Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt Consolidation
Consolidating your financial obligations into one loan will make managing your debt much easier. But before you consider this option, you need to be fully aware of the risks as well as the benefits.
Is debt consolidation a good idea? And is it the right choice for you?
To find out, check our list of debt consolidation advantages and disadvantages.
Debt Consolidation Advantages
PRO1 – Quicker Debt Repayment
One of the biggest pros to debt consolidation: you can pay off your debt faster.
Since you’ll only have to make a single monthly payment instead of multiple ones, you can put more money toward repaying your debt each month, which will bring you closer to financial freedom. Plus you can repay everything at once rather than paying off portions of each debt individually, which will save you both time and money.
PRO2 – Easy Finance Management
When you have multiple debts, it can get overwhelming to keep track of several payments and ensure they are made on time. With debt consolidation, you’ll only have to make one payment monthly. In turn, this makes debt management much simpler.
What’s more, since payments are fixed, you’ll know exactly how much to set aside each month. Debt consolidation also reduces the risk of late payments which can be detrimental to your credit score and tend to incur higher charges from your lender.
PRO3 – Lower Interest Rates
When you are paying off multiple debts, you are also paying interest on each of those loans. However by merging all your obligations into one payment, you will effectively pay interest on one payment each month, thereby saving a lot of money.
On top of that, debt consolidation loans usually have lower interest rates than credit cards. In fact, while interest on credit cards can go up to 19% (or 22% for cash advances), some of the best debt consolidation loans in Canada come with interest rates as low as 9.99% a year.
Keep in mind though that the interest your loan incurs depends on the lender and your personal circumstances, such as your credit score, employment history and affordability.
PRO4 – Lower Ongoing Fees
In addition to paying interest on each loan, you also pay ongoing management fees. However, when you combine several debts into one, you will only pay administration charges on one loan, significantly reducing monthly expenses.
Did you know that only a third of Canadians are debt-free?
PRO5 – Set Repayment Schedule
Unlike credit cards, which do not have a fixed repayment timeline, most debt consolidation loans are offered with a fixed payment schedule. Therefore, you’ll always know when, where, and how much you’re supposed to pay as well as when the final payment is due.
PRO6 – Improved Credit Score
Last but not least, debt consolidation can give your credit report a boost. Your credit rating might be hit when you initially apply for the loan, but if you make regular payments, you will be able to get positive marks on your payment history and thus improve your credit score faster.
Debt Consolidation Disadvantages
Here are some risks that come with a debt consolidation loan.
CON1 – Higher monthly payments
Even though you can get lower interest rates and save some money on loan repayments, you will still have to make a sizable monthly payment on your combined liabilities. If you couldn’t afford to repay several smaller loans, you might face bigger issues when it comes to repaying all those debts in one go.
CON2 – Collateral Might Be Required
Some banks and lenders might require collateral as security for the loan, which can be anything from getting a second mortgage on your home to using your car to secure a loan. If you default on the payments, you risk losing your home or possessions.
CON3 – Possible Higher Rates
If your credit score has not improved since you last took out a loan, banks and lenders are not likely to offer more favourable terms and rates. Actually, many financial institutions will not approve you for a debt consolidation loan if your credit rating is subpar or if you have an unstable income.
Even if your credit score has improved, you may still end up paying more in interest on the loan if you choose a longer term. Long-term loans might be more expensive to repay, even if they have lower rates, since they accumulate interest over time.
Before you decide on a lender, consider whether you want a short or long-term loan. Calculate how much both will cost you over the life of the loan and pick the option that best suits your budget.
Note: Most lenders have online calculators you can use to get an idea of how much each financing option would cost you.
CON4 – Possibility of Going Back into Debt
Lastly, it’s important to note that debt consolidation is no guarantee that you will be debt-free forever. This option can help you repay the debt you currently owe, but unless you figure out a way to manage your finances better and start saving for unexpected costs, you may soon end up in debt again.
Bottom Line: When Should You Consolidate Your Debt?
So, is debt consolidation good or bad?
The truth is, it depends on your unique situation. For some, it can be a saving grace, while for others it can solve one issue, but create more along the way.
In general, though, debt consolidation could be a good option if you
- Have a good credit score—according to Equifax anything over 660 is considered a good credit score, so if you fall in this category, you could get the most out of a debt consolidation loan in the form of lower interest rates.
- You can afford to pay off debts, but have a hard time managing several obligations at once—Your debts have to be repaid, whether separately or bundled into one easy-to-manage loan. If you cannot afford to make monthly repayments on either, you need to look into other ways to manage your debt.
Still, you need to consider your options carefully or perhaps even consult a financial advisor on the best course of action.
FAQ
Debt consolidation loans can help you manage your finances, but there are downsides to consider. Most lenders will require some form of collateral, such as your house, which means you can lose your home if you fail to make repayments. What’s more, if you have a poor credit rating or no income, you might not qualify for lower interest rates.
One of the biggest pros of merging your debts into one easily-managed loan is lower rates. Instead of paying off several loans to different creditors, you will have one outstanding balance with a single lender and therefore only one account on which interest is accumulated. What’s more, you will pay one set of administration and late payment fees, which could significantly reduce your monthly repayments.
Initially, yes, consolidating your debt will lower your credit score because of the hard inquiry on your credit. However, debt consolidation will actually improve your credit score since regular and timely payments can give your credit score a quick boost.
You could take out a personal loan and use the money to pay off your debts instead of opting for a consolidation loan. When comparing the advantages and disadvantages of debt consolidation vs personal loans, one upside to the latter is that they are unsecured, i.e. there will be no need to put your home or belongings as collateral for the loan. That said, personal loans can come with higher interest rates, particularly if your credit score is less than stellar.