How-To & Education
Debt Help for the Credit Challenged
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Get Debt Help Before It's Too Late!
If you feel like your debt is strangling you and seriously affecting your life, it's time to take action. With all of the recent news stories about foreclosures and increasingly tough credit terms, it's hard to feel positive. So, let's look at some ways to get debt help
The Get Out of Debt Kit:
Your Roadmap to Total Financial Freedom
Before you do anything else, you need to determine just how serious your situation is. Sit down and make a list of all the debts you have. Can you pay all of your regular bills and creditors each month without any problems? If so, you may be able to get out of debt on your own.
If you're juggling bills every month and holding your breath praying that you won't lose any time (or money) off from work, you probably need to get some help from an expert. Start by reading a reputable debt help book
or taking a course and applying what you learn.If you can't pay everything every month, you may want to take more stringent measures, such as debt consolidation or debt negotiation, to hopefully prevent a bankruptcy in your future.
Need Comprehensive Debt Help?
DIY Debt Help
Here are a few things you can do to make a debt situation better.
1. Keep track of where you're spending money.
Many people don't realize that their daily coffee or paper adds up to a substantial amount at the end of every month. Use a computer program or even a little notebook to help you see where you can cut back.
2. Plan your shopping.
People enjoy the convenience of a convenience store but don't think about how much more it costs them than taking steps to plan spending in advance.
Shop at sales and use available coupons. This one seems so obvious yet, with our instant gratification mentality, many of us don't use it. It's easy to find online coupons for most stores these days so always check before you go to the store or make that online purchase.
If you know that you need to make a major purchase, check the sales papers. If it's not an emergency need, wait until the item is on sale.
Plan menus and snacks religiously. Shop with a list at the grocery store. Know what items are on sale and stock up.
4. Reuse items when you can and use things longer. Cars and other major items don't have to be replaced every time a newer model comes out.
5. Here's a simple debt reduction plan you can do on your own. Make a list of each and every debt that you owe. Be sure to list the total amount due and the interest rate you are paying. Take the smallest debt and pay it off as soon as possible. If you have any extra money in your budget or you receive some unexpected money, use it towards this debt.
Once you have paid off this debt, you will feel encouraged that you can indeed do it. Now, take the money you have been paying for the paid off debt and apply it towards the next smallest debt. By using this method, your debts will disappear sooner than you thought possible.
However, this method is only good if you have adequate income. If you don't have enough consistent income to do this, you may want to research debt consolidation or credit counseling.
situation better.1. Keep track of where you're spending money.
Many people don't realize that their daily coffee or paper adds up to a substantial amount at the end of every month. Use a computer program or even a little notebook to help you see where you can cut back.
2. Plan your shopping.
People enjoy the convenience of a convenience store but don't think about how much more it costs them than taking steps to plan spending in advance.
Shop at sales and use available coupons. This one seems so obvious yet, with our instant gratification mentality, many of us don't use it. It's easy to find online coupons for most stores these days so always check before you go to the store or make that online purchase.
If you know that you need to make a major purchase, check the sales papers. If it's not an emergency need, wait until the item is on sale.
The Total Money Makeover:
A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Plan menus and snacks religiously. Shop with a list at the grocery store. Know what items are on sale and stock up.
4. Reuse items when you can and use things longer. Cars and other major items don't have to be replaced every time a newer model comes out.
5. Here's a simple debt reduction plan you can do on your own. Make a list of each and every debt that you owe. Be sure to list the total amount due and the interest rate you are paying. Take the smallest debt and pay it off as soon as possible. If you have any extra money in your budget or you receive some unexpected money, use it towards this debt.
Once you have paid off this debt, you will feel encouraged that you can indeed do it. Now, take the money you have been paying for the paid off debt and apply it towards the next smallest debt. By using this method, your debts will disappear sooner than you thought possible.
However, this method is only good if you have adequate income. If you don't have enough consistent income to do this, you may want to research debt consolidation or credit counseling
. Improve Your Credit and Get Out of Debt
How to Get Out of Debt: Get an a Credit Rating for Free Using the System I've Used Successfully With Thousands of Clients
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Release Date: 12/15/2006
Credit Counseling and Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is the process of combining all of your debts so that you are making only one payment instead of multiple ones. The major drawback is that you need to be disciplined enough not to incur new debt once you have freed up your credit cards. Although there are debt consolidation companies out there, with a little planning you can do it yourself.
For example, if you have a low-interest credit card available, transfer some of your other higher-interest balances to that card. This can potentially save you a lot in interest charges and will probably lower your monthly payment amount as well. Another option may be to take out a consolidation loan at a credit union or personal bank where the interest rates are often lower.
