Can Debt Consolidation Help My Credit?

Debt consolidation is based on the myth that one smaller payment each month is going to save you money in interest payments.  It’s quite possibly one of the worst financial service available to consumers who are in debt and in need of real solutions.  The temptation of only making one payment, for less than you may have been paying, looks good at first.  But the lasting effects on your credit profile and to your overall finances can be disastrous.

Why Debt Consolidation is Flawed

Longer Payment Terms – A debt consolidation company has managed to lower your monthly payments and you think that things are finally looking up financially.  The problem is that in the long run, you could even be paying more money to your creditors.  Often the new negotiated terms are longer than it would’ve taken to pay off the debt yourself with some careful budgeting.

Consolidators Insist You Stop Making Payments – Though not an industry-wide practice, many debt consolidators will have you stop making any sorts of payments to your creditors.  The reason is because creditors are much more likely to offer favorable negotiation terms on your debt the older it becomes. 

A Credit Profile in Shambles – If you do happen to stop paying all of your bills in the hopes that you can eventually, expect your credit profile and your credit score to be trashed.  It’s important to try to deal with creditors before the affects can be transferred to your credit reports. 

Debt consolidation is the most worthless form of debt relief.  The money you think you’re saving will more than likely be paid back in the end.  There is no overnight fix.  You need to tackle your problems head-on with meaningful debt solutions.  It may mean a little more out of your pocket now, but it’ll also mean that you’re not paying off debt, with zero borrowing power, for the next decade or two.