Monday, July 30, 2007

Credit Card Debt Negotiation

Struggling with your credit card debts can leave you tired, frustrated and deeper in debt than you were to start with. If you have admitted to yourself that you are in debt then you are ready to start to move yourself into a more beneficial situation. This is where credit card debt negotiation comes into play.

The first thing you need to do is contact your credit card company, if you have been struggling with payments then they will probably be contacting you on a regular basis but do not wait for them to call you get on the phone and talk to them first. Many people are worried that when they call they will be told that there is no hope. This is not true it is within the credit companies best interest to help you out of debt and put you in a better financial situation, that way they can try and get you to spend more on your card (Which you are not going to do once you are out of debt are you?).

When you call them tell them your situation and ask them what they can do for you, if they say nothing then you need to move onto the next stage which is to get credit counseling. A credit counselor will assist you in your credit card debt negotiation. They will help you create a budget as well as work with creditors to reduce your monthly payments, finance charges and late fees if you have accrued any.

A credit counselor will not only look at your credit card debt negotiation but also allow you to pay them one simple payment for them to distribute between your creditors. There is normally a one off fee but in many cases this is waived.

Do not continue to struggle on with your debts you will only end up deeper in than you are right now, your debts an also have an effect on your health and relationships. Credit card debt negotiation is something that you need to do in order to live a more care free life.

Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt!: Phone Calls to Banks That Saved More Than $43,000 in Interest Charges and Fees
by Scott Bilker

Learning how to talk your way out of credit card debt is the quickest, easiest, and most efficient way to start saving money!

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Sunday, July 29, 2007

Don’t Get Into Debt This Christmas

Christmas can be an enormous strain on the family budget. It’s not just presents that you have to worry about – which itself can be a nightmare as you battle with pressure from the kids for the latest must-have toys and gadgets – but also food, drink and entertainment. It’s therefore not surprising that Christmas is the time of year when we notch up the most debt – although most of us really start to feel the pinch in the start of the new year when we struggle to keep up with household bills while continuing to pay for our Christmas indulgence. Here are some tips on how to save money and avoid debt over the festive season.

First and foremost, remember that your family and friends will be understanding if you are on a tight budget over Christmas and can’t afford to be very extravagant. If anyone is expecting large gifts, manage their expectations, especially kids. Let them know that Santa can’t bring everything that they want – but that he’ll bring them very good gifts all the same if they’ve been well behaved.

Don’t forget your normal budget – ensure that regular household bills are paid as usual, such as council tax, utility bills, rent etc. Remember that your priority is to keep a roof over your head.

Work out how much money you have left to spare for Christmas after your normal budget and set your Christmas budget. Save small amounts regularly throughout the year. You could even open up a bank account specifically for Christmas savings to ensure that it stays separate from the rest of your finances and to avoid the temptation to spend it.

Try to spread your purchases throughout the year, even as far back as January – you can get great bargains in the January sales! Leaving it to the last minute means you’re more likely to panic and spend more money – or put more on your credit card.

Don’t be tempted by credit offers in shops – this is just storing up trouble for the future. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Also beware of cheap deals and rates before Christmas – chances are the APR will be hiked up in the new year.

If you have to get a loan or a credit card, shop around for the best deal as you would at any other time of year, and leave yourself plenty of time so that you don’t sign up for anything in a panic at the last minute.

Make deals with family or friends not to give each other presents, or agree on a fixed maximum price that you will spend on each other. Do a present exchange – a secret Santa or a lucky dip – with groups of friends or colleagues so that everyone in the group buys just one
gift. It can be fun getting together to do the exchange. In a secret Santa, everyone’s names are put in a hat and each person pulls out a name for whom they must secretly buy a present. It’s quite good as you know who you’re buying for so you can get them something you think they’ll like. With a lucky dip, everyone simply buys a present that would be suitable for anyone, and they all get put into a sack and pulled out one by one at random.

If you can’t afford to do rounds on your Christmas night out with work colleagues or friends, just ask if you can pay for your own drinks – they won’t be offended. An even cheaper option is to go tee-total and drive!

If you’re entertaining others at Christmas, you don’t need buy and prepare all the food and drink yourself – you could agree to share the cost with your guests. Someone could organize the starter, someone else the dessert, another person could bring the cheese and biscuits and yet another could supply the drinks. In this way it can be a nice surprise for everyone to see what everyone else has brought and you’re sure to have plenty of variety!

Look out for postage and packaging costs if you’re doing your Christmas shopping online – sometimes this can add a lot to the price. Try to find a site that sells what you want with the cheapest postage costs, or try to plan your purchases and buy them all in the one order so that you’re only charged once for delivery. Make your own Christmas cards or perhaps even your own presents if you’re the creative type – the personal touch is often nicer anyway. You could make up your own gift hamper, bake your own cakes or chocolates or buy a photo frame and fill it with a collection of special memories for someone.

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Do You Have to Pay Back the Debt?

The most widely held misconception about bankruptcy is that it’s the debtor’s version of the “get out of jail free” card in Monopoly. While most people know that bankruptcy affects your credit for 7 to 10 years, very few people know that it’s possible that you’ll have to pay back the debt anyway, even if you file a Chapter 7 “straight” bankruptcy. The formal definition of bankruptcy is “a proceeding in federal court in which an insolvent debtor’s assets are liquidated and the debtor is relieved of further liability.” On the other hand, the commonplace definition of bankruptcy is probably “the process of completely wiping out your debts for free.” In the majority of cases, the latter definition may be appropriate, but in some scenarios, it’s likely that even with bankruptcy, you’ll still have to pay back at least a portion of the debt.

So when is it likely that you’ll have to pay back your debts? Here are the most common scenarios when you’ll get all the negatives of filing bankruptcy (severe credit impact for 7 to 10 years), but none of the benefits (you’ll still have to pay back at least part of the debt):

  • You make more than the average person in your state. If this is the case, then it’s likely that you’ll be forced into a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the court orders that you pay all your disposable income to a court appointed trustee, who in turn disburses payments to your creditors. Keep in mind that the court determines your disposable income by national and county statistics on average necessary expenses, not what you’re paying. So just because you’re paying a lot for a car doesn’t mean the court will approve it. There are numerous cases when a judge ordered families to stop sending their children to private schools so they can have more money to pay back their creditors. In Illinois, here are the latest statistics on the Illinois median income by size of household:

                Illinois                      Estimate
           1-person families              41,650
           2-person families              52,891
           3-person families              62,176
           4-person families              72,368

  • You have assets. If you own a home or car, then it’s possible that the bankruptcy court will force you to sell them to generate sufficient cash to pay back your creditors. Chances are if have a good chunk of change invested (unless it’s in a tax-exempt account like an IRA) then you’ll also be forced to liquidate it. If you have a second home or another vehicle (assuming you own both completely), then you’re really out of luck. Fortunately, there are some safeguards to protect consumers from bankruptcy hell. In Illinois, every resident is entitled to at least $7,500 of the value of their home, $1200 of the value of their vehicle, and $2,000 for anything that they want (known as the wildcard exemption). Also, these values double if you’re married (assuming the property is in both of your names).

    What does this actually mean? Consider the following example.

    Let’s say you have a house that’s worth $250,000, and it’s in both yours and your wife’s name. You still owe about $200,000 on your mortgage, and you decided to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In this example, you would be forced to sell your home, and with the proceeds you would pay back the mortgage company what you owe on the outstanding balance of the loan ($200,000), you’d pay yourself the Illinois real estate exemption ($15,000), and then you’d pay back your other creditors whatever was left ($250K-200K-15K=$35,000).

    Let say your house was only worth $215,000, but everything else in the above example remained the same. In this case, you wouldn’t be forced to sell your home because the proceeds from the sale wouldn’t amount to anything after you paid back the mortgage company and then paid back yourself the Illinois real estate exemption.
  • The creditors can prove that you were fraudulent and never had any intention of paying them back.

