2. The loan tenor or length of the loan.

The most overlooked aspect about debt consolidation loans is that the ones with lower payments generally last a very long time - you may end up paying it off for twenty years, or even longer. You should try to find a loan that doesn't last as long, and asks for payments that are as much as you can afford.

3. A payment sum that you can manage.

Almost without exception, the loan will be secured on your home. That means that if you start missing payments, the finance company will kick you out, take ('repossess') your house, sell it, and pay back the debt with that money.

There's a whole industry around property developers buying repossessed houses and selling them on for a profit. The chances are that you'll come out of it with nowhere near enough money left to buy even the smallest home, and nowhere to live. So be sure, to go for a plan that you can safely adhere to, without losing your home!

If you do take a debt consolidation loan, you need to read all the fine print. Good luck!
About the Author

Elaine Lim used to be a research analyst from a bank and now hopes to share her expertise through publishing information on consumer credit. She hopes to help others in their financial planning, debt management and credit repair. For more free tips and resources, please visit http://www.credit-cards-eguide.com.