expenses and eliminate discretionary spending to pay it off. It will bite in the back if you don't.