Debt Consolidation – How To Solve Your Debt Problem

Debt consolidation – how to solve your debt problem is for anyone facing hardship in paying off its debts? Or, are you tired of making too many monthly payments? This is a way out,debt consolidation programs helps you pay your debts at a low rate of interest. It simplifies loan payment process by accumulating various debts payment into a single program.
This process of debt consolidation involves taking out one loan to pay off multiple debts. This helps to secure a fixed or lower interest rate, avoiding bankruptcy o or the convenience of making one payment instead of many, although usually for a longer period of time. However, one must be sure of understanding the working and benefits of a good debt consolidation program to get good value for money.
Debt consolidation: what are Its Benefits?
A good and reputable debt consolidation company will offer the listed services:
1.

Debt counseling session (free): some debt consolidation firms render free counseling to their respective clients to enable them to choose the right consolidation plan. The debt consolidation consult will check and review you financial position by analyzing your earnings and expenditure. These details will help the debt consolidation consultant understand your paying capacity, based on which he will create a plan that will favour you.
2. Full Formalities For Enrolment: After reviewing your financial standing, if the debt consolidation consultant feels that a consolidation program will suit your requirement s, you will be then asked to fill the necessary document. Please ask about the fees and read the documents carefully before signing them.

3. Refer Creditors To Consultant: make sure you go through the documents carefully, you can even take it home to study before signing them. The debt consolidation consultant will ask if you have any question. You can ask questions, I any, on any issue that concern the matter at hand. Refer your creditors calls to the consultant. The debt consolidation consultant will help speak on your behalf since he/she now knows your financial standing.

4. The debt consolidation consultant know works on your behalf, he/she collects details related to your outstanding debt balances, expenditure accounts, analyzing your income. This will be used by creditors to accept your proposed payment plans. Your consultants know starts negotiations for minimizing interest rates along with monthly payments. Other proposals for lowering extra fees are also made by the debt consolidation consultant on your behalf.

5. Monthly payment to the consulting firm: regarding the documents you sign with the consultant, you should endeavor to pay your monthly installments on time. Your debt consolidation firm makes payment to all your creditors and you will receive statements from the creditors a payment receipts. This will erase your need to be making monthly payments to multiple creditors.

6. Whenever required, inform your consultant about your financial status: The debt consolidation company will ask for your financial statement every seven month to review your financial status. You should be ready to provide the details whenever required.
There are several good and reputed debt management companies that provide efficient services. They also provide money management tips for managing your accounts, student loan consolidation. One such reputed company is Consolidation Expert Consults. More Links on Debt Consolidation.

Moneysupermarket.com editor Clare Francis chats with Paul Wilson on methods to deal with debt through ways such as IVA’s, debt management and bankruptcy…

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Credit Counseling WARNINGS: “Lies Exposed!” (The shocking, whole-truth Credit Counselors don’t want You to know)

Many people mistakenly turn to credit counselors. Often people struggling with serious debt make the dangerous assumption credit counselors are “the good guys” because they advertise being “not-for-profit”. Other times debtors lured by the debt management companies believe a common “half-truth” (out-right lie) promoted by the credit reporting agencies and credit counselors alike about how such debt consolidation programs affect your credit. Do you know how your credit may be affected?

Before we look at the truth behind these deceptive claims, let’s clear up the terminology and eliminate any confusion.

You see, “Consumer Credit Counseling Services” goes by many names… but ALL of these different names are really the same thing. These many names include credit counseling, CCCS, debt consolidation, debt consolidation plan, debt consolidation program, debt management plan, DMP, debt management program, and of course the infamous “Non-Profit” Credit Counseling Program.

The Truth About How Credit Counseling Affects Your Credit

While enrollment in Consumer Credit Counseling Services no longer affects your numerical credit “score”*, being enrolled in “CCCS” has a VERY DAMAGING impact on your credit “worthiness.” Credit worthiness is your ability to get a loan.

(* This is assuming that the credit counseling agency actually makes your payments on time – which is often NOT the case, as many, many people who have mistakenly enrolled in such debt management plans report.)

Why does enrollment have such a damaging affect on your credit worthiness?

Statistics show it’s most likely that you will never complete your debt management plan and will most likely file bankruptcy instead.

Some statistics report 7 out of 10 people who enroll into debt management plans fail to get out of debt.

