Most UK citizens have multiple credit cards if you are someone among them then it might be trickier to track various payments, interest rates, dues dates, and fees. You can be juggled around these tasks and might suffer from headaches. If you are looking for a way that can simplify these tasks for you, debt consolidation can be effective for you to do just that.
Below, we are going to explain what is debt consolidation, explanation of your debt, choose the right debt consolidation option, how to assess your financial status, how to apply for debt consolidation, how to repay a debt consolidation loan, ways to avoid debt consolidation pitfalls, and how you can build a solid financial condition for you.
What is debt consolidation?
Debt consolidation is a way to pay off all your debt using one credit card or consolidated loan. If you can bundle your debts then you can simplify your finances and it may lead to lower interest rates. If you can consolidate your debt, then you need to think about only making one debt payment each month.
You will be not getting stressed regarding various payments for varying amounts on different due dates. You can also be locked at a lower interest rate on monthly payments. But, it depends on your eligibility. If you can qualify at a lower interest rate on your new loan or credit card then you can be able to save money on credit card interest. You can get out of debt faster.
Understanding Your Debt
Debt is something commonly money, that is owned by one party to another. It can be also involved real property, services, or other considerations. Your debt is something generally money that you have owned to make large purchases from a company or individual. Because you were unable to afford the money under your circumstances.
Generally, you need to pay back your debt with added interest unless your lender has forgiven the money.
Debt comes in a variety of forms such as:
· Secured debt:
Secured debt is also called collateralized debt. This means the borrower has guaranteed something to back up the debt; usually, it is of equal value to the debt. For example, in a car loan If the borrower fails to repay the money then they can seize the car and sell it.
If you have a good credit score you may expect interest rates between 3% to 6%. But if you have poor credit then this rate can raise to 36%.
· Unsecured debt:
Unsecured debt doesn’t demand any collateral as security. In this category of debt, the lender verifies the borrower’s creditworthiness then they decide whether they will grant the loan or not. For example, most personal loans and credit cards fall into this category of debt.
The interest rate of unsecured debt can start from 9.9% p.a. and that may raise to 45% p.a.
· Mortgages:
A mortgage is a type of collateral debt that is used to purchase real estate. Mortgages are usually paid back over longer periods such as 10 or 20 years. For example, a house.
The impact of debt consolidation on credit score:
Every debt consolidation will have a great impact on your credit score; it may be as positive or negative. Debt consolidation is for making your financial management better than before but you must keep in mind that if you apply for one, it may have an impact on your credit rating.
But, if you start to pay off all of your debts regularly then your credit ratings start to improve. You must not miss any repayments, so the debt consolidation may not affect your credit rating negatively.
Choosing the Right Debt Consolidation Option
Debt consolidation works by paying off all of your existing debts using a new loan or credit card.
Here are some of the debt consolidation options that you can choose to consolidate your debts.
· Personal loans;
You can go with personal loans to pay for a variety of personal expenses. That also includes debt consolidation. If you want to qualify to get a personal loan with low-interest rates you must acquire good credit scores. Personal loans are a great debt consolidation option because they come with fixed interest rates, fixed tenure, and predictable monthly payment rates.
If you want to set yourself debt free then a personal loan can offer you that. Personal loans generally don’t require any collateral. So, you don’t need to put your valuable assets when you are in the queue for personal loans.
· Balance transfer credit cards:
Balance transfer credit cards allow you to put all of your debts into one credit card. This is a popular debt consolidation tool because sometimes it offers an interest-free introductory period. You need to pay off all of your debts within the given period (usually 6 to 18 months), and you can save a large amount of money on interest.
But, once the introductory period is over, you need to pay the interest again.
· Home equity loans:
If you own a house then you can borrow money from home equity instead of borrowing from a lender. The portion of your home that you own outright is the equity. Here, to get the loan you are using your home as collateral. Home equity loans also offer most personal loans such as fixed terms and fixed rates of interest.
As a home equity loan is secured by collateral often this loan comes with a lower interest rate than a personal loan. Moreover, in a home equity loan, the interest that you will pay is tax deductible. But, according to some financial advisors, a home equity loan is much riskier as you have to use your home as collateral. If you can’t pay the loan payments then you may lose your home.
· 401 (k) loans:
If you have a 401(k) retirement account then you can use this retirement account for your debt consolidation. In this type of loan, you are borrowing your own money, so you need to go back directly to your 401 (k) account. But 401(k) loan comes with various restrictions. That includes you can also face tax penalties, you can only borrow a fixed amount, and most importantly you may set back your retirement goals.
The amount you are borrowing from the account may miss out on the time that may have to earn compound interest.
Assessing Your Financial Situation
It is impossible to evaluate our financial situation without proper guidance. Until you write or mapped out all the aspects of your finance, you will be unable to get the entire picture. Here, we are providing 5 easy methods to evaluate and assess your financial situation.
