Questions to Ask a Credit Counseling Service about Debt Relief
Debt relief is a topic on a lot of consumers' minds these days, and with good reason. American credit card debt in 2001 was $692 billion, triple the amount from 1989. In that same time period, the average credit card increase for a middle-class family was 75%. The amounts were even higher for low-income families and senior citizens. At one time, such a high amount of credit card debt would seem frivolous as buyers spent money they didn't have on luxury items such as electronics or jewelry. Today, however, in less stable economic times and a poor job market, more people are turning to credit cards as a way to extend their income. More and more debt is being rung up for everyday items such as groceries and medical bills. How can people get real help with debt relief? Credit counseling services were originally established by credit card companies who wanted to get at least some of their money back before a client decided to declare bankruptcy. While that may seem shady to some people, for others it is a legitimate way to pay the debt they owe. When seeking debt relief, however, be wary and be an informed consumer. Do your research before signing on with any one service. Here are some questions to ask: * How much does it cost? Many less-than-reputable services charge hundreds of dollars to start up, money that doesn't go to any of your creditors. * Does the service notify credit bureaus about your enrollment in their program? Some do and some don't. Creditors may still elect to put a bad mark on your credit report, but the agency you are looking at for debt relief shouldn't. * What services are offered? Do they offer a range of solutions from trouble-shooting before finances are a big problem to debt management. Beware of companies promising too quick a solution or promising to "fix" your credit report. * What are the benefits of belonging to one particular group over another? For example, some services offer newsletters and budgeting tips, all to help you become more stable when your debt is paid off. * Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau? If that is not advertised, check them out with BBB first. With time, patience and diligence, you can become debt free. Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Debt-Relief-Solutions.com. He provides more debt consolidation, credit counseling, repair and free debt relief information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
Related News
GM, Chrysler Win Union Concessions to Bolster Aid Bid (Update3) - Bloomberg
Know the Details of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act - RisMedia.com (press release)
Obama pledges relief to governors - The News Journal
Obama pledges relief to governorsThe News Journal, DE -9 hours ago"We don't believe economic problems that were in large measure created by too much debt will be solved by more debt," Sanford said Tuesday. ". ... |
Home > News > World Bank Launches Facility to Prevent ... - World Bank Group
Holders deem Station Casinos bond offer "deficient" - Reuters
Paulson Considers New Plan to Lower Mortgage Rates (Update3) - Bloomberg
UPDATE 1-Pininfarina sees agreement with banks by end-2008 - Reuters
Andhra pays for fiscal profligacy, may be denied debt relief - Economic Times
Firms Seek More Action to Unfreeze Lending - Wall Street Journal
Firms Seek More Action to Unfreeze LendingWall Street Journal -6 hours agoSo far, the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, and Fed programs to ease the financial crunch have focused on banks and, more recently, ... |
WEALTHY NATIONS, OTHERS BEHIND FINANCIAL CRISIS MUST TAKE ... - 7thSpace Interactive (press release)
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Credit Counseling ? Signs That You May Need Help
Credit counseling is a viable option for those who are feeling the stress of being overwhelmed by debt. Credit counseling primarily offers assistance with working out a credit and debt repayment plan for an individual to gain control of their finances by creating a structured budget for an individual to follow. Credit counseling offers an individual the option to repay their debts, if needed, through a credit counseling debt repayment program. This is where the credit counseling organization becomes in contact with an individuals creditor to ask for lowered interest rates and for the credit provider to stop any late and over the limit fees that may be attached to a particular credit card.
Credit counseling organizations that provide a no charge credit and money management education program for an individual typically have the individual consumer's best interest on their mind.
Credit Counseling or Bankruptcy: Which is Best for You?
People often get to a place where they simply can't pay their bills, especially in today's economy which is not particularly sympathetic toward the poor or even the middle class. Inflation has impacted nearly every facet of daily life including food, gas, rent, clothes, utility bills and more. At the same time, salaries, especially in the lower ranges, have utterly failed to keep pace. When you get to the place where you cannot pay your bills and have money left over for food and other necessities, there are some hard decisions that have to be faced. The options are credit counseling and debt management services, or bankruptcy. Both have their pros and cons, so which road to take depends largely on the individual and how severe his or her financial problems have grown.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Bankruptcy
Outlined below are some of the benefits and drawbacks of bankruptcy. It should be noted that bankruptcy is not to be entered into without first having sought professional advice.
Bouncing Back from a CCJ
Should you be unfortunate enough to face a CCJ ? but subsequently succeed in having it either set aside or reversed - the court will automatically remove the entry from the Register of County Court Judgments.
Credit Card Debt & the Unfairness of the Universal Default Clause
Let's look at a real world example: A woman purchased a new $4,000 large screen TV a few months ago based on the knowledge her monthly payment was going to be $175, and based on the 9% interest rate charged by her credit card company. For five months straight she made all her payments on time, but in the fifth month she was late paying her mortgage bill, for reasons unknown. She found out a month or two later that her credit card company doubled her interest rate to 18%, thus increasing the payment for the TV to about $190 per month. Even though she was never late on any other payments, she found most of her other credit cards raised their interest rates as well. Even her car insurance company raised their rates. The net effect was she ended up paying nearly $200 per month more because she was late on a single mortgage payment.
A Debt Elimination Process Must Be Initiated From You.
