Sep 26

Can Credit Counseling Help You Get Out Of Debt ?

Credit counseling may be able to give you the information you need to get out of debt. Credit Counselors may be able to help if you are faced with serious consequences as a result of debt problems. Consumer debt or what financial companies call bad debt is on the rise. People are finding more than ever that they are faced with serious consequences as a result of their debt problems.

There are many reasons why many people may find themselves in this type of situation, including not knowing how to properly budget and keep track of their finances and being lured into signing up for easy credit from companies that offer high interest buy now, pay later types of credit.

For those who are faced with growing debt concerns, it can be a scary situation and many people simply dont know where to turn or how to obtain the help that they need from a reliable source. Credit counseling companies specialize in helping people with serious debt issues to overcome their problems and get their bills repaid on fair terms. As well as help you get out of financial distress, they also teach their clients how to avoid putting themselves in trouble again.

Lets explore the signs of being in serious debt, what credit counseling companies offer their clients and how they can help you with your money problems.

Telltale Signs Of Debt Problems:

For those who are concerned about whether they are headed for severe financial problems or those wanting to confirm their sticky financial situation is indeed serious, here are a few of the telltale signs that you are in serious consumer debt and may need help:

If you are only able to afford the minimum payments due on your credit cards and often let your every day utility bills slide past the overdue date or if you have no savings and contingency funds available to back you up in an emergency, you are likely to be having debt problems.

Additionally, you may be buying things such as food or paying your regular bills with your credit cards rather than using cash, your money is gone before the end of the week or well before payday and your credit cards are very high or even maxed out. If you are noticing that these things have become common in your everyday life, it is very likely that you are in serious distress.

As well as the above mentioned problems, you may also notice other things, such as being declined for credit or your checks will often bounce on you and you have creditors calling you for payments that are past due.

Often, when this type of thing happens, we feel a little ashamed of ourselves for getting in such a bad situation. Instead of asking someone for help or seeking advice, we are more likely to hide the situation, especially from people we are close to, such as a spouse or family members. By hiding your debt problems, you are only delaying the inevitable. You need to face these issues head on.

Who To Turn To When Debt Gets Too Much?

Often, people are confused and frustrated when faced with serious bill problems. They dont know what to do, or worse still, they even may consider bankruptcy as an escape from the dire situation they are faced with. What many people dont realize about bankruptcy is that they are often still left with debts even after they have gone bankrupt.

Bankruptcy will also leave a black mark on your credit report for as long as seven years. This means that you are unlikely to be able to get credit for quite a long time or if you do get a creditor to lend you money, it is likely that you will have to pay the highest possible interest rates allowable. All of this can be avoided by getting some helpful advice from a reliable source.

Credit counseling companies are qualified financial professionals that work with people who are in debt to help them work out their outstanding debts. This is done by the credit counseling company speaking with the creditors and with you to come to a fair agreement that will allow you, the person who is in debt to pay back what you owe in a way that is more affordable. Many creditors prefer this method, as they are more likely to receive their money, even if it is less money than they are owed.

Credit Counselors are also better equipped to work with credit companies, making it easier to get a better deal on interest rates and negotiate fair terms or discounts. This is because they have dealt with these types of credit companies before and know how to make the creditor feel assured that they will receive their money, as well as assist the person in debt to make payments on time and to a prepared schedule.

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May 27

Get out of credit card debt by changing your mindset

1: Get a grip

It is estimated that Americans will charge $148 billion to their credit cards during Christmas period. A new poll also found one in four Britons felt they were struggling with debt as the UK annual interest bill for credit hit 93bn

Dont just sit back and wait for the postman to deliver those credit card statements before you start to think about how you are going to pay them. If you have to borrow money to pay off your credit card debts, youre in big trouble!

You also need to look at your debts objectively, if you are paying out between 15-20% of your monthly income on your debts than you need to revaluate your finances. If that figure is higher than 20%, you may need to enlist the help of a professional.

Financial experts say that paying off this years credit card debts are going to be particularly hard with rising fuel and food costs, allied to a double hit of rising mortgage payments and falling house prices.

2: Prioritize

There are many different types of debts you can have such as personal loans and mortgages. Credit cards may be one of the most convenient sources of money but is definitely one of the most costly. Credit card rates can vary from 14% to an unbelievable 35%.

If you realize that credit card debts are so expensive you need to prioritize this debt first. If you persist on just paying the minimum payment it could take you 30 years to pay off the debt. Considering most mortgages are base on a 25 year term, 30 years to pay off a credit card debt is not sensible financial management.

Ask yourself wouldnt the money you save from your credit cards be better on funding a holiday or new car?

If you want to calculate how much interest you are going to pay with minimum payments use this rudimentary but effective method: Take your balance and multiply it by your APR. Take that number and divide it by 12. Thats the amount you will have to pay in interest
If you could consolidate your credit cards debts into a low interest rate personal loan than this would save you a load of money. But make sure you rip up your credit cards or hide them away as you do not want to be in the same situation again.

