Basically, a debt consolidation loan is a loan that combines various debts into one new loan with a single monthly payment.
For example: imagine you have several credit cards, a medical bill, and a personal loan, all with different interest rates and due dates. Debt consolidation loan is a new loan for a large enough amount to pay off all those existing debts. Then, instead of juggling multiple payments, you make just one payment to the new lender each month.
Debt consolidation works by streamlining your debts into a single, more manageable loan. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
Imagine you have three credit cards with a total outstanding balance of $10,000 and an average interest rate of 20%. You consolidate these debts with a personal loan for $10,000 at a 12% interest rate. By making consistent monthly payments on the new loan, you'll save money on interest and potentially pay off your debt faster.
Calculate your debt consolidation loan by inputting information about your current loans, such as outstanding balances, interest rates, monthly payments
Then, the calculator can estimate your new monthly payment if you were to combine those debts into a single loan. It can also show you how much interest you could save over the life of the loan and how long it might take to become debt-free.
Initially, your credit score might dip slightly due to a hard inquiry on your credit report. However, as you make on-time payments on the new loan, your score could gradually improve.
Lenders calculate interest based on factors like credit score, loan amount, and repayment term.
Requirements vary by lender, but generally you need to be U.S. resident, 18 years old 600+ credit score, stable income, and a manageable debt-to-income ratio.