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Updated about 8 years ago on . Most recent reply
0% for 21 month credit card as backup to get started?
Wife and I want to make 2017 the year we jump in. Too much analysis paralysis. Our thoughts are to start with a property around $100k. Approved for a 15% down loan with an online lender. We'd want 6 months of bills as emergency backup, 4% for closing costs, and 5% for surprises/repairs. On a $100k house that would require about $25k-$30k.
My father is a handy man so most easy repairs or updating we can handle ourselves cheap, but I'm wondering if its worth opening one of those 0% interest credit cards for 21 months as soon as the purchase is complete. Just in case there is a real big surprise. We have about $25k now and I'd like to really get the ball rolling.. Should we put it off for 3-5 months until we're at $30k or is it okay to get going now?
I plan on opening a new bank account and credit card away from our personal accounts to keep track of spending come tax time anyway.
(We keep 6 months cash emergency fund for our personal home and expenses we don't touch)
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@Eric P. If you have the cash, and the ability to get a 0% credit card, why wouldn't you put everything on the credit card you could, and leave the cash in the bank for a real big surprise, instead of doing it the other way? I always put everything I can on a credit card, even if I have to pay it all off each month to avoid interest. Just getting an extra 20-25 days of interest free financing can make a big difference in your cashflow, let alone 21 months.