Just ask ANY mortgage lender in the country…

When pulling your credit report, EVERY ACCOUNT included in your “debt management plan” is listed just as a bankruptcy would be, with a notice under each account saying something similar to:

“THIS ACCOUNT IS INCLUDED IN CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICES”

This means big trouble for you. Lenders call this a “walking bankruptcy” because it’s a *major red flag* indicating you cannot manage your money and had to hire a third party to do it for you. Plus, you still owe the debt and are at a much greater risk of filing bankruptcy in the near future.

How will these negative credit entries affect you?

You will pay much more in fees and interest rates, if you are able to obtain credit at all, during the 4-7 years you are enrolled in your debt management program.

Who’s Hiding This Hurtful Half-Truth (Outright Lie) From You?

Credit counselors, your creditors & the credit reporting agencies are all in cahoots together. They all promote the half-truth that CCCS does not affect your credit score. The vast majority, including the credit reporting agency websites fail to mention the rest of the story.

While it is true that credit counseling has no affect on your credit score, that’s only half of the truth.

WHY?…

Because credit counseling has a major negative impact on your credit worthiness.

The Truth Regarding So-Called “Non-Profit” Credit Counselors

Don’t be fooled by the words “non-profit.” Claiming a debt management plan is “not-for-profit” is ridiculous, but it’s fooled many people into making poor money choices.

The IRS has revoked the non-profit status of over 50% of the credit counseling industry in the past two years.

The IRS is conducting an investigation of the entire industry!

Here’s the PROOF “they” don’t want you to see:

Debt management programs were created by the credit card industry back in the 1950′s

The credit industry lobbied congress to achieve their touted “non-profit” status for the debt management programs.

They are really a collection arm for the credit card industry.

Next to minimum payments on high interest credit card debt, Credit Counseling is how creditors make most of their profit!

Their CEO’s are paid VERY WELL from the kick backs they receive (called “fair share”, usually 15% of all payments received by you) — from YOUR creditors!

Plus, aren’t you paying a -85 monthly FEE?

How’s that a non-profit?

On top of these costs to you, many credit counselors ask their customers, who come to them deeply in debt, for a “donation” to their “non-profit” organization. Often, these agencies pressure their customers into making “regular donations.”

Is this acting in your best interest?

A Secret Credit Counselors Were Able To Hide For A Long Time

The goal of these programs is to:

Fool consumers into paying back 100% of their balances PLUS interest when they’re in deep financial hardship, instead of filing bankruptcy or seeking debt settlement when such options may be much more appropriate.

A lot of profit has been made from these “non-profit” debt consolidation programs over the years. The banking and credit institutions, credit reporting agencies and those politically sensitive to these corporate lobbying giants all promote such debt management plans because that’s how they stay in business.

In 2004, PBS FRONTLINE and The New York Times produced “The Secret History of the Credit Card” and went on to win 2004-05 Grammy for Outstanding Investigative Journalism. (Google “The Secret History of the Credit Card” to watch this program for free online – great information you’ll wish you had known sooner if you’re dealing with credit card debt.)

Now the truth is out, but your creditors are still hoping you don’t find out…

Is There A Better Alternative Than Credit Counseling?

Now don’t get me wrong, debt management programs can be a great thing for certain people. Could credit counseling be the best option for you?

Sometimes, if a person cannot qualify for a better program to eliminate debt faster, at a lower cost and a lower payment with less credit damage, credit counseling may be best.

It may not be. I’ve helped many people get out of debt through credit counseling over the years, but only after they were educated on the all of their options, and the whole truth about each. I personally consider it unethical to promote a single solution instead of looking at an individual’s specific circumstances and situation to discover the exact solution best for them.

Share these facts with the people you know before someone else becomes another sad statistic!

Learn the difference between “credit rating” and “credit worthiness”, and learn how credit works so you can have it work for you.

Are you 100% certain Consumer Credit Counseling Services is the best option for you to get out of debt? If you want to get out of debt ASAP, then you should know other options are available.

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Get debt free: 7 Simple Steps To A Stress-Free Life

Can you imagine your life without mounting credit card bills, payday loans, medical bills and threatening calls from collection agencies? Well, living a debt free life isn’t impossible. All you need is the determination, time and patience to find the right way out of debt. Once you get rid of the burden, you can enjoy a stress-free life.

Paying your bills on time and getting debt free is a great way to get your finances back on track. Given below is a list of 7 steps on how to lead a debt free life.

