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Too many payments keeping you down each month? Consolidating your debt could make your life a lot easier by putting it all in one place. Use this guide to learn when consolidation can free up your budget, what types of debt you can consolidate and what your other options for getting out of debt are.
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What is debt consolidation?
Debt consolidation is a way to combine multiple debts into one, often at lower rates, so you’re left with one company and one monthly repayment.
How does this work? It depends on what kind of debt you’re consolidating and what method you choose.
One common way to do this is to take out a debt consolidation loan. Here, you take out a term loan in the amount of your total debt, which you use to pay off your lenders. You can sometimes get a longer term with lower monthly repayments or a lower interest rate with a debt consolidation loan.
For people with a smaller amount of debt they can afford to pay off quickly, a balance transfer credit card might make sense. Here, you can move balances from multiple credit cards onto one new card with a 0% introductory APR that lasts about a year.
Balance transfer credit cards aren’t just limited to credit card debt — you can use one to pay off nearly any type of debt, including personal loans, car loans and more.
There are lots of other options for consolidating your debt, which we explore in more detail below.
7 ways to consolidate your debt
| Option | Best for… | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Debt consolidation loan | Paying off large amounts of debt over several years at a low interest rate | Borrow up to $100,000 to pay off your account balances. Afterwards, you only need to pay one monthly repayment on the new loan. |
| Balance transfer credit card | People with a smaller amount of debt who want to pay it off fast and save on interest | Move all of your debt to one credit card, usually with an introductory APR of 0% for 9, 12, 15, 18 or 21 months. |
| Debt relief | Those who’ve exhausted all other options | A company negotiates with your creditors to lower your APR and monthly repayments (debt management) or allow you to pay it off in a lump sum less than your original balance (debt settlement). |
| Secured loan | Home or car owners | Get a lower interest rate by borrowing against an asset, such as the equity you’ve built in your home, the value of your car or a certificate of deposit. |
| Home equity line of credit (HELOC) | Homeowners | Take out a low-interest rate line of credit by using your home equity as collateral. |
| Student loan consolidation | People with student loan debt | Consolidate student loans by using a lender that specializes in them. |
| 401(k) loan | People who’ve saved up retirement funds in a 401(k) account | Borrow from your retirement fund balance at a low interest rate. You stand to owe it all back in one lump sum if you leave your current employer. |
Should I consolidate my debt?
Debt consolidation loans and balance transfer credit cards are not for everyone. When done under the wrong circumstances, it could hurt your finances more than it helps.
Consider consolidating your debt if…
- Your debt is less than half your income. This is a manageable amount that you can pay off with debt consolidation.
- You have good credit. Good enough to qualify for a low-interest loan or balance transfer credit card with a 0% interest introductory period.
- You can afford payments. Your have enough reliable cash flow to cover the cost of a new loan.
- You have a plan to curb spending. Debt consolidation can’t fix the underlying problem of spending more than you have if that’s the source of your debt.
Look at other options if…
- Your debt is more than half your income. If you’re in too deep, another loan or credit card could make things worse. You might want to try a debt settlement company instead.
- You’re facing financial hardship. Losing your job, an expensive divorce and other personal tragedies can send you into a debt spiral. In these situations, a consolidation loan often can’t help much.
- You have poor credit. You’ll likely have trouble qualifying for a debt consolidation loan or balance transfer credit card with rates low enough to make it a smart financial move.
Calculate how much you could save by consolidating your debt
Use the debt consolidation calculator below to estimate how much you could save and what your monthly payment could be.
Debt Consolidation Savings Calculator
Calculate how much you could save by consolidating your debt
| Your current balance(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1) | Debt amount | Interest rate |
| 2) | Debt amount | Interest rate |
| 3) | Debt amount | Interest rate |
| Total monthly payments | ||
| Add another balance | ||
| New loan terms | ||
| Loan length in years | ||
Fill out the form and click “Calculate” to see your estimated savings and new monthly payment.
or
You’ll save an estimate of !
| Before Consolidation | After Consolidation | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance | $ | $ |
| Interest rate | % | 9% |
| Year(s) to pay off | ~ | |
| Monthly payment | $ | $ |
| Total interest paid | ||
| Total balance paid |
You currently have a total debt balance of $ with an average rate of %. By consolidating them into a new loan at 9% APR with a -year term, you’d pay approximately $ per month. Your estimated total savings would be .
