3 Financially Fatal Mistakes To Avoid When Planning Credit Card Debt Consolidation
A successful credit card debt consolidation plan should leave you with fewer monthly payments and less debt. But the harsh reality is, most people end up owing even more debt than they started with because they chose the wrong debt consolidation program.
There is a multitude of different ways to handle credit card debt consolidation; there are debt consolidation loans, services, programs, organizations and counselors available everywhere. Unfortunately, consumers who need credit card debt consolidation the most often turn the first option they are familiar with. This is a fatal financial mistake.
Millions turn to a Debt Consolidation Service to consolidate debt. This is most likely because consumers are inundated with quick and easy credit card debt consolidation promises from these companies through the mail, on TV, on the radio and even via email.
Using a debt consolidation company may be a quick way to get out from under huge monthly payments, but it is not a cost effective decision if you ever want to get out of debt. Consolidation companies will reduce your monthly payments, but they extend the amount of time it takes you to pay off your debts.
Credit card debt consolidation companies will decrease the amount you have to pay each month, but will charge you 10 bucks for every hundred you owe to provide their services. Stacking fees on top of what you already owe is not a smart way to consolidate credit card debt, increasing your debt by hundreds if not thousands of dollars is not the answer.
Another very expensive credit card debt consolidation mistake is taking out a credit card debt consolidation loan. Taking out a personal loan to consolidate debt can be a very costly mistake, especially if you already owe a large amount of unsecured debt. The more debt you have the higher the risk you are to the lender. And if you are a high risk, they are going to charge you a very high interest rate to cover there assets. Its not unusual to see rates as high as 20 to 23% being charged to consumers seeking credit card debt consolidation loans.
Speaking of astronomical interest rates, how high to you think the APR will go on those 0% balance transfer credit card offers after the introductory rate expires? You got it! 22% or higher in most cases. You better read the fine print before you sign on the dotted line and count on these low rates for long term credit card debt consolidation.
Most people considering credit card debt consolidation probably don't even know they have at least 6 or 7 different debt consolidation options available to them, many of these options will save thousands of dollars in interest and fees and other alternatives will cost thousands.
Author: Jennifer Wilson
Author Bio:
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