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Personal Loan To Pay Off Debt
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Best Debt Consolidation Loans Of May 2023
If getting out of credit card debt seems impossible, you’re not alone. Average credit card interest rates in the United States range from 17% to 18%, and many card issuers charge more. Here, we’ll discuss when it makes sense to use a personal loan to pay off credit card debt, the pros and cons of using a personal loan for debt consolidation, and alternatives to consider.
Use a personal loan to pay off a credit card when the interest rate on the loan is lower than the interest rate on your credit card.
Let’s say you buy a new roof for your house using a credit card. Credit cards have an interest rate of 17%. When the interest goes up, it looks like you won’t pay it. Then you find out that you can get a personal loan with an interest rate of 7.99%. You decide to get a loan, use the loan money to pay off your credit card, and then pay off the loan. This way you will pay lower interest.
This is debt consolidation. Debt consolidation means taking out a personal loan to pay off your other debts. Then you pay off the loan (which usually has a lower interest rate than, say, a credit card).
Personal Loan To Pay Off Credit Card Debt
Here’s a prime example of how much time and money you can save with a personal credit card debt consolidation loan.
If you consistently pay $450 in credit card debt, it will take 46 months to pay off and you will spend $5,444 in interest.
If you can get a personal loan with a lower interest rate of 7.99%, the debt can be paid off in 36 months and you will pay a total of $1,919 in interest. That’s a savings of 10 months and $3,525.
Yes, if a personal loan offers a lower interest rate and saves you money, it is better than credit card debt.
Should I Use A Loan To Pay Off Credit Card Debt?
With most personal loans, the amount you pay each month stays the same. This is what is called a term loan. Although it may seem difficult at times, making these regular monthly payments will make your loan consolidation pay off over time.
With credit cards, monthly payments can vary. The “minimum balance” on a credit card is usually a percentage of the balance. As interest accumulates, the balance changes, so does the monthly payment.
Pro tip: Making regular payments (such as on a loan) shortens the time it takes to pay off your debt and saves you money too.
Before you decide to use a personal loan to eliminate your credit card balance, read this summary of the pros and cons.
Personal Loan Archives
Pro tip: If you have problems with overspending, a credit counselor can help. Talk to someone before you decide to take out a loan to see if there are better options that can help you move toward financial freedom.
If you’re shopping and find that using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt isn’t going to save you money, you need an alternative. Admittedly, none of these alternatives are easy, but each has proven to be effective.
If you’re looking for a personal loan because you’re having trouble making regular credit card payments, call your lender and let them know what’s going on. Be honest about the problem and ask them to work with you. They can reduce the interest rate or forgive part of the debt.
It’s important to note that if your lender lowers your interest rate or settles for less than you owe, the deal will be reported to the credit bureaus and affect your credit score. Debt settlements of any kind can stay on your credit record for seven years. However, if you make late payments or make partial payments, your credit score will be negatively affected. It’s important to stop the bleeding and start building stronger credit.
Is A Credit Card Or Personal Loan Better?
Pro tip: If your problem isn’t overspending but bad credit, it’s possible to get a bad credit personal loan.
If credit card debt is keeping you up at night and you think your budget could use a bit of a boost, this is the first place to look. Any deductions you make (however small) can be applied to your credit card debt, helping you get ahead of the interest and pay it off faster. You don’t necessarily have to cut anything out of your life completely, but consider cutting back on spending until your credit card debt is paid off. Here are some of the easiest ways to get started:
If you’re struggling with debt, you’ve probably already thought about making some extra money. Here are some ideas that won’t take up your free time, but will add extra money to your monthly budget:
If you decide that a debt consolidation loan is your best way to become debt free, you can start easily. Here is a summary of the steps. For more information, see our comprehensive guide to getting a personal loan.
Too Much Credit Card Debt? 4 Ways To Pay It Off
Request a free copy of your credit report. One in five Americans will encounter at least one mistake. Even one can lower your credit score, so carefully check all three of your reports, from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, to make sure the information is accurate. If you find a mistake, inform the relevant authority. They have 30 to 45 days to prove the information is correct or remove it from your report. If that sounds like a problem, remember that the best interest rates and loan terms go to borrowers with the strongest credit.
Trade creditors. Everything from minimum credit scores for personal loans to interest rates and terms vary by lender, so use a few. The best personal lenders do a soft credit check to see what you qualify for (which doesn’t affect your credit score). When they do the soft check, they will tell you your interest rate. A hard credit check is only when you move forward with the lender. These checks lower your credit score, but they are quickly restored with regular monthly payments.
Provide documentation. After the lender runs a strict credit check to verify all of your information, a request for documentation usually follows. You may be asked for things like identification, pay stubs or tax returns. The sooner you provide it to the lender, the sooner you will receive the loan.
Sign the loan documents and wait for the financing. Personal lenders take anywhere from one business day to several weeks to deposit funds into your bank account, so be sure to ask around when shopping for a borrower.
I Have $20k In Credit Card Debt That Costs Me $400 A Month Just In Interest. Should I Use A Personal Loan To Refinance It?
Pro tip: To save time, gather your ID, employer information, pay stubs and last year’s tax returns before applying for a loan.
Debt consolidation with a personal loan can be a faster and cheaper way to pay off your credit card balance. Before you rush out, cut back on spending, or take out a personal debt consolidation loan, think about what’s best for you.
Are you looking for a personal loan but don’t know where to start? Our favorites offer fast approval and very low interest rates. Check out our list and find the best loan for you.
Dana George graduated from Spring Arbor University with a degree in Management and Organizational Development. He has been writing and reporting on business and finance for over 25 years and is still passionate about his work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And while the color orange isn’t appealing to most people, he thinks they’ll really enjoy Champaign.
Debt In America: Statistics And Demographics
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Pros And Cons Of Personal Loans To Pay Off Credit Card Debt
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