In: Finance
Mary's credit card situation is out of control because she cannot afford to make her monthly payments. She has three credit cards with the following loan balances and APRs: Card 1, $5,000, 21%; Card 2, $5,800, 25%; and Card 3, $3,100, 19%. Interest compounds monthly on all loan balances. A credit card loan consolidation company has captured Mary's attention by stating they can save Mary 26% per month on her credit card payments. This company charges 17.5% APR. Is the company's claim correct? Assume a 10-year repayment period. Mary's current minimum monthly payments are $nothing. (Round to the nearest cent.)
Current minimum monthly Payments = $289.78
Monthly payments under consolidation company = $246
Savings because of consolidation = (Current monthly payments - payments to consolidation company) / Current monthly payments
Savings because of consolidation = (289.78 - 246) / 289.78
Savings because of consolidation = 15.11%