Debt Consolidation Loans or Credit Counseling: Which Is The Best Choice

Mounting debts can be the source of considerable worry, but it is worth keeping in mind that there are options to take care of such financial problems. Debt consolidation loans are amongst the most popular, and are highly effective in alleviating the pressure, but they are not the only solution to consider.Another option is to seek credit counseling, effectively hiring professionals to take over the management of your debt, and ensure a program developed specifically for your situation is stuck to religiously. It is also possible to file for bankruptcy, thus effectively removing the debt in one go. However, this has negative consequences that are best avoided if possible.But which of the two options above the best to choose? Does it depend on the type or size of debt that exists or can a debt consolidation program be a more cost-effective route to debt management?What Is The Difference?The first issue when choosing between these two options is that debt consolidation loans can be applied for through the normal channels. Whether approaching a traditional lender, like a bank, or an alternative lender, like an online subprime financial company, the sum of money secured can be used to clear debts in one go.However, debt counseling is provided by a professional financial firm that will take your financial situation on and introduce conditions designed to improve your position. They make the decisions on what changes to spending are made, and restructure your finances to remove the debts over a set period of time.The right course of action depends greatly on the extent of the debt that exists, and the financial situation the applicant is in. There may be considerable assets that can be liquidated to lighten the debt weight, or a debt consolidation program to replace multiple loans with an easily-repaid single debt.Choosing Debt ConsolidationOf course, there are pros and cons to both choices. With regards debt consolidation loans, the key factor to remember is that all of the existing debts are paid in full, and replaced by a single debt. However, the terms of the loan must be significantly better than those of the original loans for any advantage to be enjoyed.If 5 loan balances are cleared, then 5 interest rates will be replaced by a single one. This should mean that the amount of interest paid each month is less. This in turn should mean that the repayments made each month are lower than the combined repayments of the 5 original loans.There are ways to ensure that this option trumps choosing debt counseling. For a start, there are no extra fees to pay a third party hired to take over your debts. After all, a debt consolidation loan should be easy to set up and repay anyway.Choosing Debt CounselingAs already mentioned, a debt consolidation loan is pretty straightforward but in certain situations, it is best too hire professionals to get things in order. This is usually when committing to a strict program is too difficult to do, or when the size of the debt is considerable.The great advantage with turning to a debt counseling firm is that the complex details of your financial situation can be more easily unraveled, and an affordable solution can be identified. And because a third party has taken over the debt, they are paid each month, and the program is insisted upon.However, be prepared to pay fees to the counseling company hired to deal with your debt, and remember that this can sometimes prove to be more than the interest paid on a loan secured as part of a debt consolidation program.