Debt Solutions
With the various options a debtor has in this era, debt
solution is an easier task now. There are numerous ways to fight your
debts and win over them. With planned and calculated move, better
days are not far away. This is, however, dependent on the amount and
the type of debt you are undergoing. For a free no-obligation consultation
from a credit counselor helping you choose the most suited option,
please fill out the short form below, and you will be contacted at
the earliest
The twelve most popular ways of debt solution are:
Self Repayment Plan
Debt Settlement
Debt Consolidation
Debt Consolidation Loan
Credit Counseling
Cash out Refinance
Retirement Benefits
Credit Union
Home Equity loans
Insurance
Credit Cards
Bankruptcy.
Let's study them one by one
Self Repayment Plan: The ideal way
to start your debt solution program is with the self repayment plan.
You can do it yourself without the help of any debt consolidation
company. With calculated steps you can overcome your debt problems
within a considerable time period. Budgeting is also a very important
aspect in the self repayment plan. Make a budget plan and curtail
any unnecessary expenses. If possible, you might also consider a part-time
job. These funds can be utilized in your repayment plans. If personal
discipline is a problem you can set up direct payroll deposit and
automatic payments with your bank. You will have no choice but to
follow the plan.
Debt Settlement: With debt settlement,
a third party or you yourself negotiate with your creditors to reduce
the debt amount. Debt Settlement agencies work with your creditors
to reduce your debt balance, sometimes by as much as 50-75%. Most
debt settlement companies are transparent about their fee structure
but you are advised to check out if there are any hidden fees involved
in the settlement process.
Debt Consolidation: Debt consolidation
is a very beneficial process to solve your numerous debts. Here your
multiple debts are consolidated into a single amount. On approaching
a debt consolidation firm the consultant first analyses your present
debt amount. The debt consultant then negotiates with the creditor
on your behalf and reduces your debt amount to around 30%-60%. In
most cases interest rates are reduced. Late fees and hidden taxes
are also waived at times. The revised consolidated debt amount is
divided into easy monthly installments that make your repayment plans
much easier.
Debt Consolidation loan: The debt consolidation
loan helps you in combining all your outstanding debts in one loan
account. For example, you may have an existing loan with a balance
of $2,500 (15% interest rate), a credit card balance of $1,000 (12%
interest rate) and a store card balance of $500 (10% interest). These
could all be consolidated into one loan of $4,000 (8% interest). The
purpose is to actually reduce monthly repayments. Either the interest
rates are lowered on the new loan, or the repayment period can be
extended.
Credit Counseling: Credit counseling
agencies help you to be debt free, but basically they don't consolidate
your debt. They will work out payment plans with lower interest rate
and fees for your outstanding debts. You'll make one monthly payment
to the counseling agency, which will pay all your creditors. Credit
counseling programs usually does not hamper your credit rating. If
you stick to the plan, it is possible for you to be debt free in three
to six years. Careful measures are required while choosing the agency.
Cash out Refinance: In this process
it is required to refinance your home and pay your outstanding bills.
It also helps you to tap the equity of your home. Refinancing at a
lower interest rate, will help you to eliminate the high interest
costs of the debts you pay off. You can even chalk out a lower payment
plan compared to the present one. You need to have a clear understanding
of the total cost of refinancing.
Retirement Benefits: If you have a
401(k), plan or certain types of pension plans, most employers allow
you to borrow against your retirement account. Borrowing is a better
option when compared to withdrawal of money from your account. This
will save you from paying extra taxes and a 10% penalty. If you can't
pay it back within five years, the IRS will assess taxes and penalties.
In case you lose your job, you have to pay back the loan immediately
and pay taxes for pre-mature withdrawal of money. This type of loan
offers low interest rates and is much easier to handle.
Credit union: Credit unions generally
have lower interest rates and fees on loans. If you're not a member,
check with your employer, or organizations of which you're a member
and find out if you're eligible to join one.
Home Equity loans: Home equity loans
allow you to borrow against the value of your home, without any other
mortgages. It is a fixed amount of money for a particular time period.
In most cases these loans offer attractive rates and low payment schemes.
The interest is usually minus tax if you itemize. However, interest
rates are often variable, and there is a risk of losing your home
if you fail to pay.
Insurance: You can borrow from the
life insurance policy at a very low interest rate in order to solve
your debt problems. The most advantageous thing is that, you do not
have to repay this loan. Your life insurance benefits will be reduced
by the amount you borrow in addition to any accrued interest.
Credit Cards: Using credit cards is
advantageous from the point that with a good credit rating, you may
get a much lower rate when compared to other forms of consolidation
loans. Contact your current issuer to ask what interest rates they
will offer you if you transfer balances from other cards over to theirs.
Request for a fixed rate and if they agree, request them to waive
any transfer fees. If you can't negotiate a low rate with your current
issuer, try shopping for a new card. Once you do consolidate this
way, be sure to set up an optimal payment plan so that you can be
free of debts within 3 to 5 years.
Bankruptcy: Bankruptcy should be your
last option in the journey towards debt solution. Sometimes when financial
pressures are enormous and you fail to meet ends, you might have to
file a bankruptcy. It is a temporary relief under the debt burdened
conditions. Bankruptcy creates a negative impact on your credit report
for the coming ten years and marks you as a bad applicant for future
job prospects and loans. The two types of bankruptcy that are most
popular are: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The first priority of a debtor
is to try out the above mentioned ways and avoid bankruptcy rather
than filing it.
Following the above methods carefully will give you
a debt free life, a secured bank balance and peaceful nights away
from the harassing phone calls from the creditors. Bank on us and
we will give you the fastest, safest and smartest remedies of debt
solution.