Your total monthly payments is not enough to cover the interest. Your loan(s) will never be paid off.
What kinds of debt can I consolidate?
Understanding what types of debt you can consolidate is the first step toward deciding what consolidation options you might want to consider — if at all. People generally consolidate these kinds of debts:
- Credit card debt. Having multiple credit cards requires that you keep track of making timely payments on each, which can be cumbersome. Many credit cards also charge noticeably high APRs.
- Personal loans. If you have multiple personal loans, you can think about bringing them under a single umbrella. Depending on your existing financial situation and creditworthiness, you may qualify for a more competitive interest rate on a debt consolidation loan.
- Student loans. You can consolidate federal student loans through the government or take out a personal loan to consolidate private student loans, federal or both. If you have student debt, you also might want to look into refinancing, which often comes with a consolidation option.
- Business loan debt. Some business lenders offer debt consolidation loans as well to help you improve your cash flow by simplifying multiple payments into one.
- Medical bills. Just one quick trip to the hospital can land you with a mountain of medical bills that’s difficult to keep track of — let alone afford. Taking out a loan to pay them off can make your payments more reasonable in the short term.
- Retail credit cards. The discounts and rewards are great, but get too many and it can be difficult to keep track of what you owe and which payments to prioritize.
- Lines of credit. Reduce the amount you owe on multiple lines of credit by paying them off with a fixed-term loan.
- Tax debt. Owe back taxes? Consider taking out a debt consolidation loan to pay them off instead of an IRS installment agreement. Loans tend to have more flexible terms than installment agreements and if you have good credit, interest could be a lot more affordable.
Compare debt consolidation options now
Should I use my savings to pay off my debt?
It might be tempting to use your savings to pay off your debts: After all, it’s money that you can easily access without any immediate financial repercussions. It’s not always a good idea though. Ask yourself these questions before you empty out your savings account.
Do I have enough emergency funds? As a general rule of thumb, you should try to have enough money to carry you for three to six months if misfortune strikes. If you only have at least three months of savings, it could be risky to use those funds to pay off your debt.
How do my investment account’s interest rate and debt interest rate compare? If your debt’s interest rate is higher, it could be worth it to use your investment account to pay off your debt — you’re losing more money than you’re gaining.
Will I have to pay any penalty fees? Many retirement accounts come with early withdrawal fees — typically around 10% — that could make it not worth taking out your savings. If you have an IRA of $100,000 with a 1.06% APY and $95,000 in credit card debt, you wouldn’t even have enough money to pay off your credit card debt in full after the early withdrawal penalty.
How can debt consolidation affect my credit score?
In the short term, debt consolidation may lower your score, but in the long run it could actually improve your credit rating.
How it can hurt your credit
Creditors pull a hard credit check when you take out a new loan or credit card, which temporarily lowers your credit score. Getting a balance transfer credit card can cause your score to dip even more, as having a high balance on a single credit card could hurt your score. Your credit score isn’t entirely safe if you use a debt relief company either. Even if it successfully negotiates a lower balance and better rates, your creditor might report bad debt, which hurts your credit score.
How it can help your credit
Using a debt consolidation loan might be a better choice for someone concerned about their credit score, especially if it helps you pay off your debt on time and quickly. That’s because on-time repayments are the most important factor in your credit rating — especially your FICO rating. But no matter which method you choose, remember: Less debt means better credit. If debt consolidation can help you reduce your debt, it will ultimately help your credit score.
