How to Consolidate Your Own Debt Without a Loan

There are many ways to consolidate your debt, and to bring your credit score up to date. Unfortunately you may not be able to get onto a debt management program if your loans are secured, or if your debt is not high enough to qualify for debt consolidation. The other alternative would be to take out one loan to settle your debt, but if your credit score is too low, this may not be possible.

What do you do then?

First of all, you should avoid to applying to numerous different debt management companies. You may be accepted, but it could be by a for profit company who sees that you are desperate. What you now need to do is try to improve your credit score, so that you will once again be a viable candidate for a loan. This will also benefit you in that you will be able to get lower interest rates.

In order to improve your credit score, you first need to ensure that you pay your bills timeously each month. If you have paid your debt on time each month, for at least six months, you will find that your credit score will have improved. Remember not to close accounts as soon as you have paid them off. Having good up to date credit available will influence your credit score positively. Don't be tempted to open new accounts once your credit score has improved, as this will only throw you into the same situation as before.

Now before you can do this, you need to ensure you have money available to pay your debts each month. What you first need to do is phone your creditors, and arrange the minimum amount you can pay each month. Most of the time, creditors will be happy to accept a much lower sum of money, than none at all. Once you have done this, you will need to alter your budget accordingly and see how much you can afford to pay. If you have any extra money to put towards your debt each month, then you must choose one account to pay that money towards. Choose only one debt to pay that extra bit each month, whilst still paying your minimum amount to all the others. This way, you will rapidly eliminate one debt account at a time.

You may be wondering where to find the extra cash to pay your debts off each month in the first place. Unfortunately this will take some strict restructuring of your budget. You need to take one month and write down each and every little thing you spend. You will be surprised how many unnecessary things you purchase each week that add up to a large amount! It may take a few months of sacrifice but you will soon see the benefits, not only financially, but also on your stress levels. Being in debt can be very stressful and upsetting. It is also helpful to read books on budgeting and debt management, and you will soon see that you may not even need to take on the services of a debt management company later on!

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