Debt Consolidation Definition Wikepedia Definition: Debt consolidation entails taking out one loan to pay off many others.
This is often done to secure a lower interest rate, secure a fixed rate or for the convenience of servicing only one loan.
Debt Consolidation Loan: There are two different types of debt consolidation plans available to consumers.
The most common being a loan in which the consumer borrows a lump sum of money to pay off all debts.
The consumer is then left with one monthly payment back to the lender.
Often these loans are secured with collateral such as a home that is paid for, property, or other items of value.
Although the interest rates on a consolidation loan may be lower than the interest rates of many Credit Cards, the risk factor associated with consolidating in this manner can be high, dependent upon the collateral used in order to get the loan.
Debt Consolidation with Credit Counseling: Not all Debt Consolidation plans are the same with Credit Counseling, however, the overall scope of the plans are similar.
Debt Consolidation, mostly referred to as a Debt Management Plan, is the act of consolidating all unsecured debts into on monthly payment.
The monthly payment is made to the Credit Counseling Organization and then sent along to the creditors.
Many creditors reduce interest rates, and stop late or over the limit fees for consumers that work with Credit Counseling.
This helps consumers pay their debt sooner than if they were to continue making minimum monthly payments on their own.
So what is Debt Settlement? Debt Settlement is the act of negotiating with your creditors and asking them to settle for less than what is owed on your account.
Debt Settlement is considered to be the most harmful to an individuals credit rating and is generally considered to be a last option before bankruptcy.
If you or someone you know is considering a debt settlement service, I recommend reading this article, Debt Settlement: A Costly Escape by Smartmoney on MSN Money.