Successful Debt Consolidation in 10 Steps
If you are having trouble balancing your income and expenditure because of large debts then read on and discover your options in credit card debt consolidation.
1) Why are you looking to consolidate debt?
The basic principle of debt consolidation is that you take out a single loan and use that loan to repay all your existing credit card debts, loans and overdrafts.
2) Sell assets to clear your debt
Of course you may still opt for debt consolidation to make managing your debt easier.
3) Pay more than the minimum off your credit cards.
If you can pay more than the minimum monthly payments you should seriously consider continuing with your existing credit cards and clear the debts over the next 12 to 18 months.
4) If you are currently only just managing to pay the minimum monthly payments on your credit cards, or your total credit card debt is increasing each month then debt consolidation may be the right choice. There are a number of options when considering debt consolidation:
5) A mortgage or re mortgage
If repaying your existing mortgage will result in penalty charges consider a 2nd mortgage with your existing lender. There will be penalties however if you repay a secured loan early.
6) Take out a secured loan with another lender
If you have already missed or been late with any payments, and as a result your credit score is too low for your mortgagor, consider a secured loan with another lender.
Secured loans in these circumstances are more expensive and the lenders are quick to repossess your home if you miss payments. Only take this route if you are certain that you can make the repayments.
7) A loan secured on other assets
If you have an expensive car, boat or plane you will probably be able to obtain finance using these assets as security. The rate of interest will be higher than a loan secured on property. If you do not have property or it is fully mortgaged securing a loan on other assets may be an option.
8 ) An unsecured loan
If you do not have property or other assets an unsecured loan is often a possibility. An unsecured loan is usually over a shorter term, normally up to a maximum of 7 years but occasionally longer. As a result the monthly payments will be higher but the debt will reduce quickly.
9) Don’t forget the credit card option.
If your debts are relatively low and you still have a reasonable credit history applying for another card with a 0% or low interest balance could be an alternative to a debt consolidation loan.
For a great many people debt consolidation provides an ideal solution to excessive credit card debt.

