For the majority of us it means that unless a) you don’t have a lot of equity in any of your property, b) you don’t have any investments like stocks, real estate, ect., c) you don’t care about having to sell anything mentioned in points a and b, or d) you don’t care about having to give up your disposable for 5 years in a Chapter 13, then bankruptcy may not be your best option.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

Do You Need Debt Consolidation Counseling?

In average American receives his first credit card at the age of 18 and statistic shows that every American household is holding about $10,000 in total debts. Credit cards are the major contributors to these debts seeing that so many people are seeking for credit card debt consolidation. In order to avoid yourself to be one of the contributor to the statistic, that's why you need a debt consolidation counseling to get more understanding on your debts and your available options in handling your debt issues.

Many people who are in debt will think of debt consolidation as their debt solutions, but unfortunately, even the best debt consolidation program can't be of any help if you keep falling into debt continuously. That's why debt consolidation counseling would be helpful to educate you on the weak points of your financial handling and prevent you from potential debt trap. It will keep you alert on any potential financial crisis and get you more prepared for future so that you continue stay out of debt.

During the debt consolidation counseling, the debt counselor will get to understand your current financial situation. He will ask you a lot of personal questions like the current state of your debt, how far you are behind on your payment, your incomes and spending budget for each month. It is very important that you let him know the truth of your debt situation so that he can give you the necessary advices based on your financial facts.

The debt counselor will advise and point out your financial weak points, create a budget and help you to help yourself to learn how to live on your income. Through the debt consolidation counseling, you will be able to learn some important financial planning skills and how to break your bad spending habits. You will learn up how you can consolidate your high interest credit card debts with a consolidation loan that has lower interest rate and end up with only one monthly payment. In order to be able to effectively resolve your debt issue, you need to put into a plan that is easy to manage so that you are on track in making payments; combining all your debts into one is a good decision. Often counselors also act as intermediaries between you and your creditors, getting easier repayment terms for you.

There are many companies offers debt consolidation counseling services and often this service is free. You will only be charged if you decide to enroll into any of their debt consolidation program. So, you can make use of this free service to have better understanding on your debts.

In Summary
With debt consolidation counseling, you can be saved from the trauma of the crisis that you are undergoing. It allows you to weigh all the pros and cons of your situation well and with professional help. Hence, if you have credit card debt need debt consolidation counseling and start to handle your debts as early as possible before the situation goes worst.

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Credit Hell : How to Dig Out of Debt by Howard S. Dvorkin
If you want to dig yourself out of debt and stay out of debt in the future, pick up Credit Hell and discover the best way to regain control of your financial life.

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Thursday, July 26, 2007

Easing Your Debt Worries & Get You Out of Debt

Throwing money at you're debt is like going on a crash diet. If you don't plan well you may end up back ware you were or even in more debt. Here are some good questions to ask you're self before you start planning.

  • How many credit card accounts do you have?
  • What is the interest rate on each card?
  • Which one do you owe the most?
  • How long has the account been open?

The next step is to figure out a manageable plain that will get you out of debt. You may want to look into some of the financial software packages such as Microsoft money or Quicken.

You should pay off the card with highest interest rate first, or a debts that are delinquent or about to be written off. After you have paid off the one with the most interest then go to the next highest, and so on. If you want to have the good feeling that comes from success, pay off a card with a low balance. The good feeling you get from getting out form one debt may just give you the motivation to take care of the rest of you debt.

Reduce the amount of interest you pay.
Most credit cards have an interest rate of 16% to 20%. This is where you're money in going.- You can negotiate with your creditors. If you have had a credit card for a couple of years call the company and ask for a lower rate. They may give it to you just for being a loyal customer. You may be able to bring down you're interest rate to 11% or 12%. Sometimes it's just as easy as asking. If the company is unwilling to lower you're interest rate today ask them at what point they will lower it. You maybe able to work that goal into you're plan.

Consolidate debt
Once you know what the interest rate is and how much you owe for each of your cards, and you have gotten the best rate you can, the Next step to consider is combining your debts. You should try to place your debt onto the cards with the lowest interest rates. This can save you a lot of money. All you have to do is call the credit card company and ask how to transfer funds. Be carefully of offers to transfer balances at low rates to new cards. In most cases the low rate only lasts for a short period of time and then you back to where you started from.

Always pay more than the minimum
The credit card companies are not being nice by letting you pay a small minimum payment. The minimum payment is designed to extend your payments for as long as possible so they can make the maximum amount of money from you. If you only pay the minimum payment you maybe paying for those new shoes years after they have worn out.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Is Debt Consolidation A Good Idea?

If you have lots of debt, consolidation may save you time and money. Depending on your financial situation, there may be a solution that's right for you.

When you're struggling with lots of debt, debt consolidation may be an attractive solution. This term refers to combining your debts into one, and making one monthly payment to one creditor instead of making multiple payments to many creditors. You might even get out of debt faster and save money along the way. Debt consolidation comes in several forms, including credit counseling, balance transfers, and debt consolidation loans, so review your options carefully before making a decision.

Credit Counseling
When you're experiencing financial distress, these companies, also referred to as debt management companies, work with your creditors to restructure your unsecured debt. Through a debt relief plan, you make one monthly payment to them, and they pay your creditors. Companies that offer credit counseling do not loan you money. Instead, they negotiate with your current creditors to get you debt relief. Debt relief plans offer many benefits that may help you get a handle on your unsecured debts, such as:

  • Lowered monthly payments
  • Reduced or eliminated interest rates
  • Eliminated late fees
  • Accounts brought current (re-aging your account)

Balance Transfers
Transferring debt from a higher interest rate credit card to one with a lower rate can save you money. If you have a credit card with a low interest rate, you might consider transferring the balance from a high-rate credit card to the lower rate one. Or, you might apply for a new credit card with a lower interest rate. Be careful about introductory rates, also called teaser rates. Make sure you know what rate will be in effect after the first couple of months. If it's too high, this option may not be your best choice.

More About Teaser Interest Rates
Read the small print about credit card teaser rates. Teaser rates are often used to entice you to transfer a balance. Be sure to consider the following before you fill out the application:

  • Introductory rates typically last a short period of time
    • While some may last up to a year, it's not uncommon for the low introductory rate to expire after three or six months. After the introductory period is over, the interest rate will increase, sometimes to a very high rate.
  • The credit limit may not be high enough
    • Companies that offer balance transfers may not give you enough credit to transfer all of your debt. You'll be paying part of your debt at the original higher interest rate and part of it at the lower introductory rate.
  • There may be a balance transfer fee
    • Be sure to find out if there is a balance transfer fee and how much it is.

Debt Consolidation Loan
You can apply for a debt consolidation loan at most financial institutions, like banks, credit unions, and finance companies. There are two types of loans:

  • Unsecured - no collateral is required
  • Secured - collateral is required

Unsecured loans are commonly referred to as personal or signature loans. Examples of a secured loan include a home equity loan or a second mortgage since your home is used as collateral.

Is a Debt Consolidation Loan for You?
When you consolidate your existing debt and pay it off with a debt consolidation loan, you are trading several debts for a single debt. Even though you still have the same amount of debt, you may find this beneficial if you:

  • Get a loan with a lower interest rate than the rate(s) you are paying on your existing debts
    • This could save you money during the life of the loan depending on the term and amount of monthly payment. Don't forget to do your homework when investigating interest rates and monthly payments. A small difference can impact you greatly. For example:

                                                    Credit Card               Loan
Balance                                          $5,000.00              $5,000.00
Minimum Monthly Payment              $100.00                $140.00
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)         18%                     15%

Payoff Timeframe                   39 Years and 4 Months    4 Years

Total Amount Paid                         $18,396.67            $6,664.59

Total Interest Paid                         $13,393.67           $11,664.59

In this example, switching from a revolving credit card debt with 18% interest to an installment loan with 15% interest, and only increasing your monthly payment by $40, saves you over $12,000 in interest payments.

