DIY Debt Consolidation: How to Consolidate Debt Yourself

Did you ever consider saving money (and reducing anxiety) through do-it-yourself (DIY) debt consolidation?

American consumers took on the task in 2020 and knocked $128 billion off what they owed. That continued in Q1 of 2021, when they knocked another $52 billion off. Then, some of the restrictions from COVID-19 kicked in and … yes! … they were back out buying with plastic again.

However, a $180 billion drop over five quarters proves it can be done. The main motivation is to reduce the 20%-plus interest rate consumers pay on cards.

Reducing your interest rate – and balance – requires discipline, but if you have the wherewithal to create a legitimate plan, sell your creditors on the plan’s merits, and stick to the schedule of required payments, it will get done.

How to Prepare for DIY Debt Consolidation

DIY debt consolidation is not for everyone. Consumers need reasonably good credit, a fair amount of free cash flow in their budgets, and — believe it or not — the right amount of debt.

Even then, the plan doesn’t work for those who see paid-off credit cards as an invitation to binge-spend again. Instead, a successful debt-consolidation plan involves almost obsessive commitment to repayment.

It’s time to plot your course.

• Create a list of the debts you intend to consolidate. It’s probably best if it is only credit card bills, but it might include medical bills and personal loans.
• For each creditor, note the lender’s name, total amount owed, interest rate, and minimum monthly payment.
• Get a copy of your credit report from one of the big three credit-monitoring agencies (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). Each owes you one free report every 12 months.
• Know your monthly income. (Can you increase it with side hustles?)
• Revisit (or establish) a budget that doesn’t include the debt you plan to consolidate. Stick by it.
• Identify expenses you can cut out or at least trim (streaming services, entertainment, dining out, recurring donations).
• Establish how much free cash flow you have after you pay necessary expenses.
• Stop charging. No, seriously. STOP CHARGING.
• Do your homework: What debt consolidation method is best for your situation? We’ll explore the options below.

Personal Loans

Using personal loans to consolidate debt is the most straightforward way to handle debt consolidation. You ask a bank, credit union, online lender – or maybe even a relative or friend – for a loan big enough to pay off all your credit card debt.

It makes sense if the interest rate is lower than what you’re paying on your credit cards. If you have good credit, it should be considerably lower. If you have poor credit, it may not be worth the trouble.

The best thing about a personal loan is that it simplifies the process. You make one fixed payment to one lender every month. The loans typically are for 3-5 years and if you make on-time payments, your credit score should improve.

Credit Card Balance Transfer

A balance transfer in which you consolidate a handful of credit card balances to a single, 0% interest credit card is a simple way to streamline payments and pay less in interest for an introductory period, usually 12-18 months.

However, it comes with an imposing qualifier: You must have a good credit score – 690 or better is recommended – and that poses a problem if you’re behind on payments.

There is no point transferring balances to a single card if you don’t save money.

Debt Consolidation Loan

Banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer loans designed to replace an assortment of consumer debt with a single loan, usually at a lower interest rate. Though debt consolidation loans work for some, it’s important to understand what each lender’s terms and the potential risks are if you miss payments.

Banks, credit unions and online lenders are a good source for unsecured loans, but they tend to be selective about who they approve. People with the best credit scores get the lowest interest rates. Credit union debt consolidation can often be a better deal than the banks, so shop around.

Online lenders often approve a loan in a few days and will accept borrowers with lower credit scores than banks or credit unions. Beware: The interest rates could be much higher.

The worst option, one you should probably avoid, involves storefront lenders and debt consolidation companies that add extra fees for originating loans and charge much higher interest rates. Avoid consolidating credit card debt with for-profit companies and always carefully review the terms.

The debt consolidation loan business has a spotty reputation and there are many scam artists. Be diligent: Avoid credit-repair scams.

Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit

Home equity loans and their variant, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) — formerly known as second mortgages — allow you to borrow against home equity (the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe) usually at rates far lower than you’re paying on credit card debt.

The downside? Your house secures the loan and you could lose it!

The house, also knowns as collateral, is why you get a lower rate. If you are comfortable with that, equity loans allow you to make regular, predictable payments. If you have sufficient equity in your home and you meet other income and credit standards, you can take a loan or get a credit line that will allow you to transfer all your credit card debt to a home loan you can repay in regular installments.

Financial advisers often warn clients not to convert the unsecured debt on credit cards to a secured debt on your home for that reason: Your home is among the possessions you can protect from creditors even in bankruptcy.