The first and maybe most important step in a debt elimination process, is to acknowledge there's a problem and realize that something has to be done with your situation. Some do it before it is too late, though an asthonishing number of people seem to act as if this is not their situation at all. They
know that the need to seek advice from a debt consolidator, but they do not. The paradox is that many people are willing to use many years and spend a whole lot of extra money to get out of debt. Don't do like these people.
Debt Elimination 1
If you have multiple debts, you may well be wishing you had a debt elimination wand to wave and make all the debts disappear. You would probably wish even harder for that magic wand if you were falling behind with, or at least struggling hard to keep up with, the monthly payments on those debts.
Debt Elimination 2
The First Step To Debt Elimination
Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know
Personal bankruptcy is a legal way to give people with overwhelming debt a fresh financial start. Many people do not realize that there are five types of bankruptcy options available under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; however, for most consumers there are really only two viable options; Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
How to Deal with Bill Collectors
So you've screwed up. You're drowning in debt. Maybe the credit card was burning a hole in your pocket and you just had to get the HDTV. Or maybe you or a family member had a medical emergency while you we laid off. It doesn't matter to your creditors; they lent you the money and now they want it back.
Debt and Financial Optimism in the UK Continue
With £1.3 trillion pounds worth of debt in the UK, Scotland's Citizens Advice Bureau has welcomed a new Bill to regulate lenders and protect borrowers from creating un-repayable levels of personal debt.
How to Reduce Your Debt in 5 Easy Steps
If you have incurred substantial personal debt, consider these options: budgeting, debt consolidation, credit counselling from a reputable organization and working with your creditors. You will need to choose a debt reduction method that will work best for you? The method you use will depend on your level of debt, how much spare money you have, your level of discipline, and how quickly you want to get out of debt.
Debt Validation: Do you have to pay ?
It happens all the time. Debt collectors try to collect on debts that consumers have no knowledge of or never owed in the first place. So, what do you do when a bill collector demands payment in full on a debt that you never knew existed? You need to request a validation of debt.
Christian Debt Consolidation ? Feel Comfortable About Managing Your Debt
Many Christians feel uncomfortable with the notion of being in debt, and even more so when the debt has gotten out of control. Some say that it is not acceptable for Christians to owe any money, even for such necessities as a home. Others feel that such debts are acceptable as long as debt does not place a burden on the family's finances.In recent years, the number of debt consolidation and credit counseling firms that specialize in catering to Christian clients have increased dramatically. Christian debt consolidation and credit counseling agencies are aware of the concerns Christians have about debt. They can help you consolidate your debt, establish a repayment schedule, arrange to allow you to continue tithing, and provide the additional spiritual counseling that you may need to help you stay out of debt. All of this is done in a way that is consistent with Christian beliefs and the teachings of the Bible. Creditors recognize that people who enter a debt consolidation program are trying to repay their obligations in good faith. Creditors are more willing to extend favorable terms to such clients in the hope that they (the creditor) will avoid the significant expense of turning the account over to a collections firm or avoid an extended drawn out process if the account holder goes through the expense of declaring bankruptcy.Experienced Christian Debt consolidation and credit counseling services know this, and they have experience working with creditors to ease the burden of repayment. They can help you renegotiate loans, reshape payment schedules, reduce your interest rate or obtain a loan that consolidates your debt. Many of these firms are nonprofit; they are in the business strictly so that they can help fellow Christians to get back on their feet and free from the burden of unusually heavy debt. If this sounds like something that suits your personal needs, you should consider contacting a Christian debt consolidation or credit counseling agency.
Think for a Change
I'm not sure where it originated, but I've heard it repeated time and time again: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. As much sense as that statement makes, we often find ourselves addressing the same issue with solutions that are little more than rearranged expressions of previously failed solutions. Why can't we develop new solutions to persistent problems? Because we refuse to think!
What is Bankruptcy?
Personal bankruptcy is a legal way to give people with overwhelming debt a fresh financial start. However, it is important to realize that certain forms of debt, such as student loans, are not forgiven through the bankruptcy process. Bankruptcy can have a devastating impact to your credit report and credit score. Bankruptcy will often remain on your credit report for as long as 10 years. During this time it can be next to impossible to obtain loans or any type of credit. If you are able to find a lender that is willing to do business with you, you will pay the highest possible interest rates allowed by law.
Assess Your Financial Attitude and Eliminate Your Debt Forever
Want to know if your attitude towards your finances is helping you or damaging your future? Take this Quiz and find out...
Is There Any Way To Get Out Of Debt?
In this era where we are bombarded daily with commercials on television, radio, billboards, through email, not to forget the flyers slipped under the car's wiper blades while shopping at the mall, it's no surprise that so many of us find ourselves endlessly in debt to the services and products offered by others. How can we refuse, when we're baited with the juicy orange carrot of '0% APR' up to a certain amount or for a specified time, or 'no money down' and 'easy installments' of just so much per month?
Budgeting and Debt Management
Debt management (specifically unsecured) is the first step to taking control of your money! Add a household budgeting plan and you've got a powerful tool for money management.
What Is A FICO Score?
Your FICO score or credit score as it's commonly called is a very important calculation that can control whether or not you are eligible to receive credit and if eligible the terms you can receive credit under. Failure to understand the impact this score can have on you future purchasing power and lifestyle can be disastrous. This article will break down all the information you need to know regarding your FICO score.
|