  • Close your credit card accounts
    • Paying off multiple credit cards with a debt consolidation loan may be a good idea, but be careful about racking up more debt on the open accounts. Think about keeping one account open for an emergency and closing the others. Not only will that ensure you're not tempted to charge additional items, it'll also look good to future lenders who review your credit report.

Be Careful with Finance Companies
If you're having difficulty getting a loan from a bank or a credit union because you have too much debt or a negative credit history, you may be able to get a loan from a finance company. Be careful if you decide to use finance companies. While finance companies typically make it easier for you to get a loan, there are things you should know, including:

  • Interest rates are often high
    • Higher interest rates typically mean a higher amount paid over the course of the loan.
  • Loan term may be lengthy
    • The longer length of the loan results in lower monthly payments, but it causes you to pay more interest.
  • Other fees may be present
    • It's not uncommon for finance companies to charge application or processing fees.
  • Future creditors may not look favorably on your credit profile
    • Even if your credit rating is good, potential creditors may perceive you as a bad risk if they see a finance company among your listed creditors. Since most people use finance companies if they don't qualify for a loan from a bank or a credit union, creditors may think you've had financial problems in the past.

If you're thinking about consolidating your debt, consider the pros and cons for your situation. Remember to shop carefully and compare costs. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has several articles for consumers in debt, including Knee Deep in Debt and For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List.

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Monday, July 23, 2007

Debt Help & Financial Problem

No matter how hard we try, sometimes we find ourselves in serious financial trouble because of our debts. This happens often to young people who don’t understand the concept of buying only what they need or who don’t take consider any possibility of a change in income that may affect their ability to pay their bills.

It can be something as simple as an increase in rent, electric, car insurance, or gasoline that can put you over the edge financially if you are already on the borderline.

What kind of help is available when you find that your debts are beginning to be unmanageable?

One of the first things you should do when you find out that your debts are beginning to create havoc with your budget is to cancel your credit cards – at the very least, remove them from your wallet or purse and do not use them any more until you get your finances back in control.

If you recognize the signs early enough, you will be able to make some concessions and get yourself back on the right track. It may mean staying home a little more for awhile, taking your lunch to work, eating breakfast and dinner at home, and learning to grocery shop on a budget.

On the other hand, if you don’t realize in enough time that your debts are out of control, you may be forced to obtain debt relief from a debt management company.

Depending on the company, they may require that you cut up your credit cards and cancel them during the course of the program.

On the positive side, they can negotiate for a lower interest rate, some eliminate your interest rate completely, allowing you to pay off the balance in a much shorter period that you would have been able to do otherwise.

Do be careful with this type of an arrangement because if the company you choose decides to work out a settlement with the creditor without your knowledge, you will find that it has the same effect on your credit score as a bankruptcy.

You can usually preserve your credit if you’re making payments unless you fell behind before the agreement was initiated. In addition, since there is a reduction in the original interest rate, that will automatically make the minimum payments lower on credit cards.

If you have other debts as well, you will need to make some inquiries, because not all debt management companies handle secured debt or debt other than that of credit cards

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Unlock Your Debt Problem with Debt Management Solutions

Today one out of three people is facing the problem in setting off the debts. By taking into account these problems, the financial market has designed various packages that tend to solve the problem of people facing the serious debt problem. These solutions have been designed in such a manner that it simplifies the process of managing the debts. The solutions to the debt problems come in different forms, depending on the needs and condition of the debtor. Some of them are debt consolidation loan, debt consolidation mortgage, debt consolidation remortgage, or IVA etc. Though there are different ways but the destination of all is the same, i.e. managing the debts.

Is there any need for consulting the debt or credit counselor? Before you finalize a way to consolidate your debt you must be sure that your debt solution is best for you. Because after choosing and undergoing all the formalities you cant change your mind. So it’s better to take an advice from the credit or debt counselor. As they are experienced and professional in this field so they can provide an expert advice to the debtor. The debt counselor takes into account various factors such as your debts, your earnings and various other factors before giving any suggestion or advice to the person facing the debt problem. So make sure you consult the debt counselor before choosing from various alternatives to manage your debts.

Debt management services are provided by the number of debt management companies. These debts management companies hand over your debts to another company. Then that company, on your behalf, negotiates with your creditor and makes the lump sum payment to him. But the person should not blindly trust these debt management companies. Though it is a good idea to consolidate or manage ones debts, but sometimes they can leave you to an even worst position than before. So, the debtor should keep an eye on the work done by these types of companies.

Debt management companies and their various programs let the person to consolidate his debts through single manageable loan, which in turn reduces his monthly installment. But it has been generally seen that these companies charge very high amount and interest for various debt management programmes. As the a result of which the size of debt increases. And you may feel more pressurized under your debts. Therefore before choosing any debt management program the person must also understand all the various costs involved in it..

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How Business Debt Management Help Your Business Flourish

Business is all about ups and downs and many a times there is blockage in the flow of income. There can be many reasons because of which your business is not making predicted profit. It happens so in the case that the business is in the initial phase of expansion or the customers are not paying bills at proper time. Whatever may be the exact cause, the assets don’t prove to be enough for paying off the bills and the business debts start accumulating. In the worst case, being the head of a business firm, you start spending hours in exploring the way outs to pay off the debts. The precious time that you should spend with your customer, you start managing the things and the situation becomes quite uncomfortable.

When you feel yourself trapped in the vicious circle of debts it’s better to go for business debt management without thinking anymore. When a customer adopts for business debt management, the first stage is to approach a Credit Counseling Agency (CCA). The debt management plan is a sort of mutual agreement between the borrower and a CCA. Business debt management program is quite flexible in its terms and conditions. From the point of view of the customers this plan is quite lucrative as there is no such contract involved. A customer has got liberty to modulate the repayments according to fluctuation in his/her income.

The most advantageous point with a business debt management plan is that if the client feels comfortable in repaying all or some portion of debt he can exactly do so. For this the debt management companies will negotiate over full or partial settlement with your creditors. What a customer is exactly supposed to do before entering into a debt management plan is to manage your income and expenditure. Afterwards a customer is just supposed to pay a fixed monthly installment to the debt management company.

In a nutshell, business debt management is appropriate for the business firms which are not running smoothly. In turn the debt management companies are paid a fee to provide the consultancy. The choice of the agency has a long term effect so just be careful in making your opinion. Just opt for business debt management and take your business to a new high!

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Credit Card Debt Management - Instant Debts Settle

With the invention of credit card life has become easier because individuals can now meet ends without paying immediately or instantly. The bankers or financial institution pays on behalf of the credit card holder to the dealer or store owners and the user in-turn repay to the institution within the stipulated date. Such credit card debt related issues are no more irritating as credit card debt management are available to dissolve or consolidate the debts by offering services at low cost.

Credit card debt management introduce policies which are really worth giving and rewarding for the debtors as they paves a way and empowers tem with finance to combat or settle debts in a convenient way. The miscellaneous debts can be deducted with the help of such management services in a single loan. The credit card debts carry a high rate of interest and to repay it for a long duration might create financial challenges. Thus, in such situation, credit card debt management acts as a friend in need and assists to stabilize the credit score from being badly affected. The agility of services by reputed lenders can also make it possible to get finance at low rate of interest which means the monthly installment burdens will become less burdensome.

If you have a hectic schedule and no time to visit the lenders office individually then switch on to the webpage of the credit card debt management. By clicking the online you will come across numerous institutions who offer credit card debt management under different names and labels viz. credit card debt management services, credit card debt management advice, credit card debt consolidation and so on. The objectives of such management services are committed to consolidation of credit cards but the offers vary from one to another.

Credit card debt management can be availed even the debtor have bad or adverse credit score by opting for any from secured and unsecured. This classification is introduced so that persons from every financial community can subscribe the services and mange their debts. So, credit card debt management with its services creates every opportunity to retain your smile

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Saturday, July 21, 2007

How Commercial Debt Reduction Companies Work?

