Debt consolidation is worth considering if you are drowning in debt and all the interest you're paying isn't helping. However, debt consolidation only works when you have a plan in place to ensure its success, and when you can avoid the common pitfalls that come with taking out another loan to pay off existing bills.
Key Takeaways
- Debt consolidation takes place when consumers use a new loan to pay off all their existing bills.
- This new loan is typically a personal installment loan with a fixed interest rate, fixed monthly payment, and a set repayment plan.
- While personal loan details vary, many come with competitive fixed interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and no hidden fees.
Pros of Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation has the potential to help consumers in numerous ways, from shortening their repayment terms to making the process more affordable. The following advantages can apply when people use a debt consolidation loan with a specific purpose in mind and have what it takes to see the process through.
- Pay down debt faster: Because personal loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards, less of each payment goes to interest charges each month. This ultimately means that amounts owed can be paid off over a shorter period of time compared to credit cards. While personal loan details vary, many offer repayment terms from 24 to 84 months.
- Simplify your finances: Consolidating several debts with one new loan means you can go from making several monthly payments to just one. This can simplify your lifestyle and your finances in one fell swoop.
- Save on interest: Fed data shows the average interest rate on a 24-month personal loan is about half of the average rate on credit cards. This means many borrowers will be able to save considerable amounts of money as they pay down their debt faster.
- Set repayment terms: A personal loan for debt consolidation also makes it easy to know exactly when debt can be paid off. This is often preferable to credit cards with minimum monthly payments, which can stretch debt repayment out for far longer.
- Improve your credit: Making on-time payments on a debt consolidation loan can help improve credit, and so can paying down balances. Ultimately, paying down debt with a debt consolidation loan offers the chance to make positive moves within the two biggest categories that determine your FICO score—payment history and amounts owed.
Cons of Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation loans can be a valuable tool for getting out of debt, but they don't always work the way people want. Imperfect results can be due to the details of the debt consolidation loan that a borrower actually qualifies for or how they treat their finances along the way.
- Debt consolidation won't fix underlying issues: Debt consolidation loans give consumers a chance to pay down debt with a single monthly payment, but borrowers still have to actively resist taking on new debt until their personal finances are under control.
- Upfront costs may apply: Many personal loans for borrowers with bad credit feature origination fees that are deducted from the principal being borrowed.
- Interest rates may not be that enticing: The best rates that personal loan companies offer are typically for borrowers with very good to excellent credit, and consumers with lower scores usually pay more.
- You could damage your credit score: Taking out a personal loan can help your credit score if you make on-time payments and avoid taking on new debt, but the opposite is also true. Late payments can have a dramatic negative impact on your credit health.
How to Decide if Debt Consolidation Is Right for You
Most of the pros and cons of debt consolidation stem from how these loans are used. For example, someone who consolidates debt, takes the process seriously, and reorganizes their finances to fix underlying spending problems can certainly "get ahead" with this strategy. Meanwhile, someone who consolidates debt and keeps using credit cards to rack up new balances ultimately isn't doing themselves any favors.
To determine whether debt consolidation is right for you, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I serious about getting out of debt? Debt consolidation will only pay off in the long term if you are serious about getting out of debt and able to stick to a plan. This means stepping up when it comes to making all the required payments on the loan, but it also means avoiding the temptation to rack up new debt balances along the way.
- Have I fixed the problems that got me into debt? Debt consolidation won't provide a long-term solution if you're spending more than you earn and using debt to fill in the gaps. These loans work best if you have analyzed your spending, figured out what went wrong, and created a budget that aligns with your actual income.
- Can I qualify for a loan with better repayment terms? Check your credit score to see if you can qualify for the best rates and terms. Additionally, look for personal lenders that let you "check your rate" and gauge your approval odds before you apply.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Debt Consolidation?
The potential drawbacks of debt consolidation include the temptation to rack up new debt on credit cards that now have a $0 balance and the possibility of hurting your credit score with late payments. Also note that the best personal loans go to consumers with very good or excellent credit, so not everyone can qualify.
How Does Debt Consolidation Impact Credit Scores?
Applying for a personal loan results in a hard inquiry that temporarily dings your credit score, but you have the chance to improve your credit for the long haul from there. For example, you can provide a boost to your credit by making on-time payments and paying down your total balances over time.
What Factors Should I Consider When Deciding if Debt Consolidation Is Right for Me?
To determine if debt consolidation is right for you, you should first determine if you're serious about getting out of debt and willing to stop using credit to pay for items you don't have the cash for. Additionally, check out the rates and terms of personal loans you can qualify for to see if they will actually leave you better off.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Debt Consolidation?
There are several risks involved with debt consolidation, including the risk of adding more debt and the potential for credit score damage. If you consolidate debt and keep overspending with credit cards, you even run the risk of winding up with more debt than when you started.
The Bottom Line
Consolidating debt with a debt consolidation loan can make sense for people who are paying sky-high rates on credit cards, but only if they're serious about debt payoff. These loans will also be most beneficial to people with good-to-excellent credit and strong incomes who can easily qualify for the best rates and terms. Even then, there are pitfalls that come into play when debt repayment isn't a priority. At the end of the day, the end results will vary based on how debt consolidation loans are used and how serious each borrower is about paying off their debt.
