Don't Hurt Your Credit Score When You Combine Your Credit Card Debt?

By Layla Vanderbilt

Debt consolidation companies are everywhere and many of them can actually make a deal with your credit card companies to substantially lower or eliminate the debt you have built up by using your credit cards. As you consider working with a debt consolidation firm, you have good reason to worry that your credit score may be made worse in the process. If your debt-to-income ratio is too high, your credit score may be so adversely affected that potential lenders will pass you up just when you need another loan in the future.

Many people suffer from the huge problem of Credit card debt. When people borrow loans and stop paying without response the interest grows astronomically. The interest rates for the cards are high and impossible to pay away. You will only pay thousands of dollars as interest and never pay off your overall balance.

Consolidating your credit card debt has the potential to negatively affect your credit score. Your score will lower if your payments are late or behind. Consolidating is still a good option if there is no other way you can make the payments on time.

When your credit scores are negatively impacted, you can pay the debts for a lower amount through consolidation companies which will help you by taking the case on your behalf, but your credit score will be lowered. Since the future purchases are in consideration, most people tend to avoid consolidation techniques.

A debt consolidation loan has a lower rate than a credit card debtor. You save money on interest payments and thereby can pay your debt off faster. Some consumers may have enough money to make a payment larger than required and pay the loan off early.

Stop and think about your whole financial picture before you jump into the first opportunity that arises to consolidate your credit card debt. A company may offer to intervene and get the amount you owe negotiated down, but that method may also affect your ability to borrow again for a long, long time. Down the road you may need another loan for a good purpose, but you'll likely be charged higher interest rates--and that's if you can get approved for the loan at all. A short-term ?fix? may be very costly in the long run.

Overall, while debt consolidation may save you money in the present, it has the potential to impact your credit score in a negative way. If you are planning on making any large purchases in the near future, alternative options should be considered. However, if you are not concerned with your credit score at this time, and only want to pay off your debts quickly, then credit card debt consolidation may be a good option. - 31377

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here