4 things to avoid when consolidating debt
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Carefree spending
Identify the problem that got you into debt in the first place. If it was simply a lack of control, you may want to take advantage of a secured credit card that will only allow you to spend what you’ve deposited on the card. By doing this, you’ll learn how to responsibly manage money within your means, and you’ll improve your credit score with timely payments. -
Forgetting origination costs of a personal loan
When you take out a $10,000 loan, you probably think it is going to cover your $10,000 worth of debt, right? Wrong. What you forget to consider is the origination fee — typically between 3% and 5% — that comes with your loan. When you’re applying for a loan to consolidate your debt, keep this in mind so you can fully consolidate your debt. -
Consolidating the wrong debts
Don’t bother consolidating debts that have low interest rates or low balances just for the sake of having one convenient monthly payment. It might seem appealing to have a 0% interest rate during the promotional period, but if you can’t pay off the full balance of what you’ve consolidated, you’ll revert to the normal interest rate – which can be unfavorable. -
Costly debt settlement programs
With so many financial tools available to consolidate debt, debt settlement programs should be a last resort. It may seem like they’re helping, but they could destroy your credit. Sure, they will eventually get to settling your credit, but that is only when the creditors are desperate enough to settle for a large sum. Don’t be tricked by the lower payments they offer you in exchange for an uphill battle with your credit score.
Consolidating debt with bad credit
Debt consolidation with bad credit is tricky — but not impossible. You might have to go off the beaten path to find an option that helps more than it hurts.
Here are just a few of your options:
- Peer-to-peer lenders. True, these lending services do have credit score cutoffs, but they tend to be lower than what you’ll find at a bank.
- Credit unions. As nonprofit financial institutions, credit unions also have lower credit requirements than for-profit lenders.
- Secured loans. Get more favorable terms on your debt consolidation loan by putting up collateral.
- Applying with a cosigner. Having a friend or relative with good credit back your loan makes you less of a risk to lenders and could get you a better deal. Learn about which lenders accept cosigners on personal loans by reading our guide.
- Credit counseling. Some nonprofits designed to help people get out of debt offer counseling. They can even negotiate with lenders — though you might have to pay them a fee.
No matter where you go, getting a low rate without a credit score of at least 600 is challenging. It might be worth taking steps to improve your credit score before applying for a debt consolidation loan.
How to request a lower interest rate
In addition to consolidating multiple debts into one, you could ask for a lower rate with your current lender. You can sometimes get a lower rate if your credit score has improved and you’ve made your payments on time.
To request a lower rate, call your lender. Move up the chain of command until you’re speaking to someone who can actually give you a lower interest rate — this might even be the president. You can generally do this by asking to speak to a supervisor.
Make an argument for yourself: Be sure to point out how much business they would lose if you were to consolidate your loan with another institution. If your call is a success, your lender will review your credit and payment history to come up with another interest rate.
Debt advice from your favorite personal finance experts
Dave Ramsey
You get out of debt by changing your habits. Commit to getting on a written game plan and sticking to it.
www.daveramsey.com
Suze Orman
If you are truly serious about getting rid of the credit card debt you will find ways to scale back on your spending.
www.suzeorman.com
Farnoosh Torabi
If you choose to work through a debt settlement firm, do your homework. Yes, they will negotiate on your behalf, but you may end up paying hefty fees for the service.
www.farnoosh.tv
What happens after I consolidate my debt?
You could find yourself in two scenarios after getting your debt consolidation loan:
- You’re entrusted with paying off your debt. Your lender has just deposited your loan into your account and now it’s up to you to pay off your debt. You can either pay it off all at once or continue to make payments if there are steep prepayment fees. This is generally only an option for people with perfect credit, however.
- You only have to worry about paying your new loan. Your lender has asked for your debt payment information so that they can handle the payments themselves. This situation is far more common. It’s easier for you, it’s available to a wider range of credit scores and you won’t be tempted to spend some of your loan on, say, a vacation.
What can I do if I’m denied?
Getting denied for a debt consolidation loan or balance transfer credit card can happen for a variety of reasons. The first and most important thing to do is figure out why you were declined by contacting your lender — many will tell you without prompting. Poor credit score? Take steps to improve it. High debt-to-income ratio? Try making a budget to help you pay off some of your debts faster.
Before you reapply, consider getting a cosigner or look for a secured loan to make you a more viable candidate. If neither of those are possibilities, or you’re still rejected, you might want to consider debt settlement or even bankruptcy.
