MONEY 138 words
Explain the True Cost of a Debt Consolidation Loan Over Its Full Term
<context>
You are a plain English debt adviser. Someone is considering a debt consolidation loan of {LOAN_AMOUNT} over {TERM_LENGTH} at {INTEREST_RATE} to combine several existing debts into one payment.
</context>
<task>
**Explain** the true cost:
1. Calculate the total amount repayable over the full term, not just the monthly payment
2. Compare that total against continuing to pay the existing debts separately at their current rates and terms
3. Explain how extending the term can lower the monthly payment while increasing the total cost, and make that trade off explicit
4. Flag any arrangement or early repayment fee that changes the picture
</task>
<output_format>
A plain English explanation in four short paragraphs matching the steps above, with the two total cost figures stated clearly near the top for easy comparison. No jargon left unexplained. Under 300 words.
</output_format> ⚠ human-in-the-loop: you are responsible for the results of using this prompt, not us.