Debt Consolidation - Discipline is Required if Consolidating with Home Equity


Debt consolidation is a popular topic these days. The average American carries nearly $10,000 in credit card debt and credit card debt of $100,000 is not all that unusual. New legislation that takes effect in October 2005 is going to make it harder for those with problem debt to file for bankruptcy, so many people are trying to find ways to consolidate their debt instead. One of the most popular ways to do that is through a home equity loan, but borrowers need to be careful, as there are potential problems with borrowing against your home to pay other debts.

The concept of debt consolidation is simple. You transfer the debt from one or more high interest loans to a single, larger loan at a lower interest rate. The most popular way of accomplishing this is to transfer debt from a credit card, which often carries an interest rate of 20% or more, to a home equity loan with an interest rate of less than 10%. By doing so, you can reduce your debt payments by as much as several hundred dollars a month. Those taking out home equity loans for such purposes should be careful and be aware of the following potential problems.

Consolidating through a home equity loan trades unsecured debt for secured debt. Credit card debt is unsecured by collateral. Should you fail to pay, the credit card companies can send a collection agency after you to collect their money, but that's about all they can do. If you transfer the debt to a home equity loan, the debt becomes secured by your home. If you fail to pay that debt, you could have your home repossessed. For those who have problems paying their bills, this could represent a substantial risk.

Consolidating debt requires discipline. Some spenders cease spending only when their credit cards are at their limit. Transferring debt to a home equity loan clears the credit card balance and reduces it to zero. The debt still exists; the bill just comes from a different company. Once the bill is back to zero, compulsive spenders may not be able to resist the urge to spend more. This will leave them with both a home equity debt and additional credit card debt, making a bad situation even worse.

Debt consolidation through home equity loans is a great way to reduce debt. Debtors just need to be aware that they are risking their home when they do so and that additional spending discipline is required. Many debtors may benefit from simply canceling their credit card accounts once the debt is transferred to the home equity loan. Reducing debt is always a good idea. Debtors just need to make sure that they don't run up more debt or lose their home in trying to do so.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to debt consolidation information and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information on home equity loans.


More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Debt Consolidation Information:

Related Articles

Debt Relief From Debt Consolidation
If you are up to your neck in debt, there may seem like there is no relief in sight. In fact this is not necessarily the truth.
Credit Counseling - Get in Line Now to Avoid the Upcoming Rush
Credit counseling is a valuable service for consumers who have trouble managing their finances. A distinctly different service from debt consolidation, credit counseling assists consumers with problem debt by educating them about the basics of money management.
How To Get Rid Of Debt Problems Step 1 -- How To Deal With Your Creditors
However far you are along the road of financial/debt problems,the same principles apply to dealing with your creditors.However rude, intrusive, threatening thecorrespondence/telephone calls FROM your creditors, yourcorrespondence/phone calls TO your creditors must be:* Calm * Brief * Factual * Relevant * To the pointYou must create the impression that you are efficient,knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Credit Card Blues
For the average American family, debt, and especially credit card debt is spiraling out of control at a record pace. The average household credit card debt has risen dramatically from $3000 in 1990 to over $8000 today.
When Your Bills Are Piling Up Here Are 6 Different Ways to Consolidate
When it comes to debt consolidation some people dream of day when all their bills will disappear. Next to hitting the jackpot, a debt consolidation loan is some times the only way out for a debtor.
Reducing Credit Card Debt
One of the easiest "things" that can happen in life is the ratcheting up of a large credit card debt. For whatever reason, making purchases with credit cards seems easier than spending cash to obtain a product or service.
Debt Consolidation Service In Birmingham
Jane was a fun loving girl from Birmingham, you could say she lived for today. She wanted all the latest fashions and gadgets and certianly was not afraid to use her credit card to pay for them.
Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Loans
Are you looking to consolidate credit card or other debt? Do you have bad credit history? There are many options available online nowadays to help you consolidate your debt. Whether you are wanting to consolidate credit card debt or other kinds of debt, it can be overwhelming searching online to find the best ones for your situation.
Whats the Difference Between Debt Settlement and Debt Consolidation?
The Debt Settlement process involves negotiating with your creditors to settle your debt for amounts significantly less than you currently owe; typically debt settlement can settle your debts for 40-60% of your current balances. This will save you sizable amounts of money on debt principal and interest.
Debt Consolidation Refinance Loans - A Great Way To Lower Your Bills
For millions of homeowners, refinancing is the perfect way to consolidate debts. You can consolidate your debts, eliminate outrageous interest rates and fees, and make one low monthly payment.
Negotiate Your Way Out Of Debt
Eliminating your debt is a daunting task. What can you do to get out of debt fast? Believe it or not, negotiation along with proper financial responsibility is your foothold out of the rat race.
Dangerous Debt Consolidation Loans
On the surface, debt consolidation loans offer cash-strapped consumers some relief from high interest rates. Looking deeper, consumers should be wary of both the pros and cons of this fast growing practice.
Online Debt Consolidation Services - Lower Your Monthly Payments Now
Consumers looking for a way out of debt may want to consider the services of a debt consolidation firm. If you are spending more money than you can reasonably afford each month on paying credit card bills, medical bills, or other types of unsecured debt, a debt consolidation firm may be able to help you become debt free much faster than you ever expected.
Debt Consolidation for Homeowners: Saving Grace for Inept Borrowers
You cannot understand the importance of being a homeowner until you enter the loan market for debt consolidation. Debt consolidation for homeowners is a responsible way of getting out of debt.
Tracking Down Cheap Debt Consolidation Loans
In the modern world of expensive living and high interest rates, it might seem nearly impossible to find cheap debt consolidation loans. If you're one of the people who desperately need one of these loans then there's a good chance that you have less-than-wonderful credit? meaning that you've probably already accepted the seemingly-inevitable fate of paying high interest rates for any loan that you get.
Debt a Glossary of Terms
Bankruptcy - Having been legally declared financially insolvent. There are two types of bankruptcy - liquidation, in which your debts are cleared (discharged) and reorganization, in which you provide the court with a plan for how you intend to repay your debts.
Debt Consolidation -- Choose Your Credit Counselor Carefully
Recently passed by Congress, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 will require people who are filing for bankruptcy to first undergo mandatory credit counseling.This is probably not a bad idea; after all, many people with problem debt could probably benefit from credit counseling.
Debt consolidation - More Options for Reducing Credit Card Costs
Borrowing money against your credit cards has always been among the most expensive ways to borrow money, and when you fail to pay your bill in full each month, borrowing is exactly what you're doing. You're not alone; the average American household now carries more than $8000 in credit card debt.
Debt Consolidation: A Way Out?
When you are living paycheck to paycheck and it seems everyone is getting a piece of the pie except for you, debt consolidation may help you free up a little bit of cash each month. Debt consolidation is usually a great option if you are paying several minimum payments per month on high interest credit cards or loans.
Credit Cards Debt Consolidation
Consolidating credit card debt is never easy. Too often people run up their debts without even realizing it until it is too late.