Today everyone is looking for a path to financial freedom during this difficult economic climate.  They are looking for ways to safeguard their reputation and keep their buying and borrowing power.

The consumer knows that loans, bills, mortgages and credit card charges can increase very quickly, in particular the credit cards used for day to day expenses, it is a challenge to maintain the monthly payments.  So in order to safeguard the consumer’s reputation and credit score rating, they need to review and relearn ways to protect themselves.

Some of the things the consumer needs to revisit are the following key ideas:

• Am I borrowing wisely and paying back promptly?
• Have I identified, avoided and recovered from various financial pitfalls?
• Have a gotten a recent copy of my credit report and do I understand it?
• Does my family have a financial plan for the future

The key to being a good credit risk is based upon the consumer’s credit score.  This score is a numerical number assigned to the consumer based upon their credit history. This history is based upon number of opened and closed accounts, payment history, including late or missing payments and collection referral, original credit limit, current balances, etc. The higher your credit score is the better your ability to borrow at more favorable interest rates.  The lower the score the consumer is charged a higher interest rate or decline altogether.

Basically, the consumer needs to obtain a copy of their credit report from one of the following three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.  Once you have this report, the consumer needs to set down and review this report for accurate information. 

The definition of debt settlement is a third party who negotiates with lenders on behalf of the consumer. Debt settlement is a method of getting out of debt for the consumer’s who have fallen on hard times.

Debt settlement is one of the methods used by consumers when they fall behind on their unsecured debt obligations.  A debt settlement company may be able to reduce the consumer’s outstanding balances. The consumer may be asking why use a debt settlement company instead of trying to negotiate with the lenders themselves.  As a consumer you can take this approach, however one of the drawbacks is you will be working with multiple lenders. These lenders would want the agreed amount money upfront in order to settle your account. 

By using a debt settlement program, they will negotiate on your behalf and notice the lenders of your indications of using a settlement program.  The debt settlement program will set up a “trust/escrow account” for the consumer.  Each month the consumer is deposit an agreed to amount in order to start saving.  Once the account has reach at least half of the lowest outstanding balance of one your credit cards, the company will begin negotiations with the lender.

The consumer will now be making only one monthly payment instead of multiple payments over a set period of time.  It may take between 12 to 48 months to complete the cycle of reducing the consumer’s unsecured debt. 

So start today and contact a representative so they can answer all your questions so you can start living debt free!!

Credit card debt is almost a way of life in today’s economical time’s.   It’s so very easy to take out our credit cards and purchase everything from groceries to our utility bills on plastic. Some of the time people can pay these off the next month and they do not carry a balance moving forward . However, for others – this is just a way of life.

Which leads us to the question of what if the unthinkable happens?  I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck and living beyond my means.  Of course this will lead to a degree of worry, anxiety, fear and perhaps to denial of the severity of your financial situation.  Because  you don’t have a reserve or back up plans.  So, y ou have become obsessed with your money problems of missed payments, bill collectors calling and possible litigation.

Needless to say, it’s common for the consumer to avoid the collection calls which further adds fuel to the fire because the collectors just become more aggressive in their tactics.  You begin to experience depression but you need to get back to reality and deal with the situation head on!!!

In visiting Dave Ramsey’s website I came upon this comment….”Laziness is a character flaw.  You need to be willing to work and sacrifice in order to fix the situations that you created with your own irresponsibility.  If you are not willing, then you cannot be helped.”  I agree with this statement 100 percent. 

The consumer needs to toll up his sleeves and get ready to work hard.  You need to rip up the credit cards and start by being honest with yourself and your creditors.  It’s time to get proactive and deal with your situation today.

Contact a consultant who can answer your questions and put you on a path of financial freedom!

The consumer needs to explore a debt settlement program as an alternative to their financial hardship. Debt settlement is a method by which a third party negotiates on behalf of the consumer to reduce and sometime cut in half their credit card debt.  This is not a quick fix or an easy process.  The consumer needs to understand how this program works and how it will affect their credit score.

Any consumer who decides to enter into a debt settlement program needs to be aware of the positive to the program and pitfalls.

What are the positives to this program:

·         The consumer now has a plan to climb out of debt.

·         The consumer has a timetable for getting out of debt.

·         The consumers credit will improve overtime as the debt is negotiated.

