Do you feel like you’re drowning in debt? Or you owe multiple debts to a number of different creditors and you just can’t keep track? As you began to research your options, you may have come across consolidation loans. Consolidation loans entail taking out a new loan to pay for your existing loans in one monthly payment. But have you considered how taking out consolidation loans with poor credit would affect your options?
Excessive debt and poor credit are often linked to a lack of financial education. If you never learned about credit, using it wisely may be a challenge. We’re here to help you better understand your situation and help you find a solution.
Consolidation loans with poor credit might not be the best move for you.
What to Know About Consolidation Loans with Poor Credit
Consolidation loans can seem like an easy fix when you’re in financial trouble. If you have a number of unsecured debts, and are making an effort to pay down your debts, congratulations! You’re headed in the right direction. But before taking out a consolidation loan, consider other debt consolidation options that do not require taking out another loan when you’re already in debt.
In theory, consolidating credit card debt seems like a quick way to get out of debt with relative ease. But in actuality, the complication of qualifying for a worthwhile consolidation loan, along with hidden fees and charges, can cause a bundle of trouble.
How Credit Relates to Consolidation Loans
Credit scores are calculated in part by payment history, outstanding debt, and length of credit history. So, if you have racked up excessive credit card debt, it’s likely your credit score is suffering. And therefore, obtaining consolidation loans with poor credit can be difficult. Consolidation loans often come with extremely high interest rates, especially to those with low credit scores, because they pose a larger risk to the lender. A consolidation loan is only worthwhile if the interest rate is low enough to help you save money in repaying the new loan than your original individual debts. Loans have competitive prices, and with a low credit score, you will likely not qualify for a rate that will make your consolidation loan worthwhile. Instead, it a consolidation loan may leave you in deeper trouble than before.
Risks Associated with Consolidation Loans
Aside from the trouble qualifying for a worthwhile loan, consolidation loans pose other risks. To reiterate, a consolidation loan is yet another debt to repay. And with a high interest rate that results from poor credit, the new loan will grow quickly. If you are unable to keep up with payments, you could end up in more debt than before. Not to mention that with your newly paid off credit cards will have a zero-balance. If you do not address the issues that got you into excessive debt in the first place, it’s likely you could fall into the same unhealthy spending patterns.
A large part of getting out of debt, and staying out of debt, is financial education. Confronting unhealthy money habits and is important to avoid debt in the future.
Alternatives
The first step, whether you decide to pursue a consolation loan or not, is to take steps to improve your credit score. Your credit represents your financial trustworthiness, and a good score will serve you well regardless.
Consolidation loans with poor credit pose an added challenge, but if you are truly set on debt consolidation loans, know that it’s not impossible. Before committing to any financial decision, know the facts. If your unsecured debts are truly too much to manage on your own, consider a debt management program.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
