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When you have a number of debts hanging over your head, struggling to keep on top of them can give you a lot of anxiety. The problem is that, just like a seemingly insignificant hole can fill up a boat with water over a period of time, having numerous loans can sink you as well. How? Take credit card debts for example. Sure, flashing plastic at a store can be really satisfying. Retail therapy works, and there's nothing like the radiant glow of a person who's shopped and found some great bargains. But getting the huge billing statement at the end of the month can be one giant slap on the face, especially when you find that you can't afford to pay anything more than the minimum. Sure, that works. But that's only on one credit card, what about the others? If you are like most people, you undoubtedly have other credit cards in your name. And what about the normal expenses of daily life, like rent or mortgage payments, car payments, food, electric bills, gas? When you add all these expenses up, you may find that your salary just can't cover everything. That's when you're in trouble.

For some people, debt consolidation is the most effective solution to their problem. Make sure you peruse the loan contract before signing anything. Debt consolidation is a way for you to clear your outstanding debts by taking out one mega loan that covers them all. This loan is called a debt consolidation loan, and it is normally secured against one of your properties, such as your home. Because you put down collateral for the loan, the risk to the bank is lowered, and they are better able to offer you a decent interest rate than an unsecured loan, and for a longer period of time for repayment. It also means that if for any reason you cannot keep up with the payments for the debt consolidation loan, the bank can take the asset you used as collateral. If the asset happens to be your apartment, then you are going to be without a roof over your head.

So debt consolidation is not without risk to yourself. However, there are a number of advantages to this strategy, such as:

* You will have one payment to make monthly to one bank, instead of juggling several bills.

* The amount that you have to pay monthly can be lower than the total amount you were paying off beforehand.

* Because it is a secured loan, it has a fixed interest rate.

* Assuming that you keep up with the monthly dues for the debt consolidation loan, your credit score will not be affected, as would have happened if you can no longer pay for your credit card bills or other loans.

In order to make sure that debt consolidation is your only alternative, do some research beforehand, and speak with a debt advisor or a loan arranger. They may be able to come up with a solution more suitable to your financial position.]

Mark Dawson writes for Loan-Arrangers .co.uk where visitors can compare loans online. With online application for everything from payday loans