Don't stress it - commercial debt reduction companies are proven authorities in debt negotiation to reduce your commercial debt in the best way possible for you, especially when you're least interested in the worst alternatives like Chapter 11.

The best debt negotiation companies are there for your small business or medium-sized company - the size of the companies involved is never an issue to these debt negotiation professionals. The heart of the matter is debt reduction to take your commercial debt through rough patches including recession that creates those limited dry spells in your cash flow.

Debt Negotiation Will Reduce Your Debt And Save Thousands Off Your Commercial Debt!

You know what's best for your business or companies - and debt reduction companies know best how to get your business back on track. Companies across the country have chosen a debt reduction program to effectively structure their commercial debt.

Your debts can seem like an insurmountable obligation - and the most frustrating thing with commercial debt is that as hard as you work to succeed, your supplier companies demanding payment - or even larger factors like a bad economy - create bad credit issues that can be completely out of your control.

You know you offer one of the best products or services in the marketplace, and all you need to do is reduce your commercial debt, re-establish your credit rating and get your business back on track.
Debt reduction companies understand your hard work and best efforts, so you can depend on qualified counselors, CPA and legal pros in debt negotiation and debt reduction to put your debts on the firing block.

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Become Debt Free & Gain Your Financial Independence

If you are like most Americans, you are probably drowning in debt. In fact, recent data indicates that the average American is currently drowning in more than $9,000 worth of credit card debt. Even if you are one of the lucky few to be in a below average amount of debt, any debt is too much. The longer you are in debt, the more money you lose in finance charges. Therefore, becoming debt free should be at the top of your priority list - no matter how much debt you are in.

In order to become debt free, you need to first take control of the debt you already have. To take control, you might need to consolidate your debt onto one card. By transferring your debt to one card, you can effectively lower your interest rate and reduce the amount of finance charges you pay each month.

When it comes to consolidating your loans, it is better to avoid transferring your credit card debt to a home equity loan. Although home equity loans offer lower interest rates, you are putting your home up for collateral if you default on the loan. By keeping the debt on credit cards, you don't have to worry about losing your home if you fail to make your payments. So, unless you are absolutely certain you will be able to make the payments, you should keep the debt on your credit cards.

Simply transferring your debt from many cards to one is not the only step it takes to becoming debt free. After all, it doesn't matter what your interest rates are if you just keep adding to your debt. The first step in budgeting is to sit down and take a look at your current financial situation.

Monitor your spending habits for a month to see where your money is going. You may be surprised to find that you are spending a substantial amount of money on things that you really don't need. Cutting out that $3 cup of coffee each day, for example, can save you $90 per month. If you can make it by without that cup, or if you can make your own coffee in the morning, you can apply that money toward your credit card and begin the process of becoming debt free.

Once you have determined the things that you need and the things that you don't need, create a budget that will allow you to pay all of your bills on time. Then, plan on sending the remaining money to your credit card every month to pay off your debt. And, if you happen to come into some extra money, such as in the form of a bonus from work, send that to your card as well. Strive to pay more than just the minimum monthly payment each month and, before you know it, you will be debt free and financially independent again!

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Friday, July 20, 2007

An Effective Way to Manage Debt Consolidation Loans

If you are having problems with monthly repayments on credit cards, loans and other debts, it might be worth considering a debt consolidation loan. These loans are designed to help people caught in the vicious cycle of ever rising debts, simplify and reduce their monthly debt repayments and to get out of debt.

If your debt just seems to keep growing and you would like to see it decreasing, it is best to take action and develop a debt management strategy. The first place to start is to consolidate your debts into one place, at a lower rate of interest. This will reduce your monthly payments and will allow you to pay off your debts quicker.

What can debt consolidation loans offer to you if you are struggling under a mountain of debt? Debt consolidation loans allow you to pay off all of your existing debts, such as credit cards and personal loans that are attracting a high rate of interest. Often what happens is that a borrower takes loans as and when the need arises through easily available borrowing like credit cards or store cards. This is where the trouble starts. With the current ease of obtaining credit and store cards with large borrowing facilities, it is easy to get into debt quickly.

If you are looking to sort out your debt problems using a debt consolidation loan, you need to be looking for a loan that comes at a cheaper rate of interest compared to your current credit cards and loans. If you can afford it, you want a loan that covers all of your outstanding debt. Then you can consolidate the debt by paying off the high interest borrowing into a single debt.

By reducing the number of payments, your finances will be much easier to manage. You will also be paying a lower level of interest than the combined interest payments of higher interest credit card and store card borrowing. If you are committed to reducing your debt, you can use these savings to pay off the original loan amount, helping you get out of debt more quickly.

Debt consolidation loans
C
an be secured or unsecured. Secured debt consolidation loans require you to use your property as collateral. Secured debt consolidation loans, generally allow you to borrow a larger amount at lower interest rates and to pay back the loan over a longer period. You need to be aware that your property will be at risk if you don’t keep up payments, so always make sure you are borrowing what you can afford.

Unsecured debt consolidation loans
Flexible and available to people who don’t own their own property. Unsecured debt consolidation loans are generally quick to get because they don’t require the time consuming valuation process associated with secured loans. However, they come at higher rates of interest with shorter repayment periods.

There is no doubt, that if you want to reduce your monthly debt payments and manage your debts more efficiently, you should consider a debt consolidation loan.

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Key to Success: Organizing Your Debt

The staggering amount of revolving debt in this country affects everybody, but what can be done about it? The total countrywide credit card debt amounts to over $7000 for each man, woman and child in the country. Recent statistics from the Federal Reserve, the agency that keeps track of money in the United States, shows that Consumers owe more than two trillion dollars on their bank cards.

Here are several suggestions that should help you get a head start on managing your debts:

Organize your bills - Take stock of every credit card or other revolving obligation that you have.  List your debts  according to the interest rate, from highest to lowest, and make a note of how much you owe on each one.  Knowing the rate of interest on your debts is important; it signifies the cost of continuing to owe money to that creditor in particular.  You want to pay down your debt by clearing off the loan with the steepest rate as soon as possible.  Pay as much as possible to the lender with the highest rate and make minimum monthly payments to the others.  When the highest interest debt is gone, repeat with the next one on the list.

Discuss lower interest rates - Call your creditors and ask them if they will lower your interest rate.  It is costly for credit card companies to find new customers; they would much prefer to keep you than have to replace you.  A few bank card issuers will occasionally agree to lower interest rates for their customers who are in good standing.  If they agree to reduce your interest rate, you will save a bit of money.  Be sure to keep paying in a timely manner, or they may increase your interest rate again.

Pay cash when you can - It's effortless to use a charge card; much easier than paying cash.  Start a habit of writing a check or paying with cash instead of reflexively pulling out the credit card. Think about not spending money at all if you cannot really afford it.  Keep in mind, a charge card purchase is borrowed money, not a gift.  Use your credit cards wisely, and if you cannot do that, don't use them at all.

A large part of the battle for financial freedom is getting organized.  In order to get your finances in order, you need to organize them, minimize expenses when possible and make sure that you stay out of trouble in the future.  Financial freedom is difficult work, but well worth it.

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Thursday, July 19, 2007

How The Debt Problem Get Started?

Excessive debt can be very stressful and weigh heavily on your mind. It not just creates tension to you but it will affect your family's quality of life. Ignoring phone calls and letters from collection agencies won't help to get your debt issue resolve. The only way to get out of your debt problem is to face it and find a debt solution to tackle the issue and relief yourself from this horrible debt trap. The reality is your debt that piled up to mountain high is not going to disappear overnight. There are ways to effectively manage your debt repayment but it requires a lot of patience and commitment. Get to know the potential root cause of debt problem will help you to avoid it and more prepare to face it if it's happen to you.

