by Christy Bieber | Sept. 12, 2019
The Ascent is reader-supported: we may earn a commission from offers on this page. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation.
Could a new loan really help you deal with existing debt? A recent study suggests that it could.
If you are already in trouble with debt and behind on payments, it may seem as though borrowing more money is just about the last thing you should do. However, a new study from TransUnion found that for a significant percentage of borrowers facing financial trouble, taking out a new loan could be instrumental in helping them to solve their debt problems.
According to the TransUnion research, close to one-third of borrowers who were behind on debt payments experienced an improvement in delinquent debts when they took out a new personal loan. Furthermore, nearly one-quarter of borrowers who obtained a new personal loan performed well at paying it off.
This may come as a surprise, but it makes a lot of sense when you look at how a new personal loan could help borrowers deal with debt that’s currently overwhelming them.
Here are a few key ways that a new loan might help solve existing debt problems.
Image source: Getty Images
Looking for a personal loan but don't know where to start? The Ascent's picks of the best personal loans help you demystify the offers out there so you can pick the best one for your needs.
Many people turn to their credit cards or payday loans during times of temporary financial trouble.
Unfortunately, as soon as you’ve taken on high interest consumer debt, paying it off can be really difficult. With many of these types of debt, the interest and fees can be so expensive that you’re making huge monthly payments and barely reducing what you owe.
If you qualify for a new personal loan at a lower rate, it can help. For example, if you have a credit card that’s charging you 15% or more in annual interest and you can score a personal loan at a 10% interest rate, your debt will be significantly cheaper and easier to repay.
Not only can a new personal loan make your debt cheaper in the long run, but it can also lower your monthly payments in the following three scenarios:
If any of these scenarios apply to you, then it is worth exploring the possibility of a new personal loan ASAP.
If you have maxed-out credit cards and can’t afford to pay them off, you may have to deal with over-the-limit and late fees. If you’ve taken out payday loans and need to keep doing so to pay them back, you could end up paying fees on each new loan.
A new personal loan could help you stop these fees from hitting you over and over. Many lenders offer personal loans with no origination fees, application fees, or other upfront fees. You could use your new personal loan to pay off your payday loans and credit cards, and then just work on paying down your new debt without having to worry about a bunch of new fees every month.
Want to pay off debt faster? Check out our shortlist of the best personal loans for debt consolidation and cut your monthly payment with a lower rate.
Getting a new loan when you’re already in debt can be difficult -- especially if you miss a payment and your credit isn’t great. That’s why it can be important to act quickly to refinance high-interest debt with a more affordable loan.
So if you are able to get a new loan at a lower rate, with a reduced monthly payment, this could be a wise approach that helps you avert financial disaster. Just be sure you can pay off the new loan you take out and live within your means so you don’t end up further in debt than you were in the first place.
We've vetted the market to bring you our shortlist of the best personal loan providers. Whether you're looking to pay off debt faster by slashing your interest rate or needing some extra money to tackle a big purchase, these best-in-class picks can help you reach your financial goals. Click here to get the full rundown on our top picks.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
Copyright © 2018 - 2021 The Ascent. All rights reserved.
By submitting your email address, you consent to us sending you money tips along with products and services that we think might interest you. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Statement and Terms & Conditions.