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Debt Consolidation Works if You Plan it
Too many Americans owe too much money on their charge cards. Credit card debt is frequent in the United States; the typical balance is nearly three thousand dollars. Only one credit card debt might be manageable, but a great number of consumers owe thousands of dollars on each of a number of credit cards, a problem that could result in a financial catastrophe. Debt consolidation companies advertise solutions by offering only one loan to replace several small ones. For some people, consolidating debt can work, but there are four things that should be kept in mind before jumping in to a debt consolidation plan.
Pay what you can afford - Be certain that if you consolidate that you can actually repay the loan. In many situations, debt consolidation loans are secured, often my real estate. If you have offered your house as collateral for your consolidation loan, you are now risking losing your houses if you do not pay.
Duration of the loan - The number one marketing point of debt consolidation loans is that they lower your payments. Consolidation loans do lower payments, but many lenders fail to point out that this is often done by dragging out the duration of the loan. If you are lowering your payments by increasing a loan from seven years to twenty, you may not be saving money in the end.
Exercise caution - By consolidating debt, you are clearing your credit card balances. You will owe nothing on your charge cards, and for a lot of individuals, the temptation to start using them once again will be extreme. Using credit cards requires self-control, and if you fail to exercise that, you could find yourself having a lot of credit card debt and a consolidation loan.
Interest - Any loan that replaces a credit card loan is usually a good idea, as credit card rates often amount to more than twenty percent a year. Debt consolidation loans usually have lower rates of interest, but you should shop around in order to ensure that you get the best interest rate in the market.
Debt consolidation can be a benefit for people with financial struggles, as they can make a large number of loans workable. The secret to making a debt consolidation loan work is acquiring the right loan, for the right duration, and being sure that you pay it in full. Anyone can get rid of debt, provided they have the right financial tools and the right attitude.
About the Author: ©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including.End-Your-Debt.com, a site about debt consolidation, personal bankruptcy, establishing credit and credit counseling.
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