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Finding Help To Get Out Of Debt

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 10-09-2010

For many credit card holders, credit card debt can put a damper on what would have been a quick fix to financial woes. High credit card interest rates can lead to substantial credit card debt for millions of individuals and families around the world. It is far too easy for credit card holders to find themselves falling into credit card debt. High credit card interest rates are not the only factor that leads to a surplus of credit card debt, the high expenses people must cover in order to get by in their everyday lives lead to the general public seeking financial help. Credit cards seem like an easy answer, allowing customers to buy things now and pay for them later. However, if put in the wrong hands, credits cards can lead to even more financial trouble than the customer was already in.

There are a number of companies who capitalize on the large amount of credit card debt that can be found throughout the country and the world. These companies claim to have all the financial solutions customers who are in debt are looking for. How many times have you seen advertisements for companies claiming to get you out of credit card debt in five easy steps, or claiming to help you eliminate credit card debt in just months? The claims seem promising to people trying desperately to get themselves out of the throngs of bad credit. However, not all these companies can be trusted. It is important for any customers tempted by these get out of debt fast claims to first research these companies. Many companies simply use these empty promises as a way to prey on those who have already established bad credit and seem like easy targets to get quick cash from.

But do not worry, you do not have to fall victim. If you are tempted to employ the services of a company offering credit card help, be sure to do your homework. Research the company; try to find former customers to talk to, and make sure that your money will be spent wisely - helping you get out of debt. In far too many cases people who are already in financial trouble find themselves falling in further debt after being scammed by companies who claim to have all the answers to getting out of credit card debt. In fact these companies simply offer useless tips while scamming customers out of even more money. In fact, some debt-help companies do just the opposite - cause further debt for their financially troubled customers. Customers who are well informed and ready to find the right company to help them get out of debt will be able to spot frauds right away and employ the services of a company that will offer valid assistance rather than a hoax.

Debt Consolidation vs Payday Loans

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 30-07-2010

So you are thinking what does debt consolidation and payday loans have in common? Well typically people who opt for payday loans are not very far from those who are currently considering debt consolidation as an effort to lower high interest credit card monthly payments. We live in a country where credit is relatively easy. In fact on any given day, most of you will receive a letter from a credit card company offering you the world but spelling out the harsh details in the fine print that unfortunately few ever take time to read. This article is not meant to pit debt consolidation and payday loans as good vs. evil.

It is intended to help you understand why people chose both alternatives. First of all, what exactly is debt consolidation? Debt Consolidation is the process of aggregating unsecured debt in order to lower overall interest rate and have one monthly payment. Who needs debt consolidation? If you are stuck with high interest monthly payments, especially from credit card debt, it is likely that debt consolidation would be appealing. In many cases people simply can not afford to pay what they are currently paying.

Keep this in mind. Lets transition to payday loans or cash advance. People that want a cash advance are those who are in a bind and need emergency cash. Payday loans and cash advance have high interest rates and many states prohibit them. I am not against them because I understand why people may need them as a last resort. In both insistences people are seeking debt relief; however, those solutions are not the ultimate solutions to the problems they try to solve. The true answer lies in our ability to spend vs. save.

The best debt consolidation program will get you out of debt if you finish the program; however, to fix the problem you must understand that living within your means is the true solution. A cash advance may help you pay for a bill when you come up short, but saving for a raining day is a lot cheaper than getting a payday loan. By acknowledging our own weakness, we can become stronger when we take action to improve ourselves.

Credit Card Debt Consolidation – What options are available?

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 18-05-2010

Are you one of many Americans who find it hard to clear your credit card minimum every month?  If you are, you are most probably in credit card debts.

For your information, credit card debt is one of the most difficult types of debt to clear. Reasons being, credit card companies charge very high interest rate and of course always slap you with a high late payment or penalty fees whenever you cannot make your payment.

To get out of this mess, you will need to consolidate your credit card debts either yourself or with the help of an external agency.

