Credit Cards and Debt Settlement

Credits cards were originally designed to give the consumer short term borrowing ability. The cards were first used by major department stores for purchases only at their locations. In some cases, this was the consumer’s first credit card or credit in their name. Then the first major credit card issued by a non-retail company was the Diner’s Club card. This card was considered to be a business card to cover entertainment and meals and repaid in full each month. Then the major banks become players in issuing credit cards and the borrowers were on their way to creating new financial problems for themselves.

In the beginning, the consumer used the card judiciously and paid off the balance in full monthly. However over time, the consumer started paying only the monthly minimum payment along with a little bit toward the principal balance. The consumer was alright with this practice because they had enough monthly cash flow along with a good job and the economic was doing fine. From time to time because the economic climate was on the up swing, the consumer had equity in their homes. Because of the equity, the consumer would refinance their homes at a lower rate and take monies out to pay off their unsecured debt. This way of handling finances was alright as long as the economic was in a positive position.

This all changed over the past several years. Consumer’s started facing financial hardships, lost of job, reduced salaries, and divorce or faced a medical emergency along with the adjusted interest rate on their mortgages and increased unsecured credit card debt.

The consumer was faced with the reality of how to get out of debt. In most cases, this is the first time many consumers were faced with these uncertain financial times. So the consumer started looking for ways to payoff their financial obligations.

One of the options the consumer is selecting is a debt settlement program. Debt settlement is a method by which a third party negotiates with the lenders to reduce your obligation by up to 50% of the outstanding debt. The consumer puts aside a set amount of monies each month into a “trust/escrow” account over a period of 12 to 48 months depending upon the amount of their credit card debt. The debt settlement company starts to negotiate when at least half of the lowest balance is in the account. This proceed is repeated until all debts are settled.

Is Debt Settlement an Alternative for you

Today's consumer is facing overwhelming unsecured credit card debt. This debt continues to mount each month even if the consumer has started to tighten their financial belt. In some cases, it may be too little too late.

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. This method does have some drawbacks dealing with credit score, available to borrow and possible taxes on unpaid balances. Under a debt settlement program the consumer needs to be willing and committed to working themselves out of debt.

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. However debt settlement should be investigated as an alternative to debt counseling. Even with debt settlement a consumer should learn to control their spending and annually review their financial situation. Some of the debt incurred may have been caused by financial hardship, loss of a job or medical emergency.

Getting out of Debt

As the new school year begins it is time for the consumer's to take hold of their unsecured debt. This debt will only grow over the next several months as the holidays approach and will continue to add pressure to the family situation.

So how does the consumer stop this pressure and get out of debt? One of the ways to put the brakes on this situation is to consider a debt settlement program. A debt settlement program is designed to reduce the overall unsecured debt of the consumer.

The program establishes a "trust account" into which monthly payments are make until there is enough money to begin to negotiate with the lender. In most cases, the debt settlement company can reduce your debt up to 50% or more. This may be a better alternative than to file bankruptcy or doing nothing about the situation. If you are considering bankruptcy please consult with an attorney before taking that step or at least call a debt settlement company to understand your option.

The debt settlement program will have some possible drawbacks for the consumer which need to be considered. The consumer's credit report will take a hit in the beginning of this process however the consumer's credit may already been hurt by:

· Too high of outstanding balances
· Late Payments
· Too much credit
· Tax liens, judgment's, repossessions, etc

If the consumer does consider the debt settlement option. They then had started the journey of getting out of debt. One of the positives to possible come out of this unfortunate situation is the consumer is now motivated to learn how to handle their expenses and money in the future.
Other consideration that the unpaid balance maybe considered income and is therefore taxable under your normal tax rate.

There is no easy fix to large amounts of unsecured debt. But the consumer needs to face the situation head-on a deal with it in a responsible manner. So call a debt settlement company today to discuss the complete ins and outs of the program. Give you and your family a new peace of mind and start anew.

Addiction to Credit Cards

In today's society many Americans are addicted to buying almost everything on credit. Perhaps out of convenience - to simplify their life or maybe out of personal or economical hardship. The retailers make it possible for us to thrive on this concept with buying everything on credit.

However, it doesn't take long before your wallet is filled up with bank cards and department store cards. Most people think that it is easy to pay them off at the end of the month. Easier said than done. Many people start to justify reasons to use the cards. It's easier than to part with cash.

The debt builds up slowly with no major purchases to show for. And before you know it - you can be thousands of dollars in debt with no end in sight. This type of consumer debt is considered unsecured debt verses secured debt. The difference between the two types of debt is at secured debt is backed by some type of collateral with fixed payments to reduce the debt while unsecured has high interest rates, no tax advantages and is not collateralized.

In the beginning, the consumer feels it's alright about repaying only the monthly minimum payment because they believe the next month they will be able to paid more on their account. This gives the consumer a feeling of confidence to continue to spend more freely and leads them down the path of spending more than they earn each month. However this spiraling debt only continues to grow and the consumer is now facing added pressure to met their financial obligations.

Because of this spiraling debt, the consumer needs to consider how to get out of debt. One of the options for the consumer is debt settlement. Debt settlement is a method by which a third party works on the consumer's behalf to negotiate with the credit card companies. This process requires the consumer to stop using their credit cards, budget their finances and start saving a certain amount of money each month. This money is placed in a "trust" account and until it achieves at least half of your lowest balance credit card before the third party company can start negotiating. This process may take between 12 months to 48 months to clear all of your unsecured debt.

Now is the time to explore how our debt settlement company can help you out of the depths of financial problems. Contact Debt Free Partners to speak with a representative.

Debt Consolidation As An Alternative To Bankruptcy

There it is again, the phone. You know that it is a bill collector, you just know it. It is dinner and they always call during dinner. You are at your wits end. You think that your next step is filing for Bankruptcy. Before you do, consider debt consolidation.

Get me out of Debt

I don't want to file bankruptcy, what else can I do? Debt Negotiation

It has gotten harder to file bankruptcy. Given the changes to the bankruptcy laws in 2005, it is more difficult to file and discharge a bankruptcy. Debt negotiation is a possible alternative to explore instead of bankruptcy.

Alternatives to Bankruptcy

How do debt negotiation companies make money?

The dumb answer is debt negotiation companies make money by settling debts. A good firm will make a percentage of what they save you rather than a flat fee. The savings rate percentage can be anywhere from 15-25 percent of what they save you. I like that they have an incentive like this. The more they save you, the more money they make. This way you know that they will do their best to negotiate a good deal for you. Most firms charge you an up front fee which can be paid over a period of a few months. Most companies realize that you are having a hardship, this is the business that they are in. Typically you can be in a program up to 36 months that will have you totally out of debt.

Additional Articles on Debt Negotiation

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