3: Watch the rewards

Everybody likes presents or rewards but remember why they are giving you these rewards. Credit card companies team up with other providers to offer everything from air miles to points to spend at a retail shops but remember the reason for them giving you these rewards, its so that you spend more money!

If you have a balance on your credit card your monthly interest charge will far out weigh any benefit from these rewards.

Look at the rewards objectively, if you have to spend 40,000 or $75,000 to earn enough reward for a airline ticket that you would have cost you cost 800 its really not worth it.
The moral of the story is that reward cards can be good for people who pay off balances in full and for those who use the card for business purposes but if you have balances that you are struggling to pay off, stay away from them.

4: Roll over debt with caution

Taking out a loan using your house as security to pay off your credit card debts can be a smart move for some people. The loan may have a lower interest rate compared to the several credit cards you have so you could save a lot of money. But it is important that you consider all the possible downsides that come with this option.

First of all, when you stop making credit card payments, the credit card companies are not going to come and take your home away from you. If you stop paying instalments of a loan that is secured against your house than repossession is a risk.

The solution is not paying off your credit card debts with a personal loan and then continue using your credit cards. The solution is addressing the underlying problem which is your spending habits and having far more control over your budget. The credit card should be your last resort not your first option.

5: Change your thinking

At their essence, credit cards are 30-day loans that should be paid back in full. It’s a convenience. Not a way of life. Credit cards are not a license to shop.

And although more and more people are doing this, you shouldn’t put your mortgage payments on your credit card. This will just compound the trouble that you’ll have down the road.

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May 17

How To Avoid Bankruptcy & Get Out Of Debt Faster Using Debt Negotiation!

Has credit card debt got you thinking about bankruptcy?

Youre not the only one these days. Even with the new bankruptcy laws, credit card debt continues to climb. Unfortunately for most of us, our paychecks dont climb as quickly.

If youre on the verge of bankruptcy, you may have another alternative.

Debt negotiation is a process where you negotiate with your creditors to pay off your debts at a reduced amount for example, if you owe $12,000, you can negotiation a payoff of $5,000. The benefit for the creditor is that they get more money than they may have through bankruptcy, and they get the money sooner. The benefit for you is obvious you get out of debt faster, and save lots of money in interest.

Where do you get the money to pay off the debt?

Take the money you would have normally used to pay your credit card bills, put it aside, and when you accumulate enough to pay off the debt, send in the reduced amount you agreed to.

If this sounds confusing, thats ok. Its really not.

There are many professional companies that will do all the work for you, and charge you a percentage of the savings.

I can speak from experience (I built up a lot of debt trying to start a sporting goods business, which didnt quite work out) that even with the fees, this is a good deal plus you save a lot money by not having to pay the high interest rates on your credit card bills.

Sure, it is a more aggressive approach to getting out of debt than making minimum payments, using credit counseling, getting a debt consolidation loan, or borrowing from a friend or relative. But in the end, youll get out of debt faster

And avoid bankruptcy!

If youve never heard of debt negotiation (also called debt settlement), thats ok too, not many people have. I didnt until I began to seriously consider bankruptcy.

One reason many people are hesitant to consider debt negotiation is that it goes on your credit report. Sorry to tell you, but having lots of debt (even if you pay on time), making payments late, even credit counseling all go on your credit report and can negatively effect your credit. And (of course) bankruptcy is a big negative!

In my case, getting out of debt, removing all the financial stress, and being able to live a normal life were well worth it. With so much debt, having good credit was meaningless anyway.

Plus, I was able to get all but one of the negative items off my credit report (thats a topic for another discussion), and my credit is now back to normal. In fact, I now get more credit card offers than I can handle and fortunately, I can now throw them all in the trash!

When money is tight, and debt is high, there arent many simple answers.

But if you are already considering bankruptcy, then debt negotiation might be the right alternative to help you get out of debt faster!

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May 15

How To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt Much Faster & Save Lots Of Money Without Filing For Bankruptcy!

The most important lesson I learned about getting out of debt is that you’ll NEVER get out of debt playing by the rules of your creditors. No matter what they say, they really don’t want you to get out of debt.

After all, the longer it takes you to pay off your debt, the more money they’ll make.

So trust me, youll NEVER get out of debt by just making minimum payments. Or by paying ridiculously high interest rates…or by paying late fees, overlimit fees, or any other fees charged by your creditors.

How You Can Get Out Of Debt Faster, Too

So, how do you pay off your credit card bills…especially when money is REAL tight?

Work out an agreement with your creditors to pay off your credit card bills at a reduced amount. You’ll be able to pay off your bills more quickly, and the credit card companies will get their money faster.

This process is called debt negotiation, or debt settlement.

Most people don’t know this type of debt reduction is even an option – which is exactly what the creditors want you to think. (You’ll also learn other strategies to help you get out of debt faster.)

But believe me, debt negotiation really does work.

Find Out If Debt Negotiation Is Right For You

Debt negotiation is a more aggressive approach to getting out of debt (usually, you must be behind on your payments to get the creditors to agree to a settlement), and is not necessarily right for everyone.

So make sure to ask lots of questions. And compare different programs. Then decide if it is right for you.