·         The consumer may not continue to face the harassing collection calls.

·         The consumer feels better about trying to resolve their debt by not filing bankruptcy.

 What are the pitfalls:

·         Consumer credit score will drop.

·         Consumer may face a tax bill on the forgiven debt over $600.00.

Every consumer worries about their credit score.  This credit score is key for allowing the consumer to borrow whether to purchase a home, car or apply for a new credit card. So once the consumer starts on the debt settlement program, one of the key steps to helping you’re current score is to continue making all other payments on time,  This means making your monthly mortgage, auto and equity line payments.  It is important to continue meeting your secured debt obligations.

Today’s debt continues to mount each month for  the consumer even as they started to tighten their financial belt. Needless to say, they are facing overwhelming unsecured credit card debt

Debt settlement may be an alternative to trying to work your way out of debt yourself. Depending on the amount of you debt, you could reduce your debt in half between 12 and 48 months.  This figure considers the amount of your debt, the number of credit cards and the amount the consumer is willing to put into an “trust/escrow” account each month. 

A recent article on MSNBC.com,  tells how one family eliminated $106,000 in outstanding debt over a five (5) year period of time. This family used a consumer redit counseling service. The article indicated the counseling service was taking approximately $2,000 from the couple to distribute to their credits.  This dollar amount was about half of the consumer’s monthly take-home pay.  This caused the consumer to take on a second job.

This is an example of paying off the entire balance including interest and all fees. Based upon information provided, this means the couple paid approximately $120,000 over five years. ($2,000 @ month times 60 months = $120,000).  

This method may have been the best solution for this couple.  You want to congratulate this couple on taking on this task and paying off their bills in full. However, if you compare this situation verse debt settlement.  The debt settlement company may have been able to reduce the couple’s debt in half from $106,000 to $60,000 and may have been able to do it in less time. 

Every consumer needs to decide for themselves which is the best approach for them and their family.  Call us today and see if this will work for you and your family.

In today’s economical climate – debt can make life difficult to enjoy.  It’s part of our reality.  Two possible solutions to resolving this burden can include bankruptcy or debt settlement.  Let’s examine these possibilities.

You first need to determine if you can pay down your debts with your present income.  If your current expenses exceeds your basic living expenses debt settlement may help you resolve your financial situation. If your income does not exceed your expenses such as mortgage, utilities, car payment and insurance and your basic household needs then debt settlement is not a solution for you. Examine the pros and cons of committing to a debt settlement company You want to work with a reputable debt settlement company. Look for companies with a sound history and proven track record.   Also, ask how a debt settlement program will impact your credit in the future and what the long term effect on your credit as well.

If you have no other option for resolving your financial situation begin to do your research on bankruptcy.  You need to determine if you even qualify for bankruptcy by reading the most current U.S. Bankruptcy Code’s. Depending on the types and amounts of your debts, a bankruptcy will not necessarily rid you of your obligations to pay some of your bills even though you filed bankruptcy.   Make an appointment to discuss your financial situation with an attorney who specializes in bankruptcies.  It is important to have the attorney give you a written quote for their services to represent you in court.

Finally, consider whether filing bankruptcy will resolve your financial situation. Keep in mind that a bankruptcy filing remains on your credit report for ten years and can have a significant impact on your future and your ability to re establish  yourself.

“Everyday do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow”..Doug Freibaugh

The consumer needs to explore all their options when considering a way to get out from underneath their unsecured debt.

There are several ways to approach this financial situation which has been created.  Some of the options are:

• Bankruptcy – Chapter 7 and 13
• Debt Consulting
• Debt Consolidation
• Debt Settlement

The above options may or may not work for a consumer’s individual needs.  We will explore process for each of the above options.

1.                  Bankruptcy – This is a step you need to discuss with an attorney.  Filing either Chapter 7 or 13 is a big step and involves more than just your unsecured debt.

2.                  Debt Consulting – You entry into a debt consulting program and they design a budget for you and your family.  They may or may not contact your creditors and inform them you have entered into a program. Using this program the debts are still owed and continue to grow.

3.                  Debt Consolidation – The consumer goes to their bank to request a loan to consulate their unsecured debt.  The bank may require collateral like a 2^nd on your home. However you might not have enough equity in your home to qualify for this loan.

