subject: Debt Consolidation Help [print this page] Debt Consolidation Help Debt Consolidation Help
Consumers are searching for debt relief. They see television and online advertisements constantly, but don't really pay attention until they themselves are in such need that they decide to consult with a debt relief company or a credit counselor.The important thing to realize about debt consolidation help is that there are a number of methods, and it is up to the consumer to become knowledgeable enough that they understand which might work best for them. There are essentially four types of debt relief. Debt management, debt settlement, debt consolidation and bankruptcy. With the exception of bankruptcy, the others all use some type of debt consolidation help as a solution. How they each work is what varies, and those variations are huge.Debt consolidation is the most traditional and well known of the options, and also one of the most antiquated in many ways. While it rolls all debt into a tidy monthly payment package, it often necessitates getting a loan to pay off debts. These loans require collateral and for the average person, it means a second mortgage or home equity loan. It also means that the property is tied up for years or until the loan is paid off. Any default and the property can be seized. It isn't a very secure feeling.Debt settlement and management also consolidate creditor balances, but work differently beyond that. First, the principle amounts are negotiated to a lower balance so the consumer is paying off less than before entering into one of the programs. Rather than obtaining a loan, the lesser amount is paid toward through a monthly account, which is generally managed by a resolution company just like the negotiations. The consumer gets the benefit of one low monthly payment but without the pressure of property liens or possible loss of hard assets.Debt consolidation is a very good way of sorting out a tough financial situation, but the choice of programs is what can make it either easy or hard. By studying what each of the options is about and how it works, the consumer can easily work out whether it can apply to their situation or not, and it will also provide an insight on the quality of counselors or relief companies. It will be a long term plan to get out of financial hot water and stay out of it, so it is important to feel secure in a choice of debt companies.