Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt consolidation loans are personal loans that allow people to consolidate their debt into one monthly payment. The payments are often lower because the loan is spread out over a much longer period of time. With one monthly payment and a fixed monthly payment schedule, you may actually see the end to those monthly payments.

Although the monthly payment may be lower, the true cost of the loan is often dramatically increased when the additional costs over the term of the loan are factored in.

The interest rates on personal debt consolidation loans are usually high, especially for people with financial problems. If you have a lot of debt, it can be hard to find a consolidation loan at a lower interest rate. Lenders frequently target people in vulnerable situations with troubled credit by offering what appears to be an easy solution.

Personal debt consolidation loans can be either secured or unsecured. Unsecured loans are made based upon a promise to pay, while secured loans require collateral. Upon default of the loan payment in a secured loan, the creditor has a right to repossess any of the items listed as collateral for the loan. In many states, a person filing bankruptcy can remove the lien on the household goods listed as collateral and eliminate the debt.

Be careful about putting up your valued property as collateral. With high interest rates and aggressive collections, you might find yourself scrambling to save your car or personal property. If you're not careful, you can end up deeper in debt than when you started.