Finance

How to consolidate debt

In reality, consolidating debt isn't always easy. If you have a lot of debt, it can be hard to find a consolidation loan at a lower interest rate. And if you're not careful, you can end up deeper in debt than when you started.

Your goal in consolidating your debt should be to lower your overall costs. To accomplish this there are two things to keep in mind: 1. Get the lowest interest rate possible 2. Have a plan to pay off your debts in 3 - 5 years.

Here are some of the best ways to consolidate debt:

Using Credit Cards

The good news about this method is that with a good credit rating, you may get a much lower rate than other forms of consolidation loans. And since credit card issuers don't require collateral, you aren't "risking the farm." Call your current issuer to ask what interest rates they will offer you if you transfer balances from other cards over to theirs. But be careful! Too many applications for credit in a short period of time can hurt your credit rating.

Once you do consolidate this way, be sure to set up an optimal payment plan so you can be debt-free in 3 - 5 years.

Home loans

With a home equity loan, you borrow against the value of you home, minus any other mortgages. The two major kinds are:

.  A Home Equity Loan - a fixed amount of money for a fixed period of time and

.  A "Home Equity Line of Credit"
where you borrow up to a pre-approved credit limit (interest rates usually variable) and can borrow again if you still have money available.

These loans can offer attractive rates, and the interest is usually tax-deductible if you itemize. Many issuers offer no or low closing costs for these loans. Interest rates are often variable, however, and there's always the risk that you can lose your home if you can't pay. Refinancing your home and taking out money to pay off bills (called "cash-out refinance") is yet another way to tap the equity in your home. If you can refinance at a substantially lower interest rate, you'll eliminate the high interest costs of the debts you pay off, and you could even come out with a lower payment than you have right now since rates are so low. Make sure you understand the total cost of refinancing. Take any money you've freed up by paying off other bills and use that to create an emergency savings fund.

Traditional Debt Consolidation Loans

A debt consolidation loan is an unsecured personal loan, and the only collateral you are offering for the lender's security is you. Because lenders consider them risky loans, they're usually more expensive and not always easy to get.

If the interest rate is too high to make it worth it and the repayment term is ten or fifteen years, you should probably consider another method of consolidation. Remember, to calculate the total cost of the loan from start to pay-off.

Making The Choice
Your choice has to be based upon your own personal financial situation, as well as make a good fit with your own belief system and lifestyle.