What Is Debt Consolidation, and Should I Consolidate?
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Debt consolidation rolls multiple debts, typically high-interest debt such as credit card bills, into a single payment. Debt consolidation might be a good idea for you if you can get a lower interest rate. That will help you reduce your total debt and reorganize it so you can pay it off faster.
If you’re dealing with a manageable amount of debt and just want to reorganize multiple bills with different interest rates, payments and due dates, debt consolidation is a sound approach you can tackle on your own.
Key takeaways:
How to consolidate your debt
There are two primary ways to consolidate debt, both of which concentrate your debt payments into one monthly bill.
Get a 0% interest, balance-transfer credit card: Transfer all your debts onto this card and pay the balance in full during the promotional period. You will likely need good or excellent credit (690 or higher) to qualify.
Get a fixed-rate debt consolidation loan: Use the money from the loan to pay off your debt, then pay back the loan in installments over a set term. You can qualify for a loan if you have bad or fair credit (689 or below), but borrowers with higher scores will likely qualify for the lowest rates.
Two additional ways to consolidate debt are taking out a home equity loan or 401(k) loan. However, these two options involve risk — to your home or your retirement. In any case, the best option for you depends on your credit score and profile, as well as your debt-to-income ratio.
» MORE: 5 ways to consolidate debt
Debt consolidation calculator
Use the calculator below to see whether or not it makes sense for you to consolidate.
When debt consolidation is a smart move
Success with a consolidation strategy requires the following:
Your monthly debt payments (including your rent or mortgage) don’t exceed 50% of your monthly gross income.
Your credit is good enough to qualify for a credit card with a 0% interest period or low-interest debt consolidation loan.
Your cash flow consistently covers payments toward your debt.
If you choose a consolidation loan, you can pay it off within five years.
Here’s a scenario when consolidation makes sense: Say you have four credit cards with interest rates ranging from 18.99% to 24.99%. You always make your payments on time, so your credit is good. You might qualify for an unsecured debt consolidation loan at 7% — a significantly lower interest rate.
For many people, consolidation reveals a light at the end of the tunnel. If you take a loan with a three-year term, you know it will be paid off in three years — assuming you make your payments on time and manage your spending. Conversely, making minimum payments on credit cards could mean months or years before they’re paid off, all while accruing more interest than the initial principal.
Readers also ask
When debt consolidation isn't worth it
Consolidation isn’t a silver bullet for debt problems. It doesn’t address excessive spending habits that create debt in the first place. It’s also not the solution if you’re overwhelmed by debt and have no hope of paying it off even with reduced payments.
If your debt load is small — you can pay it off within six months to a year at your current pace — and you’d save only a negligible amount by consolidating, don’t bother.
Try a do-it-yourself debt payoff method instead, such as the debt snowball or debt avalanche. You can use a credit card payoff calculator to test out the different strategies.
If the total of your debts is more than half your income, and the calculator above reveals that debt consolidation is not your best option, you’re better off seeking debt relief than treading water.
» MORE: Track your debt the easy way. Sign up with NerdWallet to see your debt breakdown and upcoming payments all in one place.
» LEARN: What Canadians should consider about debt consolidation