The same holds true for another home loan option, cash-out refinancing. In this case, you consolidate your debt into a mortgage by refinancing your primary mortgage, turning it into a larger loan with, hopefully, a lower interest payment. You use the cash you take out of the refinance to pay off your credit card debts. (Lenders sometimes make paying off listed debts at closing — you never see the cash — as part of the approval process.)

It’s not a great idea to consolidate debt into a new mortgage because turning unsecured debt into secured debt, is a risky maneuver.

Ask Friends or Family for Help

We don’t know the nature of your relationships, but know that the moment borrowing from a friend or family member pops into your head … things change.

Make certain you can afford, and will deliver on, the repayments. Discuss, upfront, what happens if you can’t live up to your side of the bargain. You may conclude the risk to your relationship is too steep a price.

On the upside, you probably won’t have to meet minimum eligibility rates, and you may end up with a very favorable interest rate and repayment terms.

Borrow from Retirement

Borrowing from an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) loan gives you access to money that can be used to pay debts. Before considering this alternative, understand restrictions that apply to retirement-account borrowing.

• You have five years to fully replay a 401(k) loan or face early-withdrawal and tax penalties.
• If you leave your job for any reason, you have to repay the loan balance within 60 days or pay early-withdrawal penalties.
• You can’t borrow more than 50% of the vested value of your 401(k), and your loan can’t exceed $50,000.

Remember: This is your retirement money. If you fail to repay it, you will lose the money. Even if you do repay the loan, you will lose whatever growth the amount you borrowed might have accrued.

In short, don’t get the idea that borrowing from your retirement account is a terrific idea. It’s not.

Cash-Out Auto Refinancing

Cash-out auto refinancing works similarly to a cash-out mortgage refinancing: You refinance your car/truck/SUV — assuming you’re not upside down on the auto loan — and use the cash to consolidate debt.

Again, shop hard. Different lenders may appraise your vehicle differently, affecting your available equity, and you’re likely to encounter a range of interest rates and fees.

Also again, if your vehicle becomes collateral in your debt-consolidation plan and you can’t keep up with the payments, you’re putting your reliable transportation at risk.

Whatever you do, do not confuse cash-out auto refinancing with car title (or “pink-slip”) loans — short-term loans at notoriously high interest rates in which the lender can take your car if you default. Avoid car title loans at any cost.

DIY Debt Consolidation Mistakes to Avoid

OK, you know what you want to do. Let’s explore what not to do. These are the mistakes others have made — including one of legendary proportions.

• Failure to choose wisely: Make certain your consolidation loan packs a lower interest rate than your current debts.
• Failure to ask for help or debt consolidation advice: Consult a nonprofit credit counseling professional and, if you’re a member, talk with a personal finance specialist at your credit union.
• Failure to research your options: Secured or unsecured loans? Low-interest personal loans? Zero-interest balance transfer cards? Debt management? Debt settlement? Which one works best for you? Do your homework.
• Failure to shop around: Once you’ve identified your best option(s), find out who wants your business most.
• Failure to finish what you start: Be realistic about your ability to keep pace with the terms of your consolidation agreement. Even if you suffer the occasional setback. You’ll be glad you stayed the course.
• Failure to address the root cause: If you are choosing debt consolidation because of something beyond your control – job loss, divorce, accident or medical emergency – great! If you are hoping this is the answer to the painful results of unsustainable spending – not so great. You need to confront fundamentals of your financial choices, perhaps through professional debt counseling.
• Failure to follow a proper repayment plan: Once you have selected the best loan with the lowest interest rate, pick the shortest possible repayment tenure.
• Failure to set up an emergency fund: Avoid slipping back into unsustainable debt: Feed a savings account to be tapped only in an emergency. Note: Fixing a leaky roof or broken-down car qualify as emergencies. A new outfit for work does not.
• Know what form of debt relief you’re in and how it works: And then there’s this: “I didn’t know what I was getting into!” That’s an excuse, not a plan. Research and understand all options before making a final decision.

Work with a Nonprofit Credit Counseling Agency

Even if you’re someone who enjoys other DIY projects, you shouldn’t take the debt-consolidation plunge without good, expert advice. That doesn’t mean watching a series of YouTube videos.

You can consult with a credit counselor for advice on a do-it-yourself plan or — OR! — you could ask help from experts about working with creditors and creating a debt management plan to eliminate your debt.