My only regret is that I did not find out about this option until I had already paid my credit card companies thousands of dollars in interest!

The most important point to remember is that youll NEVER get out of debt playing by the creditors rules.

So take a few minutes to find out how you can pay off your credit card bills faster, and save yourself LOTS OF MONEY at the same time.

If you’re looking for a more traditional way to get out of debt, then debt consolidation may be the answer for you. You might not get out of debt as fast, but you still may be able to lower your interest rates and save yourself a bunch of money!

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Mar 12

Debt Consolidation Services – 3 Things To Watch Out For With Debt Consolidation Companies

Debt consolidation services can provide a valuable service by lowering your interest rate with creditors, enabling you to pay off your unsecured loans and bills in a short period. However, there are companies that would rather take your money than help you. To avoid such scams, watch out for the following.

Low Monthly Payment Claims

While debt consolidation companies can lower your interest rate which might lower your payments, they cannot negotiate lower minimum payments. Creditors no longer accept smaller payments since 2004, not even for hardship cases.

One trick companies use is to lure customers in with a low quote, only to jack up the required payment in a months time. By that time you have already paid out fees, which arent refundable.

Upfront Fees

Another shady practice is to charge large upfront fees when a company is claiming non-profit status. Legitimate companies will either charge a small monthly fee between $14 to $69, depending on the number of accounts. The other fee structure is to charge a reasonable fee for each account handled; typically for-profit companies use this structure.

If you are being asked to pay thousands, especially with a cashiers check or money order, look for another program.

Offering Debt Negotiation Programs

You should also be suspicious of companies that pressure you to use other programs, such as debt negotiations. First of all, debt negotiations or settlements usually will not improve your credit situation. Secondly, you will be charge high fees for something you can do on your own. And finally, companies who specialize in debt consolidation have no incentive to see you flounder with your finances, unlike those offering other services.

When you are looking for a debt consolidation program, ask questions about the program, fees, and amount of time to repay your bills. Take advantage of the internet and research several different agencies.

Since debt and bill consolidation varies with the number of accounts involved, you should expect a phone consultation before you receive any quotes. With your quote you should receive detailed answers, including pay off dates for each account and exact fees. And if you feel uncomfortable with the agency, feel free to walk away. A consultation is not a commitment on your part.

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Nov 08

Use Low Interest Credit Cards to Get Out Of Debt

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Low interest credit cards can provide you with the answers you are looking for when it comes to getting free of debt. If you are like millions of Americans, you are probably having difficulty keeping up with the minimum payments on your credit card. In fact, almost 70% of Americans keep a balance on one credit card or more. Similarly, 45% of those with balances pay only the minimum payment every month. Unfortunately, paying only the minimum on a credit card balance can mean taking years to pay it off.

A Glimmer of Hope

Low interest rate credit cards can provide you with the debt-relief you have been looking for. As an intelligent consumer, you can turn credit cards around and make them work for you rather than against you. Since credit card companies are in such fierce competition to acquire and to keep customers, many offer outstanding introductory offers. In fact, there are several cheap credit cards that offer an introductory APR as low as 0.00%. When used wisely, these low interest credit cards can be your ticket to financial independence.

Finding Cheap Credit Cards

Luckily for you, it is not particularly difficult to find low interest credit cards. In fact, a number of major credit cards send mailings directly to your home to offer you a card membership. On the downside, sorting through all of these credit card offers can be confusing and time consuming. For this reason, one of the best ways to find low interest rate credit cards is visit a web site offering side-by-side comparisons. Here, you can view introductory rates, annual fees, and how long the introductory rate lasts. You can also view the long term rate after the introductory rate is complete in order to determine which of the low interest credit cards will best suit your purposes.

Taking Advantage of Low Interest Rate Credit Cards

After selecting and applying for the low interest credit card of your choice, the first step to getting yourself debt free is to transfer your balances from high interest credit cards to the low interest credit card. This will help you start saving money immediately. In fact, a credit card balance of $9,000 with a 19.99% APR will cost you over $1,600 more per year than a credit card with an APR of 1.9%. Be sure, however, to look into possible balance transfer fees or other fees that might be associated with moving your credit card balance from one card to another. Also, low interest rate credit cards may have a higher interest rate on balance transfers, so be sure to be certain of the APR associated with the transfer.

After saving money with the lower APR provided by low interest credit cards, it is important for you to take advantage of the savings to become debt free. Too many people look at the savings as an excuse to spend more or they use the money elsewhere. Instead, you need to send the money you save back to the credit card in order to pay down your balance. After using the saved money on principal rather than interest, you will gradually start to see your balance disappear.

Creating a Budget

Of course, low interest rate credit cards are not the only answer for getting out of debt. Rather, they are one tool to help you get there. To get out of the red, you will need to create a budget that involves sending regular payments to the credit card that exceed the minimum payment amount. In addition, you need to either quit spending money on your credit card or make sure you have enough money coming in at the end of the month to completely pay for the additional debt placed on the card – and this money needs to be above and beyond what you already have set aside for your regular credit card payment.

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