subject: Having Consolidation Loans For Credit Card Debt Relief [print this page] In the current climate of a deteriorating economy and layoffs, many consumers are looking to consolidation loans for relief from credit card debt. Nonprofit and other credit card debt relief firms are hearing from more and more people who need help and advice to get out of the debt hole and back on firm financial footing.
If you're one of these folks, this article will give you some basic information about credit card debt consolidation loans, relief from your debt burden, and other ideas to help you find out your options for dealing with your debt before it disrupts your life.
You Can't Borrow Your Way out of Debt
The first rule to remember is that you can't borrow your way out of debt. That may seem obvious, but remember that even if you are able to secure a low-interest credit card debt consolidation loan, the real relief comes when you have paid off that debt, not just when you get the credit card companies off your back.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you are using the equity in your home as collateral for your consolidation loan, you are essentially exchanging credit card debt relief for the value of your house. You are transferring the debt from being unsecured to secured by your home.
You still have the debt, even though it may now be at a lower interest rate and a longer payout. Consider carefully before using your home equity to secure a credit card debt relief consolidation loan.
Swapping Interest Rates
If your credit rating is still good (if you haven't begun falling behind on payments), you might want to see if you can acquire a credit card with a low rate and transfer higher-interest balances to it. The trick is that at that point, you need to completely stop using all the cards until the balance is paid down very low or paid off completely.
Otherwise, your credit card consolidation "loan" for debt relief from you new card will turn into more of the same: high monthly payments and punitive interest rates if you're even a single day late with a payment.
Talk to Your Creditors
As an alternative to consolidation loans for credit card debt relief, consider talking to your creditors. If you have a genuine financial hardship, many credit card companies will offer special hardship repayment options that can include lower interest rates, temporary deferment of payments, and even reduction in the principal balance.
