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Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,441
Registered: ‎03-19-2014

I'm not much help on knowing any information about transferring a balance from one card to a Discover card, etc.

 

I switched to Discover almost two years ago and couldn't be happier.  They're very easy to deal with although I have never dealt with an actual person as I applied for it online and am able to find out answeres to my questions online.  I also pay off my balance every month.  

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,673
Registered: ‎06-09-2010

I have used Discover Card and never had a problem. The balance transfer with 0 percent interest with 15 months works if you pay more than the minimum. Also, you have a balance transfer fee of 5%. Another point, if you don't pay it off in 15 months, the interest is charged back from the original transfer date. As long as you pay it off, you are in good shape. Paying interest every month on a balance makes it near impossible to pay it off.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,181
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

I have had a Discover card forever. Never had any issues except when someone else was using my card. Those amounts were taken off my bill.

I would keep transferring the balance to 0% interest cards for certain amount of time until it's paid off. Been there done that long ago but I didn't pay a transfer fee. Do they have any cards that don't charge the transfer fee?

You do need to find out the fees involved plus the amount of interest you would pay if you don't pay balance off when it's due. 

Stop using the cards. Pay as much as you can on it. 

After you get it paid off pay the balance monthly so you don't end up back where you started. 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,165
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

@CherryHugs i don't mean to preach but you need to take a long hard look at what purchases are on your card-- wants vs. needs -- and think of all future purchases in the same way until you are debt free. Not easy but it's critical to your financial future. And the blame is not with "inflation."

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,560
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@CherryHugs - I've had a Discover card for years and years and I love it. I use their cash back program for gift cards, bought through their site.

 

I can't help you with balance transfers and stuff. But the Discover card is a great card. 


Why is it, when I have a 50/50 guess at something, I'm always 100% wrong?
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,336
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

@Q-Checker wrote:

@CherryHugs i don't mean to preach but you need to take a long hard look at what purchases are on your card-- wants vs. needs -- and think of all future purchases in the same way until you are debt free. Not easy but it's critical to your financial future. And the blame is not with "inflation."

 


@Q-Checker that seems rather harsh, especially if someone is living on a fixed income and is having a hard time trying to make ends meet.  

We used to be able to live on just my social security and save his and his pension.  Not so anymore, we have to dip into the savings at the end of the month now.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,165
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

Re: Discover Card??

[ Edited ]

@CelticCrafter I have no idea about whether the OP is living on a fixed income or not. Anyone who is in serious credit card debt needs to take a long, hard look at what they are buying -- and whether they need it. I learned my lesson as someone in their early 20's who bought a coat on credit for $29 many years ago, just because I fell in love with it. When I later realized that, with interest, the coat cost $40, I  never purchased any non-essential item on  credit on a whim again. The item wasn't worth the $40, which was a fairly big chunk of money in those days, and I already had a warm coat, albeit not as good-looking as the new one. That little event taught me to pay my bills in full every month and avoid interest charges despite the level of my fluctuating income. Basically, I only bought what I could afford to pay for at the time and just bit the bullet to avoid the rest until I could afford it. The lesson stood me well. I didn't waste my money on paying interest on non-essential items and also got a side gig to increase my earnings until I did not have to. And I saved for the future -- which is now -- and I am financially comfortable.

 

I apologize again if this sounds preachy but if it helps the OP or even  one other person to think differently about credit, then it is all good. Bottom line: short of an untoward actual real crisis your life, good money management is not about finding the best credit but about handling what you have in the best way. 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,468
Registered: ‎07-26-2019

    Only way to get out of the debit is get a  2nd job or if retired  take on a part time job till you have the card paid down significantly. Do not charge anymore on the card. Pay cash or check  for utilities, food, prescriptions.

If you have  family maybe someone will  loan you enough to pay off a chunk of what you owe

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,008
Registered: ‎06-27-2010

Re: Discover Card??

[ Edited ]

@Q-Checker wrote:

@CelticCrafter I have no idea about whether the OP is living on a fixed income or not. Anyone who is in serious credit card debt needs to take a long, hard look at what they are buying -- and whether they need it. I learned my lesson as someone in their early 20's who bought a coat on credit for $29 many years ago, just because I fell in love with it. When I later realized that, with interest, the coat cost $40, I  never purchased any non-essential item on  credit on a whim again. The item wasn't worth the $40, which was a fairly big chunk of money in those days, and I already had a warm coat, albeit not as good-looking as the new one. That little event taught me to pay my bills in full every month and avoid interest charges despite the level of my fluctuating income. Basically, I only bought what I could afford to pay for at the time and just bit the bullet to avoid the rest until I could afford it. The lesson stood me well. I didn't waste my money on paying interest on non-essential items and also got a side gig to increase my earnings until I did not have to. And I saved for the future -- which is now -- and I am financially comfortable.


 

Still harsh.  Just because you "learned the lesson when you were in your 20s"  it doesn't mean you need to immediately preach to others, unless specifically asked for that advice.  The OP was just asking about a Discover card.  

 

There are so many extenuating circumstances that factor into debt, such as hospital or medical bills, unexpected home repair costs or someone like my husband who lost his job recently and is having a very hard time finding another one.  The debt issue doesn't apply to us, but I have no idea how long it may take for him to find another one.  

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,165
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

Re: Discover Card??

[ Edited ]

@Tori3569I did not mean to neglect the issues of extenuating circumstances -- and most of us will unfortunately  have them, sooner or later. That makes it even more important not to stretch your money out buying non-essential things on credit. I believe in the old adage, "Save for a rainy day." Once the essentials are paid for, saving a portion of what's left, if there is something left, is important.