Saturday, 10 May 2008

How Common Debt Consolidation Works

By Chris Channing

Unfortunately in America most households are in debt. Some consumers need help to get out of debt while some on the other hand may be able to do it themselves. The most common way of taking care of your debt is called debt consolidation. A debt consolidation loan allows you to package your monthly bills into one at a fixed cost.

Once you've decided to consolidate your debt you should start comparing debt consolidation companies. Low interest is something you should look for when comparing companies. A lower interest rate means that you will pay less money on your interest charges and more money towards your loan.

To make a debt consolidation work you will most likely have to change you budget. Your budget should limit your spending to things that you need. By spending less money each month you can take the spare money and put it towards paying off your consolidation loan. It's also a good idea to not buy with credit but rather buy things with cash.

A poor budget could cause you to get deeper in debt. There are a few ways to cut down on your spending, for instance, you could spend less time traveling as gas prices are rising all the time. Another way is to prepare you own meals instead of eating out.

Predatory lending is something you should watch out for when selecting a debt consolidation company. Basically predatory lending is when a company takes advantage of the consumer by waiting until they must refinance so they can consolidate and pay off their bills. If a consumer doesn't refinance then it could lead to the loss of their house. Because of this the consumer is willing to pay any amount allowable to finish the debt consolidation. Very few companies practice this but it is a good idea to look out for it still.

You should always check on the companies your comparing though. By performing background checks and checking for complaints of a company it is possible to determine whether they are there to help you or scam you.

You don't have to put your debt consolidation plans in the hands of professionals though. It is possible to choose to consolidate your debt on your own. Consolidating your debt by yourself is much cheaper compared to hiring a company to do it for you, but there are some drawbacks. You will have no one to help you with arranging for a creditor, or creditors, to take over your previous debts. You also will not have anyone to remind you to make payments in a timely manner.

Debt consolidation isn't an overnight way to become debt free. It takes a great deal of time in effort whether you choose to do it on your own or with the help of a debt consolidation company. As long as you follow the tips and guidelines stated then you should be on your way to becoming debt free eventually.

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