Debt won't create any trouble if it is within your control but it will becomes problematic with it begins to control you. Your debt will begin to take control of you when you fail to make your payments on time. And when you continue to ignore it, it's power grow every day by adding interest into your debt and the more power it has, the more stressful you will feel it.

First thing, ask yourself why you are in this bad situation. There are many reasons that may cause you to trap in this financial crisis. Among the common reasons:

1. Poor Money Management
You spend your money without tracking where your money goes and you spend more that what you earn; When the bills come, you pay only the minimum amount due on your line credit and when you have not enough money to meet the minimum due amount, you borrow more money by applying more personal loans and you continue to pay minimum for all you loans. In additional to this, interests are added more and more into your existing balances. This is how your debt is rolling to a big debt ball. Poor money management is usually is the key factor that cause the excess debt problem.

2. Unexpected Life Events
Unexpected life events can drag you into debt trap in short period of time. The sudden death of spouse who is the key living earner for the family, housewife that get divorce or separation, unforeseen medical bills due to critical illness or being laid off from you job are among the potential life events that can gives you a surprise. If you do not have emergency fund to prepare for any unforeseen life events, you will charge everything that need money to your credit cards and borrow more loans to cover for any shortages. If your financial situation is not recover fast enough to repay your loans and credit cards debts, your debt nightmare will get started with harassing creditors phone calls, red envelope letters from collection agencies and follow by others more dramatic actions from collection agencies.

3. Compulsive behavior
Gambling, drugs and alcohol addictions may cause you to spend more money that you have and lose the control of your money totally. It will be difficult to make any headway on reducing excessive debt if the addictive behavior is not addressed with the help of a professional.

Summary
Excessive debt issue can happen to anyone who is not ready to handle it. Get to know how's potential root causes of debt problems will help you to avoid it with your best of efforts and when it happen to you, face it bravely at early stage so that you have better chances to solve it fast.

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Planning for Debt Consolidation

Don't just jump into a debt consolidation deal because you owe too much. The loan may save you a bit now but cost you more later.

Millions of people owe more money than they should.  The amount of money held by Americans isn't really surprising; no one saves money anymore.  A great deal of the staggering debt in this country is tied up in credit card balances.  Credit card debt is especially expensive, as the rates of interest charged on account balances are much higher than for other varieties of debt.  One often-suggested solution to the problem of having too much or too many debts is to consolidate them.  Is consolidation of debt a wise idea?  Is it the cheap solution that all of the companies that promote it really suggest?

Consolidation of your debt, on its surface, appears to be a wise move.  The average borrower has nearly ten thousand dollars worth of debt, but that debt is often shared among a number of different charge cards.  Each card has its own due date, interest rate and minimum monthly payment.  Each and every month, the consumer must write checks to every one of his or her lenders or creditors.  Debt consolidation organizations ease this process by providing a single loan for an amount sufficient to cover the balances of all of the debtor's outstanding debts.  The debtor then needs to write only one check each month instead of many.  If the debt consolidation loan is collateral-backed, as with a home equity loan or line of credit, the interest rate will be much lower than the rates charged by the loans the new loan replaces.  As such, the consumer can frequently pay less money each month than he was paying previously.

Sometimes, consolidating debt seems right.  Each borrower should carefully look over the figures involved before giving in to pressure from a debt consolidation company.  Of course, replacing several high-interest loans with a single, low-interest loan is appealing, but that doesn't tell the entire story. The real question is "How much will I repay in total?"  A lot of firms promote reduced payments, but those lower monthly payments are frequently achieved by extending the duration of the loan.  If you have credit card balances that you might be able to repay in five years, and you replace them with a home loan with a twenty-five year life, you might actually end up repaying more money in the end, even with a lower interest rate. 

From time to time, what appears to be a great idea is not a good idea upon closer examination.  If you aren't sure whether or not a debt consolidation loan is ideal for you, talk this over with a professional financial advisor.

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Debt Consolidation Loan - Your Best Bet

Debt consolidation loans are a great way to get your finances more organized. If you are someone who has just finished college, then this type of loan might be something worthwhile to look at. As most of us know, financing a college education is never easy, nor cheap. Some of us are very blessed to receive financial help from parents and/or other family members, but most of the time; college is something that we have to finance ourselves. This can be a hard task to accomplish, but fortunately, the government and college or university you attend can be helpful with suggesting how to get the education you need and deserve.

Often times the education we want comes with a price tag. Many of us have to take out loans to provide funds for our education. Though we don't like having to pay money in the long run, loans have helped out significantly to make our higher education a reality. This is where a debt consolidation loan comes in handy. If you have just completed your degree, you are getting ready to pay back your student loans. Because of the way schools are going up in tuition and tacked on fees you might not have realized were there, you are having to pay a lot of money out of pocket. Maybe this isn't what you had anticipated what student loans would look like. You need help and you need it fast. A debt consolidation loan can be your best bet, especially if you have multiple loans.

Debt consolidation loan centers exist to provide you with the best way to pay back your student loans. Maybe you started getting mail from companies offering you lower payments and interests rates. These scenarios sound familiar? Maybe it would be worth calling and checking to see if these financial services are legit. There's nothing to lose except maybe a few hundred dollars a year when you decide to go with a debt consolidation loan that allows you the freedom to pocket that money instead of paying it to a financial institution. Think about it, what would you rather have-high student loan bills with outrageous interest rates or a loan that is looking to save you money?

Research debt consolidation loans today. If you are still in school and looking to make better preparations for your future, ask whether or not this would be a good financial option for your future. Talk to your financial aid director about debt consolidation loans and how the process works. Good luck!

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Deal with Stress of Credit Card Debt

In all the technical discussion you hear about credit card debt, the best ways to manage it and pay it off and all the rest, one thing goes largely ignored. Credit card debt is extremely stressful, and can have a very negative effect on your life, if you let it. It's as bad as an addiction, always hanging over you, bringing you down, making it hard to life your life the way you want to. In this article, we'll take a look at how you can recognize debt stress, and what you can do about it.

The Symptoms of Debt Stress.
There are an awful lot of symptoms that can be caused by stress. Some of the most common ones are: headaches, not being able to sleep, feeling depressed and irritable, and being forgetful and unable to concentrate on what you're doing. If you're not sure whether your symptoms are related to stress or something else, you should go and see a doctor.

Who Gets It?
Almost everyone who has debts is stressed about them. Debt is blamed for millions of days off work every year, and is one of the leading causes of suicide - it seems like most times you read about someone who has committed suicide, their name is followed by "who owed [a very large amount] in debts". Students and graduates are especially vulnerable, as debt is growing amongst them faster than in any other group. The average adult owes many thousands in debts - and since that's the average, it means that many people must owe much more. Never forget that you're not alone, and there's always someone worse off than you.

How to Deal With It.
Stress caused by debts is often considered to be embarrassing, or shameful. People with lots of debts don't want to talk about it, even with their family, for fear of upsetting people or looking like a failure. It is very important, though, that you do talk about your problems, as keeping it all inside yourself will make you much, much more stressed. It is especially important that you talk to your partner - they are the number one person who can support you.

The best thing to do then is to find two people: one who can advise you, and one who can be a counselor. That means a professional who knows what they're doing in financial matters, as well as a psychologist or psychiatrist, or some other kind of counselor. Don't let stigmas put you off - this is about your health.

The next thing to do is to have a good think about how you got that debt to begin with. See if you can find old credit card statements. What did you spend the money on? You need to sit down, work out a budget, cut unnecessary expenses and try to free up as much money as you can to pay back debts. Even if it'll be a long time before you get everything paid off, knowing that your debt is gradually going downwards can be an excellent cure for debt stress.

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On-line Debt Consolidation: A Faster Way to Get Control Over Your Finances

If mounting debts have made your life miserable and you are looking out for an effective way to get out of the same, online debt consolidation services can be an ideal answer for you. By using these debt consolidation services, you get an excellent opportunity to transfer all your debt related worries to the debt consolidation company. These companies help you by consolidation of all your loans and dues into one convenient and affordable monthly repayment.

