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- Spouse Loan Consolidation Calculator
How to Enter Your Loan Balances and Interest Rates
Using the spouse loan consolidation calculator is easy. First you’ll record your own balance and the interest rate you’re paying. This might be the balance on a personal loan or credit card, for example. If you’re carrying a balance in more than one place (for example, on two credit cards), choose the one with the highest balance for the purposes of the calculator.
After you type in your own details, you’ll input your partner’s loan or credit card balance and interest rate.
The next step is to choose a new loan term. This could be anywhere from five to 30 years, depending on what type of loan you want to use for your debt consolidation. The shorter the loan term, the higher the monthly payment will be, but the less interest you’ll pay over the long haul. If you don’t own a home, type in a loan term of five, seven, or 10 years because you would likely consolidate debt with a personal loan. If you own a home and are thinking about using a home equity loan or home equity line of credit to consolidate your debt, a term of 15 or 30 years might be possible.
Finally, choose a new interest rate. The rate you obtain will be determined by the type of loan you choose, the combined loan amount, and your financial stats as a couple, including income and creditworthiness. Borrowers can obtain up to $100,000 with a debt consolidation loan, for example, at a significantly lower interest rate than could be obtained by rolling credit card balances over to a new credit card. Take some time to explore rates and lenders.
Comparing Your Current Monthly Payments to a Combined Loan
The combine-loans calculator will immediately show you the details of your new combined loan, including the total amount you will pay over the loan term, the amount of interest you’ll pay, and your monthly payment amount. You’ll be able to see how much you might save by combining balances, and you can adjust your rate or loan term to see the impact different approaches could have on your finances.
How Consolidating Loans With a Spouse Works
Once you’ve decided to consolidate your loans, the process is fairly simple. You’ll do your research to find a lender you trust that offers competitive rates on a personal loan or debt consolidation loan. These loans are unsecured, and the process of applying is pretty simple. You can often apply online and get a response quickly. You can consolidate many different types of debt this way.
If you own a home together and have at least 15% to 20% in your property, you have an additional debt-consolidation option, which is to obtain a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan that you can use to pay off your other loans. This process is somewhat more time-consuming than obtaining a personal loan (a home appraisal will likely be needed). But if you qualify, the interest rate for a loan secured by your home is typically lower than the one for a personal loan. However, missed payments on a home equity loan or HELOC leave you at risk of foreclosure.
Understanding Your New Estimated Monthly Payment and Interest Costs
As we’ve noted, the right-hand side of the calculator shows you the details of what your new loan might look like. You’ll learn what your total payment and interest payments would be over the full term of the new loan. And you’ll see what your monthly payments would be and how much money, if any, you save each month by combining balances.
Remember that if you choose a fairly short term for your new loan — say, five years — you might pay more each month than you do currently, but you would be free of the debt sooner and would pay less interest over the long term if you accelerate the payment schedule. You and your partner will need to weigh the idea of paying down debt against other possible uses for your money, such as saving up an emergency fund or saving for a down payment on a house.
Having this conversation is an important step in talking about your finances more generally. “It’s important to remember that ‘money talks’ are as much about listening as talking. Understanding each other’s values, goals, fears — and just getting on the same page — can help couples literally build their future together,” says Brian Walsh, CFP® and Head of Advice & Planning at SoFi.
Potential Benefits of Consolidating Loans Together
There are several possible upsides when it comes to debt consolidation for couples. At the most basic level, it’s always nice to have fewer payments to keep track of each month.
But your combined new loan might also allow you to qualify for a lower interest rate than either of you is currently paying for your individual loan. This is particularly true if you consolidate loans with your spouse using a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC).
Finally, there is the emotional impact to consider. Combining loan balances is a step on the path toward linking your finances more firmly together, which seems to have some relationship benefits. A 2023 study from Indiana University found that married couples who have joint bank accounts not only have better relationships, but they fight less over money and feel better about how household finances are handled.
Things to Consider Before Combining Debt Into One Loan
Although consolidating your debt might reduce the amount you and your partner pay each month, there are pros and cons of consolidating debt as a couple, and it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks before moving forward.
Do you have different money management styles?
If you and your partner don’t see eye to eye on other money matters, such as how much to put into savings or how to handle new credit accounts, mixing debts might not be a good idea. The last thing you want to do is combine debts and pay off your credit cards, only for one partner to create new credit-card debt due to unfettered spending.
How might your credit score be affected?
If one member of the couple stands to take on substantial increased debt by combining loan or credit card balances into one loan, this could negatively impact that person’s credit score. If both you and your partner have strong scores, it might not matter. But if one of you has a pristine credit score and the other needs to do some polishing, you might think twice about mixing debts, particularly if you think you might be applying for a home loan in the near future.
Will combining mean losing benefits?
