Should I Go With Debt Consolidation Rather Than Bankruptcy?
June 21, 2010 by Dan Shalipnas
Filed under Bankruptcy
So many people are finding themselves in debt for one reason or another. Maybe you had to charge everything to your credit cards because you were out of work and did not have much in the way of income. Maybe you simply got in a little over your head and spent too much on car accessories or things for your home. Either way, it is time to get rid of that debt before you drown in it. This is the time to look at debt credit card consolidation or credit payoff solutions.
Chances are, you’ve seen the commercials on magazine ads claiming that bankruptcy will give you a fresh start, clearing away all of your debt. You need to be aware that there have been changes to the bankruptcy laws, making it more difficult to entirely clear your debt through bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is not the most financially sound solution to your debt problems. If you file bankruptcy, there will not be a lender who wants to deal with you.
This means you will not be able to take out a mortgage loan, a car loan, or even a credit card for a number of years. If you do somehow get a credit approval, you will be paying extremely high interest rates. These high interest payments and overall lack of credit will cost a lot more than it would to do a debt credit card consolidation.
Now, debt credit card consolidation is not the only route you could take. There are also many other settlement programs out there that will help you get a credit payoff amount that is lower than your original debt.
For example, you have one credit card company from whom you owe $5000. You are having a great deal of trouble paying them, or are in default or even rarely sending them payments.
A credit payoff company or debt relief company that helps to obtain settlements for you could offer the credit card company three thousand dollars, maybe even less, and see if they accept it.
Whether you use a credit counseling center, a credit payoff company, or enter a debt credit card consolidation program, you need to be proactive. Something has to be done as quickly as possible. Remember, the longer you wait to deal with this problem, the bigger your debt becomes and the harder it will be to make a settlement offer.
Take some time to look at every option you have available and do your best to make at least some payments to your creditors while you sort it out. Remember, the more payments you make before entering a credit payoff offer or debt credit card consolidation program, the lower the payoff will be. A debt credit card consolidation firm will be able to work with you to easily come up with a deal if you have made some kind of an effort to pay off your debts.
Going to bankruptcy court should be your last option. Look at every possible solution before even considering bankruptcy. There is probably an answer to your problem that you are not aware of yet. With a debt credit card consolidation or credit payoff, you will be debt free before long and living a life that does not include hiding from your creditors.
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Developing An Emergency Fund To Avoid Debt
April 12, 2010 by Sally Depp
Filed under Featured
Every individual and their family should make use of a savings account that will act as an emergency fund in the case that funds are needed during an emergency, job loss, as well as an illness with loved ones.
How much must you save within the emergency fund? The opinions between financial experts vary but most think that you should save enough in your emergency fund to cover between 3 to 8 months worth of expenses. Via these 3 to 8 months worth of expenses it is important to include fixed expenditures like your mortgage or rent, but also the variable expenditures which are included in your budget.
Where can you find the money in your budget to begin an emergency fund? It is important to start small and discover small and subtle modifications inside the budget to start saving. A realistic goal is to begin saving 10% of your earnings. Saving this ten percent of earnings could be an efficient method to ensure that you are able to easily discover the room in the budget to establish the emergency fund.
Making little modifications within your budget, for example avoiding eating in restaurants, or avoiding spending cash on frivolous items, or even finding a lower interest rate credit card or a less costly house can all make a large impact on the amount of money inside the budget that is available to spend and can therefore allow you to put this money in an emergency fund which can also act as an alternative to utilizing credit when you find yourself in a tough financial situation.
It is important to deposit the money into an account that is going to provide you with the highest interest rate. Through speaking with a representative at the bank, you can make use of tax free savings accounts, or high interest accounts that can be utilized to create an efficient way to make the most of your money. It is important to ensure that you are maximizing the potential of the money that you’ve made so much effort to save.
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The Real Costs Of Credit Cards
March 26, 2010 by Sally Depp
Filed under Credit Repair
When it comes to credit cards, there are a variety of expenses that aren’t considered by consumers. These expenses might not be considered by consumers, but it is important to keep in mind that many of these costs could be quite expensive. Therefore it is important to make sure that you simply use the card wisely to prevent these common fees which are charged to users that often take advantage of credit.
Over The Limit Fees
Over the Limit Fees are those which are charged to the credit card when the customer finds that they’re over their credit limit. These costs can be as much as thirty five dollars per occurrence. This can accumulate, as the fees are frequently charged every month that the consumer is over their credit limit. Ensure that you make payments to reduce your debt and make sure that you are well-under the limit.
Late and Missed Payment Fees
Staying away from late and missed payment costs can not only save you money when it comes to the costs that are associated with the card, but it can also help you save money when it comes time to shop around for a new card.