Once you choose to go for debt relief through a specific debt consolidation program, you no more require dealing with your creditors or their harassing collection calls, which have made your life miserable.

The greatest advantage of online debt consolidation services is that you can apply online right from the comfort and convenience of your home and office anywhere and anytime. This way, you do not only take a prudent step towards a debt free financial life, but you also save substantial time and money, not to talk of a stress free life which follows as a natural corollary.

Door To Ultimate Debt Relief
Online debt consolidation services have been specifically designed for people who have caught themselves in the nasty trap of debts and now find it difficult to get out of it. These online services bring an effective solution for those people. When you decide to go for these services, you get all your debts merged into one, resulting in a single consolidated monthly installment. Another good thing is that these programs also help in reduction of interest rate on your existing debts.

What is more, you also get a much longer period to repay the debts. This way, you get more time to manage your debts and finances and the overall amount you pay each month is much lower than you used to pay in individual monthly installments to individual creditors. Moreover, when you choose to go for the free debt consolidation help from a non-profit company, you end up having only one creditor to pay off instead of facing harassing collection calls from multiple creditors. These non-profit companies also offer you free counseling and budget planning services so that you do not fall in the debt trap again.

Overall, when it comes to dealing with debts when all other doors are closed, look no further than online debt consolidation services. This ultimate financial tool can pull you out of the nasty debt trap in no time. The first step to avail this service is to get a free online debt consolidation quote. This will help you judge which services are better for you based on your specfic debt and financial situation.
These debt consolidation services even help you improve your credit rating and save you from the debt trap before you decide to file bankruptcy. Last, but not the least, when you decide to go for the online debt consolidation services, you are very much likely to get a quick approval.

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Debt Consolidation Refinance to Pay Off Debt

For the vast majority of people living with too much debt is a burden that threatens the very foundation of their financial lives. Many financial experts like to distinguish between good and bad debt, but when there is too much of both it all seems bad no matter how you look at it. It all has to be paid no matter how good or how bad it may be. If this is you then a debt consolidation refinance loan may be the best way to get some relief.

If you are swimming in a pool full of debt that includes credit cards, car payments or medical bills it may be worth looking at some form of debt consolidation loan. This type of loan has become very popular in recent years because of the ability to take all your monthly payments and roll them into one payment at a significantly lower interest rate. The nice thing about this type of loan is that the interest is deductible on your income taxes.

The easiest way to do a debt consolidation refinance loan is to borrow money against the equity built up in your home. Your equity is value of your home minus any outstanding mortgage or second mortgage you may owe on it. This is important to remember because you are using your home as collateral so it's imperative that you are sure that you can meet the monthly payments. You can use this equity to pay off any high-interest credit cards and lower your monthly payments at a lower interest rate.

But, and this is a very big but, you need to destroy all your credit cards and cancel the accounts if you do this. The temptation to start using them again is more then most people can handle and if you are not careful and rack up more credit card debt you may be in even worse financial shape. And if you default on your home equity loan the lender can foreclose and seize your home to recoup the cost of the loan. It is important to use a debt consolidation refinance loan as part of an overall program to get out of debt and stay out of debt.

Typically the interest rate you will pay on a debt consolidation loan is much less then on credit cards or other types of loans you may have. This is the main reason that these types of loans are so popular. With a lower rate more of your money can go towards paying the principal getting you debt free in a shorter amount of time.

Getting out of debt should be a priority for everyone. Debt is debt and the more you have the greater your chance of never experiencing true financial freedom. With that being said doing a debt consolidation refinance can be a good starting point for getting your finances under control to a point where you can breath easier and start building a brighter financial future.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Ideas for Debt Negotiation

If you're in a really bad situation, and you just can't even make your minimum payments this month, don't worry. You can negotiate your debts, and pay back much less than you owe - as long as they get their debt plus interest in the end, no-one is expecting you to pay the full amount when you just can't afford to. Settling your debts takes a lot of time, and many people find it intimidating. If you do it right, though, you'll be surprised at how kind your creditors (that is, the people you owe money to) can be.

Close My Account.
It might feel bad, but if you can't afford to pay that credit card, you'll have to close the account - that means you can't borrow any more money with that card. To close the account, you'll have to negotiate something called a 'payment plan'. A payment plan turns your credit card debt into a plain old loan. The company might take as much as 50% off the amount that you need to pay back. It might seem strange, but they're happy you're paying at all - there are plenty of people who just don't pay and have to be chased, costing their creditors time and money. They'd rather hear from you if you're having trouble, so don't bury your head in the sand.
It's in your creditors' best interest to take whatever you can offer them, within reason. Their alternatives are lengthy court proceedings, or paying collection agencies to come round and intimidate you. They know that your offer will probably be the only offer you make before you do something more extreme that could result in them never getting any money back.

Do It in a Letter.
Phoning companies to ask to negotiate your debts isn't a good idea - it's too easy to get flustered and say the wrong thing. They're professional negotiators, and you're not. You need the advantage of having time to think, which is why you should always negotiate with them by post. Getting it in writing also means that you can hold them to what they say later on. Here's a sample letter:

"Dear Sir or Madam,
I regret to inform you that I can no longer afford to make my minimum payments of $100 per month on my credit card account with you (account number 111-222-333). I would like to request the closure of my account, followed by the settlement of the debt on a monthly payment plan. Please advise what kind of terms I could expect from such a plan.

Yours faithfully..."

The Damage to Your Credit Report.
You will rarely be able to negotiate over your debts without doing some damage to your credit report. If you're willing to pay a bigger percentage of the debt, though, you might be able to persuade the creditor to say that it was paid off to their satisfaction, instead of recording that they accepted less than they wanted. It's up to you just how much you feel your credit report is worth - if you're planning on getting a big loan anytime soon, this could be something to consider.

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Debt Management vs. Bankruptcy

Debt management. To be sure, the phrase has been in use for some time now and the Federal Trade Commission reports that there is a fast growing area of complaint involving the so-called Credit Management or Debt Management industry. But what is debt management anyway? And why do people consider it as
either potentially lucrative or downright hazardous path to follow?

Introduction
The term debt management is actually an umbrella for a large group of debt-environment functions and activities. Debt management involves one or all of the following: debt reduction, consolidation, negotiation, settlement, bankruptcy, credit repair clinics, and even deciphering credit reports. To have some inkling as to what debt management really is, let's first define these few terms:

  • Credit Repair Clinics - These are services offered by institutions that are said to help you fix your credit. Nolo Press and other notable consumer groups for debt management issues strongly advise against credit repair clinics. They say that a lot of these clinics are illegal. Some of their actions include stealing the credit files of folks under the age of 18 or the credit files of those who have died or live in far away places. Some have also been said to break into credit bureaus and change files. Still, others suggest you to start a new IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) which is illegal
    and prevents you from earning Social Security benefits. But the bottom line of these so-called debt management operations is that they can't do anything that you can't do for yourself.
  • Deciphering Credit Reports - It can be a bit intimidating trying to study credit reports. However, if you take it slowly, you can get through it. Debt management involves some bit of understanding of credit and credit reports. If you want to correct your credit, then you need to understand it first.
  • Debt Reduction - Debt reduction is just that - reducing your debt. This is perhaps the most logical way to manage your debt. Reduce your debt so you'll have little trouble with it.
  • Debt Settlement and Negotiating with Creditors Yourself - There's no doubt that debt management can be a daunting task. Although settling debts might be best relegated to professionals, there is still nothing like self-involvement.
Debt Management vs. Bankruptcy
The differences in impact between debt management and bankruptcy are debatable. Deciding which course of action is best for you can be very tricky. This is because there are so many factors involved and these are often dictated by external circumstances. In theory, we all know bankruptcy to be a method used by people when they are absolutely unable to repay their debts. However, we known that this is not always the case in reality. The idea therefore is to find out if it is a temporary or permanent problem. Then and only then can start deciding which is best: debt management or bankruptcy. Tony Forster has a keen interest in living debt free having been "up to his ears" before realizing the need to take control. He has compiled an online financial article resource at http://www.loan4payday.info

Did you learn something new? Are you ready to try and master a new Debt Group Management skill? If you have more questions, look around and ask. Probably one or more of our articles can help you.