4.                  Debt Settlement – This program allows you to start saving money toward paying off your debt in some cases less than 50% that the current outstanding balances.  This process can take anywhere from 12 to 48 months, but at the end of the program you’re debt free and your credit standing will be restored.

Debt settlement maybe the best approach for you and your family. Compared to the other options, you need to discuss a debt settlement program with one of our representatives. So take that first step today for a better tomorrow.

Well, let’s take a look. Credit counseling is when you use a company to manage payment of your consumer debt for a prescribed period of time – typically 3-5 years. In this article we’ll review the pros and cons of credit counseling to help you see if it right for you. Pros of Consumer Credit Counseling      Pro 1 – “Re-Rating” your delinquent accounts. If you enter into a credit counseling program with delinquencies already on your credit report, it is possible after a period of time to have those accounts “re-rated.” The credit counseling company can negotiate with your creditor to get the creditor to agree to “re-rate” or “re-age” or “cure” your account once they have received a pre-determined number of on time payments. Once you have made these payments, the creditor will note on your account that you are now paying them as agreed. You want your credit accounts to get “re-rated” as quickly as possible. This process is a “line in the sand” from being delinquent to having good credit again. The more on time payments you can show on your report the better and the quicker your credit bounces back.      Pro 2 – Simplified payments. Generally, you wouldn’t enter into a credit counseling program if you only had one credit account that you wanted to manage. Most of the credit reports that I have seen where my customer was in credit counseling had more than 5 credit accounts in the program. With so many payments to worry about, it’s no wonder why some payments get missed, etc. In a credit counseling program, you typically make one payment to the counseling company and they in turn pay your creditors.      Pro 3 – Chances are if you had any delinquencies with your credit cards you are likely to be paying an interest rate greater than 20% on them. Creditors are more likely to reduce your interest rate if they know you are in a counseling program. They might not even charge you interest so that you can pay your debt to them. This will allow you to pay them off more quickly.

What do I do If I can’t pay my Christmas credit card bills?  Is Credit Debt Settlement a good option.  Many American feel an obligation to provide gifts at Christmas.  It seems that the media is pushing the sense that we should be providing a gift for everyone at holiday.  The truth is that many Americans are still trying to pay off last Christmas while piling on more debt for this one.  The truth is that is just doesn’t work.  It is more like short term pleasure and long term pain.  Once the holiday is over you are left with the credit card bills to pay.  It usually ends up being more like worry and fear.  You mind will become occupied with strategies about how you are going to pay for everything.  Millions wont be able to keep and and will fall behind on their credit card payments.

What Are My Options If I Can’t Pay My Credit Card Bills? Continue Reading »

Can you go to jail if you do not pay your credit card bill?  No, If you stop paying your credit cards, your life will become a lot more difficult.  The first thing that will happen is that your credit score will drop like a rock.  A few late payments can drop your fico score as much as 200 points.  Your credit card company is going to raise your interest rates and start tacking on late fees.

When Will Creditors Starting Calling Me If I Get Behind On My Bills? Continue Reading »

What will happen if I stop paying my bills? It is important to know what will happen if you are unable to pay your monthly debt obligations. The first 30 day late that you have your credit score is going to drop like a rock. I have seen credit scores drop as much as 100 points just for one 30 day late. Your interest rates will probably go up as well. You credit card contract has a provision call the universal default rate. This is the rate they can charge you when you do not make a payment. Continue Reading »

How do I know if I should do debt settlement or debt mediation? Financial troubles are now facing millions of Americans due to the credit crisis. Many Americans will have to make hard decisions about their personal debt. Unfortunately there are not many great choices you can make when you are in debt. You can choose from debt consolidation, cccs, debt settlement, debt negotiation, consumer credit counseling or bankruptcy. Each choice has its advantages or disadvantages.

Is debt consolidation like doing a chapter 13 bankruptcy? Continue Reading »

Is Ameridebt still in business? Ameridebt was forced to shut down its debt consolidation operation as part of a settlement with the FTC. The Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers into paying at least $170 million in hidden fees. The FTC charged Ameradebt with misrepresenting that it was a non profit credit consolidation company and that it show consumers how to manage their money for no up front fees. The FTC also charged Ameridebt with deceptive business practices and with violating the Gramm Leach Bliley act by not providing customers with the required privacy notices.

