Debt takes a toll on a person’s credit. Many consumers carrying too much debt often worry about what will happen to their credit and how to fix it. You may ask, “Can you use debt consolidation to improve credit score?” Find out more about debt consolidation, credit and if it can help your finances.
If you’re trying to pay off debt, a debt consolidation loan isn’t your only option.
Debt Consolidation to Improve Credit Score
How do debt consolidation and credit work together?
Your credit score depends on your credit history, payment history, debt-to-income ratio, and several other factors. If you carry too much debt, your score goes down. The faster you can get rid of debt, the better your credit utilization ratio will be. Having a good balance of debt-to-income is a great step towards healthy credit and a credit score.
Debt consolidation to improve credit is an option for a lot of people. By consolidating debt, repayment can be simpler. You may save money on some interest as well. Again, the more on-time payments for the debt you can make, the better your score will be over time. There are two debt consolidation options to consider.
Debt Consolidation Through a Loan
Managing consumer debt through debt consolidation can be through a loan or a debt management program.
A consolidation loan pays off multiple accounts leaving you with just one debt and one interest rate. While this is a step in the right direction, debt consolidation loans are not necessarily the best move. Credit history and score come into play. Lenders favor those with good credit. Many companies offering credit card debt consolidation loans will charge higher interest rates or include hidden fees and charges. This makes finding consolidation loans with low-interest rates tough.
If you really want to consolidate your debt, do your research. Start with your own bank and talk with someone in person. Try and calmly and patiently push them to give you the very best rates they can. If you have any recent solid financial history, make it a point to talk about it. Maybe you boosted your credit score a lot in the last year or have already paid off a few debts. If this doesn’t work, check other local, national and online banks to find the best deal for your scenario. Review all charges, terms and interest rates before committing to anything.
Debt Consolidation Through a Debt Management Program
A debt management program or DMP is another option to consolidate your debt. A nonprofit credit counseling agency, like ACCC, can help you manage the monthly payments and get better rates for your debts. This way, you don’t have to take out an additional debt to pay off your other debts. Plus, many accounts will receive a rate reduction which saves you lots of money. It’s also a way to avoid bankruptcy by positively managing your debt and learning how to move forward.
Now that you know about debt consolidation to improve credit score, you can keep researching and moving forward to debt relief.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
