Getting a handle on your debt is very important to the success of your financial future. Just because you are in debt, it doesn’t mean that you have to file for bankruptcy and lose everything. Debt consolidation can help you gain a more stable financial foothold on your future. However, how you go about consolidating your debt is important. The following article will help you work out a plan!
Consolidate all of your high interest credit cards onto one credit card with a reasonable interest level. If you’ve got multiple cards above 20% interest, you are paying way too much. That money going to interest could be helping you pay off that debt! Plus multiple cards means multiple minimum payments. It’s best to attack one card alone if you can.
Look into whether the debt consolidation firm you are considering approaches things individually or if they use a “one size fits all” approach. Quite often, those general approaches can be pretty cheap, but it may not be the best fit for your specific need. They may even cost you more money in the long run. A custom approach is typically the best.
There many kinds of debt consolidation loans out there. Some of them include a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan and a personal loan. Before picking the kind of loan you want, you should think about what the rates and fees are for each one. Figure out which one is best for you.
Find out how the debt consolidation company is funded, and do not do business with them if they refuse to disclose this information. If they say they are a non-profit organization, make sure to check with the state to see if that is true. Also, if they say they are tax-exempt, check that out too.
It is possible to take money out of retirement to pay a particularly draining debt. However, you should only do this if you are certain you will pay back the money. If not, you will owe taxes and penalties on the account.
When you are consolidating debt, you must try to renegotiate with your creditors. Whether you are choosing to try and do this yourself first or have enlisted the help of a debt consolidation company, renegotiation is key to saving you a lot of money when paying off your debt.
Remember that debt consolidation isn’t for everyone. You’re a good candidate if you have multiple debts like medical bills, credit card bills, personal loans, unsecured debts, collection accounts, etc. Consider your interest rates because if they’re over 15%, you’re paying too much with financial charges every month, which is money that you could save or use for your retirement account. Finally, consider if you have a hard time making minimum payments, have gotten behind recently, or are close to your limits. If these apply to you, debt consolidation may be a solution.
Debt consolidation companies are ten a penny and many offer false hope. However, this doesn’t mean that your financial situation is hopeless. You need to be smart about how you pay off your debts and realistic about your financial goals. Use the compiled tips in this article to help you stay on top of your finances.