Most people facing growing debt and limited resources have probably looked around for financial solutions and heard a little bit about debt consolidation. Debt consolidation is a great financial option to overcome overwhelming debt, but it is not right for everyone. But before you can figure out if it is right for you, you have to realize that some of what you may have thought about debt consolidation … is wrong.

Of all the financial plans available for people dealing with overwhelming debt, debt consolidation is probably the most valuable and the least understood. In fact, you may already believe some of these common myths about debt consolidation. Find out the truth!

Myth #1 Debt consolidation is the same or similar to debt management, debt settlement, and bankruptcy.

Truth Debt consolidation is nothing like those other programs. In truth, it is not so much a “program” (you can even do it on your own, if you know enough) but more of a strategic approach.

In debt consolidation, you lump all of your debts together and repackage them. Debt settlement and debt management typically involve dealing with a company or counselor and the object is to reduce the amount you owe. Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding that involves a date with a judge.

Myth #2 Debt consolidation reduces your debt.

Truth No, it doesn’t. If you owe a total of $80,000 on several credit cards and loans and you consolidate that debt, you still owe $80,000.

Debt consolidation does not re-negotiate, settle, write off, or reduce any of your debt. What possible advantage is re-organizing your debt like that?

If you have a lot of loans at high interest rates, repackaging those higher-interest debts into one larger loan at a lower rate reduces your interest and the amount you have to pay. This means you can either pay less a month or (even better) pay the same amount but get the debt paid off sooner.

Myth #3 Debt consolidation will hurt my credit score.

Truth Done properly, debt consolidation will not impact your credit score or credit report negatively. In fact, debt consolidation may even improve your credit score! That’s because you’ll be paying off a bunch of smaller loans and any time a loan is paid in full, that helps your credit score.

Myth #4 Debt consolidation requires getting help from an outside agency or a lawyer.

Truth While there are companies that specialize in debt consolidation programs, you do not have to use them to consolidate your debt.

Of course, if you want to consolidate your debt on your own, you have to know a bit about how to do it and what the options are. But it can definitely be a do-it-yourself project for people good with money (or who are willing to learn enough to get good with money).

Debt consolidation is also not necessarily visible to outsiders. Your bank, the credit bureau, and other parties may not even be aware that you have consolidated debt.

Myth #5 Debt consolidation is something for financial losers and lightweights, not for people who know how to manage money.

Truth This is the most far-out myth about debt consolidation. Debt consolidation is a principle that is used in business and by the super-wealthy all of the time. It is a way of organizing and structuring your debts in a way that is most advantageous to you.

Myth #6 Debt consolidation is just robbing Peter to pay Paul; you’re just getting more debt!

Truth Debt consolidation is indeed a way for you to pay off one debt by getting another debt. But not all debts are equal.

As an example, let’s say that you owe $10,000 and the loan is set up so that you have to pay 22% interest. For example, let’s suppose that I go to my credit union and work out a deal to borrow $10,000 at 12% interest. While both debts are still in the amount of $10,000, the debt at 12% interest is a better deal for me. I won’t have to pay as much per month or, if I make the biggest payments I can, I can pay it off sooner.

Myth #7 Debt consolidation requires you to be a homeowner.

Truth There is a grain of truth to this, in that owning a home definitely offers an advantage to anyone who wants to consolidate debt. (It doesn’t matter if your home is paid for or not, but you do need some home equity.) However, you can consolidate debt without owning a home, too.

Myth #8 Debt consolidation will make it harder for me to get future loans.

Truth In most cases, it is unlikely that anyone but a forensic accountant could figure out that you consolidated your debt (unless you go through a debt consolidation companythat might leave a paper trail).

If you borrow money in one loan and then take out another, more advantageous loan to pay off the first one, you’re more likely to leave a paper trail of somebody who pays off debt responsibly. It is more likely to make you a desirable creditor.

Myth #9 People who consolidate debt just wind up digging themselves in deeper in debt!

Truth It is absolutely possible to consolidate your debt and then keep spending and get yourself in a big mess. That’s why you need good information and a plan to pay off your existing debt, manage your finances now, and start planning for your financial future.

There is no reason that debt consolidation cannot work to get you out of debt for good, but you have to have a plan.

