Debt Consolidation Loans

Archive for the ‘Debt Consolidation’ Category

Credit card debt consolidation is a term that is seen and heard in the media a lot these days. There is so much advertising for this service that you have to know that someone is making a lot of money off of people with serious credit card debt problems. But once you understand what credit card consolidation is and how it works, it is very likely you can accomplish the same goals and get the same benefits without paying anyone ridiculously high fees.

The reason credit card usage has become so rampant mainly has to do with a worsening economy including increasing gas costs and rising prices for staples such as food forcing many families on fixed incomes to use credit cards usually with high interest rates. The result is an average family might have three, four or even more credit cards with high balances on them with interest fees sometimes being quite high.

Despite the customer-friendly language credit card companies use when attempting to lure you into using their cards and running up your debt even higher, these credit cards are making credit card companies a lot of money, and the companies want you to pay them down slowly so they can continue to charge big fees month after month. So the first objective of credit card consolidation is to get all of the outstanding debt onto one account (or card), pay down the debt quickly and possibly close those accounts entirely while making sure you secure the lowest interest rate allowable.

So the first core principle of credit card consolidation is to get rid of multiple creditors, and transfer all of your debt onto one account or at least fewer credit accounts. At the same time it is preferable to work with a creditor who is willing to work with you on the goal of reducing debt by providing you with a comparatively lower interest rate than what you were paying to the credit cards previously so more of what you pay goes towards the actual debt load or principal, and less to interest and fees.

One strategy that is often used to move debt to lower rate interest loans is to use zero percent short term offers from credit card companies. Now watch these because sometimes there are transfer fees that are as high as an interest payment. But if you can move several thousand dollars to a zero percent loan for six months, you can then work on paying off higher interest rate credit cards while more of the actual debt is being paid down, and less money towards interest. Be careful as you near the end of a zero percent, short term credit card because sometimes the interest rates on these will increase higher than any of your other loans.

The important point is that you take charge of your credit and not let it control you. Start a log or a spreadsheet where you document each credit card you have, what the interest rate is, the expiration date on short term low rates, what your credit limits are, and what your payments are. This kind of consolidation of your records will tell you which credit cards need the most attention and whether or not you should consider consolidating two credit cards into one or multiple credit cards into one source that you feel you can work with long term. Then you might consider finding a partner to help you make a plan to get out of credit card debt, and most importantly stay that wa

Many low monthly payments debt consolidation plans are nothing but the product of a cunning mind to get you to spend more than you should in paying off your debts. You should carefully scrutinize any low monthly payment deal to ensure that it is apt enough.

The reasons why many people have debts on their credit cards vary. Some people incur credit card debts because of high interest rates. Some people have debts tied to them because they use more than one credit card and can’t keep up with the payments. But with debt consolidation, many can now smile a bit, despite how disturbing their debts are.

You must always be cautious about any debt consolidation loan that you want to sign for because some may come with hidden charges. Always read the fine print of any debt consolidation loan you want before you sign anything. Avoid debt consolidation loans that can damage, rather than boost, your credit rating.

Once you have paid off your credit card debts, you need to revise which credit card is better for you. Do away with credit cards that have a high interest rate and stick to those that have low interest rate so that your chances of getting into debt are slimmer.

It can be extremely tiring to pay different creditors each month. Debt consolidation eliminates the problem of different creditors getting paid each month and makes payment to only one creditor possible. Debt consolidation is a way to make debts more manageable.

A secured debt consolidation loan is often directed towards people with good credit history who hit a bad patch. With a secured debt consolidation loan, you get to pay lower interest rates and you can write off your home equity loan. You can still get a secured debt consolidation loan if you have bad credit but you will have to pay high interest rates.

One reason why many people race towards a debt consolidation office is because a debt consolidation gives them the opportunity to avoid being harassed by creditors. Credit card debts can have creditors tracking you at every turn which can be an embarrassing experience. When you are under a debt consolidation plan, you can easily forget about creditors and open your mail without fear that it is a reminder to pay your credit card debt.

