Thursday, July 23, 2009

Credit Debt-Reasons Why Just One Two-Credit Cards Are Enough

Credit cards are good but they can turn out to be a nightmare fast especially if you are caring too much credit debt. One or two credit cards are good and even better if you can pay them off every month but you know we are not in a perfect world so paying your credit cards monthly may not be possible.


I personally prefer cash or debit cards because they give me the discipline to spend strictly on what I can afford so I keep my credit cards at home and use them to buy items online and strictly pay off at the end of the month. This year I plan to trim my budget by depositing money with Pay Pal for my gift giving season and once the account is depleted buying will stop right there, I guess some people are going to just receive a card because honestly I do not want to get back in debt.


My idea of debt management is not to get into debt at all unless I start a business and that will the only reason I will use a credit card frequently because you have to leverage other peoples money for success in business but I will not buy groceries or clothing on a credit ever again. I learned my lesson the hard way and I promised myself freedom from debt forever.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Credit Debt-How to Protect Yourself from Debt Collectors

Consumer debt is on the rise now due to bad economy and debt collection agencies are taking advantage of every one of your misfortunes. Recently I watched a program on TV about debt collectors and their dirty tricks.


First, you have to understand that there are debt collection laws in place and no one should scare you about taking you to jail or garnishing your wages. The only way they can garnish your wages is if they go to court and proof you owe the money before that they are actually garnish your wages. The judge is the only one who gives that orders otherwise those debt collectors are actually at your mercy because if you do not pay they will be on the losing side since they bought your debt at pennies on the dollar.

Credit debt scares most people to death but I wish everyone knew their rights about what they should do, although there are so many options out there you need to educate yourself about your debts and what you should do incase you are unable to meet your obligation.
Remember debt collectors will follow you with claims of debt you owe, debt you do not owe and debt that is past the statue of limitation and that is why instead of panic you should learn your rights.

Reply immediately to letters from debt collectors and ask them to proof you actually owe this debt because without proof they have no case. They need to provide you with details for your information that is why it is important to consult a lawyer. Find a lawyer who can explain to you your rights and what you should do (most lawyers will give partial advice in the hope you will retain them)

Remember to educate yourself about credit debt and debt collectors before looking for help because you are better informed than been led blindly.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Debt Relief-Why So Many End Up Bankrupt

Debt relief solutions appear perfect at the on set but if you are not careful, you will find yourself in a real nightmare and you do not have to go far to figure this out, just read the reports online.


I am a victim myself and that is why I write to try to warn unsuspecting debt strap people because I was not well informed of the manipulative systems this companies use. First, they are nice but when start asking questions later your phone number will be somehow be marked because you will constantly be transferred to irrelevant people most of the time in a call center.


Here Are the Three Flags That Warn

1. They will ask for a fee upfront
2. They do not volunteer information in writing on their services
3. They are interested in enrolling you in the program right out without reviewing your situation (Sign they are on commission)
4. They do not mention the penalty you pay should you opt out


Also, ask questions and be 100% informed and if what you are hearing from the other end of the line sounds too good to be true chances are it is not true.


Do not and I mean do not give away your debt information (account numbers) before reviewing the services been offered and guarantees. You can even check with BBB or your Attorney Generals office, the main thing is homework, and as I have mention earlier, you are better off with a lawyer than with those debt relief promises.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Debt Help-Reason Debt Settlement Is Expensive

During my ordeal with the debt settlement company, I figured out what they do not tell you and that is taxes after the fact. The truth is hidden somewhere in fine print you have to look carefully. They do not mention that you will be paying taxes so if you owe ten of thousand expect a letter down the road from federal and state asking for their cut in the deal.
Sometimes I just like to search on the internet anything about debt settlement and I like how some of the companies present their bio to debt strap people. They boast about the millions of dollars they have settled but they do not mention how much fees this poor people had to pay and the taxes attached.
Try reading the different newspapers online that report on credit and you will see the serious problems with debt settlement. I wish they could tell the unsuspecting clients the truth because honestly if you are in deep debt the notion that you will be able to pay a hefty fee, save and survive is a dream that will end being a nightmare.
Call your credit card company and negotiate your own debt and maybe you might end up on the right side but if you go with the debt settlement companies then be prepared for a roller coaster.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Debt Help-Escape Debt Stress

