Uchenna Ani-Okoye asked:

The benefits from Credit card debt consolidation, ‘Credit card debt consolidation’ seems to be the most talked-about term in the world of credit cards. It’s true that credit cards have been very useful and convenient for us and we, in fact, treat the credit cards as a necessity. However, with every good you have evil too. In the world of credit cards, ‘Credit card debt’ is that evil and ‘Credit card debt consolidation’ is often regarded as a medicine for treating credit card debt.

Anyone who has read any newspaper articles on ‘Credit card debt’ would already know what credit card debt consolidation is. However, just for the benefit of others, credit card debt consolidation, in simple terms, is the process of consolidating debt which you hold on various high APR credit cards onto just one low APR credit card. Thus, the main benefit of credit card debt consolidation is realised in terms of APR reduction (and hence reduction in credit card debt growth rate).

This is touted as the most important benefit (and sometimes the sole benefit) from credit card debt consolidation. However, credit card debt consolidation comes with few more benefits as well. Some of these credit card debt consolidation benefits are widely publicised by the credit card suppliers and some not so much:

1. Initial APR: As mentioned above, lower APR is the biggest benefit from credit card debt consolidation. Since credit card debt consolidation is used by credit card suppliers as a tool to attract consumers, they generally offer a 0% APR for a initial period of 6-9 months of you joining their credit card debt consolidation programme i.e. first few months after you get the new credit card.

2. Standard APR: Lower standard APR (i.e. the long term APR) is the other important benefit from credit card debt consolidation. Though not all credit card suppliers offer a lower standard APR with credit card debt consolidation some do design credit card debt consolidation programmes with good standard APR. These credit card debt consolidation programmes offer a trade-off between initial and standard APR rates.

3. 0% on purchases: This is another common benefit from credit card debt consolidation. The 0% interest (or some lower percentage) on purchases is offered as an incentive for credit card debt consolidation. This credit card debt consolidation benefit is again applicable only for a short initial period.

4. Easy management: This credit card debt consolidation benefit is not as discussed as others. However, one benefit of credit card debt consolidation (from multiple to single credit card) is the fact that you need to track and manage a lesser number of credit cards.

5. Other benefits: The credit card debt consolidation exercise might bring you some more benefits in terms of rebates, discounts and reward points (especially if you move to a co-branded card as part of credit card debt consolidation).

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How to Pay Down Debt

Ed Pearson, Debt Dr asked:


You’re sitting there one day, off from work due to the stress of your unsecured debts weighing heavily upon your shoulders. Suddenly, in the background noise from the TV you hear a fantastic deal - consolidate your existing debts into ‘one easy affordable loan’. You think wow, just what I need to get my debts under control and you get the sales blurb.

Sounds great doesn’t it?

Debt consolidation in the UK is not a new phenomena these days. It’s been around a while. Lots of people have taken out debt busting consolidation loans. So why is the amount of debt in the UK still rising so fast? And why are bankruptcies, IVA’s and debt counselling services stretched to their limits and running at all time high figures right now? Well people get sold on the advantages but I’d recommend thinking about the disadvantages too!

Advantages of debt consolidation UK

Well the interest rate normally comes down on the unsecured debt amount borrowed making the monthly payments easier to afford.

Your debts come under control quickly so the annoying telephone calls and letters from irate creditors stops.

Disadvantages of debt consolidation UK (this is the bit they don’t want you to think too hard about)

To get a debt consolidation loan usually requires some form of property. By consolidating the unsecured debts to your home some of the equity has now been lost. So what was once an unsecured debt now forms part of a charge over your property. Every legal advert in the UK selling this type of service will point out in the small print that your home is at risk if you fail to keep up payments on (this now larger) secured loan. So you’ve put more risk onto your property. I regularly meet people who have bought their house maybe 20 years ago for figures like £80,000 on a house worth £110,000 to find that a decade on they have a house worth (say) £180,000 with a new debt consolidated mortgage of £150,000. So they still only have a similar amount of equity in the property but also have a mortgage now nearly double in size!

Another disadvantage is that the term of the borrowing is usually increased. Well sometimes the debt consolidation companies in the UK will sell that as a benefit with a line like ‘you can take longer to pay your debt and allow yourself time to get on top of your borrowing over the coming years’. I find that an odd statement. You have doubled your mortgage in a decade and you have found yourself in debt but suddenly your spending habits will change and you’ll be debt free at some point in the future. What are your thoughts as you read that? Another interesting point arises here. Because the term is often longer, you will possibly end up paying much more of your hard earned money for that unsecured borrowing by the time you pay off your new secured lending.

