Balance Transfer or Personal Loan - Which is Better?

When you are already in debt and looking to repay it with another loan, you need to be very careful so that you don't plummet into the vicious cycle of more and more debt. Personal loans and balance transfer cards might seem appealing, but they can be beguiling too. However, the biggest catch is deciding which one to go for. Here are few pointers that you must consider before you apply for either of them.

Type of Debt

The choice between a balance transfer card and a personal loan lies entirely on the types of debt that you have. In case you are planning on consolidating and paying off different types of debt, a personal loan might be the most flexible option for you. A personal loan brings a lump sum to your bank account. You are free to decide how you want to utilize it.

Balance transfer cards, on the other hand, are often restricted to a particular type of debt, usually credit card debts. However, some card issuing companies cannot do a balance transfer to their own credit cards. Moreover, a very few card issuing companies allow you to transfer other types of debts (like a student loan, mortgage or auto loan).

Rate of Interest

Personal loans barely offer zero interest promotional or introductory offers, but the interest rates might be lower than your credit card's APR. Alternatively, a balance transfer card could be your cheapest and most ideal option if you can repay the entire debt within the introductory period as most balance transfer cards offer a low or even no interest scheme for a limited period in the beginning.

However, if you take a balance transfer card but do not settle all your debt within the introductory period, you could end up paying a higher APR which might even be more than the APR of your old credit card.

Credit Score

When you apply for a new line of credit, the lender will make a hard inquiry, which will slightly bring down your credit score. This inquiry will stay in your report for a long time, but your credit score will recover within a year.

A personal loan will add variety to your accounts, which is good for your credit score. You won't get this advantage from a balance transfer credit card. On the other hand, a balance transfer card will add to your total credit limit and bring down your credit utilization rate, which will boost your credit score.

If you pay off outstanding balances in several credit cards and move the debt to a new loan or credit line, it will reduce your utilization rate and shoot up your credit score. However, closing these credit card accounts may negatively impact your credit score. It entirely depends upon how you handle the new loan or credit card. That being said, weigh the consequences before you make a choice.

Repayment

If you are accustomed to low credit card payments, you might face a problem in cash-flow as your monthly payment on a personal loan will most likely be higher than the minimum payment on a credit card.

But you might have to pay more than the minimum in case you plan on repaying the card's balance before the promotional period gets over. You should carefully calculate your monthly payoffs in order to be able to repay the whole amount within the promotional period. Confused? Try using a debt repayment calculator for further clarity.

To Sum Up

Personal loans and balance transfer cards can act as real saviors when you're buried under debt. However, a tiny careless mistake can land you in greater trouble. Before you choose a loan or a card, consider all the factors mentioned above and cautiously evaluate the potential effects of both. Keeping track of your credit score is also paramount to making the right decision at the right time.

If you are indeed ready for credit, you can apply for a personal loan or even get a balance transfer done through mymoneykarma.