Is debt consolidation through a credit counseling company bad? Continue Reading »

Did you know that July was originally called Quintilis which is Latin for “fifth month”…and that it was then later named after Julius Caesar in 44BC? It’s true! But on a much more important note… here is some information you might want to know! Continue Reading »

How do you use a credit card? The credit card industry has changed the way we buy consumables. You see Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express logos everywhere now. You can even buy your hamburgers at McDonalds with a credit card. It is now convenient to make purchases even if you don’t have the money. Anyone who survived the depression would probably cringe. Back then if you didn’t have the money you didn’t buy it. Bank loans were tough to come by. So if you couldn’t afford something you just made do. Now you can go buy something an hope to figure out how to pay for it later. This type of thinking has made us a nation of debtors. At no point in our history have we seen such an abundance of debt and financial issues facing people. Bankruptcies in our country are at an all time high with no relief in sight. Continue Reading »

What does USOBA stand for? It is the United States Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives. USOBA was founded by the debt negotiation industry for representation for the debt negotiation and debt settlement outside of the consumer credit counseling and bankruptcy industry. The focus of USOBA is to cause advocacy and agenda for the debt negotiation and debt settlement industry. Continue Reading »

What does CCCS mean? CCCS simply stands for consumer credit counseling services. They will consolidate your debt and lower your interest rates. They can have you out of debt in 4-6 years. Once you have missed a few payments, your credit card companies will raise your interest rates. Some credit cards will charge you over 30%? They can do this due to the universal default rate that is in your credit card contract.

At this point a request for lower rates will do nothing. They have you pinned against the wall. Your only option for lower interest rates is to do a credit counseling program.

If you are considering debt consolidation, you may want to look at a debt negotiation program as an option. For a no hassle debt review call 1-888-368-6668 or go to DebtNegotiationZone.com and fill out the request form.

With the onset of the credit crunch, millions of people saw their mortgage rates adjust and their mortgage payments go through the roof. Property foreclosures have hit new highs across the country. The credit crisis caused other impacts in the financial markets. As the economy began to slow down, many consumers began to run into problems paying their credit card debt Obligations. Defaults on credit card payments have reached record highs according to mbna. Unfortunately once you are in a financial crisis there are not too many great options in terms of getting out of debt. One option is consumer credit counseling which will lump all of your bills into a single payment and get your interest rates and payments down. Many people would like to go this route but they just aren’t able to make the new payments. The only other option would be to file for a Bankruptcy. Continue Reading »

How Does Debt Consolidation Work?

This article is about the advantages of doing a debt consolidation program. You may not be aware of this but debt consolidation, CCCS, credit counseling and consumer credit counseling are basically the same thing. Doing a debt consolidation plan is different than doing a debt settlement program. In debt settlement you are reducing the amount of principal that you will pay back and in credit counseling you are negotiating the amount of interest you will pay back. In consumer credit counseling you will pay all of the principal back plus some interest. Continue Reading »

Debt Settlement vs. a Home Equity Line to pay of your Credit Card debt

Getting yourself into debt can be a scary as well as a frustrating experience. Getting hounded by debt collectors night and day can be exhausting as well as emotionally draining. But there are options that you can take to take care of the problem quickly. The two that we are going to discuss in the article are refinancing your home to pay off the debt or doing a debt negotiation program. Continue Reading »

Debt Settlement tips from the experts – Debt Negotiation

Most consumers have questions about debt settlement and debt negotiation programs for their past due accounts and collections. This article is a commentary about the debt settlement industry. I think the first thing to talk about is what debt settlement and debt negotiation are not. Debt Negotiation is not about avoiding paying your bills. This is just a wishful thinking. If you borrow money from someone, they are going to want it back. This is only reasonable. If you borrowed money from someone, they can come after it for you. Some will come after you very aggressively. Creditors do have rights to contact you for repayment. Debt Settlement is not Bankruptcy. Continue Reading »

Can I negotiate my bills myself? Debt Negotiation, Debt Mediation or Debt Settlement is something that you can probably do on your own if you have a little education behind you. The first thing I would get familiar with is the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act of 1977. If you have thick skin for dealing with nasty and abusive creditors calling you all the time I would say do it. If you do not want the hassle you may want to hire a third party debt settlement company to handle your old collections. Continue Reading »