If you are thinking about combining student loan debts into a single private loan, you could also be forfeiting any possible federal benefits you might have in the future, such as income- or occupation-based loan benefits or federal loan forgiveness. If you and your spouse have both credit card and student loan debt, you might consider combining the credit accounts but leaving the student loan payments separate. Another option is to explore refinancing student loans.
Are you together forever?
If you and your partner separate while jointly holding a loan, and one of you decides to stop making payments, the other will be on the hook for the entire payment amount. No one wants to think this could happen, but it’s important to be clear on this risk before signing any borrowing agreement.
Debt consolidation is permanent, and once you combine your loans into a new loan, there’s no going back.
The Takeaway
A spouse loan consolidation calculator is a helpful tool if you and your partner have entered your marriage carrying debt and want to be strategic about simplifying your finances. The calculator quickly shows you how much you might save with a debt-consolidation strategy. Then it will be up to the two of you to talk it over and determine whether mixing debt is a smart move, both financially and emotionally.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
Can spouses combine their loans into one loan?
Married partners can combine loan balances into a single new loan, such as a personal debt-consolidation loan or a home equity loan or line of credit. Doing so can save money if the new combined loan has a lower interest rate. However, there are also drawbacks to consider, such as how hard it is to disentangle debts in the case of divorce. Use a spouse loan consolidation calculator to see what your new loan payment would be.
What are the benefits of consolidating loans together?
Consolidating loans or other debt, such as credit card debt, can streamline your monthly bills and possibly allow you to qualify for a lower interest rate, reducing the amount of interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan. A spouse loan consolidation calculator can help the two of you explore what your new loan payment might be.
Can consolidating loans lower monthly payments?
Consolidating loans or credit card debt can reduce the amount you and your partner will pay toward your debts each month. It’s also possible to consolidate loans into a new loan with a lower interest rate and to pay off your debts over a shorter period of time. The monthly payment could be the same amount that you previously paid, but the total interest paid will be substantially reduced and you’ll be debt-free sooner.
How is the new interest rate calculated when you consolidate two loans?
In a debt-consolidation process, a lender will base the interest rate it offers on several factors: the amount you want to borrow, your credit scores, and your other financial metrics such as income and other debts. You can seek out rates from multiple lenders to see what you might qualify for.
What happens if we consolidate debts and then our financial situation changes later?
If you merge your debts and later struggle to make payments on the new loan, you risk damaging your credit score and even falling into bankruptcy. Seek professional advice from a credit counselor, and consider making a debt repayment plan if you find yourself in this situation.
Is debt consolidation the same as refinancing?
Debt consolidation and refinancing are two different things, however some homeowners use a type of refinancing called a cash-out refinance to consolidate debts. In this scenario, you take out a new home loan that is larger than your current one. You then use the extra amount you have borrowed to pay off debt. Going forward, you have one monthly mortgage payment instead of a home loan plus debt payments. Because this loan is secured by your home, the interest rate is often more favorable than whatever rate you have on your other debt. However if you default on the new loan, you risk foreclosure.
Can we consolidate loans even if our credit scores are different?
A married couple can consolidate loans or credit card debt even if each member of the couple has a wildly different credit history. But it’s important to explore the interest rate you might qualify for to make sure consolidation saves you money.
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All loan terms, fees, and rates may vary based upon your individual financial and personal circumstances and state.You should consider and discuss with your loan officer whether a Cash Out Refinance, Home Equity Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit is appropriate. Please note that the SoFi member discount does not apply to Home Equity Loans or Lines of Credit not originated by SoFi Bank. Terms and conditions will apply. Before you apply, please note that not all products are offered in all states, and all loans are subject to eligibility restrictions and limitations, including requirements related to loan applicant’s credit, income, property, and a minimum loan amount. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Products, rates, benefits, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria. Information current as of 06/27/24.In the event SoFi serves as broker to Spring EQ for your loan, SoFi will be paid a fee.
Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.
²SoFi Bank, N.A. NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC), offers loans directly or we may assist you in obtaining a loan from SpringEQ, a state licensed lender, NMLS #1464945.
All loan terms, fees, and rates may vary based upon your individual financial and personal circumstances and state.You should consider and discuss with your loan officer whether a Cash Out Refinance, Home Equity Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit is appropriate. Please note that the SoFi member discount does not apply to Home Equity Loans or Lines of Credit not originated by SoFi Bank. Terms and conditions will apply. Before you apply, please note that not all products are offered in all states, and all loans are subject to eligibility restrictions and limitations, including requirements related to loan applicant’s credit, income, property, and a minimum loan amount. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Products, rates, benefits, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria. Information current as of 06/27/24.In the event SoFi serves as broker to Spring EQ for your loan, SoFi will be paid a fee.
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Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
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