Bad Credit Debt Consolidation - What Are Your Options To Reduce Your Debt With Poor Credit? To reduce your debt with a poor credit history, you have severaloptions. While none will solve your credit problems overnight,they can help you get on better financial ground. A debtconsolidation loan can help you reduce your monthly payments,while lowering interest rates. A debt consolidation programservices your debt and negotiates lower interest rates. Thefinal option of debt settlement or bankruptcy pose longer creditrepercussions.
Debt Consolidation Loan
A debt consolidation loan is either a home equity loan or apersonal loan which is used to pay off your bills and unsecureddebt, including credit cards. A home equity loan allows you todeduct your interest from your taxes.
With both types of loans, you can negotiate terms for smallerpayments over a longer period. However, remember that you willbe paying more in interest this way. You also want to make surethat your debt consolidation loan has lower interest rates thanwhat you are currently paying.
Debt Consolidation Program
Debt consolidation programs service your debt by negotiatinglower fees with your creditors and administering payments. Alldebt consolidation companies will get you the same low interestrate on bills since this is predetermined by the creditors. Thedifference between companies comes from the amount they chargefor fees and their customer service for following
through withaccounts.
By using a debt consolidation program, you prove to creditorsthat you are committed to paying back your debts. Within acouple of years, you can have improved your credit to the pointof being able to apply for new credit, even a mortgage loan.
Debt Settlement And Bankruptcy
If you are several months behind on payments or can't afforddebt consolidation fees, you may want to consider debtsettlement or bankruptcy. With both options, part or all of yourdebts are reduced. This is not a choice to be consideredlightly. Your credit will suffer for several years by usingeither option. However, if you find yourself in dire financialdifficulties, know you can use these options.
To decide which option is best for you, take a hard look at yourfinances. Ideally, you want to pay back your bills and loans tominimize any damage to your credit. A debt consolidation loanwill usually have the least impact, followed by using a debtconsolidation program. Using debt settlement or bankruptcy willstay on your credit history for seven to ten years.
About the author:
See my recommended
DebtConsolidation Companies online. Carrie Reeder is the ownerof ABC LoanGuide, an informational website about various types ofloans.