Would a personal loan improve my credit?

1. 60

   tdebrickposted 11 years ago

   Would a personal loan improve my credit?
   
   Thinking of consilidating my credit card debt into one loan. I am thinking this is the best for me paying my debt down.

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2. 36

   Jayesefposted 11 years ago

   You can raise your credit only by reducing your debit or gaining a benefit that would increase your credit. In your case, since the personal loan would do neither but consolidate your debits and open up your credit card, there is every chance that you increase your debits rather than improve your credit.

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3. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   It can be a feasible option if handled very carefully.  First you would have to qualify for a personal unsecured loan and that is very difficult for consolidation.  The bank will look at your debt that you need to consolidate and be concerned at your spending habits and it may disqualify you for a loan.
   
   If you can secure the loan, get a low interest rate and destroy your credit cards, it may be a good idea. A better idea is to keep all payments up to date, and add any extra you can to pay towards one card.  Once that card is paid off, cut it up, and apply any money you paid towards that card to the next card debt and so on.
   
   Sign up for online payments on your cards and if you even get an extra $10 bill, go online and pay it against the one card you are paying off first.
   
   It can be done, I got an extra job and applied all the money to card debt and got out of debt and stayed that way (that is actually the hard part - staying out of debt - but it feels good)

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4. 60

   renegadetoryposted 11 years ago

   I have to agree with Jayesef with regard to consolidation.
   
   I declared bankruptcy back in my early twenties (about 13 years ago or so) so I know all about trying to get your credit back up!  It takes time and can be difficult.
   
   I would suggest contacting the credit card companies and asking them for a lower interest rate (don't take no for an answer).
   
   I would also suggest getting a detailed report of your credit score that lists everything affecting your credit score.  You might be surprised to find items on your credit history that are bringing it down and/or should have been removed. 
   
   If you are able to, try the snowball method of paying off your debts.  In other words, decide to pay off the debt with the smallest amount outstanding and in the meantime only make the minimum payment on all other debts until it is paid off.  Try to put down as much as you can afford each month to pay it off quickly! Then take whatever you were putting towards paying off that debt and move it to the next one and so forth.  Paying off outstanding balances on credit cards will improve your credit rating (and make you feel better too)!
   
   Always strive to make all your payments on time (defaults on any loans or credit cares will negatively affect your credit score).
   
   I would also suggest that you take a look at your expenses (bills, etc) and see if you can save some extra money here and there (can you live without cable? can you get a cheaper phone/internet service? etc.,) even look to see where you can save on groceries, eat out less often, bring a lunch to work, etc.  Whatever you save, put some or all of that towards paying off your debt.
   
   As long as you make paying off your debts a priority and tackle smaller debts first, you can really make a difference in getting yourself out of debt and improving your credit score.
   
   Debt consolidation CAN work, but realize that you can dig yourself a bigger hole by paying off the credit cards with the loan and then while you are paying off that loan, start racking up debt on your credit cards again.  Then you will really be in trouble!  If you do decide to consolidate, I recommend getting rid of all your credit cards, save one (with a low interest rate), immediately after you pay them off to make sure you don't incur any more unnecessary debt.
   
   Good luck!

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5. 49

   annoymousposted 11 years ago

   all u have to do now is to contact gareth loan corp wit:garethloancorp@gmail.com

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