#1. Evaluate your net worth:
The first step to start evaluating your finance is calculating your net worth. Every single person owns a net worth. Do you have a home or car? Do you own a 404 (k) pension plan? Let’s calculate your net worth.
You need to write down the value of each large thing that you own. This may include homes, cars, savings accounts, investments, cash in checking, and other real estate holding. But you should keep in mind you must not include your income in your asset.
Now do the same thing for debt calculation. Debt can include your credit card balances, the amount that you owe on your mortgage, home equity loans, medical bills, student loans, personal loans, and student loans.
Now, subtract the debt amount from the amount of your asset. This final result is your net worth. Don’t be stressed if the result comes negative. This is the first step of your financial status assessment. Things will change with time and you can start improving the state.
#2. Calculate your debt-to-income ratio:
This is very simple mathematics. Debt to income ratio is how your debt obligations such as your home equity loan, personal loan, mortgages, and credit card payments, compare to your monthly income.
You need to add all the recurring monthly payments and divide them by your gross monthly income. Now, the result is your debt-to-income ratio. If your debt obligations are too much greater than your monthly gross income you must look for a side income to manage the ratio.
#3. Set your goals:
You must set your financial goals such as where you want to stay in the next year or the following 10 years. You must set a financial goal to achieve something greater than where you are at present. You can’t work, prepare, or achieve something good until set a goal. You must hold yourself accountable to achieve the financial goal.
#4. Update your budget:
If you have a monthly budget, you must check the budget and look for the points where you can improve it for making savings. It is very important to know where you are at present, and what amounts are going out from your account each month. You can put in 5 minutes daily to check your bank accounts, and your credit card payments so that you can reduce your financial stress. If you find there is a chance to reduce the expense of your household chores, or your lifestyle then you must go for budget updating.
#5. Save for the future:
After doing your financial health evaluation, you can recognize that you must not think too much rather you must take some actions for improving your financial situation. If you truly want to achieve your financial goal thinking or planning for tomorrow is crucial. It can lead you to the financial hamster wheel forever. You may think about your financial future in two ways:
Later-your retirement:
Saving for your retirement is a great way to improve your long-term financial health. You can go for a 401(k) or 403(b)(7) retirement plan. You must contribute a level percentage that you earn. This money will come out as paychecks before taxes and also reduce your taxable income.
Now-your savings:
If you have a higher debt-to-income ratio then you must look for ways how you can enrich your savings. You can skip your weekly lunch, dinner, or coffee with friends rather than putting the amount into your savings account. If you continue doing so you can surely save a good amount at the end of the year.
Once you see the great impact of such weekly decisions, you will surely go forward to cut unnecessary expenses. Thus you can make a foundation for your secure future and can improve your financial health.
Applying for Debt Consolidation
You can apply for a debt consolidation loan with a credit union, a bank, or a state-licensed lender. Before proceeding ahead, you must research all the lenders very carefully. Each lender will offer loans with different credit score requirements and loan terms.
You need to go with the lender that offers you a low-interest rate, you can optimize your interest savings.
In the application process, you will require the following documents to provide:
- · Social security number
- · Government-issued ID
- · Proof of address
- · Proof of income
- · List of recurring monthly debts
- · Employers’ contact information
If you can eligible for the loan then you need to review your loan agreement and sign the contract. After doing that, you can start this new financing to pay off all of your debts.
Repaying Your Debt Consolidation Loan
A debt consolidation loan is to take out a single loan that will pay off your all existing debt. It will work well if you get offered a lower interest rate when you compare the interest rate with all your existing debts interest rate.
A debt consolidation loan will simplify paying all of your debts. You can manage your debts more simply. You can pay off all the existing debt payments by paying a single monthly payment.
- ·Creating a repayment plan: During the procedure of applying for a debt consolidation loan, you must look for the variety of repayment options you are offered by the lenders. You must look for the best repayment plan that suits you appropriately. You need to check the monthly repayment amount, the interest rates, and the term of the loan.
- ·Make on-time payments:You must be aware to make your repayment on time. You must not miss or be late for the repayments of the loan. Otherwise, it will have a worse impact on your credit score.
- ·Avoiding additional debts: While you are on a debt consolidation loan then you must keep yourself away from taking any other loan out. Additional debts can be stressful for you and they may hurt your personal finance and credit score. If you make an additional debt then you also need to repay the loan. So repaying the loan can be hurting for you as you already owe a debt consolidation loan repayment.
Avoiding Common Debt Consolidation Pitfalls
Though financial experts suggested that debt consolidation is a smarter move it is not without risks. You can avoid these common mistakes while debt consolidating:
#1. Mistake 1: Rushing into debt consolidation:
It is fact that if you are in debt it is stressful. You might be looking for ways to get out of it as quickly. But if you rush into a debt consolidation it may cost you money. Borrowers with high credit scores can qualify for low-interest loans. So, you can wait for a while and take some steps that can impact positively your credit score.
