Basically, your situation means that you do not have sufficient money set aside to deal with the extra expenses you incur throughout the year.
Look back over your finances for the past two-three years - what patterns do you see?
It is entirely normal to have extra expenses i.e. unpredictable emergencies, we all do, regardless of income. Smart Mustachians simply address their own particular needs, that's all. If you have a rental and your own home, you'll need more money set aside then someone who just rents, it is the nature of the beast.
Certainly there will be expenses throughout the year - what is the average $$$ you came up with for the past three years? That is your answer as far as your house/rental fund - don't even call it an emergency fund, because in truth - it is not.
Where are you now - have you already replaced all the usual stuff like electrical, plumbing, roof etc so that going forward you could get away with $5K for a while? or are you at a point where your own home will soon need expensive replacements?
It's sort of like the boy scout motto - always be prepared:) Cruising along expecting the rental money to come in and float your living expenses is not a good idea - although we've probably all done it at one point or another:)
Yup, zero percent credit cards are a wonderful thing, especially if you can find one that gives you 15 months or more, instead of just 12 months to pay it off.
The trick is to use it only for emergencies or those planned purchases that are high enough to impact your budget - meaning you benefit twice, it gives you leverage - you can still invest in your 401K - gaining tax advantage each month as well as making money on your investments. It isn't just the interest you save, but the fact that you have more ready cash in your budget each month.
So take the advice someone gave already - divide the total out by month to pay it all off within the zero percent timeframe and then forget you even have that card.
You can benefit double if you use the local AC dealers zero percent offer - same deal, divide by month and pay it off within the zero percent timeframe so you don't end up owing 27% interest for the whole thing at the end of the offer.
Cha-ching for you - not for them:)
It can be a good way to manage your cash flow - as long as you keep in mind that you can't continue to keep adding expenditures, because at some point you will not have enough money in your regular budget to make the monthly payment amounts needed to pay it all off in time. It could become a slippery slope, but it doesn't have to - it can simply be a fantastic way to get a free loan.
I think you are on the right track - the debt bothers you, because you are beginning to realize this is a recurring problem and you need to find a way to stop the hemorrhaging - good call!!!
Post your dilemma as a case study in the case study thread and we'll help you sort it out. We need reliable numbers and more information so we can see the entire picture.
It could mean re-evaluating your rental or even your own home or taking drastic measures for a while until you saved up enough to correct your lack of sufficient funds to cover your own particular circumstances.
Or it could be a rather easy, simple fix.
Key is - be open to considering changes. I get it, I'm way too emotional about money and I have no patience. Being pragmatic about your options and focusing on the math and the long-term beneficial outcome always works in your favor - so don't fixate on paying it off right now!
It wouldn't be a good idea in your current situation - patience in your case will pay off handsomely in the end.
... and yes, this is all quite normal, until you become mustachian and put a stop to it:)