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Friday, March 23, 2012

Drawbacks Of Debt Consolidation Explained

By Paul White


Debt consolidation offers a number of advantages, including lower interest rates and manageable monthly payments, but there are some drawbacks as well. To begin with, some persons end up with reduced lifetime savings because of the longer mortgage term.

Second, resorting to bad credit consolidation loans is not the way to deal with poor spending habits. Overburdened borrowers should learn to plan for the long term and budget well. An easy consolidation loan is not the way to learn from financial mistakes and may lead to other credit problems and dire consequences in the long run.

Another disadvantage of debt consolidation is that it may not work the way it was planned. Some borrowers take debt consolidation loans from small lenders that go out of business. Then, there is a risk that the financial company will pass the consolidation loan along to another lender. Borrowers in this situation may find themselves in financial and legal deep water. While this is the worst-case scenario, borrowers may be offered a higher interest rate.

The major problem of consolidation is that overburdened borrowers add another loan to their other debts. Many experts warn that debt consolidation adds more debt rather than help improve the borrower's financial situation. Another disadvantage is that debt consolidation companies usually offer to consolidate all unsecured debts - unsecured loans, credit cards, etc. This makes sense at first because it simplifies debt, and borrowers have a single payment to make. At the same time, it is not wise to consolidate low-interest debts, especially debt with a lower interest rate than the consolidation loan itself. The fact that borrowers make one monthly payment does not automatically translate into savings. It makes it easier for borrowers to keep track of payments.

Borrowers can choose from other borrowing solutions, depending on their particular circumstances. Borrowers who use a couple of credit cards may want to move most or some of their debt to the lowest-interest credit card rather than take out a debt consolidation loan. Other options include negotiating a deal with the financial institution, applying for an unsecured loan, and debt management programs. Personal loans are a good alternative to a second mortgage and a preferred choice of borrowers who are looking for ways to deal with credit problems. It is important to make sure the loan goes with a lower interest rate than the rate on the borrower's credit cards. Loan modification is another alternative to consolidation and allows borrowers to negotiate with lenders. Many financial institutions are willing to work with debtors and develop an alternative payment arrangement. This may involve some legwork on the borrower's part, but it can save money in fees he would pay for using the services of a debt management company. A final option is to find a debt management firm that will act as an intermediary. Debt management services help borrowers work out a repayment schedule and negotiate a lower interest rate.




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