Legally Reduce Your Bills

Step 1 – Admit that you are in debt problems

The first step towards a debt free life is to admit that you are in debt. Leaving bills unpaid and avoiding creditor calls isn’t the solution to your debt problems. In fact it makes the situation worse. However, the fact that you’re reading this article implies you have already accepted that you are in debt and you’re ready to take the next step.

Step 2 – Seek professional help to get debt free

Get professional help from a debt relief company. If you want to lower your rates and consolidate your bills into a single monthly payment, then debt consolidation program is the right option for you. If you want to reduce the outstanding balance and can’t see how to make your monthly payments, then you should enroll in a settlement program.

Step 3 – Free counseling to help you get debt free

The consolidation/settlement company will offer a no-obligation free counseling session. In this session, a consultant will analyze your financial situation and suggest the right debt solution for you. To make his task easier, you should prepare a list of your debts/bills. Next to each of your dues, put down the name of the creditor, the total amount you owe, the rate of interest and monthly payment. This will give the consultant a better picture of your financial standing.

Step 4 – The consultant prepares a monthly budget for you

Based on the total amount you owe and your monthly income, the consultant will help prepare a monthly budget for your expenses. This is to find out how much you are left with after paying your utility bills and other expenses. The amount left over will be used to pay off your debts.

Step 5 – The consultant negotiates with your creditors

In a consolidation program, the consultant negotiates with the creditors/collection agency in order to lower your rates and monthly payments. However, if you’d like to settle debts, the consultant won’t negotiate for lower rates. Rather, he’ll talk to your creditors about reducing your outstanding balance.

Step 6 – Start making payments

You need to make a single monthly payment to the consolidation company which distributes the amount amongst your creditors. This goes on for 2-6 years till you get debt free.

If you choose debt settlement, you’ll have to stop paying your creditors and make a monthly payment to the settlement company. The payments accumulate into lump sum cash in a trust account. The lump sum amount is then paid off to the creditors/collection agency.

Step 7 – Say a big ‘No’ to any new credit card/loan

While you consolidate or settle debts, make sure you don’t apply for any type of credit/loan. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to get debt free.

Legally Reduce Your Bills

National best selling author and financial Dave Ramsey motivates millions to become debt free and financially free. More at daveramsey.com
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Credit Card Debt Consolidation: Finding The Right Program – Advantages And Disadvantages

You never know when and who would need help from a credit card debt consolidation program. Sometimes unexpected circumstances can lead to financial difficulties which in turn would lead you to consider debt consolidation. Some of these circumstances are loss of job, loss in business, death of an earning member and so on. If you are finding it hard to pay off your credit card loans, then it is wise to consider debt consolidation. This is much better than bankruptcy. This article will help you with steps in finding the right credit card debt consolidation program, make you aware of the advantages and disadvantages of debt consolidation so you can decide whether credit card debt consolidation is the best option for you or not.

Basics of Debt Consolidation

Debt Consolidation is a big loan that will pay off your credit card loans. There are several ways these debt consolidation programs work. The most popular way is to take one lump sum amount of money from you (the borrower) and distribute it to your credit card companies (the lenders). All your loans will be consolidated into one payment usually withdrawn directly from your bank on a fixed date every month. These programs make the card holders life easier.

As a general rule, if you have many credit cards from different companies with high interest rates, then debt consolidation can help you manage your debt with only one bill and much lower APRs. These debt consolidation companies negotiate a lower interest rate for you and this can save a lot of money in the long run. This will work out in your favor if you have credit cards with APRs of around 30% because the debt consolidation programs can reduce these interest rates to between 12% – 18%. These programs require a monthly administration fees, which is usually around and this will come off your savings. Remember if the admin fee does not come off your savings, then it is not a good idea to sign up for a debt consolidation program.

So it looks like everything about the credit card debt consolidation is positive. Well, it is not always the case. There are a few advantages and also disadvantages of debt consolidation programs. You have to find a balance between them. The fact is that credit card debt consolidation companies do help you in paying off your debt. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of these programs.

Advantages

1. Decreased payment amounts: The monthly payments will be less than what you were paying before debt consolidation because you are paying off the loan over a longer duration.

2. Simpler to manage: After you signup in the debt consolidation program, you will have a relief from reading your credit card statements, deciding how much to pay for each credit card and then making the payments one by one. Usually, the company will withdraw the money directly from the bank and you will not have to be concerned about late payments.

3. Decreased interest rates: This is one of the major advantages for many credit card owners. Some of the debt consolidation companies bring down the interest rates much lower than the current ones. This can save lots of money for you.