1.Consolidate your debt yourself.
It’s neither easy nor too difficult to consolidate your own credit card debts. Almost every credit card company has their in house debt consolidation department to help their clients consolidate their credit card bills. What you need to do is to call them, and tell them your situation truthfully.

The chances of consolidating your debts successfully depend on how you put forward your situation to your creditors. How your creditors access your current financial health also play a part. Before you start to call your creditors, it might be wise to check out for more tips and guide on how to negotiate with your creditors online.

2.Engage the service of debt consolidation companies and programs.
There are many free government programs to help people consolidate their debts, but these free services often require that you chalk up a certain amount of debts before they help and you must also meet their requirements.

The last option would be to engage the service of debt consolidation companies. By charging you a fee, debt consolidation companies will negotiate with your creditors for lower interest, better repayment method and lastly help you devise a financial plan to help clear your debts in a systematic way.

No matter what options you take to consolidate your debt, do it early and you will get a live a debt-free life again.

KEYWORD: credit repair after bankruptcy (7)

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 01-05-2010

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Take Credit Repair after Bankruptcy Step by Step

Getting credit again after bankruptcy is a concern that seems too complex but it is in its real sense simple. Yes. One can have another chance at re-establishing his or her credit. This is through the process of credit repair after bankruptcy. In order to obtain this, one must develop great patience because re – establishing one’s credit do take time.

In credit repair after bankruptcy credit worthiness is important. Credit worthiness is usually measured by one’s credit history, which represents one’s financial reputation among creditors. Failing to pay off one’s credit card debt, not paying off the minimum monthly amount, missing a payment or not making one’s payments on time can lead one person on a path to damaged credit So if one is planning to do credit repair after bankruptcy it is important that his or her credit shows worthiness.

Satisfying all the demands of a  bankruptcy case is obviously the first intelligent step taken to credit repair after bankruptcy. The next step one will have to take is repairing one’s credit report. A credit report usually includes the approximate amounts and locations of a person’s bank accounts, charge accounts, loans, and other debts, bill-paying habits, defaults, bankruptcies, foreclosures, marital status, occupation, income and lawsuits.

Two or three years after filing for bankruptcy, there should be a possibility that one will want to start rebuilding good credit by applying for secured credit cards, preferably cards without annual fees attached to them. One could also do a research on the internet to see what others have done in similar situations.

In doing credit repair after bankruptcy, it is germane to start small. It is unrealistic to expect anyone to hand a person doing a credit repair after bankruptcy a $10,000 credit limit overnight. It will never happen. One should make monthly payments in the full amount. A person’s payment transactions will determine how successful his or her new credit report will be. One must never be late with payments for it could be another road to bad credit history.

In doing credit repair after bankruptcy, the stronger is a person’s current financial condition, the better. It is a must to convince lenders that one has left the bankruptcy behind. One must show that he or she is able to manage  money matters after the bankruptcy in such an efficient way. Prompt payments made in a full amount are very impressive to a credit lender.

However, if one is denied of a major credit card, he or she should not get distraught, and instead, he should try applying for a department store’s line of credit or a card issued by an oil company. These are small steps to start rebuilding a credit future.

Keyword: Bankruptcy Help Advice

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 11-03-2010

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Before and After Bankruptcy Help Advice

Before Bankruptcy Help Advice

A bankruptcy help advice that you should follow before anything else is to consider bankruptcy only when you have no other choice in the matter. There may other ways to solve your credit problems that you have not tried. Speak with a credit counselor that can give you bankruptcy help advice, specifically to help you avoid filing.

If you are considering bankruptcy, then you should understand the two common types of bankruptcy.

* Chapter 7 Bankruptcy entails that certain assets of the debtor will be liquidated to pay the creditors. At the end of the process, most of the debtor’s debt is cancelled.

* Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is designed for individuals with regular income and involves a debt payment plan based on the debtor’s income with terms extended over three to five years, after which any unpaid debt is eliminated.

Find out the specific requirements of each option to determine under which you are eligible.

