Types of Help Available for Unsecured Debt Consolidation
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There are several types of help available for unsecured debt consolidation. You can choose to take out a debt consolidation loan to lower your rates and payments. You may also choose to use a debt consolidation programs, letting a third party deal with your creditors. And finally, you can turn to a credit counselor to help you find the best plan for your situation.
Debt Consolidation Loans
A debt consolidation loan is any type of loan you take out for the purpose of paying off other creditors. Ideally you want to find a loan with lower interest than what you are currently paying on your bills. However, even if you don?t lower your rates, you can lower your monthly payments by choosing a long term loan. The drawback of course is paying more in interest charges.
You can choose from a secured loan, usually backed by your home, or unsecured loan. Secured loans, including a home equity loan, second mortgage, and line of credit, will have lower rates and the tax advantage of writing off your interest payments. However, if you don?t have a home, you can still find relatively low rates with a personal loan.
Debt Consolidation Programs
You can also work with a debt consolidation program to lower your rates and consolidate your bills. This third party agency will negotiate lower rates with your creditors for a small fee. You also only make one monthly payment, letting the agency pay your bills from that sum. Some non-profit agencies also specialize in helping those with six or more months of late paymets. What these companies do is have you stop paying your bills and make a single monthly payment to the company. As each of your debts falls behind, your creditors contact the company rather than you. The company then settles your debt balances for less than what is due.
Before you sign up with these types of programs, be sure you have researched several agencies. Compare pay back dates, fees, and estimated monthly payments.
Credit Counseling
If you don?t think that unsecured debt consolidation loans are going to be right for you, another option may be a credit counseling agency. While they don?t consolidate your debt like a loan will, they will often be able to work out lower payments and interest rates for many of your debts. You will make one payment to the credit agency, who will, in turn, pay your debts for you. They won?t hurt your credit, but you will want to research well before you using a credit counseling agency to insure that they will pay your bills on time. If they are late, it will show up that you are late and then hurt your credit or debt further.
Besides helping you to consolidation your bills, they can also help you develop a monthly budget and long term financial goals.
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