You must pull your credit report before applying for a debt consolidation loan.
#2. Mistake: Ignoring the root source of your debt:
Debt consolidation may feel like taking the right step in a positive direction. It is common for people to get trapped in recurring debts if they don’t tackle the source of the debt. If you come into debt consolidation but you are not tackling your budgeting and expensing habits then it may lead to recurring debts.
You must balance your income and expense. Also, you need to include some funds for an emergency. As you walk towards paying off all of your existing debts you must ignore the nonessential purchases.
#3. Selecting the wrong debt consolidation loan:
A lender providing you with a debt consolidation loan doesn’t mean you should promptly go for it. A smarter debt consolidation loan comes with low annual percentage rate than your existing debts’ current interest rate. You must also check the repayment term. If you go with a longer term then you may tend to have lower monthly payments and vice-versa.
If you opt for a debt consolidation loan then first calculate your debts into a debt consolidation calculator to check the average APR. you must go with your new debt consolidation loan with a lower APR. Also, you can go with the shortest repayment terms with your affordable monthly payment option.
#4. Not considering other debts pay-off options:
Debt consolidation is not the only option that you can opt for to pay off your existing debts. You can also go forward with some other financial strategies. There are various options that we have already mentioned earlier in this article. So you can go forward with any of the options that suit you perfectly.
You need to research thoroughly regarding the various ways to pay off your debts, particularly if you have worse credit. You can also contact a financial advisor for getting knowledge according to your financial situation.
Building a Solid Financial Foundation
Many people think that prioritizing financial tasks is an overwhelming task. This is because they don’t have sufficient knowledge regarding this or maybe don’t know where to start.
There are 5 pillars to help build a solid financial foundation. You may consider the following 5 pillars that will build a financial roadmap for you and your family as well:
#1. Budgeting:
You need to manage your current monthly income and living expenses properly. The first thing you must do is craft a budget. This includes drawing up your income and expenses for a week, month, or any other suitable time frame.
The best financial foundation relies on how well you can navigate different financial situations. You can stick to your budget and you can track all the expenses, this will help you to maintain and control over your financial life.
#2. Emergency funds:
For many houses, one health emergency can cause a spiral toward bankruptcy. Our life is full of unexpected events. An emergency health issue, loss of job, an immediate servicing of cars, or major home repair can put a strain on your finance. To guard these, and keep peace of mind, you can keep some money away as a buffer to tackle these issues.
You can build your emergency fund with a little monthly contribution. A small monetary contribution can make a bigger change.
#3. Savings:
You can build your financial foundation secure by putting a little amount away for short-term goals. Your savings accounts get an extra amount of your excesses. So you can make a tour plan, minor car repairs, or a major home repair with this extra fund.
#4. Investments:
Investments are a passive way to make your money grow over time. There are various investment options available in the UK. But, for getting the highest interest rates, you need to do proper research before going forward with a choice. Common investment includes stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.
The investment that you opt for will depend on your age, financial situation, and personal preference. But remember that the market fluctuates, so make the right choice.
#5. 401 (k) plan or another retirement plan:
Your financial foundation will offer you support for your immediate needs, and for your emergency. You can take the advantage of a 401(k) plan that will provide coverage from your employer even after retirement. During the hiring process, you can discuss 401(k) employer matching contributions with your employer.
This plan also allows you to reduce the amount of your income that falls under the tax. This plan also allows you to get tax-free reductions during your retirement period.
FAQs
Is debt consolidation right for everyone?
Ans: No, debt consolidation is not right for everyone. You must look for debt consolidation only when you feel you have the ability to repay the monthly payment. If somehow, your monthly repayment goes down, debt consolidation is a good option while currently you are unable to cover your monthly debt repayments.
What are the benefits of debt consolidation?
Ans: The benefits of debt consolidation loans are:
- ·Debt consolidation may allow you to take the advantage of lower interest rate
- ·This easily manageable payment option safeguards your credit score.
- ·Organizing and managing your multiple existing debts can be confusing and hurting.
- ·In this case, you need to make a single payment, so this will help you in budgeting. Because you know exactly how much you have to pay back each month.
Are there any downsides to debt consolidation?
Ans: Yes, there are some challenges of debt consolidation loans, such as:
- ·You may have to pay off a higher interest rate in debt consolidation. If the loan term is long, then you may pay more overall.
- ·You may have to clear some hidden money in terms of paying off your existing debts.
- ·You may have to take over a larger debt consolidation loan if compared to the size of your existing debts.
Conclusion
Debt consolidation is when all the existing debts are combined into one lump sum. It enables you to make one monthly repayment instead of paying smaller individual payments each month. You need to make one repayment to one lender.
But, while opting for debt consolidation, you must check for the interest rates and terms of the loan. Different lenders will offer different debt consolidation requiring various rates of interest, and terms of the loan. You must look for the one that comes with lower interest rates in the shortest time frame including an affordable repayment option.
