meat. find out how the billionaire is going to take the matters into his own hands, because it is trending. and now time for the help dessing. >> time for the help desk where we get answers to the financial questions. joining me is a personal finance author and doug flynn, a certified financial adviser. and right to it. leonard from virginia beach, virginia, are asking us, what are the pros and cons of consolidating debt, and what impact does this have on a individual's credit score? good question. >> well, the pros are by consolidating in the shorter run a lower monthly payment, and one bill so it can feel simpler and more manageable, and the cons are that the one monthly payment when you add up the interest can result in significantly higher costs to you overall, and oftentimes when you consolidate, you are moving to a secured loan situation. oftentimes people do it with credit cards not realizing it was unsecured debt. and in terms of the effect on the credit score, and