Debt protection for servicemembers
If you or your spouse is an active member of the military, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) of 2003 provides you with certain protections to keep you from struggling with debt, such as:
- Capping interest rates on credit cards, mortgages and loans at 6%.
- Protection from home foreclosure.
- The ability to cancel auto leases if called to active duty.
Some eligibility restrictions apply, however. Read more about the SCRA on the Department of Justice’s website.
Managing debt with debt relief
When your debt becomes unmanageable and a balance transfer credit card or consolidation loan just won’t cut it, debt relief could help you get back on the right track. It’s primarily designed to help people suffering financial hardship so bad that it makes bankruptcy look attractive, like in the case of a divorce, a death, unemployment or extreme overspending. The most common types of debt relief are:
- Debt settlement. A debt settlement company negotiates with your creditors to lower the amount you owe in exchange for a one-time payment.
- Debt management. A credit counseling agency negotiates with your creditors to lower your interest and monthly fees. You continue to pay off your debts through the credit counseling agency with one monthly payment, which it uses to pay your creditors.
- Credit counseling. In addition to debt management, credit counseling agencies provide services like workshops and other educational resources for helping you get out of debt.
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Debt settlement risks
Debt settlement is extremely risky and isn’t always a better option than filing for bankruptcy — it can sometimes do the same amount of damage to your credit score and isn’t guaranteed to work. Only around 10% of people who enroll in debt relief programs actually complete it. If you fail to complete the program, you might have to file for bankruptcy anyway.
On top of this, settled debt is usually considered taxable income. Once you factor in fees and interest that accumulated while you were in the program, you might not save as much as you thought you would. And if you stop paying off your creditors while you’re enrolled in a debt relief program, you could get sued.
How to settle debt yourself -
Aren’t debt relief companies a scam?
Some are, but not all of them. The federal government has made an effort to crack down on scammers since 2010. It’s easier to find a legit credit counseling agency than any other type of debt relief company — they’re mostly non-profit and the Department of Justice has already done most of the work for you by compiling a government-approved list.
Debt settlement companies are a bit tricker. Stay away from any debt settlement company that charges fees before they provide a service, guarantees it can settle your debt or says it can stop calls from collection agencies.
Negotiating your own debt relief
If you have the stomach for difficult conversations, you might want to take up negotiating your debt on your own. To do this, call up the people you owe money to, tell them that you cannot pay your balance in the time you have and then ask for better repayment terms or even a reduction on what you owe. It can be a difficult conversation, but stay strong and keep asking until you get them to agree to something you can afford.
If you’re unable to renegotiate your debt, you may have to declare bankruptcy. If you are going to do this, hire a lawyer to help you out in the process, and know that your credit and ability to borrow will be affected for many years.
How to pay off debt — based on your credit score
It’s easy to get into a situation where you’ve accumulated more debt than you can easily pay off. The key to paying off debt is finding a way to lower your monthly payments or extend the time you have to pay them off.For people with good or excellent credit
If your debts total more than $10,000, you may want to apply for a debt consolidation loan. For amounts less than that, you may be able to utilize a balance transfer credit card to settle your debt at a lower interest rate.
For people with bad or fair credit
To try building your credit to the point where you’ll qualify for a debt consolidation loan or a balance transfer card, consider starting with a secured credit card. If you focus on secured cards that report to the three main credit bureaus, you just might build your credit to the point where you’ll qualify for an unsecured card or a solid personal loan.
Avalanche method vs. snowball method: Which is best?
Among debt-related forums, you’ll see many strategies for paying down your debt. The most widely discussed are the avalanche method and the snowball method. These methods are designed to help you direct your available budget strategically depending on what you value most: Saving time and money overall or simplifying your finances over quick wins.
Staying out of debt
Getting rid of your debt is only part of getting on the path to a debt-free life. Identify what it was that got you into debt in the first place. Maybe you were overspending. Perhaps you were unprepared for a medical emergency or didn’t have savings to make up for a job loss.