You can get free debt consolidation quotes on the internet from legitimate debt consolidation companies. Do not take any debt consolidation company seriously that does not let you see their quotes. The essence of getting different debt consolidation quotes is to get the best offer.

You’re sitting there one day, off from work due to the stress of your unsecured debts weighing heavily upon your shoulders. Suddenly, in the background noise from the TV you hear a fantastic deal – consolidate your existing debts into ‘one easy affordable loan’. You think wow, just what I need to get my debts under control and you get the sales blurb.

Sounds great doesn’t it?

Debt consolidation in the UK is not a new phenomena these days. It’s been around a while. Lots of people have taken out debt busting consolidation loans. So why is the amount of debt in the UK still rising so fast? And why are bankruptcies, IVA’s and debt counselling services stretched to their limits and running at all time high figures right now? Well people get sold on the advantages but I’d recommend thinking about the disadvantages too!

Advantages of debt consolidation UK

Well the interest rate normally comes down on the unsecured debt amount borrowed making the monthly payments easier to afford.

Your debts come under control quickly so the annoying telephone calls and letters from irate creditors stops.

Disadvantages of debt consolidation UK (this is the bit they don’t want you to think too hard about)

To get a debt consolidation loan usually requires some form of property. By consolidating the unsecured debts to your home some of the equity has now been lost. So what was once an unsecured debt now forms part of a charge over your property. Every legal advert in the UK selling this type of service will point out in the small print that your home is at risk if you fail to keep up payments on (this now larger) secured loan. So you’ve put more risk onto your property. I regularly meet people who have bought their house maybe 20 years ago for figures like £80,000 on a house worth £110,000 to find that a decade on they have a house worth (say) £180,000 with a new debt consolidated mortgage of £150,000. So they still only have a similar amount of equity in the property but also have a mortgage now nearly double in size!

Another disadvantage is that the term of the borrowing is usually increased. Well sometimes the debt consolidation companies in the UK will sell that as a benefit with a line like ‘you can take longer to pay your debt and allow yourself time to get on top of your borrowing over the coming years’. I find that an odd statement. You have doubled your mortgage in a decade and you have found yourself in debt but suddenly your spending habits will change and you’ll be debt free at some point in the future. What are your thoughts as you read that? Another interesting point arises here. Because the term is often longer, you will possibly end up paying much more of your hard earned money for that unsecured borrowing by the time you pay off your new secured lending.

Did the debt consolidation company ask what your lifetime ambitions are? You see, you may have got out of the immediate debt issues but you may just also have signed away the possibility of that early retirement / new car / that holiday to see your family down under too. You see, if the amount you are paying back is higher than you had budgeted for then you may need to work longer to achieve your dreams. Was this discussed with you?

Did you consider at least 6 solutions for getting our of debt trouble before you decided on your debt consolidation loan? Can the company you speak to even name 6 solutions for getting out of debt trouble? If not then you have ignored several other options that may have been more suitable for the financial position you found yourself in. It’s rare indeed to find loan and mortgage brokers that are fully trained in solutions to tackle insolvency and debt issues. They have their offering and will talk about the monthly repayment figures to demonstrate how you could be better off, but is it the best way forward? Well naturally, that depends on your situation.

A final word on debt consolidation in the UK

Now, I do believe that debt consolidation has its place but I also think that there could be more done to understand that there are other options for getting out of debt. Getting the right debt help and advice is essential. Look at the advantages and the disadvantages for each solution you consider for debt resolution and then make a more informed decision.

There are more options for getting out of debt trouble then most people realise, that includes debt consolidation but is not limited to just that course of action.

If you would like to know what the 6 solutions to debt in the UK are then you can get debt help and advice from Ed Pearson at Debt Dr.

This article does not constitute regulated advice. Please remember that any action regarding financial advice should always be taken only after considering the specifics of your own situation.

To find out more about Ed try, http://www.advice4debt.co.uk/debtquiz.htm

Ed Pearson is a Debt Dr offering debt help and advice to individuals and small businesses across the UK.

Whilst you may love the stuff he writes, you should only ever take action once you have considered your own set of financial circumstances with a professional. This article does not constitute financial advice.