Myth #10 Debt consolidation will allow me to write off some of my debts and it will stop bill collectors from calling.

Truth Let’s take these one at a time.

Unlike bankruptcy, debt consolidation will not allow you to write off any of your debtnot a penny of it. Whatever you owed as a debt before debt consolidation is the amount you’ll owe after debt consolidation.

The advantage is just that you structure it in a more favorable loan. You do not get existing debts cancelled or decreased! Now it’s true you can work that out in other debt management solutions (debt settlement lets you reduce debt, bankruptcy will let you write some debt off) but they come at a very high price. Both of these approaches will have a negative impact on your credit score, will make it hard for you to get future loans, and stay on your record for quite a while. Bankruptcy, in particular, is an extreme solution that involves an actual court proceeding and a judge who has the authority to make certain decisions about your financial situation (including forcing you to sell some items to pay off debts).

Debt consolidation can only stop bill collectors indirectly. Here’s how: let’s say you have six debts and you’re getting calls all of the time. If you consolidate your six debts into one large debt consolidation loan at more favorable terms, you’ll pay off all of those debts. Bye-bye, bill collectors!

However, if you don’t pay off your new debt consolidaiton loan on time, the bill collectors will start calling again.

Best Debt Consolidation Company

Debt consolidation is one of the most common debt relief solutions for many debtors. By go through a debt consolidation process, all your unsecured debts will be merged into one for better debt management. In some cases, the debt consolidation company may be able to help you to lower your minimum monthly payment and interest rates, which can help you to manage your money better.

If you have decided to go for debt consolidation to resolve your debt issue, then, finding a good debt consolidation company that can really help you in handling your debt problem is crucial because getting help from an unethical debt consolidation company can make your financial situation goes worse. Here are 5 hints for finding the best debt consolidation help.

Search As Much Information Available Online & Offline

The best way to find a reputable debt consolidation company is through a recommendation from someone you know who had used the services of a debt consolidation company and have a good comment on it. If you don’t know someone who knows a good debt consolidation company, then, look through yellow pages or you can easy find many of debt consolidation services from internet. Short list the companies that are nearby you and ask them to send you their debt consolidation service information package. You don’t need to pay a penny for requesting the company’s services details; hence, utilize these resources to ask as much information as you can so that you can make a comparison about their services. Then, compile a list of your choices.

Detect Scam Warning Signs



While searching for debt consolidation companies, put yourself in a high alert for any scammer’s signs. While extremely high fee is definitely a red flag, extremely low fee may have high hidden cost; hence, you need to really understand how the company will charge you on their service, watch out for hidden cost. Don’t believe if a debt consolidation company claims too much of guarantees and their debt consolidation package look too good to be believed. Remember, your debt issue cannot be go away overnight or in a short period of time, if any debt consolidation company tells you that they can get you out of debt at unbelievable short period of time, they lie.

Check for Any Complaint Filed Against the Company

A debt consolidation company may be legitimate but their services may be bad and can’t help much in resolving your debt issue. In order to avoid yourself from getting help for a helpless debt consolidation company, spend some time to look for complaints filed against the company; call the Better Business Bureau in your area to find out if there have been complaints against the companies in your list.

Don’t Make An Instant Decision

You should interview all the debt consolidation companies short listed which you think they can best help you in resolving your debt issue. Of course, when you talk to them, most of their proposal and recommended solutions will look good and impress you. Although, you are in hurry to get your debt issue resolve, don’t make up your final decision at the spot and enroll into any of debt consolidation plan. Tell them that you need some time to consider. Take your time and at your comfort home, compare all services from the debt consolidation companies you have interviewed earlier and select the best debt consolidation company that can provides you the best service at a reasonable price.

Fine Read Any Contract Before Sign

When you decide to enroll into a debt consolidation plan, you definitely will be asked to sign an agreement or contract about the proposed debt solution plan. Remember to read the contract in details before you put your signature on the dotted line. Don’t sign the contract if you are doubts or have questions on any part of it. Clear your doubts and get your questions answered first.

Summary

If you have decided to get professional help to consolidation your debt, then it is crucial to choose a reputable debt consolidation company with a debt consolidation plan that best suits your financial need. Hopefully, the 5 hints as mentioned will be able to guide you to find the best debt consolidation help.