Anatomy of a Chinese Debt Collection
Introduction In late June of 2003, I received an e-mail from Daniel Harris, who introduced himself as maritime lawyer from Seattle. He had found me through the internet and was asking me whether I was interested in helping arrest transshipped cargo...
Best Debt Reduction Service
There was a time when incurring debts was looked down as one of the worst crimes ever. People were punished for not repaying within the stipulated time. Charles Dickens' s father spent months in a debtor's prison because he was unable to pay off...
Debt Consolidation May Be The Answer!
Debt consolidation is a means of debt relief. It allows the borrower to take out a loan which is then used to pay off debt from other loans as well as from credit cards. These products are often necessary in that they provide the ability for you to...
Learn The Five Key Debt Reduction Steps You Must Take Immediately!
Step 1. The purpose of this first step is to bring you back to reality. You must know exactly how much money you owe and to whom you owe it. * Collect all of you unpaid bills and any other evidence of your outstanding debts. * List each...
Ten Ways to Get Out of Debt
1) Use your Assets If you have assets with some significant equity, such as a home or a car you may be able to use these to get control of your debt. For example, you could get a loan on your home sufficient to pay off your debts. You could be...
Drowning in Debt? Tips and Tricks for Getting Out of Hot Water with Creditors
Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you’re sinking in an ocean of credit card debt? Well, fear not--there are many options for reducing your debt way before you have to be concerned about receiving notices or daunting telephone calls from debt collectors. The important thing to remember is to be proactive in handling your credit card debt. Unmanaged debt can ultimately lead to lawsuits, loss of property, and tarnished credit reports.
Here are a few ideas for managing and/or reducing your debt:
· Get in touch with creditors right away. Often times, creditors will reduce credit card interest rates if you simply ask for a break. Explain your situation, and let creditors know if you’re having trouble meeting your minimum monthly obligation. Many creditors will work with you to arrange a customized payment plan.
·Develop a budget. While many people dread this very important step in reducing debt, it can be extremely important in taking control of your financial situation. Compare and contrast fixed expenses—mortgage payments, rent, car payments, and insurance premiums, for example--with variable expenses, such as entertainment and recreation. List all your expenses, even those that seem unimportant. This is an important step in determining your spending patterns, prioritizing expenses, and determining whether or not you have additional money to contribute to the monthly payments on your credit card.
· Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. While debt consolidation is a sometimes daunting and drastic step, it can be an important move in the quest to reduce your credit card debt. If you’re a homeowner, consider a second mortgage or
a home equity loan to pay off high-interest rate debt. While these loans often require you to list your home as collateral, remember that if you start skipping out on credit card payments, you could easily lose your home. What’s more, these loans provide tax advantages that are not available with many kinds of credit.
· Go to counseling. Credit counseling, that is. Many credit counseling organizations will help you come up with a feasible solution for ridding yourself of debt. You can find credit counselors on the Internet, and many credit unions, universities and military bases provide credit counseling programs. Also, get in touch with your bank, friends, and/or family for a recommendation.
Some of the services credit counselors provide: Advice on how to manage your debt, assistance in developing a budget, and classes and workshops that are geared towards teaching consumers about money management, credit card debt, and budgeting. Counselors can also recommend a debt management plan (DMP), which allows you to make monthly deposits to the specific counseling organization that you’re working with. Your counselor will then develop a payment schedule with your creditors that includes lower interest rates or waives certain fees.
For more suggestions and information on how to manage your credit card debt, please visit http://www.informedcredit.com
About the Author
Beth West has an extensive background in marketing and public relations, including management positions in the hospitality and software industries. Currently serving as the Director of Marketing for InformedCredit.com, she is also hoping to launch a freelance writing business.