How to Consolidate Your Monthly Accounts into One Lower Monthly Payment

Last Update: February 6, 2021 • Credit Cards • Credit Report • Debt • Loans • Save Money •

There never seems to be enough money to go around!

It’s great to have many credit cards. But how do you feel every month when you see the bills that have to be paid? To many people, this process continues for a long time.

In this case, for most of you, it will be a great time to consider a personal loan to consolidate all of your debts into one monthly payment. A well-planned debt consolidation loan would help you save a lot of money on your existing credit card interests and set better terms.

If you are with good credit, it wouldn’t be a problem to get approval for cheap personal loans. Banks, credit unions, and online lenders will compete for you.

If your credit score is low, getting a cheap personal loan wouldn’t be an easy task.

What Types of Personal Loans are Available?

Personal loans mainly come in two categories, secured and unsecured loans. Both come with specific terms and conditions. An unsecured loan does not require any collateral. As long as your credit score and income are high enough, you can be approved for a lot of money.

A secured loan requires collateral. This typically is your car, but it can also be your savings account or your home. If you secure your loan, lenders will give you more money, and the interests will be less.

Details of general criteria of unsecured and secured personal loans.

Interest rates. Interest rates can vary between 9.5% and 13.5% Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Lower rates are usually applicable to secured loans.
Loan amount. Most personal loan companies require you to borrow at least $1,000. The maximum you will be able to borrow depends on your credit score, income, and other factors that apply to your creditworthiness, such as a debt-to-income ratio of less than 40%. But if the loan is unsecured, it can’t be over $100,000.
You must be able to verify employment and income.
Secured loan. Requires collateral.
Unsecured loan. Does not require collateral.

What is a Line of Credit?

You may want to make a few on-going purchases instead of pay for one major project. A personal line of credit is reusable, and once you are approved, you can access any part of the line of credit at any time. A personal line of credit is also available in a secured or unsecured form.

Most of the criteria are the same as that for the personal loans, except that you only pay interest on the amount you use, not on the lump sum, as is the case in personal loans. Depending on your needs, this could be a good idea for you to pursue.

How Bad Credit Affect You?

If you have bad credit and are struggling to secure a loan with your current credit score, there are still options available for you. Many lenders are offering online loans to people with bad credit.

They are not always fees in reviewing your credit but are more concerned about whether you have employment and a steady income and can repay the loan in the next few months. In some cases, you may be required to provide collateral. The danger here is that you could lose your car if you default with payments.

You will have to apply online and supply your personal details and bank information. Before you do this, make sure you are dealing with a reputable company or lender.

The pros of a bad credit loan are that you can qualify for a loan even with a bad credit record. It is also easy to get pre-approval.

The bad news is that interest rates are extremely high. There is often a limit to how much you can borrow. If you fail to pay this loan back, extra penalties and charges may apply. Remember that if you have offered some equity for the loan, you stand a chance to lose it if you default.

Why a Personal Loan May be a Good Idea in Some Situations?

To consolidate debt.
Unexpected medical bills.
Emergency car repairs.
Home repairs.
Purchase a motor vehicle.
College and education payments.
Purchase furniture or appliances.

These are just some of the things you can do with a personal loan to help you meet and cope with financial events, not always catering to the budget.

Some possible scams.

When it comes to financial matters, there are fraudsters around who are out to make a fast buck at your expense. If you shop around for loan companies, it is up to you to ensure the authenticity of any company you find on the net. Do the research and only deal with a company with impeccable references and proven legitimacy.

These companies usually have encrypted message systems so that your details are not paraded openly over the internet.

Here is a list of some things to look out for. Do not trust a lender who:

It tells you to declare your income higher than it is.
It tries to influence you into borrowing more money than you need.
Pressures you into accepting monthly repayments you are not sure you can meet.
It tells you it is not important to read the loan terms and conditions, as they are all the same.
May tell you a one-time loan is a line of credit.
It gives you a set of terms to sign which are different from the terms agreed on.
Asks you to sign blank forms to save time, saying the blanks will be filled in later.
States that you are not entitled to have copies of the documents you have signed.