Debt consolidation is the process of repaying many prior debts with a single new loan. Although debt consolidation loans are available, personal and home equity loans can also be used to combine debt.
You’ll start the loan consolidation process by acquiring a new loan, preferably one with a lower interest rate than the one you’re now paying on your debt.
You’ll use the money you borrowed from your new lender to repay some or all of your prior debtors. This strategy may simplify your life because you will just have to make one payment rather than numerous.
Depending on the terms of your new loan, consolidation may potentially result in a cheaper interest rate and overall payback expenses.
Despite the advantages of debt consolidation, it is not suitable for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know to determine whether consolidating your existing debts is a good decision for you.
Top Reasons to get Debt Consolidation
The first step in assessing if debt consolidation is correct for you is to evaluate your goals. Debt consolidation can be accomplished for a number of reasons, including:
01. Reduced total interest expenses
You may be able to save money on repayment if you qualify for a new loan at a lower interest rate and do not prolong your repayment period much.
02. It lowers your monthly payments
Consolidation may result in a lower monthly payment if your interest rate is cut, your repayment period is extended, or both.
03. Loan repayments simplified
When you combine many past loans into a single new loan, you just have to worry about one payment instead of several. This may be easier to handle.
04. Switch to a new loan provider
If you don’t like your current loan providers, debt consolidation allows you to shift to a new lender with whom you’ll make all future payments.
These are all good reasons to consolidate debt. However, don’t mistake consolidation with a repayment strategy.
A debt consolidation loan just reorganizes your debt and, in certain situations, reduces the cost of payments; it does not remove your debt and is not a substitute for a debt-reduction plan.
Debt Consolidation Loan Providers
There are various lenders who offer Debt Consolidation Loans among them includes African Bank, Old Mutual, Nedbank, ABSA, FNB just to mention a few.
It is wiser to apply for debt consolidation from a reputable lender than to cut corners and get into more debts.
Should you pay off Debt with a Personal Loan?
Personal loans can help with debt consolidation and repayment. If you have high-cost debts (such as credit card or payday loan balances), a personal loan might help you pay them off.
If you get a lower interest rate on your personal loan, you’ll spend less on interest overall, and more of each payment will go toward the loan amount.
To pay off the loan by a specified date, you’ll make a certain monthly payment. Personal loans, as opposed to credit cards with minimum payments that may allow debt to grow, are intended to be paid off within a particular time frame.
Check to see if the method makes sense before applying for a personal loan. Calculate your current interest payments and compare them to any new personal loan interest and origination costs.
You’ll want to be certain that getting a personal loan will save you money in the long term. If it does not, it may not be the ideal choice.
