Are you Looking for Financial Security?
If your household suffers from debt, you might find the prospect hard to achieve. It’s especially when you owe money from various lenders. They might have different terms for interest rates and time to pay.
These situations are sometimes inevitable. However, handling your debt matters more. Read on as we discuss how debt consolidation loans ease your financial situation:
1. Turn Many Debts into One
Debt consolidation loans make your debts simpler. Your debt is easier since you’ll likely have lower monthly payments. Depending on the amount of money owed, you’ll have a longer payoff duration.
Do you have many credit card debts? If so, consolidating them into a single account feels like removing a great weight from your financial budget.
Your debt still exists, and it didn’t decrease. However, the many payment deadlines become one. It’s easier to plan your budget to ensure you pay them on time.
2. Save More Money
Among various types of debt payments, consolidation loans aim to save more money in the long run. Most loan options allow you to save money on interest. It either helps through either lower interest rates or a shorter repayment duration.
Most unsecured debts like credit cards have higher interest rates. These will add to your monthly debt payments.
Debt consolidation loans allow you to pay off all high-interest debts. You can roll them into a single one. You’ll likely pay less in the long run since the interest rate is lower.
Your chances of getting these rates depend on your credit score. It’s a major factor in finances, especially when determining interest rates. It represents whether you’re a risky borrower.
People with excellent credit can get rates between 4% and 20%. Those with poor credit scores end up paying 15% to 36%. Regardless of your score, maintain or improve it.
A good place to start is to limit your new credit requests and hard inquiries. An occasional inquiry won’t likely affect your score. However, having many in a short duration means financial trouble.
3. Improve Your Credit Score
While on the subject of credit scores, debt consolidation gives them a marked boost. When you consolidate through a personal loan, you’ll see a score increase within a few months. It happens because it reduces your credit utilization rate.
This rate comes from the amount of money you owe at the moment divided by your current credit limit. For example, you have two credit cards with a $5,000 limit. If you have a $2,500 balance on one, your rate is 50%.
Your credit utilization plays an important part in determining your credit score. It’s normal to notice a slight credit score decrease whenever you get new credit. The long-term gains on both credit score and savings make it a wise decision.
4. Less Stress
When you’re consolidating your debt, it greatly decreases your stress. It’s because you only have a single, manageable payment plan. It feels less cluttered compared to paying lots of smaller debts.
A lot of people feel stressed whenever multiple money matters like debt happen. With debt consolidation loans, you have better control over your finances. You’re better off staying on top of a single debt payment each month.
Without less financial stress, you can clear your mind. It allows you to make better life decisions. Before long, you’ll maintain healthy finances.
5. Pay the Debt Faster
It’s common for credit cardholders to pay their balances after a few years. These companies earn their profit from the interest. They won’t care whether it takes you a decade to pay off your credit card balance.
With debt consolidation, you can escape this financial trap faster. The process considers various factors to determine the repayment period. Some of these include:
- Income
- Credit score
- Amount owed
These factors allow your lender to make a better payment plan. They cater to your current financial needs. It’s why most consolidation loans have a more flexible payback period.
How to Find the Best Debt Consolidation Loans
Now you know what a debt consolidation loan can do. To get these benefits, you must find a reputable provider. Achieve this through these steps:
Avoid Companies With Unrealistic Promises
Some lenders say they can make you debt-free. It doesn’t matter how much money you owe. It’s an attractive offer, but it’s unrealistic.
Never trust these companies until they show their license. The same applies when they refuse to discuss repayments or make you sign blank documents. Disreputable companies will often rush the transaction through pressure and sweet words.
A good way to determine a company’s reputability is through the AFCA. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority allows independent dispute resolution. If your chosen company isn’t a member, avoid them.
Make Sure You Pay Less
Compare your new loan’s interest with your current ones. Include the extra fees and ensure you can afford them. Some costs include:
- Penalties
- Application fees
- Legal fees
- Valuation fees
- Stamp duty
If the new loan is more expensive, consolidating is not worth your time. You’ll pay lower interests, but the final price is more expensive in the long run.
Protect Your Assets
You might consider converting your unsecured debts into a single secured one. It helps lower your interest rates. However, you must put your home and other assets on the line as security.
If you can’t pay off your consolidated loan, your assets are at risk. The lender can sell them to get your borrowed money. Stay away from these loans unless you have no other option.
Secure Your Personal Finances Now
These are some benefits of debt consolidation loans. They’re easier to pay because you’ll only worry about a single payment every month. You have a better repayment period and interest rates.
Work with a reputable lender to get the most out of it. Use our tips to avoid common pitfalls.
Did this guide help? Consider reading our other posts and learning more valuable tips today.
Hey Guys! My name is Richard Andrew. I am a contributor to the Strategy Watch. I have finished my graduation with a major in Economics. My interest areas are Economics, Financial Analysis, Stock Analysis, and Business Strategy.