Is a debt consolidation loan right for you?
When you owe a lot of money to a lot of people, the idea of a debt consolidation loan can seem pretty attractive. In a debt consolidation loan, you take out one new loan at a low interest rate to pay off multiple other loans that have higher interest rates, theoretically saving money on interest while also simplifying your finances.
But in reality, a debt consolidation loan strategy may not be the best approach to helping you eliminate debt. If you owe significant amounts of money, you may not qualify for low debt consolidation rates. And if your debt reduction strategy is only about shifting balances from one creditor to another, you may not be dealing with the financial choices and spending habits that got you into debt in the first place. Frequently, consumers who take out a debt consolidation loan find themselves just as deeply in debt or worse a year or two later.
For help determining whether a debt consolidation loan is right for you, contact American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC). We’re a nonprofit organization providing free credit counseling sessions, where you can get information about a debt consolidation loan as well as debt settlement options and direct loan consolidation for student loans.
Understand debt consolidation loan options with help from ACCC.
At ACCC, you’ll find highly trained experts who can help you get a clear picture your financial situation and guide you through all the options available to you for paying down your debt. Our counselors will work with you to get a sense of your financial goals and help you choose the best debt strategy to meet them. While that may include a debt consolidation loan, your ACCC credit counselors may also recommend other forms of debt relief that can be more advantageous for you.
In addition to free credit counseling, you’ll find a wealth of educational material on our website about everything from creating budgets to saving for college and retirement. And our counselors are happy to answer all of your debt-related questions, including questions like “How do I manage credit card debt more effectively?” and “How do I pay off credit card bills more quickly?”
Alternatives to a debt consolidation loan
If your financial situation warrants it, your credit counselors may recommend a debt management plan in place of a debt consolidation loan. With ACCC’s low-cost debt management program, you’ll make one simple payment each month to us and we’ll be responsible for paying each of your creditors in turn. Not only will this relieve your stress and simplify your finances, but ACCC will work with your creditors for a possible reduction in interest rates, finance charges, late fees and over-limit charges in order to lower the amount you owe.
Learn more from ACCC about the pros and cons of a debt consolidation loan and about evaluating debt consolidation loan rates.