Whatever it was, take steps to address this issue so it doesn’t happen again. Making a budget is a great way to keep track of your spending. You also might want to consider setting aside some money each month to put into a high-interest savings account or creating an online investment portfolio. Financial services like Acorns might be a good place to start by allowing you to make small-change investments.Back to top
Debt consolidation glossary
Definitions
A to C
Arbitration. When someone’s debts are settled by a third party company, sometimes used to refer to debt settlement.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A form of bankruptcy that an individual can file, where they are no longer obligated to pay off debts but will have assets seized.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A form of bankruptcy where individuals can keep their assets but are obligated to repay debts based on an installment plan.
Charge-off status. The status of a credit card after a credit card company closes it after the user failed to make payments for several months. After a card is in charged off, the company considers its debts a loss.
Credit repair. The process of improving and fixing a bad credit report, usually by hiring a credit repair agency to work with credit bureaus.
D to K
Debt specialist. A term usually used to refer to an employee at a debt settlement company negotiates with creditors.
Debt negotiation. Another term for debt settlement or arbitration.
Default. When a borrower misses more than 90 or 120 days, depending on the type of debt, and the debt is turned over to collections.
Delinquency. When a borrower misses several payments on a loan or credit account but hasn’t missed enough for it to go into default.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). A federal law designed to protect consumers from debt collection practices like harassment that are considered abusive.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The federal agency that oversees and enforces consumer protection laws.
Forbearance. When a lender allows a borrower to postpone payments after a proven financial hardship. Interest still accumulates while a loan is in forbearance.
Garnishment. When an employee gives a creditor part of employee’s wages before they receive their paycheck.
L to Z
Liability. An individual or company’s debt obligations.
Means test. A test you must pass to prove you are absolutely unable to repay your debts in order to to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Refinancing. Taking out a new type of debt with more favorable rates and terms to replace an old one.
Revolving debt. A type of debt with no fixed payments. The most common type of revolving debt is a credit card.
Unsecured debt. Debts that are not backed by collateral.
Frequently asked questions about debt consolidation
Before you visit Laurel Road…
The most qualified applicants have a minimum credit score of 680. Laurel Road tends to be best for people with annual income above $60,000 and total debt of less than 40% their income. If you don’t think Laurel Road is best for you, explore other loan options.
Before you visit Laurel Road…
The most qualified applicants have a minimum credit score of 680. Laurel Road tends to be best for people with annual income above $60,000 and total debt of less than 40% their income. If you don’t think Laurel Road is best for you, explore other loan options.
Hello. I am looking for a debt consolidation loan/credit card that I can use to get a better rate and consolidate my $8,000+ debt with. But I have a slightly above 600 score with 4-7 aplications in the last year. I have been declined for just about every loan/cc I have applied for.
Hi there!
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
I’m sorry to hear about your declined loan applications. Typically, your credit score would just be an indication whether you’d be able to get the loan that you want, but, in general, lenders would consider your application by taking into account your overall financial situation like your income, assets and even liabilities. So it’s really best to review the eligibility criteria and check with the lender your chances of approval before you send out your final application.
Nevertheless, the above page actually has helpful guides on how you’re able to consolidate your debt. By going through the table above, you may contact a lender and check your eligibility/approval direct with them. You may also refer to this page for your other options if you’re looking at consolidating debts with a credit card.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Typically what kind of loan works best to pay off attorney fees?
Hey Robert,
Thank you for your comment. You can check out our page on personal loan uses to find out what you can and cannot use a loan for with certain lenders.
As finder is a financial comparison website providing general information, we are not permitted to provide our users with personalized financial advice.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Maria
Hello Judy,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
This pages about the pre-approval and payday may help you in determining the legitimacy of a loan offer.
I hope this information helps.
Let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.
Cheers,
Ash
I’m low income my husband is a vet. We need 25, 000.00 to pay off all that we owe.
Hi Lorrie,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
You are on the right page. You may customize, review, and compare the offers available on the table. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Where are areas I can get loans in Puerto Rico? Or Who lends to U.S Citizens who reisde out there?
Hi Luis,
Thank you for your inquiry.
While we don’t have the currnet listings for the lenders in Puerto Rico. You may want to check and search the loan options through the city nearest to your location.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold