All debt recovery efforts require you to do your homework to determine the right debt relief approach for your individual situation. A debt consolidation (what is debt consolidation?) loan gives you the chance to combine your various unsecured loans into one loan agreement, reducing several different obligations under one umbrella loan.

Frequently, these loans are offered at a lower overall interest rate than would otherwise be paid on each debt individually. From medical bills to payday loans to student debt, a consolidation loan might be just the vehicle to lower your stress level and monthly payments.

Keep reading: What is student loan forgiveness?

Prior to signing any agreement for a debt consolidation loan, you need to know several things to make an informed decision. One of the most important considerations is knowing that your credit counseling service is a reputable company that you can trust.

Additionally, keep in mind the following:

• Debt consolidation represents a refinanced loan with an extended repayment term
• A lower interest rate is not always guaranteed
• Consolidation does not mean debt elimination
• Debt consolidation is different from debt settlement
• Extended debt terms means you will remain in debt longer

If you are buried in unsecured debt and looking for a way to better manage your finances, it is possible that debt consolidation loans might be the ideal solution. Read our article on what is a loan and financial liability.

Debt consolidation is the process of taking out a loan to pay your debt off in reasonable monthly installments. The goal of creditors is to get their money back any way they can, so they usually will offer you a flexible payment plan.

But you need to ask yourself, “Is a debt consolidation loan right for me?” There are both positives and negatives to consider. So before diving in, it’s important to give careful consideration to the debt consolidation pros and cons.

Here are some of the positive aspects of debt consolidation.

• Your debt crisis will become manageable. If you have multiple streams of debt, you can pay it off in one inexpensive payment.
• You usually get to decide how much you can pay and for how long. In this approach, you have leverage because your creditors want their money.
• Since you get to decide how much to pay, your route to financial freedom becomes easier.

Cons to debt consolidation.

• Your debt doesn’t go away. You’re still obligated to make every payment or face the consequences.
• It can sometimes take decades to pay off your debt, especially if you owe thousands of dollars.
• The pressure and incentive to pay off your debt goes away. Creditors and debt companies will constantly harass you to get what’s theirs. Also, you still have to pay back the consolidation loan.

Debt consolidation is one viable method of ridding yourself from your debt issues. Though, it isn’t always the best method. There are some ways debt consolidation can affect your credit. Conversely, there is also a way that your credit situation can affect your qualification for a consolidation loan.

Here are a few ways a debt consolidation loan can affect your credit:

• A debt consolidation loan is still characterized as a “debt” in your credit history. That means that your credit score won’t improve until you pay off your consolidation loan.
• After paying off your initial debt, you’re still forced to pay a consolidation debt, and there are strict consequences if you don’t pay up.
• A consolidation loan will only bring down your credit score, mainly because you’re still in debt after paying your initial debt.

Although a consolidation loan is meant to help you, it can actually harm your credit in many ways. Also, individuals with bad credit sometimes don’t qualify for consolidation loans, which defeats the purpose of the method.

A debt consolidation program differs from a debt consolidation loan in that the former is a service involving the combination of multiple loans into a single payment while the latter is a new loan that is taken out to pay already existing debts.

Under the conditions of a debt consolidation plan, you will make payments to your credit service counselor, and they will distribute your payment to satisfy your creditors. Unlike taking on new debt with a consolidation loan, a debt consolidation program is designed to get you out of debt without incurring any new debt. It is important to understand consolidation plans and how they work.

Through debt consolidation, you can set up a plan that is designed to systematically end your debt within three to five years. Aspects you should consider include:

• Begin with counseling — to learn more about your debt and your spending habits that contributed to your debt levels.
• Program fees — will boost the total amount you owe your creditors.
• Unsecured loans — are the only types of debt that is eligible under debt consolidation programs.
• Keep your accounts — with a consolidation plan that incurs no new debt.

Debt Consolidation Plan

Are you looking for a guaranteed way of getting out of your debt dilemma? Your solution may be a consolidation plan. In sum, a debt consolidation plan basically allows you to pay off all of your debt in one payment, and with lower interest rates. The plan is practical and can dramatically reduce your debt in months. Here is more information on how this process works.

We understand that you want to pay off your debt now. Your expenses are most likely piling up, and your debt is going nowhere. You desperately want a solution to your debt crisis so you can move on with your life. Theoretically, consolidation may be what you need to get back on track. Here are some important points to consider when it comes to debt consolidation plans:

• In this method, all of your debt will be combined into one simple payment, making you fully able to become financially stable.
• Your interest rates will dramatically decrease, giving you the opportunity to consistently pay what you owe.
• Depending on your situation, you can pay off your debt in as little as 24-48 months.

A debt consolidation plan may be the best route to take if you want to rid yourself of your debt in the next few years and have a personal financial responsibility.

This is traditionally a personal loan. People looking to remodel their kitchen, finish a basement, or plant a garden can take out a personal loan and talk to debt resolution pros and reinvest it into their home increasing the home value.

Is This Different From A Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan is when a borrower uses the value of his or her home as collateral. This means that if property values decline, banks may refuse to issue loans to previously eligible borrowers.

With a personal home improvement loan, loans are issued based on a borrower’s creditworthiness and not the equity of their home. Funds are also directly deposited to your bank account so you can use the funds in a way that best suits your needs.