Consider contacting a consumer credit counselor before signing the dotted line on a debt consolidation loan. Many people reach for the loan too quickly and fail to think it through. A good credit counselor will show you how you got into the debt and the best ways of dealing with it, which may or may not be with a debt consolidation loan.
If you borrow money to consolidate your debt, make sure you get a fixed interest rate. An interest rate that is not fixed can keep growing and eventually cost you more than what you originally owed to your creditors. Ask your debt consolidation counselor about the interest rate and make sure it is fixed.
Remember that your lenders want to be paid back, even if it's not in full. The cost of using a collections agency or going to court ends up coming out of the money you owe, and they don't want to go that far. Talk to them about dealing with the situation through reduced interest rates or payment plans before considering a consolidation loan.
Consolidating your debt into a loan doesn't mean you have to cut up your credit cards. In fact, having a credit card which is being paid off is very good for your credit score. Keep one card, but limit spending on it and pay it off as soon as you use it.
