Friday, February 27, 2009

Debt Management - Debt Consolidation Loans to Relieve Burden

By Darrel Arkenchuk

Are you drowning in debt and looking for a way out of the mountain of bills? Even if you're not "drowning" you might be just barely scraping by; one unexpected expense could lead you into a downward spiral. Debt management is not impossible and there are some things that your should consider to help you out of your financial woes.

Debt consolidation is something that can not only help you manage your debt more easily but it can also bring down your monthly costs so you won't be drowning or living paycheck to paycheck. Here are the pros and cons to debt consolidation.

A debt consolidation loan is simple. You take out a loan to pay off your creditors so you're left with only one monthly payment. The interest rate on the loan should be lower than the average interest rates on your current credit cards and loans. It will enable you to pay your bills with less stress and in just one payment. Getting a debt consolidation loan should be done as early as possible so it can start saving you money in interest.

It's easy to find a debt consolidation loan since banks advertise low interest rate loans for consolidating your debt. Check with your bank or go online and search for one that can give you the best interest rate. It's important to check the fine print and know what you're getting. There are some services out there that will charge more fees than the interest savings is worth. If you can, it's better to meet face to face with a financial advisor from the lending company so you can freely ask questions and fully understand their services.

There are many benefits to debt consolidation but there are some things to be cautious of. Some people get a consolidation loan with good intentions but end up getting deeper in debt. They'll take out a loan, pay off their creditors but will see the zero balance on their credit cards and start spending again. Not only will they have the consolidation loan but now they'll have to pay off their credit cards. It's a cycle that has trapped many so be careful.

If you think that debt consolidation is for you then it's best to consult a credit counselor. They will not only help you with the consolidation but they will help you with the rest of your finances. A counselor will help you set a budget and stick to it. To find a credit counseling service search online or use the phonebook. Most cities have a non-profit or not-for-profit credit counseling agency that is government assisted. Be wary of services that won't meet with you face to face or won't give you details until you pay them money.

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