debt-consolidation.strategy-blogs.com — If you get an offer for a free laptop just by signing up for a free credit card, think twice. This page gives you the best case scenario on how much the laptop will end up costing you compared to just buying it outright. This is what I call an anti-deal--you lose money instead of save it.
Nov 14, 2005 View in Crawl 4
anotherbrianNov 14, 2005
This is what I do with every CC application that comes my way.<a class="user" href="http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=junk_the_junk">http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=junk_the_junk</a>
serpentorNov 14, 2005
So why not pay it off in full immediately and get hit with the $600 fee, still cheaper than the laptop.
siroccoNov 14, 2005
Wife + credit card = financial ruin.
jeffreymNov 14, 2005
720 is not a great credit rating. It's average at best...probably because of all the cards you've applied for. Oh, and mine is 810.
ronmexicoNov 15, 2005
"Ray023, you are a moron. I've put $50,000+ on one credit card in the past year, and not paid a penny of interest on that either. It doesn't take discipline, it takes logging onto a website, and pushing the "pay balance" button."Wow, you should be proud of yourself, I have zero credit card debt. Try changing your lifestle, you'll be glad you did.
oepapelNov 15, 2005
"720 is not a great credit rating. It's average at best...probably because of all the cards you've applied for. Oh, and mine is 810."Wow! Shock and revelation! The guy who carries a credit card balance for what appears to be years has a lower credit score than the guy that just goes to a website and clicks a button and voila! no balance. For most Americans, the "click a button" option doesn't exist! Unless you are volunteering to let them dip into your obviously overflowing bank account, you should probably just shut your yap and realize that you are in a fortunate and minority position. You are probably one of those jagoffs that thinks that poor people are just unmotivated or dumb. Students these days are pretty much GUARANTEED to graduate with multi-year debt. New families also statistically go into debt when their family first starts out. The "Working Poor" frequently would be better off by putting their feet up and going on the government teat but continue to work anyway. America is broken for a large segment of society and credit cards are bandaids that cover the gaping cracks in education, health care, finance and insurance.I'm really glad that your credit score is so high. Hopefully, no tragedy will befall you and cause you to have to walk a mile in a less fortunate person's shoes. And if you do, hopefully you won't run into a jerk that blames you for your problems instead of sympathizes or helps. To my fellow diggs, I apologize for this rant but this financial "mine is bigger than yours" crap justs smacks of intolerance and privilege.
takenabackDec 19, 2005
This reminds me of the free iPod mini that Citibank offered for a high-end checking account that would charge you the full cost unless you maintained a big minimum balance, and paid high monthly fees. :(Personally, I'm going with one of those offres where you sign up with Blockbuster and have friends do the same. They eventually send you a laptop as an incentive. Here's what I mean: <a class="user" href="http://urlsnip.com/670065">http://urlsnip.com/670065</a> It's not an overnight thing, but it's a better bet than doing anything that could wreck your credit.Additionally, I almost went for one of those el cheapo model laptops during Black Friday at Best Buy, but they tag on savings due to ISP contracts like AOL. In the long run that too is gonna cost you too. Just remember to read the fine print...
mellrocksSep 4, 2006
That is a crappy offer...but if anyone wants a good offer, try this one...u only have to sign up for 1 offer...<a class="user" href="http://www.notebooks4free.com/default.aspx?r=701091">http://www.notebooks4free.com/default.aspx?r=701091</a>It's simple: Signup Complete 1 online offer from our large list of advertisers Refer 18 friends who each complete 1 offerThat's it! We'll send you your gift, absolutely free.Seriously, this is a lot better than those other ones who have you complete like 12 offers to get your item.....you only have to complete 1 offer!No misleading or complicated requirements We are 100% up front with the requirements of getting a free gift. Unlike many free gift sites, we don't create confusing hoops to jump through or put requirements in fine print. Our requirementsare simple and straight forward. We don't ask you to complete unnecessary surveys or sign up for promotions which do not contribute to you getting your free gift. NO Spam. Your information is used solely for email communication and shipping your free gift. We do not sell your information tothird parties.<a class="user" href="http://www.notebooks4free.com/default.aspx?r=701091">http://www.notebooks4free.com/default.aspx?r=701091</a>
coslenchipJan 11, 2007
I'm obviously about a year late on this, but I'm sure I am not the only one catching up.Real Cost: $475 or less, value of (current) laptop: ~$725Assumptions:1. You have no credit card debt that you are currently paying interest on (if you do, the cost may be less)2. You have, or can obtain another card (not the one in question) with a $5000 limit3. Interest rates do not change for you for the next 18 months.4. You make all payments on time.5. You get the 9.99% rate on this card (sorry, if you get the 10.99% rate, that adds ~$65 in the end.)What you do:1. Use a convenience check on a card you currently have for $4925. - Assumes a $75 charge to use the convenience check. - If you already have a $5000 balance somewhere, or can write a check with a lower fee, kudos to you2. Deposit the 4925 in an online savings account getting 5.5% APY (~.45% per month)3. Next month pay $750 out of your savings account to the credit card4. Every month after that, pay 2% of the remaining balance (this will be at least the minimum payment, likely more) - I would recommend having the deduction happen automatically so that you don't even think/forget about it.5. 18 months later, your balance on the credit card is ~ 3515, but the amount in your savings account is only 3040. Therefore, the laptop costs ~$475.Note 1: Aside from a possible dip in your immediate credit rating, which should be small, if any, there is no cost for the laptop at all for 18 months. The ~$475 cost is payed 18 months later.Note 2: I personally get a significantly higher interest rate on my investments. Using 8% APY, the laptop costs ~$337. Using 12% APY, the laptop costs you ~$118. And finally, if you can get 14% APY, the laptop actually is FREE.
coslenchipJan 11, 2007
Crap, I made a calculation error. All of my numbers are actually about $100 too high. The real cost is just over $365. Also, it only takes a 12% return to make the laptop actually free.
Closed AccountSep 6, 2008
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