Payday Loan Consolidation: What It Is and How It Works

Payday loans can give fast cash in times of financial need, but their high-interest rates and short payback terms can often trap consumers in a debt cycle.

If you find yourself in a cycle of several payday loans and insurmountable debt, payday loan consolidation may be a viable option for regaining control of your money.

In this post, we will define payday loan consolidation and explain how it works to help you decide if it is the best choice for your case.

What is payday loan consolidation?

Payday loan consolidation is the act of combining multiple existing payday loans into a single new personal loan that you repay in monthly payments at a lower interest rate.

Consolidating payday loans with a lower-interest personal loan allows you to have a longer payback period and smaller monthly installments that are easier to manage. Furthermore, having only one loan payment makes it easier to stick to your debt payback plan.

How does payday loan consolidation work?

The concept of payday loan consolidation is similar to that of other types of debt consolidation: you take out a new loan, hopefully at a reduced interest rate, and use it to pay off your existing debt. Once authorized, many debt consolidation lenders will pay off your loan automatically. If your preferred lender does not provide this function, you will be required to repay your payday loan obligation once you receive the funds.

For instance, if you borrow $100 and renew it for a year, you can end up paying $350 in finance charges—more than three times what you borrowed in the first place. When compared to a personal loan with a 36% interest rate, the finance charge is only $20 over a year, which is $330 cheaper than the payday loan’s cost.

How to Consolidate Payday Loans

To consolidate your payday loans, go through the following steps:

1. Compile your payday loans: Many folks have many payday loans out at the same time. If that’s the case, total the balances on all of your debts. This is the amount you’ll need to apply for, in addition to whatever origination costs your new lender may impose.
2. Check your credit:People often pick payday loans since the lenders do not run credit checks. However, your new lender will take your credit history into account during the application procedure. Before applying, check your credit score.
3. Do some comparison shopping: Check your interest rate with as many lenders as possible. Most lenders have a prequalification process that has no effect on your credit and allows you to know what conditions you might be eligible for when you apply.
4. Make a loan application: Choose the lowest loan interest rate and apply online or in person. Your new lender may pay off your payday loans immediately, but if not, make sure to send your payment as soon as possible.
5. Signup in autopay: The most critical aspect is to pay on time or ahead of schedule. Signing up for autopay will ensure that you never miss a payment and will help you build your credit over time.

Can Payday Loan Consolidation Hurt My Credit?

Consolidating your payday loans has the potential to both hurt and boost your credit score over time. Your credit score will probably first decline slightly. That is typical, given that lenders perform a hard credit check when you submit a complete loan application. The good news is that this drop in credit score is only temporary.

Your credit score will often suffer if you make any late payments, particularly if you end up defaulting on the loan. However, if you pay all of your bills on time, the opposite holds true. Since your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score, you should typically observe an increase in your credit score over time.

This is the main advantage of repaying payday loans with a personal loan. You can improve your credit so that you can borrow money more reasonably the next time you do.

Pros and cons of payday loan consolidation

Payday debt consolidation might make sense for some debtors, but there are potential disadvantages to keep in mind.

Pros:

• Lower APRs and fees, reducing the total cost to borrow
• More favorable repayment terms
• Single monthly payment

Cons

• Tougher eligibility criteria
• Minimum borrowing amounts
• Hard credit check required

Conclusion:

Payday loan consolidation can be a useful option for people who are battling with many payday loans and unmanageable debt. You may recover control of your money and strive towards debt freedom by combining your loans into a single, more affordable payment plan. However, it is critical to conduct research on consolidation firms, understand the conditions and the impact on your credit, and commit to the repayment plan. If you are considering payday loan consolidation, visit a trustworthy company to analyze your alternatives and take steps toward financial security.