Everyone aspires to achieve their lifestyle goals in a timely manner. However, consistent liabilities, financial engagements, and limited savings obstruct this. People keep evolving around a debt payment cycle that hardly helps. Additionally, events like unemployment, emergencies, and big cash payments shatter hopes. There seems to be no way to improve lifestyle and credit with debt payments.
Yes, there may be a few bumps down the road, but don’t worry. You do not have to delay your goals because of debts any longer. Financial facilities like debt consolidation loans may help.
What is a debt consolidation loan?
A debt consolidation loan is a facility that helps an individual pay multiple debts through a single payment. Instead of dealing with multiple lenders, you pay only one. Individuals struggling to keep up with regular payments or those with low incomes may benefit from this loan. By merging debts into one, the individual can reduce liabilities towards repayments, interest costs and overall loan costs. Precisely, it is the best way to boost savings and credit scores without harming existing finances.
It allows you to spread the payments for the long term. However, one can budget easily with fixed payments and interest rates. It is the best way to optimise your finances and work on goals.
Should I get a debt consolidation loan with bad credit?
There could be multiple reasons an individual seeks debt consolidation. For bad credit individuals, it is mostly about boosting credit scores or managing debt better. Additionally, you may benefit from the loan if:
- You want to proceed with new goals
- Want to reduce debt liabilities
- The loan amount is lower than what you used to pay on debts
- You pay less interest on the new loan than previously
- You can afford monthly payments without getting into debt again
6 Steps to get a debt consolidation loan with a bad credit score
Dealing with debt may prove overwhelming for anyone. However, for individuals with poor credit, it gets messier. Balancing debts and finances becomes challenging for them. Here, a debt consolidation loan with bad credit from a direct lender nearby simplifies your finances. It allows you to roll multiple payments into one. However, getting one with a poor credit history requires some considerations. The below ways reflect how a debt consolidation loan works with a poor credit score:
1) Identify the debts to consolidate
Note down the most troubling high-interest debts, such as credit cards, student loans, payday loans, and overdrafts that impact your lifestyle. It is ideal to consolidate these first. Identify the amount you owe on high-interest debt. Next, analyse how much you need to pay each in full. Add the penalties, late fees, and other charges before calculating the final sum.
2) Identify options and compare the eligibility requirements
Getting a debt consolidation loan with a poor credit history is more challenging than one with stellar credit. A lender may be willing to lend to the latter due to strong payment capability. This is the reason you may spot lenders providing debt consolidation loans with competitive interest rates, shorter terms, and small loan amounts. Some might even require guarantors. So, comparing options after checking eligibility criteria helps you spot the right provider.
3) Check whether you need a secured or an unsecured one
You can consolidate debts in two ways- secured and unsecured financing.
Identify the best option by analysing finances, affordability and risk resistance. Secured loans help you get debt-free with low payments and interest rates. However, getting one with bad credit is challenging.
With unsecured loans, you do not risk losing assets if you default. Instead, you can get this if you provide proof of authentic income. However, individuals with part-time or unstable incomes may require a guarantor to qualify. A guarantor acts as a security guard against payments. He repays the loan if the borrower fails to.
Choose the options by analysing the pros and cons of both. Generally, one should consider the unsecured option first.
4) Monitor and improve your credit report
Reviewing different loan providers’ quotes and eligibility requirements grants you an idea of how to qualify. You must note down the average credit score requirements to qualify. It will help you determine certain aspects to improve it before application. Optimising your credit score before the loan application is ideal. It enables you to qualify for relatively better interest rates and costs.
Identify and improve credit aspects by:
- Paying credit card debts (the extent you can pay comfortably)
- Eliminate any dual entries from the report
- Remove your name from unused joint accounts
- Check account status with CCJs. Do they still exist?
- Update your personal information on the electoral roll
- Review your employment history and seek ways to improve your income
5) Apply for the exact amount you need
Apply after analysing the total amount you need to pay the dues, reviewing your credit score and loan type. Check the best quotes for the amount you need. Identify parameters like- interest rates, APR (overall loan costs), loan establishment fee, prepayment fee (if any), and additional/ hidden fee.
It will help you compare the options according to the amount you need. By shortlisting the right one, fill in the application form. It generally requires you to provide basic details like- name, email, contact number, amount requirement, etc. Double-check the spelling and information before clicking the apply button.
6) Choose the repayment structure and confirm
Generally, the lenders do not ask for additional requirements like- a guarantor or personal guarantee if your income meets the need. He analyses the application form and just demands income proof with your agreement approval. Provide one and analyse the agreement terms carefully. Check whether you can pay the dues within the repayment term chosen. Avoid extending the payment structure unnecessarily. If you can pay comfortably within 7 months- stick to it.
Repaying timely helps you boost your credit rating. Alternatively, if you can’t, get quick online and direct loans from a lender in the UK premises. It helps you meet any critical requirement or payment on the same day. It prevents you from attracting additional penalties and late fees. However, choose it only if your savings fail to meet your needs.
Bottom line
This is how a bad credit debt consolidation loan operates. The most important step is identifying the purpose. It must align with the loan you plan to take. Thus, know the purpose, amount, and interest rates that do not impact your finances. Additionally, check additional costs that may make the loan costly.
A debt consolidation loan is the best solution to settle debts quickly. It re-inclines your finances for new goals and life journeys.
Mark Williams works as one of the Loan Advisors at a direct lender firm, Onestoploansolution. He has been working with the lender for about 15 years. He has been known to facilitate his employer in remarkable ways from writing to consulting and whatnot. He is a professional who wants to explore more of the UK financial market, the loan products and how customer requirement changes with time.
