Payday Loan Debt Consolidation | The bank rate

If you’ve taken out a payday loan that charges exorbitant fees, the struggle to make the payments can seem overwhelming. This is a particularly difficult type of debt to repay because borrowers can get trapped in a cycle of debt. About 12 million people take out personal loans each yearand more than 80% of these loans roll over into a new loan because the borrower couldn’t pay the bill on time.

However, payday loan debt relief is possible. A personal loan consolidation allows you to take out a new loan, usually with a lower interest rate and a fixed monthly payment that you can repay over time.

What is a payday loan?

Payday loans are usually short-term loans for a small amount, usually around $500, with payment due on the day of your next payday. They are marketed as a useful bridge between paychecks. However, payday loans come with fees that result in very high annual percentage rates, or APRs. A typical two-week payday loan with a fee of $15 per $100 borrowed, for example, equates to an APR of nearly 400%, According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

This type of loan can hurt your credit, but it cannot increase it. That’s because payday loans aren’t usually reported to credit bureaus, which means your payments won’t help boost your credit. But if you’re in default and the lender sends your account for collection, it will show up on your credit report and hurt your credit scores.

Only 14% of payday loan borrowers can actually afford to repay their loans, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. Due to the high costs involved, the loan may become unmanageable for most borrowers. That’s why taking out a new loan with a lower fixed interest rate can help get your finances back on track.

How Payday Loan Debt Consolidation Works

With a debt consolidation loan, you will take out a loan with a lower interest rate and use the funds to pay off your high interest debts. Then you will repay the debt consolidation loan over time. Monthly payments are more manageable compared to payday loans. Indeed, the interest rate on a debt consolidation loan should be much lower and you repay the loan over a longer period, usually 12 to 84 months, rather than two weeks.

First, you need to find a lender that offers debt consolidation loans. Some online lenders will do a pre-qualification check, which won’t hurt your credit. They will review your credit reports and estimate the interest rate, loan term and monthly payment you may be eligible for. Before applying, make sure you can afford this payment each month.

Unlike a payday loan, debt consolidation loan payments are reported to the credit bureaus. This means that making payments on time can help improve your credit over time.

Advantages of a personal loan consolidation

If you need help with a payday loan, a consolidation loan can help get your finances back on track. Debt consolidation loans generally offer:

• Reduced fees: Some personal loans come with an origination fee, usually around 1-5% of the loan amount, but you may be able to find a loan with no upfront fee.
• Flexible repayment terms: Personal loans offer repayment terms that generally range from 12 to 84 months. Payday loans usually have to be repaid on your next payday, or usually within two to four weeks.
• Predictable monthly payments: With a personal loan, you will make one monthly payment until you repay the loan. If the interest rate is fixed, your payment usually stays the same for the life of the loan.
• Credit check required: It may seem like a disadvantage, but a debt consolidation lender wants to make sure you can afford the monthly payments before signing up for the loan. They will usually check your source of income, check your credit reports, or ask you what your cash reserves are. Even if you have a lower credit score, they may be willing to work with you. Payday lenders, on the other hand, usually don’t verify that you can handle the loan.
• No bearing: Once you have refunded all the money, you are done. Your account is closed and the loan is marked as repaid. If you need more money, you will need to apply for a new loan.

Disadvantages of a personal loan consolidation

Payday loan relief probably sounds great, but you should consider these points before applying for a new personal loan:

• You can still default on loan repayments. Although you plan to make every payment on time, a job loss or other obstacle could disrupt your finances again. Any missed or late payments could damage your credit score and the loan consolidation lender could send your account to collections. Try to plan ahead for financial emergencies by setting aside as much savings as possible in an emergency fund.
• You cannot benefit from a low interest rate. Personal loan interest rates typically range from around 4-36%, depending on your creditworthiness. Many online lenders are willing to work with people with low credit scores, although your interest rate may be higher. However, they are still lower than the costs of a payday loan, which can have annual interest rates of around 400% or more. You can also find out about alternative payday loans if you are a member of a credit union. These are small, short-term loans with affordable interest rates.

Alternatives to Personal Loan Debt Consolidation

If payday loan debt consolidation isn’t right for you, consider these alternatives:

• Ask to extend the repayment term: In some states, payday lenders are required to extend your repayment period beyond your next paycheck. This can help you because your payments will be lower and you will have more time to raise the money. Ask your payday lender if this is an option and if you will pay a fee.
• Enter a debt management plan: Under a debt management plan, you work with a credit counselor to negotiate better loan terms with your creditors. Once you have agreed on a monthly payment, you will send funds to the credit agency each month. In turn, the organization will pay your creditors. It is important to work with a reputable company credit counseling agencyso research your options before signing up for a plan.
• File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a legal procedure that can help some people pay off some or all of their debt. You will need to follow a strict process and some of your assets may be sold to pay off some of your debt. This move is usually reserved as a last resort as it has major consequences. Your credit score will be damaged and it may be difficult to qualify for credit for a few years after discharge from bankruptcy. Talk to a lawyer before choosing this option.