Unsecured debt consolidation is when you try to take several unsecured debts and combine them. This has the potential to make them easier to manage.

An unsecured debt is one where you have a personal liability to pay off the debt, but you did not put up any collateral. There are plenty of common unsecured debts, such as student loans, personal loans, credit card debt, and medical debt.

If you have some different forms of unsecured debt, you may want to consider debt consolidation and using a consolidation loan calculator. We'll explain how you can go about doing that right now.

Debt Consolidation

Before we go further, let's make sure you understand precisely what we mean when using the term "debt consolidation." This is when you take several debts, which could be from high-interest loans, credit cards, and additional bills, and restructure them, so they all take the form of a fixed monthly payment.

You can probably see why this financial strategy makes sense. If you do it right, you can have lower monthly payments and a lower interest rate. You can likely remember to pay that single amount versus several different amounts more easily as well. 

When we say "unsecured debt consolidation loan," we're referring to a way of getting a loan where you do not put up your vehicle, house, or something else as collateral. You probably want to avoid putting up your personal property to get a loan if at all possible. This way, you're not at risk of losing it. 

Getting an Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loan

Before pursuing an unsecured debt consolidation loan, first, check your credit score. If your FICO score is around 670 or above, you will probably have a good shot at securing a loan of this nature.

Next, come up with a consolidation plan. You shouldn't apply for a loan until you know exactly what you're going to do with that money. At this point, a debt consolidation loan calculator can come in handy. You can use it to figure out how to make smaller monthly payments, get out of debt sooner, and save money for a rainy day.

Next, you'll want to shop around to see what loan terms and rates are available. You can look into options like online lenders, banks, and credit unions to see which of them has the most favorable terms.

Applying is the final step. You will need a few things, like your identification, bank statements, and past tax returns. You'll likely need some pay stubs as well, so the lending entity has some idea of what kind of money you have coming in.

Many lenders should be able to determine if you are eligible for a loan in as little as a few minutes.

Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loans Can Be Practical

If you have several debts, including credit card balances, high-interest loans, and additional bills, you might consider applying for an unsecured debt consolidation loan. Remember, "unsecured" means you're not putting anything up as collateral, like your house or car.

If you want to get such a loan, you will probably need a FICO credit score of 670 or higher. This will make you a more favorable candidate with lending entities.

You'll need to develop a loan consolidation plan, so you'll know exactly what you'll do with that money. A debt consolidation loan calculator is a valuable tool that might help you at this stage.

You should then compare loan options from lending entities like banks and credit unions. Once you've selected one with favorable terms, you can apply. 

If you don't get the loan, the lending entity will probably tell you what you can do to make yourself a better candidate. You might work to improve your credit score and then come back and try again later.