How to Best Use Your Debt Consolidation Opportunities
July 29th, 2010 | 
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Sometimes, even when we try our best to manage our finances, debt problems can get in the way. Unexpected circumstances such as sickness, loss of job, divorce, or business failure can quickly put us in a bad debt situation. However, being in debt doesn’t have to be a hopeless situation. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can flee from debt through different types of consolidation.
Credit Counseling
Debt Consolidation Loan
One way to consolidate debts is by obtaining a loan. The money loaned would be used to pay all your existing debts from different creditors. In turn, you’ll be subjected with only one lender – your debt consolidation company. Thus, the stress and pressure of dealing with different creditors is instantly eliminated. Furthermore, by consolidating debts into a single account, you won’t have to pay multiple interest rates so you can save more and use the money for repayment.
Debt Repayment Representative
A debt repayment agency can negotiate with your lenders to reduce your debts and modify your payment terms. Each month, you’ll submit your payments to your debt repayment agency- who in turn, would distribute your payments to the appropriate lenders. Nevertheless, it’s very important to make sure that you’re dealing with a reliable company and that all your payments are submitted accordingly.
Credit Repair Clinics
Watch out for agencies or even non-profit groups who promise to give an instant “fix” or instant “repair” to your debt problems. Remember that the only way you can get over your debt problem is by paying off your debts. If the charges in your account are accurate, there’s no way an agency can erase or delete these charges from your credit report. Even worse, these agencies who disguise themselves as “credit repair groups” may use your personal information against you.
Debt Settlement
A credit counseling agency may also negotiate with your creditors through debt settlement. Debt settlement can reduce your debts from 50% to 60% or even more. However, if your creditor agrees with a settlement, you are expected to submit your payment in full at the soonest possible time.
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Watch the video related to debt consolidation
When creating a plan for getting out of debt, cut spending, increase income if possible, and start by paying off either the smallest amount or the highest interest rate. Slowly chip away at debt, avoiding further debt in the process, withadvice from a licensed financial planner in this free video on personal finance. Expert: William Rae Contact: www.hbwfl.com Bio: William Rae has been licensed in the insurance and financial fields for over 30 years. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Help answer the question about debt consolidation
What exactly happens to your credit if you do debt consolidation?I have $7,000 in debt and I have heard about debt consolidation. Does this negatively affect your credit rating? Do you get to choose how much you pay monthly or is there a set amount they make you pay? I live in Canada, if that matters.
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Debt consolidation loans are usually a rip-off, extending loans way out and you end up paying a lot more in interest, plus the loan origination fees increase the amount owed.
Instead:
Transfer credit card debt to lower interest rate cards, some will give you 0% for a transfer. Do this before deciding which one has the highest interest rate to pay off first.
Pay at least double the minimum monthly payment on the credit cards and car loan. This extra will go entirely towards the principal, and reduce the debt a lot faster.
Pay off the highest interest rate credit card (or loan) first.
It is also a good idea to pay extra principal on your house, to reduce the interest and increase the equity.
Sell the car and get a used one that costs less if you have to.
Destroy your credit cards and don't use them again, instead get a credit/debit card that pays interest and cash back for any charges. So you make money when using it instead of pay money.
If you have 10k in the bank, why not use half of it on your debt. That would make things much more manageable.
Then get yourself on a written budget and attack the other 7500.
Nope. Most charge insanely high fees and most don't work. You are only going to improve the situation by actually paying attention to your finances. If your situation is dire – try Dave Ramsey. He's hard core but his plan works – but only if you grow up and get serious.
That is really a good article over debt consolidation. thanks for sharing this information.
You don't need anyone to do it for you. All they do is negotiate your debts for you and collect a fee. You can do it yourself!
Call all of them and work out a payment plan and try to get your interest lowered or stopped.
Then, make the minimum payments on every one of them. On the lowest dollar value, put all your extra effort toward paying it off. Once it is paid off, then roll that extra money to the next largest balance. Continue this snowball until all your debts are paid off.
You proabbly need to cut your expenses back to the bare minimum. Get rid of cable, cell phones, internet, etc. Lower your electric bill, gas bill, water bill, etc. Don't eat at a restaurant until your debts are under control.
Try to increase your income by getting a second job. If you have a car with payments, get rid of it, and buy a good dependable used car for CASH.
Go to the library and get "The Total Money Makeover". Read it and follwo it carefully.
Go check out Dave's website as well.
http://www.daveramsey.com
Stay away from any that charge a fee.
Most if not all of these companies will trash your credit.
What they do is not pay your creditors for months and then try and settle for less under the threat of bankruptcy. No special skills. They just don't pay.
Your creditors do not have to deal with these people because it is your debt.
Also, If they don't pay you creditors. You, and you alone are still responsible for the debt. Your creditors will sue you and not the company you hire.
Most of the debt repair/consolation/settlement companies want their fees up front and leave you credit trashed.
Check nfcc.org for listings legit non-profit credit counseling services. They can help you set up a budget and work out clearing up your debt.
You can tackle your debt yourself by putting every extra penny on the highest interest rate debt, while making minimum payments on the rest. When the highest is paid, move to the next, till they are all paid off.
It will take 2 or 3 years but if you work at it, you'll be out of debt with a good payment history.
I have been a reporter and author on the debt industry for over 4 years. I have reviewed several companies in regards to Christian debt consolidation as several of my readers have asked this exact question. The main thing to look for is a company that offers several options, a free consultation, and has an excellent BBB rating. I have tried over 35 different services and this one has been the best above all others:
http://www.ChristianDebtConsolidation.com
You will notice that it has a legitimate website URL and is not being used for marketing purposes like the other answers submitted to this question.
Call the hospital and see if they have any programs that can help. Last month when I ended up in the ER with my gallbladder we got put on a payment plan where we only pay off $28 a month until the bill is gone. The surgeons office also worked out a plan where we actually only have to pay half of what the bill would have been (because my dingbat husband cancled our health insurance back in May *smacks head against wall*).
I get this question a lot. I have personally reviewed over 50 different programs and have enrolled my credit cards in 7 of them just to test them out for the readers of my blog. Of the 7 I have tested, 2 of them have been Christian debt consolidation. It is virtually the same service but based on Christian principles. So, to answer your second question, I would say "yes" if you feel that sort of service will help you stay in the program and interact with the support staff.
Here is the best site I have come across:
ChristianDebtConsolidation.com
http://www.christiandebtconsolidation.com
Having a domain name that cannot simply be bought for $8 on Godaddy should be the first indicator that the site is legit.