Before making a decision whether to file bankruptcy, you should realize that not all of your debts will be discharged by the court. Tax debts, college loans or child support are some of the non-dischargeable debts. Bankruptcy may be the solution you need if you are seeking relief from credit card debt and other unsecured types of credit.

Bankruptcy laws differ in every state, particularly when it comes to Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The rules on exemptions or what you may or may not keep in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy depends on the laws in your state. You may have to surrender your car or house if it has high equity and it is not protected by your state bankruptcy law. Other assets such as pension and life insurance may be at risk if your state classifies it as “non-exempt” assets. Although, most states protect these types of assets, do your research or ask a bankruptcy lawyer in your area to know what you might have to lose when you file  bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is a highly stressful process and you have to be prepared emotionally and mentally to handle it. Again, before filing bankruptcy seek professional bankruptcy help advice from credit counseling agencies or consult with a reputable attorney who may help you negotiate with your creditors.

After Bankruptcy Help Advice

While bankruptcy leaves a bad mark on your credit report for several years, it should not discourage you from regaining your creditworthiness. Usually, you can obtain new credit if you show proof that your financial situation has improved. Creditors often consider those who have been consistently employed with the same company for at least two years.

A good bankruptcy help advice is to open a savings account to cover any emergency needs. To re-establish your credit, start with a secured credit card and make sure you meet monthly payments on time or pay the balance in full every month.

A common bankruptcy help advice when it comes to credit repair is to check your credit report for errors. You can get one free credit report per year from Equifax, Experian and Transunion. You can write, call toll-free or visit the websites of these companies to order your credit report.

Once you have your credit report, review the information it contains thoroughly. Check your personal information, account and credit payment information to make sure everything is accurate. Have all your timely payments since bankruptcy been reported? If there are any irregularities, inform the credit company in writing to have the information corrected. Prepare documents to back up your claims.

Advantages of Student Debt Consolidation

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 17-11-2009

Student Debt Consolidation refers to consolidating all debts such as outstanding credit card debt, mortgage loans, student loan debt, car loans, etc., into one simple aggregate loan with a lower interest rate and lower monthly loan payments.

StudentDebtConsolidationPrograms.com offers different student debt consolidation options and there are some very flexible student debt consolidation programs available to meet the unique needs of the student. For example, if a student has outstanding unconsolidated student loan debt and is six months from graduation, then they should already be exploring those available options. The right student debt consolidation program can mean substantially lower monthly student debt payments, savings of thousands of pounds every year in total student loan debt balance, and the ease of just having to make one student loan debt payment. There is no cost or obligation to consolidate a student loan, so there is nothing to lose and everything to gain by exploring all student debt consolidation programs and options.

From reducing monthly payments by using Student debt consolidation programs, to repaying student loan debt and improving credit ratings there’s always a way a student can improve their student loan debt finances.

First and foremost, consolidating all outstanding payments into one single sum simplifies the task of managing all their student loans and their payments. Instead of making credit card payments on a number of different credit card loans, students now only have to make a single Student Debt Consolidation payment.

Student debt consolidation leads to a significant reduction in rate of interest. This is especially true in the case of credit card debt consolidation. Most credit card companies command an alarming rate of interest, especially when behind in payments. Going for a student debt consolidation loan is much cheaper because the right student debt consolidation program companies provide a much lower rate of interest than those commanded by credit card companies.

5 Reasons Why You Should Eliminate Credit Card Debt

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 12-09-2009

1.Credit card companies can change almost all of the terms of the credit card by giving just 15 days notice.

We get used to credit card companies adjusting their lending rate by 14% as interest rates fluctuate but did you know they can alter any of the terms for any reason. For example they can increase the late payment fee and they can increase the interest rate without the need to justify it. If you are late or miss just one payment the low rate you are currently being charged can double or even treble almost overnight.

2.Credit card companies can increase the cost of a purchase months after you bought it.

If you purchased a widescreen plasma TV 3 months ago, using a card which at the time was costing 9.9% apr, and you are late with just one payment, the credit card company can charge you a late payment fee, say £40, and increase the interest rate to 29.9% apr, or even more, and there is nothing you can do about it.

