This article describes the first steps that a person looking for a debt consolidation loan should take to protect themselves from further financial problems. Debt consolidation isn’t a magic fix-all for getting out from under a pile of loans and credit card debt. As a matter of fact, used by itself, a debt consolidation loan can end up getting you into much more trouble than you were in before you entered into the program. Companies that offer this service do it to make money. It’s that simple. That’s one of the key facts you should keep in mind when negotiating on the terms of your consolidation loan. They’re not doing you a favor, they’re making money off you.