Debt consolidation loans allow you to combine multiple unsecured debts into one bill. This can be especially helpful if you’re overwhelmed by several deadlines and interest rates. These loans work by providing you the funds needed to pay off your multitude of other debts, leaving one bill (and only one interest rate) – the loan – to pay back.
So, instead of having to make several separate payments to each creditor or collector every month, you make just one. This can help eliminate the chance for late payments, and could help you to reduce the amount of your payments that are spent battling interest charges, helping you pay off your debt faster. By combining all your bills into one rather than four or five payments, you may actually end up actually making a smaller monthly payment.
What Types of Debts Can You Consolidate
You can consolidate a variety of debts, including:
- Credit Cards
- Payday Loans
- Personal Loans
- Utility Bills
- Medical Expenses
- Student Loans
- Taxes
- Court Judgements
- Money owed to collection agencies
Debt Consolidation Methods:
We provide numerous debt consolidation options including the following, which are each listed with their own pros and cons:
We offer personal loans for borrowers to use to pay off their existing debts, leaving only one bill- the loan to pay off over time. Personal loans are usually offered as 1 to 5 year term offers and can be the most beneficial option if the personal loan has a lower interest rate than all the interest rates you have across your existing debts.
Pros
- Personal loans can be easier to qualify for and quicker to receive than home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Personal loan fees are usually lower than other debt consolidation options.
- The fixed loan term and interest rate make payments predictable and easy to budget for.
- They are due the same time every month so it is easier to stick to a payment schedule.
- Terms are shorter, so you can pay off all your debt sooner.
Cons
- If you have bad credit, you may not receive a competitive interest rate.
- There is no payment flexibility with the monthly payment schedule or the loan term.
- Because terms are shorter, monthly payments are higher (although it could be similar, or even less than several of your monthly debts combined).
- Personal loans are unsecured, so they have higher interest rates than other options.
Pros
- This option works best if you are able to get a mortgage interest rate that’s lower than your current one. Even better if this new rate will also be lower than the rates you’re paying on your other debts.
- Interest is usually lower than other consolidation options because this loan is secured by your home.
- The interest you pay may be tax-deductible.
- Monthly payments are lower than other options because the loan term can be stretched over 30 or more years.
Cons
- If you default on this loan, you risk foreclosure on your home.
- Using the equity in your home can negatively affect your long-term financial plans, especially if retirement is approaching.
- A cash-out refinance is essentially getting a new “first” mortgage, so closing costs can be higher than those for a HELOC or home equity loan.
- If you refinance more than 80 percent of the loan’s value, you may have to pay for mortgage insurance in addition to everything else.
- Cash out refinancing is a lengthy process and has upfront costs associated with it (new closing costs, possibly an appraisal if your lender requires it, etc.).
- With the loan spread out over 30 years, you may actually pay more interest in the long run, even if the rate is lower.
Pros
- The loan is secured by your home, so interest rates are lower than unsecured debt consolidation options.
- Interest payments may be tax-deductible.
- Monthly payments are predictable, easy to budget for, and help you stay on schedule for paying off your debt.
- You can get a longer term for a home equity loan than you could for a personal loan.
Cons
- If you default on this loan, you risk foreclosure on your home.
- Using the equity in your home can negatively affect your long-term financial plans, especially if retirement is approaching.
- With the loan spread out over a longer term, you may actually pay more interest in the long run, even if the rate is lower.
HELOCs differ from home equity loans in that, instead of receiving a lump sum of cash, borrowers are allowed to borrow up to a certain amount from the equity built up in the home for the life of the loan. This money can be used to pay off existing debts.
Pros
- Like Cash Out Refinancing and home equity loan, HELOC is also a secured loan, with your home as collateral. This means that interest rates are lower and interest payments may be tax-deductible.
- You only pay back (and pay interest on) the portion of the line of credit you actually use.
- Because it works similar to a credit card, the available equity that you can borrow can be used in the event of a later emergency or major home repairs.
Cons
- Having access to a line of credit can tempt some individuals to overspend, especially if they are already having issues with handling their debt.
- Variable interest rates (between your regular loan and the line of credit) can make payments unpredictable.
- Defaulting will result in foreclosure.
- The remaining balance due at the end of a HELOC repayment period is due immediately, which can result in a balloon payment.
- You will have to pay closing costs with this option (although they are typically lower than the closing costs of a cash out refinance).
You can do this one of two ways. The first being a federal Direct Consolidation Loan and the second being a private loan (see above section for details). You can consolidate most federal student loans with a Direct Consolidation Loan, which also has its own set of pros and cons:
Pros
- You can change the extend or shorten the repayment schedule for your loans
- Potentially lower your interest rate and thus potentially lower your monthly payment.
- Deal with one lender and one loan payment instead of several.
Cons
- To receive the best refinancing terms, it requires you to have very good credit.
- If you consolidate a federal loan through a private lender, you will no longer be able to take advantage of student loan forgiveness or income-based repayment plans.
Bill Consolidation Loans FAQ
- Will consolidating my bills hurt my credit? Depending on how you go about consolidating your bills, it can have varying effects on your credit score. For example, if you take out a personal loan to pay off your debts, your credit usage ratio drops, which in turn can actually make your score go up. However, obtaining a new loan or closing accounts once they are paid off may cause your score to drop. Over time, so long as you are making the necessary payments on time, debt consolidation can have a positive effect overall.
- How do I know if I should consolidate my debt? Consolidating your debt is best done while your debt is still manageable (that way you can still afford the monthly payment). Preferably, debt should not exceed 50% of your income. If you are considering debt consolidation, contact our office to see if you will actually benefit from doing so (such as saving on interest costs or paying off your debt sooner).
- Can I qualify for a debt consolidation loan if I have bad credit? Yes, you can still qualify. However, you may have higher interest rates or need put up collateral (such as your home) in order to obtain the loan.