ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
All About Debt Consolidation Loans
Debt consolidation loans can be the answer to a number of financial problems, but before you take the plunge, make sure you're well informed. What is a debt consolidation loan? Debt consolidation is when you arrange a single loan to cover a number of existing debts. Rather than juggling several expensive payments, such as credit card or hire purchase bills, a debt consolidation loan means a single manageable monthly payment. You'll also benefit form lower monthly interest payments; compare an average secured debt consolidation loan of 12.4% APR to a credit card company charging 19.9% APR. Besides lower interest rates/ payments; you also benefit from knowing that a consolidation loan runs for a fixed term, and that every repayment you make goes towards clearing the loan. Without consolidation you may find that minimum monthly payments simply service the interest accrued on your debt, without having any impact on the debt itself. Debt consolidation also offers an opportunity to repair your credit rating. Remember that any missed payments and bank charges count against you in the eyes of lenders. It's a vicious circle: a poor credit rating means that lenders see you as a risk, which in turn means they charge you higher interest rates. By repaying all your creditors and taking out a single loan; you are already well on your way to rewriting your credit history. Getting the best debt consolidation loan When looking for a loan, the first step is to work out exactly how much you need to borrow. Calculate how much you owe on credit cards, standing orders, overdrafts etc. and only borrow as much as you owe. Because most debt consolidation loans are 'secured' against the value of your property; you won't have trouble finding lenders willing to arrange loans for considerably more than you actually need. However, getting further into debt rarely makes financial sense. The next step is to begin shopping around for the best deal. Visit a number of FISA registered brokers and see what they can offer you. Recent industry regulation means that loan providers must now tell customers the total cost of repaying the loan, rather than monthly payments and the loan's lifespan. Make sure that you compare like with like; don't be tempted just by low monthly repayments as you may find that the loan has a substantially longer term. Are there any drawbacks? Debt consolidation loans often make shrewd financial sense, but it's important to know exactly what you are getting into: Firstly, you may be cutting your monthly outgoings, but it's important to understand that you are refinancing your debt over a much greater period of time. In the long run you may actually be paying more. Secondly, most debt consolidation loans are also secured, which means that your property is at risk if you continually default on repayments. Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that you are under no obligation to repay your outstanding debts. Use the loan wisely to repay existing debts; and you can look forward to a bright financial future. Use it simply to raise capital and keep spending and you will soon be in trouble. Michael Stepney is part of the team at First Aid Finance; one of the UK's leading secured loans brokers. For more advice or a debt consolidation loan quotation visit their website at http://www.firstaidfinance.co.uk.
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Debt Consolidation can Ruin Your Credit Yes, Debt Cosolidation isn't a good idea and I'll tell you why. I've done research of my own and found out some disturbing information. Debt Consolidation: A Way Out? When you are living paycheck to paycheck and it seems everyone is getting a piece of the pie except for you, debt consolidation may help you free up a little bit of cash each month. Debt consolidation is usually a great option if you are paying several minimum payments per month on high interest credit cards or loans. If you are behind on any payments, debt consolidation may save your credit, or at least clean it up a bit. Debt Consolidation - Free Information About Consolidating Debt Millions of consumers across the globe are searching for a way out of debt. Credit card bills, loans, and other unsecured debts have left many people unable to meet their monthly expenses. If you have found yourself in this position, don't feel alone. High interest rates and late charges can make paying down your credit card balances nearly impossible. Debt consolidation companies can help you pay off your debts and restore your credit rating. Debt Consolidation for Homeowners: Saving Grace for Inept Borrowers You cannot understand the importance of being a homeowner until you enter the loan market for debt consolidation. Debt consolidation for homeowners is a responsible way of getting out of debt. Your financial statement is overflowing with debt. Debt management begins with debt consolidation. Being a homeowner will enable you to see dissolving your debts faster than any other debt consolidation hopeful. Shake off the Chains: Credit Card Debt Elimination is Easier Than You Think! Feeling like you're on the brink of financial disaster? You're not alone. Millions of people allow impulsive lifestyles to rule their pocketbooks. Don't let past mistakes sabotage your future! Credit card debt elimination is easier than you think. Debt Consolidation - Just Lump It All Together! In a world where people use credit as much as they drink water, it is no surprise that so many people need debt consolidation loans. Debt consolidation loans sound like a good way of getting your debt cleaned up, but are they? If you need help getting out of debt, consider all your options before choosing. You will be surprised to learn what is available to help you. Debt Consolidation with Free Government Grants? One Scam to Avoid Have you ever seen a commercial or an ad promising "free government grant money?" According to these ads, the government and other organizations give away nearly one half a trillion dollars each year, and all you need to do is apply! The ads go on to state that the money can be used for anything, including debt consolidation , student loans, a yacht or just about any frivolous thing you can imagine. All you need to do is call their toll free number, buy their book or enroll in their program and the details are soon on their way to you. How Do I Know a Good Credit Card Debt Reduction Strategy When I See It? Credit card debt reduction is an important part of the debt reduction process. The way credit card debt reduction works is if you have five credit cards, you need to keep track of and pay 5 bills every month. Debt Consolidation Solution Debt Consolidation is a solution that solves your debts. Debt is a financial hazard. It occurs when you borrow money for some personal expenses and is unable to pay the amount back to the creditors on time. With this overpowering impact of consumer goods, individuals today are deep down in debts or prone to it. Debt has thus spread like a curse across the nation and become a threat for almost every individual. Stafford Loan Consolidation Stafford Loan Consolidation Debt Consolidation Made