Credit counselingmay be a good option if you don't make enough money to pay your bills and you would like someone to go to bat for you. One of the downsides is that you are usually required to cut up your credit cards. Many financial advisers do not recommend this because it can hurt your FICO score and also leaves you without a way to re-establish credit.
There are many unscrupulous credit counseling services out there. Be sure to do your homework in advance and see what other people say about the particular service you are considering.
For example, if you have a low-interest credit card available, transfer some of your other higher-interest balances to that card. This can potentially save you a lot in interest charges and will probably lower your monthly payment amount as well. Another option may be to take out a consolidation loan at a credit union or personal bank where the interest rates are often lower.
Credit counseling
may be a good option if you don't make enough money to pay your bills and you would like someone to go to bat for you. One of the downsides is that you are usually required to cut up your credit cards. Many financial advisers do not recommend this because it can hurt your FICO score and also leaves you without a way to re-establish credit.There are many unscrupulous credit counseling services out there. Be sure to do your homework in advance and see what other people say about the particular service you are considering.
Just How Bad is Your Debt Situation?
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Debt Negotiation
Are You Brave Enough to Try This?
When you owe a large amount of money to an individual creditor, it often feels like you will paying them back for the rest of your life. You may have heard about debt negotiation and wondered if it could work in your situation. Basically, you negotiate with your creditor to accept a smaller amount of the total debt as payment in full. Depending on the type of debt and the particular creditor, this may work for you. However, be aware that usually when you negotiate a smaller payment, you need to have the money available to pay right away.
There are companies who advertise that they will help you negotiate with your creditors. The thing to realize is that you can very often do the negotiation yourself without incurring any additional expenses from a debt negotiation company. You do need to have tough skin and know exactly what you are able to do financially.
Done properly, debt negotiation can be a welcome answer to a serious debt problem. However, if you don't do your research first, it can easily intensify the financial nightmare you already have.
and wondered if it could work in your situation. Basically, you negotiate with your creditor to accept a smaller amount of the total debt as payment in full. Depending on the type of debt and the particular creditor, this may work for you. However, be aware that usually when you negotiate a smaller payment, you need to have the money available to pay right away.
There are companies who advertise that they will help you negotiate with your creditors. The thing to realize is that you can very often do the negotiation yourself without incurring any additional expenses from a debt negotiation company. You do need to have tough skin and know exactly what you are able to do financially.
Done properly, debt negotiation
can be a welcome answer to a serious debt problem. However, if you don't do your research first, it can easily intensify the financial nightmare you already have. When Your Debt Has Got You Down
Bankruptcy...
When All Else Fails
Sometimes life throws you a curve in the way of massive medical bills or a tough job situation. In these cases, bankruptcy may be the only way to get out of debt.
Bankruptcy laws have changed in the past few years and each state varies a little as to what you can keep after a bankruptcy. Again, it helps to do your research and find an attorney who comes well recommended. Although you can file your own bankruptcy, it can be very intimidating and if you're already beaten down by debt collectors, you may prefer to use an attorney.
Of course, it does cost money to hire an attorney and to pay bankruptcy fees. However, in most cases, the financial and mental stress relief is indeed worth it.
may be the only way to get out of debt.Bankruptcy laws have changed in the past few years and each state varies a little as to what you can keep after a bankruptcy. Again, it helps to do your research and find an attorney who comes well recommended. Although you can file your own bankruptcy
, it can be very intimidating and if you're already beaten down by debt collectors, you may prefer to use an attorney.Of course, it does cost money to hire an attorney and to pay bankruptcy fees. However, in most cases, the financial and mental stress relief is indeed worth it.
Up to the Minute Credit News
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Debt-Eliminator
Great job an very informative info on pay off debt. Great lens and left 5 stars for you. Please review and critic my lens. Thanks. Posted April 18, 2008 |
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BobbyZigital
The key is to learn about your options for getting debt help. I like the fact that this lens promotes reading books and the do-it-yourself approach. If you're really overextended, you may want to check out how to get out of credit card debt with the help of a debt consolidation company. Posted April 09, 2008 |
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Sallymae
Great Lens! Good Job. Online Loan Options Posted March 26, 2008 |
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sdsunshine
Thanks for the comprehensive materials. 5* for you. I have a complimentary lens. My lens contains info for people that need to Fix Bad Posted March 21, 2008 |
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- Need Comprehensive Debt Help?
- DIY Debt Help
- Improve Your Credit and Get Out of Debt
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- Just How Bad is Your Debt Situation?
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