Millions of Americans are in debt, and they do so in a variety of ways. It can be debt from credit cards, student loans, an unmanageable mortgage, or a sizable auto loan.
Whatever shape your debt takes, you must pay it off or, ideally, eliminate it completely for your financial stability.
Debt consolidation is one of the more aggressive strategies to deal with debt. There are other alternatives as well. This is the process of using a new, secured credit card or loan with a reduced interest rate to pay off a lot of debt.
Even though financial experts may occasionally advise debt consolidation, it’s not a widely used strategy. To be honest, a lot of Americans are just uninterested in it. Only 52% of those with credit card debt exceeding $6,000, according to a recent LendingTree poll, have ever consolidated.
Why is debt consolidation met with such opposition, and when is it appropriate to give it serious thought? Let us seek advice from the professionals.
Fear That Your Credit Score Will Be Affected by Debt Consolidation
When it comes to debt consolidation, there can be a fear component at play, mostly related to the concern that it would negatively impact your credit score. It is true, therefore this isn’t an unreasonable fear, but you should also be aware of how this particular scenario operates. It might not be as horrible as you think.
According to Erika Kullberg, a personal financial expert, “some consumers are afraid of the harm that debt consolidation will do to their finances and they should be wary—this isn’t something they should go into blindly.” Consolidating debt has certain advantages, but only in certain situations. It’s true that some who worry that it will lower their credit score.
However, Kullberg continued, “When they apply for a new loan or credit card, they will need to endure a hard credit inquiry. Still, there won’t be much of a dip, and their score will rise really fast.
Fear the Repayment Timeline Regulations
The requirement to pay off debt in a predetermined amount of time associated with debt consolidation loans or balance transfers may also deter people from considering debt consolidation. It seems sense that this could be frightening.
According to Kyle Enright, president of Achieve, “the low- or zero-interest promotional period that comes with balance-transfer cards is usually 6–12 months (it can be longer, but again is definite).” “Personal loan terms typically range from 24 to 60 months. With that commitment, you will typically need to tighten your belt and make a spending plan.
Disappointed in the Interest Rate
Seek out a debt consolidation loan with an interest rate that is less than the one you are currently paying; we’ll cover that topic in more detail later. However, these loans might have rather high interest rates.
According to Enright, “depending on one’s credit, the rate on a debt consolidation loan could range from 8-9% to 36% or even higher.” By contrast, the current average credit card interest rate is almost 23 percent. Therefore, a loan rate of 9% would be a significant savings over credit card debt.
“But if you can’t get a decent rate, a personal loan might not be as smart,” he said. Verify the interest rate with the lender and ask to see the total amount of money saved over the course of the loan.
When To Think About Consolidating Your Debt
While there are good reasons and circumstances in which a debt consolidation plan isn’t appropriate for you, there are other instances in which it’s a wonderful strategy. Let’s dissect it.
When You Want To Simplify Payments
When you consolidate your debt into one place, you’re effectively simplifying the payment process. This can go a long way in helping you tackle the debt and sharpen your budgeting prowess.
“Consolidating multiple debts into a single loan makes it easier to manage since you have just one fixed monthly payment to worry about,” said Leslie Tayne, founder and head attorney at Tayne Law Group.
When the Wish Is for Fixed Repayments
One of the numerous drawbacks of a debt consolidation loan is a set repayment plan, but there are also perks to consider. Tayne states that “it can make payments more predictable and easier to fit in a budget.”
In Case You Desire Lower Monthly Instalments
If you want to extend the length of your loan and so get lower monthly payments, you might think about debt consolidation. “Though it may end up costing more in interest over time, this can be helpful for those who are struggling with cash flow issues,” Tayne stated.
When Prefer Not To Go With Default
“Consolidation can be a smart move to avoid defaulting on any one debt for those who are struggling to keep up with multiple debt payments,” Tayne added.
Never forget to shop around for a lower interest rate than you already have. It’s crucial to weigh your options and select the best strategy when thinking about consolidating your debts; ideally, this will involve getting a loan with a lower interest rate than you presently have.
Saving money will enable you to pay off your debt more quickly, according to Kullberg. Additionally, extending your repayment period can result in higher interest costs, so avoid doing so.
She continued, “For example, with student loans, don’t trade a five-year term for a 10-year term, even if the interest rate is a bit better. Spending five more years paying off your debt will cost you in the end. For credit card debt consolidation, look for a balance transfer card that has a long 0% introductory APR. That way, you can spend months only focusing on paying off your balance without additional interest.”
E & S Direct LLC