They can, in effect, increase the cost of your TV months, or possibly even years after you purchased it. The TV retailer wouldn’t be allowed to do this but your credit card company can.

3.Discount offers are only good if you keep up all your payments.

Interest free balance transfers and initial periods can dissapear for any minor omission. Failure to keep to all the terms of a card will result in special terms being withdrawn and possible penalty interest being applied. If you have interest free purchases and balance transfers make sure you keep up the payments.

4.It’s not just your card payments you have to keep up.

If you miss a payment on your mortgage, or your car or any other financial payment, your credit card companies can re-assess your credit score and increase your interest rate accordingly.

If you therefore miss a loan payment on your boat or car, but still pay the payments due on your cards, you can find that your credit card interest charges jump to 2 or 3 times the original rate.

5.Credit card companies are today making record profits from you.

If you don’t pay your cards in full each month credit card companies make the majority of their profits from you and a substantial portion of that is in the additional charges they levy.

It makes little or no sense to keep money in the bank earning 5% maximum and pay 29.9% or 19.9% or even 9.9% on your cards. Pay off the card and use the card for emergencies rather than the savings. Without the card payments you will be able to rapidly replace the savings.

Without your knowing credit card companies can hold you hostage at the very time you may really need financial assistance. Don’t allow credit card companies the continuing opportunity to make record profits at your expense, and at the same time the opportunity to benefit from any misfortune.

If you can pay the balance off withing 3 to 6 months do so otherwise consider some form of consolidation loan to remove the noose credit card companies have around your neck.

4 Smart Ways To Deal With Credit Card Debt

Posted by | Posted in Debt Management | Posted on 22-08-2009

You already know a lot about credit cards. You’ve heard that consumer debt in this country-particularly credit-card debt-is at an all-time high, while our savings rate is lower than ever before. You realize that the boom in online shopping, with its absolute dependence on credit cards, is further fueling their use. You are well aware that running a balance on your plastic-and paying the unconscionable interest rates that come with it-is one of our most basic and widespread financial blunders. And you suspect that the sheer volume of direct-mail credit-card solicitations with low teaser rates must be devastating the forests of northern Idaho.

Still, credit cards are a fact of 21st century life, and it only makes sense to understand how to use them wisely. While it’s probably impractical to keep all plastic out of your wallet, it is prudent to limit the number of cards you have, and, of course, to pay all balances in full every month. Indeed, having only a traditional American Express card, which doesn’t allow you to carry a balance, can be an excellent way to impose fiscal discipline on you and your family-although, as the Visa ads point out, not everyone accepts American Express. For the rest of us, who do occasionally dabble in credit-card debt, here are a few ways to keep your habit under control.

1.Take advantage of frequent-flier programs tied to credit cards, but keep in mind that interest payments on a high balance can quickly turn “free” flights into outrageously expensive ones. At a pound per mile, running up a debt of 25,000 may get you a plane ticket, but it will also saddle you with £4,500 in yearly interest payments, assuming an 18% annual rate.

2.Look very closely at credit-card offers before you bite. Obviously, most of those 2.99% and 3.99% rates will be in effect for only a few months. But there may be other catches as well. Making a late payment, even if it arrives only a day after it was due, may immediately trigger a permanent rate hike. Also, low initial rates sometimes apply only to transferred balances, and you could get charged a fee for making the transfer. Check, too, to see whether there is an annual fee, or charges for exceeding your credit limit or even for closing an account.

3.Avoid amazing grace-period tricks. What you’re looking for is a provision that says you’ll never be charged interest as long as you pay your bill in full by the due date. But some cards have no grace period, calculating interest from the moment you make a purchase, while others give you only a limited time after making a charge before interest is imposed. That period of 20 days or so may end before your payment is due.

4.Don’t forget to cancel cards you no longer use. If you don’t, they’ll show up on credit reports, and that could be a problem, particularly if you’re applying for a home mortgage. Your would-be lender may be reluctant to make a loan to someone who has a cumulative credit-card limit of £50,000, £100,000, or even more.