Simple If you have considered debt consolidation then you are probably a little overwhelmed with the mass amount of debt consolidation companies there are to choose from. With some of these debt consolidation companies, it's hard to even find out what debt consolidation is all about. It seems you have to commit to sharing your entire financial history, as well as sitting through a high pressure sales pitch, with some. Money Problems? You're not alone. Many people face a financial crisis some time in their lives. Whether the crisis is caused by personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or overspending, it can seem overwhelming. But often, it can be overcome. Your financial situation doesn't have to go from bad to worse. What Is A Debt Consolidation Program? Debt consolidation programs are devised to get you out of debt in the quickest and most inexpensive manner possible. When you sign up with a debt consolidation manager they will work with your creditors to combine all your debt and lower your monthly payments. It is a debt settlement arrangement that works by lowering your interest rates and forgiving your late fees thereby lowering your monthly payments. Debt a Glossary of Terms Bankruptcy - Having been legally declared financially insolvent. There are two types of bankruptcy - liquidation, in which your debts are cleared (discharged) and reorganization, in which you provide the court with a plan for how you intend to repay your debts. Online Debt Consolidation Services - Lower Your Monthly Payments Now Consumers looking for a way out of debt may want to consider the services of a debt consolidation firm. If you are spending more money than you can reasonably afford each month on paying credit card bills, medical bills, or other types of unsecured debt, a debt consolidation firm may be able to help you become debt free much faster than you ever expected. Instead of making several large monthly payments to each of your creditors, the debt consolidation firm can show you how to make only one monthly payment at a much lower monthly cost. Credit Counseling ? Congress Offers No Details in New Law The recently passed Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act was hailed as a breakthrough in bankruptcy law. Passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed enthusiastically by President Bush, the law creates sweeping changes in debt law and will make it much more difficult for debtors to have their obligations swept away by the courts. A major requirement of the new law will require that anyone considering filing for bankruptcy to first undergo credit counseling. The idea is sound; anyone with problem debt can probably benefit from some discussions about money management. There's just one problem ? Congress failed to include any details in the bill about what, exactly, constitutes credit counseling. Debt and Bill Consolidation - Signs You Need To Consolidate Your Debt If your debt is becoming difficult to get on top of, here are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you need some help managing or consolidating your debt. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you should probably consider applying for a debt consolidation loan or seeking help from a debt management service. Free Yourself Of Debt and Worry with Debt Consolidation Debt consolidation programs can help you lift the burden of excessive debt and potentially save you hundreds of dollars a month. Debt consolidation professionals will work with you and your creditors to design a plan to help you lower your payments and reduce your debts quickly. You can become debt free sooner than you imagined and begin living a new, better life. Debt consolidation plans can be customized to fit your individual needs and getting started is easy. Debt Consolidation -- Choose Your Credit Counselor Carefully Recently passed by Congress, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 will require people who are filing for bankruptcy to first undergo mandatory credit counseling. This is probably not a bad idea; after all, many people with problem debt could probably benefit from credit counseling. A good credit counselor can assist clients with problem debts in establishing a repayment schedule, creating a personal budget, and learning how to avoid debt and credit problems in the future. The problem is that with the estimated one and a half million additional people seeking credit counseling each year, there will undoubtedly be more credit "counselors" entering the market, and many of them are only interested in reaping huge profits at the expense of their clients. There are already a number of credit counseling firms working in the marketplace that advertise themselves as "nonprofit", when they actually are closely tied to for-profit debt consolidation firms. These agencies will strongly encourage their clients to consolidate debt through their partner company, and the result may be a long term loan for the client that doesn't help them at all, but reaps huge profits for the consolidation firm. How can someone who is genuinely seeking legitimate, helpful credit counseling choose a counseling agency wisely? *Counselors should listen. If they start pitching a solution to you during the first fifteen minutes you are there, you should be suspicious. A credit counselor should be gathering information about you in order to determine how best to help you. They can't possibly know how to help if they don't understand your problem. Unless, of course, they don't care about your problem and only want to sell generic "solutions." *Watch out for firms that want excessive fees up front. Be particularly wary of nonprofit agencies that ask for fees or "voluntary contributions" or nonprofit agencies that tell you that they cannot help you if you do not pay a fee upfront. *Sometimes, bankruptcy is unavoidable. Watch out if the agency doesn't mention bankruptcy at all, or if they change the subject if you bring up the topic. Debt consoldators cannot make any money on bankruptcy cases, but sometimes, that's your only option. *Shop around. Talk to several different agencies and compare what they tell you. Any agency that differs dramatically from what the other agencies are telling you should probably be avoided. *Check with your local Better Business Bureau, and ask if they've had any complaints about the agency. *Watch out for firms that offer quick solutions to your problems. You didn't get into financial trouble overnight, and you won't get out of financial trouble overnight. Any competent debt or credit counselor will know this and will undoubtedly tell you that working your way out of debt takes time. *See if the agency belongs to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. Many do. By taking a few simple precautions before agreeing to work with a credit counselor, you may save yourself a lot of grief and a lot of money later. The Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation Loans You are swimming in debt. You have 4 credit cards maxed out, a car loan, a consumer loan, and a house payment. Simply making the minimum payments is causing your distress and certainly not getting you out of debt. What should you do?
|
|
|
|
|