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

Try these Things Before Filing for Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy is an extreme move, not a quick fix. It's a long, painful process with a huge stigma, and you're unlikely to be able to get any kind of credit for ten years afterwards. Yet bankruptcies are on the rise. Out of ignorance or stupidity, more and more people seem to be using bankruptcy as a first option, instead of a last resort. Before you do it, make sure you've considered every alternative.

Have You Reorganized Your Debt?
If you haven't tried debt consolidation or negotiation, you really should. Yes, you'll have to pay back your debts eventually, but surely that's better than bankruptcy, isn't it?

Sell Everything You Can.
It's better to sell everything you own than it is to go into bankruptcy. Move to a smaller house. Sell your cars and take the bus. Take a good, hard look at your life, and realize that there are very few true 'basics': you can do without almost everything. Your house is probably full of quite valuable things that you never use, so bite the bullet and get rid of them. In short, subtract your debt payments from your income, and live like someone who earns that much.
You are going to lose almost everything you own if you declare bankruptcy, so you might as well try to sell it yourself at a better price and avoid the bankruptcy issue altogether.

Work More.
If you can get extra hours, do it. Being bankrupt is such an indignity that you should at least try going to your boss and asking for a pay rise or promotion. After all, the worst they can do is say no. They're going to find out about it anyway if you declare bankruptcy, and they might wonder why you didn't come and ask for their help. Also, if you're married and only one of you works, try to get the other a job - you never know, it might even be fun!

Use the Power of Threats.
One of the best things to do when you're considering bankruptcy is to write a letter to absolutely everyone you owe money to, letting them know. Make it a very clear threat: "if I cannot find a way of paying my debts then I will be forced to file for bankruptcy". Most creditors would rather let you pay back a tiny fraction of what you owe than have to try to get money out of a bankrupt.

Know Your Local Laws.
Bankruptcy laws vary enormously depending on where you are. There are some places where you'll be forced to give up everything you own to pay your creditors, some places where you at least get to keep your house, and some where you can declare yourself bankrupt and not even notice! Try to get a lawyer - you might think that you can't afford one, but many will work 'pro bono' (for free) for people who really need a lawyer but can't pay.

If you still cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel or if you are just looking for some advice on how to best remedy your situation you make want to seek out credit counseling.

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Debt Relief From Debt Consolidation

If you are up to your neck in debt, there may seem like there is no relief in sight. In fact this is not necessarily the truth. There are ways to take all of your stifling bills and roll them up into one neat package by using debt consolidation in two very popular forms Home Equity Loans, Refinancing Loans, and a Consolidation Credit Card. All of these instruments provide the debtor with one thing "relief" from the current debt by shrinking it down to a single manageable debt.

Using home equity to consolidate debts.
One of the popular methods of debt consolidation today is the Home Equity Loan. What happens is that the debt is extinguished using the equity from a homeowner's home. A loan is created outside of the mortgage in order to satisfy the debts. Should the homeowner default on the loan, their house is in jeopardy of being foreclosed upon if that loan is not satisfied with a specified amount of time.

Refinancing loans
People often consume the debt by rolling it into a new mortgage. This way the house costs more money to the borrower, but the debt is extinguished at close and the debt is neatly rolled away into the mortgage securely. Upon settlement of the loan, the debts are paid in full and satisfied. The clock on the mortgage is reset to day one.

Credit card consolidation
A low interest credit card is offered to the borrower to include any outstanding credit and loan balances. The interest rate is a low fixed rate for a period of up to one year, upon the year's end it will resume at its normal rate. Upon acceptance and terms the account should be closed once paid in full and payments be made directly to the new credit card provider. Some people have been able to master paying off one credit card with another to keep the debt revolving and interest rates low. Some people fail to close out the previous creditors account and run them back up again as well.
All three of these options provide solid relief for the debt and help them reconstruct and manage their debt better.

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Friday, July 13, 2007

Debt Consolidation Loans Online - Easy Choice For Debt Consolidation

Do you have trouble making your monthly payments? Or maybe your bills are piling up and out of control.

All those payments and interest rates over time can eat away at your finances.

Debt consolidation loans online works by paying off the individual creditors of non-secured consumer loans and credit cards. The solution can be as easy as a debt consolidation online loan.

Benefits:
By obtaining a low interest rate from one lender, you receive one affordable payment a month. This allows you to keep your credit rating in good standing and lessen the risk on your other assets. If creditors were attempting to collect on their bill, most consolidators will take over contact with them. This saves you the aggravation of collection agents on your back.

How it works:
There are two type of consolidation agencies; private debt consolidators and debt counseling professionals. They operate on the same principles, but the difference is there may be a small fee built into your monthly payment for the professional agencies. Private debt consolidators are non-profit credit counseling agencies that will assist consumers in the repayment of unsecured debt.

They will make you agree to a budget and they may have the option of managing your money. A certified credit advisor will contact your creditors and try to arrange interest rates and payments that are affordable. They have working relationships with these creditors and know how to get the best deal for you. The agency takes care of all the monthly debts and you pay a lower monthly fee.

The savings can be dramatic and lower monthly payments and interest considerably.

To keep you from going bankrupt in most cases, creditors will fund the cost of this program.

It's in their best interests to provide this service and they recoup most or a large part of your debt in the long run. The creditors also get to write of the losses as bad debt due to the non-profit nature of the counseling agency.

Debt consolidation loans online are a handy way of consolidating your non secured debt. As a benefit, the monthly payments will be lower than the costs before the consolidation. The minimum payment will depend on your credit rating for the most part.

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Friday, July 6, 2007

Get Tailor-Made Consolidation Plans Through Debt Consolidation Counseling

Debt consolidation counseling to a person, who is neck deep in debt and wants to take a loan to tide over it, is like giving a hand to a drowning man. Debt consolidation loan is usually taken by a person who has messed up his financial stability by regular delays and mismanagement of repaying a loan amount or by habitually missing the due date for bill payments. So can such a person be trusted to take the right decision when he takes a credit consolidation loan? Obviously not and therefore it is extremely important that anyone who wants to get the best debt consolidation program should go in for debt consolidation counseling.

Give Your Debt Burden To Consolidation Counselors And Relax

Debt consolidation counseling is just like any other counseling session where an expert of a particular subject or issue is brought in to act as advisor to those who seek relief. So just like you have a career counselor guiding confused students, in debt consolidation counseling, people with a bad credit rating are given structured guidance in choosing the right kind of debt consolidation loan. During the counseling, you will be apprised of the best debt consolidation program suited to your wallet. Complex interest rate structures and repayment modules are broken down into simple terms during the debt consolidation counseling.

After having a chat with these experts you will get a fair idea of the best debt consolidation program that suits your requirement with convenient repayment terms. For example, they will tell you about credit card debt consolidation, which is suited to those having a small amount of debt spread over a number of credit cards. In this program, you can transfer all your debts to one credit card. This makes it easier for you to pay the monthly installments as it gets consolidated to a single bill.

Other forms of consolidating your debts are the debt consolidation loans and debt management plan. There are pros and cons for each of these schemes which can be clarified only if you go for debt consolidation counseling. You can also do this online where you can also request for debt consolidation quotes. Usually a debt consolidation company does not charge you for the first time you seek their consultation. Getting a debt consolidation quote will enable you to not only decide on the consolidation plan that you want to take up but also short list the company with whom you want to partner for taking the loan.