4. Debt Management tips: Many of the good debt consolidation give lots of free tips on managing your debt. They draw out a plan on debt management. These tips are invaluable. They even mail out booklets on debt management.

Disadvantages

1. Lower FICO scores: Many experts debate that debt consolidation does not have any effect on credit (FICO) scores the fact is that debt consolidation has a negative effect on the credit scores. Enrolling into debt consolidation will always be reflected in your credit history. Most credit repair companies mention that it is difficult to increase your credit score if you are currently working with a debt consolidation program. Your credit scores can be raised after you have paid off the loans and are not currently in any debt consolidation program. Even if you can remove one credit card from the debt consolidation program that can help you increase your credit scores.

2. Higher Payment: Since your payments are made over a longer duration of time i.e. in more number of the years, then you will end up paying more in the long run. One way to prevent this is – if your financial situation has improved, then you can pay off larger sum of money. Most of times there will be no penalty for paying off the debt sooner than the agreed number of months. Before enrolling in a credit card debt consolidation program, you can confirm if there is a penalty or not for paying off the debt sooner than the agreed number of months.

3. Credit cards inactivation: If a credit card payment is enrolled in a debt consolidation program, then that particular card account will be inactivated. i.e., that credit card can no longer be used.

4. Negative Impact on Future Loans: Once you have enrolled in a credit card debt consolidation program, this will remain in your credit history. So, all future loan requests (new credit card applications, home loan, car (automobile) loans etc.) will involve references to your debt consolidation. i.e., the lender will have knowledge about your participation in debt consolidation program. Some people are very uncomfortable about this but it is up to you decide. Your credit history is a private record and will be provided by credit score companies only on a need-to-know basis. If you apply for home loan, then the chances of getting rejected is higher and if you get accepted, then mortgage broker will ask for explanation. Again all these conversations are kept confidential.

So, the question is – when should you consider a credit card debt consolidation? If you are paying high interest rates around 30% on a credit card, you have many credit cards, you are unable to make payments or your are barely able to make just the minimum monthly payments, you are finding it difficult to manage all the payments etc., you must consider signing up for a credit card debt consolidation program. After reading through the advantages and disadvantages mentioned earlier, make decision about signing up or not signing up for credit card debt consolidation program.

How to find a good debt consolidation program / company?

Signing up with the right debt consolidation program is critical for saving money and successfully consolidating your debt. There are a good number of scams in the debt consolidation business so it is in your best interest to proceed cautiously to prevent being victim of a scam. Here are some very good sources of finding the right debt consolidation program.

1. References from friends and relatives: It is best to ask your trusted friends if they have any recommendations for reliable credit card debt consolidation program i.e., if they have enrolled in one of these or know of anyone who enrolled in one and is satisfied. As mentioned before, there are many scams and so with this option, you can feel safe. This should be your first option.

2. Television advertisements: Most of big and established companies run advertisements on TV. These are companies that have a lot of experience and have been successful with debt consolidation. But it is a wise thing to research the company. Look for their website and check for their standing in Better Business Bureau (BBB) and must have been in existence for a few years. Also, search http://ripoffreport.com website for this company – this website where victims of scams post their experiences.

3. Mails: When you are unable to payoff debt on time, you will receive mails from some companies that will offer help with debt consolidation. These companies have permission to access some of your basic information. The good thing here is that your fit their profile of enrollees and that is why you received a mail with their credit card debt consolidation services. As mentioned earlier, research these companies using the same methods described above.

4. Telemarketing phone calls: Typically, telemarketing phone calls that you get is because your debt situation is such that it fits the requirement of their enrollees. If you receive a phone call, remember to never enroll in the first phone call. Note down all the details of this company such as the websites, contact person and phone number to call. Research the company extensively as mentioned above.

5. Online Research: Research the internet for good credit card debt consolidation companies both non profit and profit companies. Once you create a list of possible companies, research the companies extensively. Talk to these companies until you are comfortable about enrolling with them.

For a few months or years, if you can handle the disadvantages of credit card debt consolidation programs, then enroll in a program. Debt consolidation can get you out of your current debt problems and save you a lot of money by lowering your interest rates but if you do not spend judiciously, then you will be back into the same debt problems and this cycle will never end. So the long term solution to debt problems is to change your spending habits and live slightly below your means. Remember you need to manage the money / debt and NOT let the money / debt manage you.

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