Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt Consolidation

Programs

How To Choose

Key Takeaways

Debt consolidation loans combine multiple debts into one, often with a lower interest rate, simplifying repayment.
Secured loans use collateral like a home, while unsecured loans don’t, but may have higher rates.
Benefits include simplified payments, lower interest, and faster repayment.
It’s not ideal if it leads to higher interest, upfront fees, or if your credit score is low.
National Debt Relief offers tailored debt solutions to help achieve debt freedom within 24-48 months.

A debt consolidation loan is one way to refinance your credit card debt. It can be especially beneficial for people who are juggling credit card bills from multiple lenders with varying interest rates.

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Everything You Need To Know

To apply for a debt consolidation loan, you submit the amount of your existing debts. Upon approval, you combine all those debts into a single new loan. This can save you time and money by lowering the interest rate and monthly payments. By making your outstanding debt easier to manage, you are also in a better position to pay it off in a shorter amount of time.

Most debt consolidation loans come at a fixed interest rate. So, you pay the same amount every month until the loan is paid off. Let’s say you have four credit cards from four different banks, all at varying interest rates. You could use a debt consolidation loan to pay off those cards and have just one loan to manage instead of four. Simple, right? Just be sure the new loan offers a lower interest rate than the average of your current credit card lenders.

How Does Debt Consolidation Work?

There are two types of debt consolidation loans:

Secured loans are backed by a large personal asset like your home or car, which serves as collateral if you default on the loan.
Unsecured loans don’t need asset backing, which makes them harder to obtain. Without collateral, the interest rates could be higher and there will be fewer options. But the interest rates are fixed, and you still will pay less in the end than if you tried paying off multiple loans on your own.

Since most lenders require a minimum credit score of 670, not everyone qualifies. Even if you are over 670, a negative payment history could spoil your chances for approval.

Debt consolidation loans for good credit scores

Let’s say you need a $35,000 debt consolidation loan and your credit score is in a healthy range between 740-799. You can expect an interest rate of around 10.99%. Here is what your monthly payments would look like:

$1146 for 36 months = $41,256 total cost over 3 years

$904 for 48 months = $43,392 total cost over 4 years

$761 for 60 months = $45,660 total cost over 5 years

$666 for 72 months = $47,952 total cost over 6 years

$599 for 84 months = $50,316 total cost over 7 years

Consolidating three credit cards into one low-interest loan

Fact: 7 in 10 people feel like a black cloud hangs over them when they have to pay a bill or loan

Debt consolidation loans for bad credit scores

If you don’t have a minimum credit score of 670, your interest rate would be too high for a debt consolidation loan to make financial sense. A low credit score is riskier to lenders, so they charge more fees and higher interest rates to compensate for that risk.

Without good credit, you can expect to pay a 1% to 5% origination fee. Plus, you could be charged interest rates anywhere from 29.95% to 35.99% or even higher.

If you don’t meet the qualifications for debt consolidation, National Debt Relief offers many other debt relief options and can help find the one that is right for you.

When Is Debt Consolidation A Good Option?

If you have a credit score of 670 or higher and don’t like tracking every expense and bill payment, you might want to consider debt consolidation. By paying a lower monthly payment and interest rate, you will enjoy a bit of breathing room with your finances.

Here is a breakdown of the main benefits:

Simplify your monthly payments

Making one monthly payment lessens your chances of missing the due date and incurring late fees.

Lower payments

Debt consolidation can help you save money to build a financial safety net and prevent you from falling back into the red.

Save on interest costs

You can receive a lower interest rate that will help pay off your credit card debts faster and for less money.

Get caught up

A debt consolidation loan can help you catch up on bills if you are running behind.

Repay on a fixed schedule

Many debt consolidation loans have a timeline. If you adhere to the payment schedule, your end date is always within sight.

When considering debt consolidation, what matters most to you

Spending Less Every Month

19.8%

Getting Back on Track

30.8%

Resolving your debt for less than the full amount

16.1%

Finding the fastest debt relief plan

16.6%

Being in a program that makes things simple

6.3%

Avoiding bankruptcy

10.4%

Clear Debt Solutions offers debt consolidation loans as part of its debt relief program:

Up to 50% lower monthly payments
Reduce multiple payments down to one
Debt free in as little as 24-48 months
Quick 2-minute approval

When Is Debt Consolidation A Poor Option?

Consolidation is not doing its job if you don’t lower the interest rate on your new loan. Making your debts more manageable by combining them into one loan would be the only benefit, and other debt relief options do that and more.

If your credit score is lower than when you took out your credit cards, finding a rate that makes consolidation worth the effort will be difficult. Check your credit score before considering your options since it plays a crucial role in your eligibility for most debt relief plans.

Making large purchases

If you are in the market for a house or car, your credit score means everything. Taking out a debt consolidation loan or a line of credit requires a hard credit pull, which will lower your credit score by 5 to 10 points. If your score is already low, losing even a few points will work against you.

Tip:Debt consolidation is a temporary solution to a long-term spending issue. Addressing how you landed in debt and changing your habits are key for future financial success.

Be aware of up-front costs

It’s important to consider every cost when determining if a debt consolidation loan will save you money. Depending on the lender, you could pay hundreds if not thousands in late and early repayment fees. While including these fees may still cost less than your current debt, it is important they are considered

Some debt consolidation loans come with fees, including:

Loan origination fees
Balance transfer fees
Closing costs
Annual fees

Don’t pay a higher interest rate

Your debt consolidation loan could charge a higher rate than what you are currently paying on your debt. This could happen for a variety of reasons, such as your current credit score. Additional reasons you might pay more in interest include the loan amount and the loan term. Extending your loan term could lower your monthly payment, but you may end up paying more interest in the end.