Did the debt consolidation company ask what your lifetime ambitions are? You see, you may have got out of the immediate debt issues but you may just also have signed away the possibility of that early retirement / new car / that holiday to see your family down under too. You see, if the amount you are paying back is higher than you had budgeted for then you may need to work longer to achieve your dreams. Was this discussed with you?

Did you consider at least 6 solutions for getting our of debt trouble before you decided on your debt consolidation loan? Can the company you speak to even name 6 solutions for getting out of debt trouble? If not then you have ignored several other options that may have been more suitable for the financial position you found yourself in. It’s rare indeed to find loan and mortgage brokers that are fully trained in solutions to tackle insolvency and debt issues. They have their offering and will talk about the monthly repayment figures to demonstrate how you could be better off, but is it the best way forward? Well naturally, that depends on your situation.

A final word on debt consolidation in the UK

Now, I do believe that debt consolidation has its place but I also think that there could be more done to understand that there are other options for getting out of debt. Getting the right debt help and advice is essential. Look at the advantages and the disadvantages for each solution you consider for debt resolution and then make a more informed decision.

There are more options for getting out of debt trouble then most people realise, that includes debt consolidation but is not limited to just that course of action.

If you would like to know what the 6 solutions to debt in the UK are then you can get debt help and advice from Ed Pearson at Debt Dr.

This article does not constitute regulated advice. Please remember that any action regarding financial advice should always be taken only after considering the specifics of your own situation.

To find out more about Ed try, http://www.advice4debt.co.uk/debtquiz.htm

Ed Pearson is a Debt Dr offering debt help and advice to individuals and small businesses across the UK.

Whilst you may love the stuff he writes, you should only ever take action once you have considered your own set of financial circumstances with a professional. This article does not constitute financial advice.



How to Pay Down Debt

Ted Batron asked:


Secure your credit card debts using credit card debt relief immediately if you want to put an end to your debts. Expenses are always increasing in great proportion to the income. Your grocery bills and gas prices would not go down and the increasing prices have left many people as debtors. Increasing credit card debts would mean an increase in the amount of loan you have to pay back. Nobody wishes to stay as a debtor. If you don’t secure your debts now, you will be scratched by your creditors at some point in your life. Therefore, it is best to seek credit card debt relief.

Paying your bills as one of credit card debt relief options

If you are able to pay only the minimum amount on all your credit cards, it is a sign that you’re buried with your credit card debts. When the credit card companies start calling you often, then you should be alarmed that you are going to fall into the pits of debt. Credit card debt relief steps should be taken immediately to recover from your dues.

The most sensible credit card debt relief option on this part is to pay back all your credit card bills every month. Chuck Hoskins from the website http://www.No-Debt.Net says that “basically anything short of paying your bill on time, and in full will affect your credit score. But you can minimize the impact of insolvency, avoid bankruptcy and get back in the credit good graces a lot faster by negotiating and paying rather than just avoiding your debt”. You have to cut down your expenses and start using your extra money to pay your creditors. If you are not taking appropriate steps for credit card debt relief, then your credit report will be badly affected.

Negotiate with your credit card company: a credit card debt relief alternative

Under tight financial situations, you may miss credit card bills for several months. This will result in accumulation of huge debts because the credit card companies will charge higher interest rates right then and there. One great solution that credit card debt relief offers is for you to talk with your credit card company and negotiate interest rates. When you have lower interest rates, you have to make lesser payments and you would be able to clear off your debts soon. Negotiating with your credit card company is a good credit card debt relief procedure for you and the company. Your credit card company would surely listen to you because they are also interested in getting their money back.

Debt settlement companies

There are many companies that would help you obtain credit card debt relief. These companies would mediate and talk to your creditors on your behalf. They would try their best to negotiate for the reduction of your loan amount. They would not take the responsibility to pay your bills, though. Their role in credit card debt relief is to help you get rid of your debts in an easy way.

Filing for bankruptcy as a form of credit card debt relief

The last option for credit card debt relief could be the possibility of filing for bankruptcy. If you have filed bankruptcy, you need not pay back your debts because you are declared insolvent. Filing for bankruptcy may not be a tough process, however the effects are painful. This credit card debt relief option would be present in your credit report for 10 years preventing you from acquiring any type of loan.

There are various credit card debt relief options. You may choose from one of these alternatives in order to stay debt free. Only a debt free man can live happily and spend his money in the way he wishes. Your personal freedom in this aspect depends upon your willingness to obtain credit card debt relief.



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