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What is Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation may be the answer for anyone drowning in a sea of unpaid bills. Debt consolidation lumps all of your unsecured debts including credit card bills, doctor, dentist, veterinary, and other service provider bills ? any bills that are not secured by collateral or property such as an automobile or a house ? into one monthly payment.
Types of Debt Consolidation
There are several ways to achieve debt consolidation, including one that does not require borrowing more money. Debt consolidation options include:
1. Home Equity Loans ? A popular method of debt consolidation, the home equity loan is a mortgage based on the amount of equity you have invested in your home. It should be noted that home equity loans are secured by your house, which means if you fail to make payments on schedule, and according to the terms of the loan, you risk losing your house.
2. Personal Loans ? Many banks and other lenders offer unsecured personal loans based on your annual income. The amount that can be borrowed will vary from person to person, and not everyone will qualify for this type of loan. To use personal loan proceeds for debt consolidation simply deposit the loan money into your bank account and write checks to your creditors, or ask the lender to disburse the money to your creditors for you.
3. Private Loans ? Some people may be able to borrow from family or friends and arrange very individual terms. Borrowing from others in your personal life can be tricky business and it is advisable to make sure any arrangements are made in writing.
4. Debt Management Plans ? Not everyone will qualify for a personal loan, and not everyone owns a house, or has someone in their personal life from whom they can borrow money for debt consolidation. For people in this situation there is another option available - a debt management plan through a credit counseling agency. Even if you have all of the previously mentioned options available to you it may be more advisable to seek out a debt management plan. Debt consolidation through a debt management plan involves having a credit counselor negotiate with your creditors for payments you can afford. You end up making one monthly payment to the credit counseling agency which then sends money to your various creditors.
Regardless of which type of debt consolidation plan you choose, be sure to check out potential lenders or your credit counseling agencies thoroughly. It is also strongly advised that you destroy paid off credit cards and formally close those accounts to avoid the temptation to charge them up again. When done carefully and with consideration, debt consolidation will ease your financial worries.
Perks and Pitfalls of Debt Consolidation
Whether you want to pursue debt consolidation in order to make a good financial situation better or to pull yourself back from the brink of bankruptcy you will want to consider the good and bad things that may result from the choices you make.
Perks and Potential Benefits of Debt Consolidation
1. Debt consolidation should lower your monthly payments, and preferably your interest rates as well. This will lower the long term cost of your debt.
2. Debt consolidation may improve your credit rating and make it easier for you to purchase a home or automobile.
3. When done properly debt consolidation can remove a great deal of emotional and financial pressure from your life.
4. Debt consolidation may help many people avoid having to file for bankruptcy.
5. A significant benefit of debt consolidation is the elimination of harassing phone calls from creditors and collection agencies. This will happen more quickly when debts are paid off through home equity or personal loans. It should still happen over time through debt management plans when the creditors realize you are working in good faith to pay off your debt.
Pitfalls or Things to Avoid in Debt Consolidation
1. Avoid debt consolidation loans or plans that require high up front fees. Reputable lenders and credit counseling agencies generally charge low fees, or no fees.
2. Avoid debt consolidation plans that promise large reductions in your debt in a short period of time. There are no quick fixes. Debt reduction takes time an effort.
3. Avoid debt consolidation loans that are at higher interest rates than those you are currently paying. Paying more interest will not lower your overall debt.
4. If you choose a debt consolidation through a debt management plan make sure the credit counseling agency you choose pays all creditors in a frequent and timely manner, otherwise your accounts could become more delinquent, accruing more fees and sending you deeper into debt.
5. One of the most common pitfalls of debt consolidation occurs when consumers pay their credit cards off but continue to use them. Most people quickly max out again and end up with more debt and more pressure than they had before they chose debt consolidation.
If you make sure to choose your lender or credit counseling agency carefully, and know what you are getting into, you will avoid the pitfalls and debt consolidation will be a positive step that benefits your overall financial situation.
Debt Consolidation - Can You Negotiate with Your Credit Card Company?
The average American household has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt, and many people are only able to make the minimum payment of 2% of the balance. Even 2% is $200, and by paying the minimum payment, you could be paying on the balance for decades before you finally pay it off. Since new legislation will make it more difficult to file for bankruptcy, it may occur to savvy debtors to try to negotiate a better deal with their credit card company in order to make it easier to pay off the balance. Is this possible?
It might be possible, depending on your credit history, interest rate, and current balance. Your best bet, especially if you have a history of paying on time, is to simply call your credit card company and ask if they will lower your interest rate. They might, especially if you tell them that you got a better offer from another bank. If you have a history of paying late, however, they probably will not be willing to lower your interest rate. That?s unfortunate, since paying late has probably prompted the credit card company to raise your interest rate in the first place. Still, it?s worth a phone call; you may get lucky.
If you?ve been paying your bills on time, asking for a lower interest rate may be the only option available to you. The credit card companies aren?t going to be too sympathetic to your financial woes if they?re receiving payment on time. On the other hand, if you?re late on your payments, especially if you?re more than three months behind, you may have some negotiating leverage. That leverage comes with a few strings attached, however. You may be able to negotiate a lump-sum settlement for your outstanding balance, where the credit card company accepts a portion of your debt and writes off the rest. They?re often willing to do this instead of turning your debt over to a collection agency, as it?s cheaper just to settle. The settlement amount will vary, depending on your interest rate, your balance and your payment history. This type of settlement comes with a couple of problems of its own, though. What if you don?t have the money to settle all at once? If you can?t pay your bills on time, you probably don?t have the cash to settle at once. Additionally, the amount of your debt that gets written off will show up on your credit report as bad debt, and that will stay there for seven years.
Your credit card company may or may not be willing to work out a payment plan, but it costs you nothing to ask them, and negotiating a settlement with them may be cheaper for you than if you consult with a debt consolidation firm. If your credit card debt is substantial and you just can?t make the payments, it?s worth a try.
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