Annual Costs for Membership Based Cards
With hundreds of choices that are available when it comes to choosing a credit card, it is important to realize that you have choices. You can find numerous cards which are obtainable that have just as many advantages as paid membership cards that can save you upwards of one hundred dollars every single year, as this is the average cost of paid membership cards.
Currency Exchange Costs
Whilst shopping on the internet, or utilizing your card in a foreign country, you will need to keep in mind that the exchange fees for the credit card are built into the price. As well as the exchange fees being built into the price of the items which are getting bought, you can often find charges that are found on the credit card from the card company because the transaction is taking place outside of the regular currency of the account.
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Credit Card Grace Period Can Help You Reduce Interest
February 18, 2010 by Sally Depp
Filed under Debt Consolidation
Most people are unaware that how they use their credit card can impact the amount in which they owe at the end of the month and even reduce the interest which is paid to the card company, when it comes time to pay the monthly payment. Shopping smart and utilizing your card wisely, including avoiding using the card to maintain a balance from month to month can be the most effective method to reduce the interest rates that are paid on credit cards and the purchases which are done.
How long is the grace period linked with your credit card? The grace period for it usually varies between different companies. These amounts normally vary between 21 and twenty-eight days. Through the various ranges, users can take advantage of the interest-free purchases so long as the purchases that are made using the card are repaid within the time limit that’s associated with the so called grace period.
Finding out the grace period associated with your card is easy. You only have to contact the card company or read the contract that’s associated with it.
What are the terms that are typically associated with making purchases within the grace period of the credit card? To be able to take full advantage of the grace period, the people must not retain a balance on it – simply because in this situation the payments which are being done to the card are going to become applied to the previous balance that had been accumulated to the card. Also, it’s important to make contact with the bank or firm in the case that you just have any inquiries concerning the grace period of the credit card, as this offer is not available from all credit card firms.
Nonetheless they can give some benefits. For instance, for those who habitually pay on time, but due to some unexpected circumstances late on rare events, can prevent a penalty for being late within the period and still maintain their reputation. But, for all those habitual procrastinators, they might see the grace period as the real deadline.
Therefore, if you want to be a smart consumer, taking advantage of buys that are made and paid for via the grace period of the credit card could be an effective way to ensure that you are able to create probably the most of your credit and avoid the interest rates that are associated with maintaining a balance on the credit card.
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Can I Avoid a Judgment?
January 29, 2010 by Amber Deanwater
Filed under Debt Collection
The last resort for a creditor to obtain payment from a debtor is to try to obtain a court judgment. You actually agree to this when you take out a loan or apply for a credit card. The fine print in the document states that you agree to be sued if you don’t make your payments each month.
The main goal in a creditor’s lawsuit is to prove that you actually owe the debt. It is smart, if you really do owe the debt, to attempt to resolve any pending legal action quickly. It is often that a creditor may prefer a settlement to continuing with a legal action. To show good faith, it is helpful if you can provide an up-front partial cash payment.
You will want to know if the statute of limitations is still in effect. If not, the debt is no longer legally collectible. However, it is important to understand that the payment of even a small amount will reinstate your obligation to pay.
If the matter is being handled by an attorney for the creditor, consider calling the attorney and making an offer. No matter what you decide to offer, the attorney is bound legally to discuss your offer with the creditor.
You should do what you can to avoid going to court. Also, keep in mind that a settlement is always better than a court judgment. If your creditor is able to obtain a judgment, your credit report will reflect the judgment and the entry can remain on your credit report for up to ten years.
SHOW UP if you are forced to go to court! Many people who cannot reach a settlement with their creditor make the error of not attending the hearing. This, in turn, means that the creditor will be granted the judgment by default!
It is important to note that if you do appear, you should be prepared to present a defense and work toward a resolution of the matter. You will earn the respect of the judge and plaintiff creditor by doing so. This will require that you present a defense on your behalf.
You will receive a notice of judgment if the creditor is successful in his suit. The judgment will allow you 30 days in which to pay the debt in full. After the 30 days has run and if you still have not paid the debt, there are additional legal actions which the creditor may take. For instance, the creditor may be allowed to place a lien against your home or property. If a lien is placed against your home, the lien will have to be paid in full prior to the sale or refinance of your home.
The garnishment of wages is another legal remedy which is allowed in some states. Additionally, sometimes creditors are allowed to seize personal property to collect the debt.
The result of a judgment on your credit score will be far-reaching. Besides a loss of borrowing power, other areas of your life can be adversely affected. For instance, your chances of promotion or a new job opportunity may not materialize! It is wise to avoid a judgment at all costs.
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