Tip: Consolidation does not always reduce the interest rate on your debt, particularly if your credit score is under 670.

Missing payments will set you back even further

If you miss a monthly loan payment, you will likely be charged a late fee. In addition, if a payment is returned due to insufficient funds, some lenders will charge a returned payment fee. These fees can greatly increase your borrowing costs. Since lenders typically report a late payment to the credit bureaus after it becomes 30 days past due, your credit score can suffer. This can make it harder for you to qualify for future loans and get a lower interest rate. To reduce your chances of missing a payment, enroll in the lender’s automatic payment program if they have one.

Tip:If the total of your debts is more than half your income, you would probably be better off with debt relief. National Debt Relief can go over all your options to determine which one is right for you.

Criteria For Debt Consolidation Loans

Lenders want to ensure you are a good candidate to pay back your loan. These are the requirements to prove you qualify for debt consolidation:

Proof of Income

Confirmation that you can afford the monthly payments

Credit History

Like with any loan, debt consolidation lenders will check your payment history and credit report.

Financial Stability

Are you a good financial risk?

Collateral

Home equity is one of the most common debt consolidation qualifications for larger loans

Calculate if debt consolidation might be your best option

Use the information below to get an idea of what your debt consolidation loan might look like.

Add up your debt

Figure out how much you owe to get an idea of how much you will need to borrow to cover your debts.

Calculate the average interest rate on your debt

By averaging out your credit card interest rates, you’ll know if the consolidation loan’s rate saves you money. If it doesn’t, consider other options.

Determine an affordable monthly payment

List out your monthly essentials, like food, utilities, your rent, or mortgage. After everything is paid off, aim for your monthly payment amount to be close to what’s left over.

Consider your options

Determining which consolidation loan is right for you depends on your financial situation—don’t be surprised if you are not eligible for all of them. A good strategy is to eliminate those options that don’t fit your criteria and then compare the ones that do.

Calculate if debt consolidation might be your best option

Use the information below to get an idea of what your debt consolidation loan might look like.

Add up your debt

Figure out how much you owe to get an idea of how much you will need to borrow to cover your debts.

Calculate the average interest rate on your debt

By averaging out your credit card interest rates, you’ll know if the consolidation loan’s rate saves you money. If it doesn’t, consider other options.

Determine an affordable monthly payment

List out your monthly essentials, like food, utilities, your rent, or mortgage. After everything is paid off, aim for your monthly payment amount to be close to what’s left over.

Consider your options

Determining which consolidation loan is right for you depends on your financial situation—don’t be surprised if you are not eligible for all of them. A good strategy is to eliminate those options that don’t fit your criteria and then compare the ones that do.

Tip: The best debt consolidation loan will reduce the interest rates you are currently paying and lower your monthly payment.

Types Of Debt Consolidation Loans

There are a few types of debt consolidation loans:

- Debt consolidation

Debt consolidation loans present a good solution for debt that is spread across multiple lenders like credit cards. It cuts your loans down to one at a lower interest rate and more affordable monthly payment.

- Credit cards

Depending on your credit score, you might be able to consolidate your outstanding debt onto one credit card. For new credit cards with no- to-low interest rates, a balance transfer can help you pay off your debt. Just make sure you can pay it off before the interest rate skyrockets after the introductory period expires. You can also transfer your debt to an existing credit card if the company is running a promotion with a fixed rate or low-interest rate.

Some creditors may offer a hardship program where you pay a monthly agreed-upon amount over a longer period. In addition to making your payments more manageable, you can save money by avoiding extra interest. You need to reach out directly to your creditors to discuss this option.

For example, if you owed $7,000 on a credit card you could offer the issuer a lump sum payment of $3,500 to settle the debt. If you can prove that you are suffering from a serious financial hardship, the credit card company might agree to settle for that amount. You will need to have documentation to prove you are in bad financial straits:

- 1. A list of all your debts
  2. The amount you owe on each debt
  3. The last time you were able to make a payment on your bills
  4. Any minimum payments
- HELOCs

If you own a home, a HELOC may be a good option. A HELOC is a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. The amount is based on your home value, and it serves as a second mortgage or open line of credit. Some HELOCs switch from a fixed rate to a variable rate after the first six months. But the interest rate is usually less than what a credit card company charges.

How Clear Debt Solutions Works

During your free consultation, a debt coach will determine a timeline and your monthly payment amount to settle your debts. Most clients become debt free in as little as 24-48 months. You will immediately begin depositing that monthly payment into an FDIC-insured dedicated savings account in your name.

Once a debt has been settled, we will contact you for approval and ask that you release the funds. If you lack the money to settle all your debts, we offer a payment program that enables you to make just one monthly payment to Clear Debt Solutions. As the funds build up, we use the money to pay your creditors.

Tip:Your success in the program depends on making on-time monthly payments

Clear Debt Solutions is accredited with an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and belongs to the American Association for Debt Resolution — the watchdog of the debt settlement business. To be a member of this Council, we pledged to treat our clients with transparency, honesty, ethics, and fairness.

To learn more about how Clear Debt Solutions can help you take back your life, call 800-300-9550 or complete the no-obligation debt consultation form today. We promise to support you every step of the way, just like we have done for over 500,000 people across the country.

To apply for a debt consolidation loan, you submit the amount of your existing debts. Upon approval, you combine all those debts into a single new loan. This can save you time and money by lowering the interest rate and monthly payments. By making your outstanding debt easier to manage, you are also in a better position to pay it off in a shorter amount of time.

All You Need To Know

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800-300-9550