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How To Get A Good Deal On Debt Consolidation

Get in there and haggle! What have you got to lose? For example, it is possible to get 25-50% off your credit-card debt, your credit-card account closed, and go on a payment plan instead.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you stipulate to your creditors they are not to report you to credit referencing agencies as being 'late' with your payments, if you re-negotiate for lower payments. Then your credit rating will be unaffected.

Take your time. Don't be too eager to settle. Hang the threat of your bankruptcy over their heads.

KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS. Get everything in writing. Phone calls are not legally binding.

Reducing debt becomes a reality with consolidation loans. You can use them to pay off different expenses, ranging from products you bought, to houses or medical bills. In a large majority of cases, these loans are used to pay off credit card debt, which can get quite high in record time due to the interest rates and late fees.

In order to take out a debt consolidation loan you will have to go to a bank, a credit union or some other financial institution and find a good deal. Many finance companies offer competitive programs, so shopping around for a while will only improve your chances of getting the best loan.

The fees on debt consolidation loans are low. This is a major advantage. This allows you to gradually pay off your credit card debt, for example, and reduce interest accruing. Avoiding penalties and missed payment fees is also essential, as that will only push you deeper into debt. It is important, however, to realise that you are still going to have to repay the loan to the financial institution, so getting into even more debt is undesirable.

Eliminate multiple payments. Debt consolidation loans do not only offer lower interest rates, but they are also the most convenient way of paying off debt. Instead of having to deal with multiple creditors, you can simply make one monthly loan payment, which will take care of all your expenses.

Most people using debt consolidation loans find this to be of great help, as it allows them to manage their finances easily. This way, you can also know the exact amount of money that you will have to pay at the end of the month - and this allows you to spend wisely and save enough cash for bills.

Stick with the program. While debt consolidation loans are beneficial, they must be seen as a short or medium term solution. Debt will still be something that will define your financial status until all the money is paid off.

This means that, once the loan is accepted, you will have to create a more disciplined and rational spending pattern, otherwise you risk getting into even more financial difficulties than before.

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How To Choose Your Debt Consolidation Company

When it comes to dealing with debt problems you have to be cautious. A lot of debt consolidation companies can offer you the perfect solution for your problems, but service quality and reliability will vary.

Differentiating between the good companies and the less responsible ones is sometimes hard, especially since their initial offers sound very appealing. A low interest loan is the main offer of all debt consolidation companies and here are a few tips on how to choose the company that will provide you with the most benefits.

1. Their reputation. A long list of successfully solved debt problems doesn't guarantee success in your individual case, but it shows you that the chances are high.

Looking for a reputable company is almost a necessity, especially for your peace of mind, but also for your wallet. Of course, established firms will tend to charge a little more, but the initial higher investment will probably pay off on a long-term basis.

Ask the company whether they will allow you to contact one of their previous clients and ask for a description of the services. Most of the times the client list is confidential, but you might run into someone who is willing to share their experience and that will provide you with valuable info on the company services.

2. Avoid loophole loans. Also known as balloon loans, they give you the possibility of paying the loan over an extended period – five years or more.

The monthly payments are very low, but, at the end of the period, you will have to pay the full loan. This means that after a five or ten-year period you will still have to pay a large amount of money, since the low monthly payments barely covered the interest fees. This is usually a very tempting offer, at first glance, but it may have disastrous effects on a long run.

3. Non-profit companies. Many people see the non profit term as a sign that they will be treated correctly and that there are no hidden interests in the loan process. Do not rely on this entirely, as some non-profit organisations that deal with debt consolidation may either be less professional or they might even take advantage of your problems.

4. Understand the payment process completely. If a company presents you with a debt consolidation plan, make sure to study it yourself before accepting it. If something is not clear, ask the company representatives to explain it to you until it becomes so. Even the tiniest detail in a loan contract may become a large obstacle in the future, if you misinterpret its meaning. It also helps to do the math yourself, not just to rely on what the company is offering you.

Double check if the debt consolidation company plan is clear and exact, and make your choice only when you are 100% sure of the terms.

Related Post: How To Shrink Your Debts

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No More Debt with Free Non Profit Debt Consolidation

Free non profit debt consolidation is the silver lining in the dark clouds of debt. It makes it really possible to pay even huge debts rather easily and lets the sun shine on you all over again. With free debt consolidation, you can usher in a debt-free future, without incurring any extra expenses.

Many Problems; One Solution

Are you heavily under debt? Do you find it difficult to pay monthly installments on all your loans? Do you perceive your situation as a deadlock out of which you cannot get out? In the meanwhile, are you missing out on the worldly pleasures of life? If your answer is yes to any or all of the above, then cheer up because things are not as gloomy as they seem. Free non profit debt consolidation comes with answers to all these problems and much more.

There are many debt consolidation companies in business. Due to increase in the number of people with credit problems, the number of such companies has also risen. Most of them even profess to offer free services. You must practice caution here because even though they do not charge anything initially, their services charges and other costs become visible in the monthly installments. And before you are ready to act, it is already too late. To avoid any such occurrence, read the fine print and question about things that seem unclear to you.

Another thing you can do is opt for free non profit debt consolidation companies. Firstly, they are not in the business for quick gains. They really try to help you out of your credit mess. Then, because they are non profit companies so they receive healthy subsidies from the lenders. This also explains how they can afford to offer free services when every one around is making money from such things.

Next step for you should be comparing quotes of different companies and short listing those that offer the most favorable terms. As you are out to find debt consolidation help to support your sagging financial position, so that your new consolidation loan should not contribute in increasing your burden. Your new monthly installment should be affordable and rate of interest lower than what you have been paying until now, even though your loan term could extend further.

If your poor credit performance is creating problems for you then you can seek bad credit debt consolidation help from these non profit companies. They can help you with not just proper loans but with credit counseling too. You can use their guidance in steering clear of unnecessary debt, living and spending within your means and of course, never getting into this situation again. In short, if you want to live like a free bird then you do need the assistance of free non profit debt consolidation.

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Bad Credit Debt Consolidation: Debt Solution with Credit Repair

Borrowers with bad credit score face a lot of problems due to their poor credit score. If you are one among those borrowers, now, you can solve your bad credit troubles by opting for debt consolidation option. With debt consolidation program, you will avail a separate loan that will combine your all debts into one and lessen your debt burden. And ultimately, you can repair your bad credit score.

How debt consolidation can be a benediction for bad credit scorers? We need to discuss this point at first. Since, by opting for debt consolidation option a borrower can consolidate all his unpaid debts into one, hence, the interest rate that he is paying for his existing debts will be reduced. Ultimately, the monthly payment will be lower and due to this reason, there will be a possibility of maintaining a regularity to pay off the amount. And no doubt, this regular payment enables the borrower to recover his credit score.

All sorts of bad credit scorers, whether he is a homeowner or non homeowner, can get the benefit of debt consolidation loans, as these loans are available both in secured and unsecured form. Pledging a security is must in case a borrower wants to avail a debt consolidation loan in secured way. Any sorts of valuable objects, like home, automobile etc can be used as security. With this option, borrowers can borrow the amount ranging from £5,000 to £75,000 in order to consolidate their debts. The repayment period of secured loan option varies in between 5-25 years.

On the other hand, unsecured debt consolidation loans offer bad credit scorers in consolidating their debts without pledging any security. The amount, one can borrow with this loan option, is ranged from £5,000 to £25,000 for 5-10years.

All sorts borrowers having bad credit score can opt for bad credit debt consolidation program. It includes CCJs, IVAs, bankruptcy, arrears, default etc. But, remember, before applying for debt consolidation loan; check what your credit score is. This will facilitate you in getting some privilege while availing a bad credit debt consolidation loan.

At the same time, it can be said that applying for debt consolidation loan is not beneficial for all borrowers, suffering from bad credit score. If your debt amount is ₤5000or above, opting for debt consolidation loan would be advantageous. Besides, apply loans for consolidating low interest rate loan, like student loan would not be a great help.

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