Debt problems are always very stressful and debt settlers take advantage of this knowledge. Learn to think positive and by that, I mean do not think about those bills day and night because the more you think the more the problem will multiply.


Your debt will not go away but you need to create confidence that you will find a solution. Success is not accidental and I learned this by following an incredible program call Six minutes to success... and please use the Six minutes to success technique for your everyday challenges.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Debt Help- Seek Help from Hardship Debt-Management Plan



When I was battling my debt nightmares, the fear mongering debt collectors warned me that they were going to make sure I paid my credit card debt or face jail time(there are no prisons for debtors…it is a very dirty scare tactic). They will tell you anything to get you to send them money but do not budge because they will have all kinds of ideas for you including debt consolidation. That is another debt with a new name. Do not agree to any of their suggestions.


For immediate debt help call the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC. org) if you have money to pay because all the credit card issuers work with them in regard to figuring out your debt. The aim of NFCC is to help you settle your debt without bankruptcy. This is the only litigate company that will actually help you eliminate over the limit fees and lower your interest rate. In my opinion, they are better than those debt settlement companies are.
In all major cities, there are free debt services, which you should consider before going further with any agenda that may cause you to regret for a very long time.


Debt advice is available; you just need the right information but please do not buy into the idea of debt settlement for pennies on the dollar. The debt settlement people will make you pay upfront retainer fee plus monthly fees. Remember they will not go to court with you if you are sued and if they do they will charge you just as a lawyer would, so why bother in the first place, get yourself a lawyer from the get go instead of wasting time with those who will not help you.


Remember the strategy of the debt settlement outfits is to get you to stop paying your debt and then they give this super cool idea called saving. This is how it will go down, first you pay them some money -monthly fees of course and the remaining you start saving the idea is to make the credit card companies desperate and offer a quick settlement. It is a good idea when you first hear it but the down side includes your credit and the fact you might not be able to settle the debt. For starters, let me tell you that after a year my credit scores were so low I could have been in a better position with bankruptcy. I hope you read this before you put yourself in serious trouble.
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Debt Help-Credit Debt Elimination You Will Not Get



Drowning in debt! Do not expect those who promise to negotiate your debt suck you into believing they will help because you will be in for a long ride. In my opinion, I suggest you strike a deal with the bank than their debt settlement and salvation theory.

I suffered for five years under a company that promised to slash my debt in less than 18 months if I send them $400 every month but the only problem was I was paying them and they were not doing a single thing on my behalf. I do not know about the other companies out there but the one I hired to get me from under took me deeper. My debt doubled because they advised me to stop paying down my debt instead save my money for settlement. The late fees and interest multiplied my debt to a figure I do not want to remind myself.

After two years of saving, I called and asked about my accounts and that was the beginning of my nightmare. First I was transferred from one representative to another and I finally realized I was been taken round since they were receiving this monthly payments and were not willing to discuss or so they are trained.

The debt help I was seeking soon became crazy because whenever I called my call automatically transferred to a call center where no one had the knowledge on anything other than ensure I was still a paying member. If you are still reading I need to warn you this is a very true story. It turns out all those promises about debt negotiation were being done by a different company and the only way they can even start negotiating your debt is after you have paid the full fee which in my case $5600.

It reached a point I was fighting the banks, the debt settlement company and the courts. Yes, one of the credit card companies sued me. I finally took matters in my own hands and I remember being so frustrated because I could not find a cheap lawyer, so I represented myself and turns out, I was my best advocate.

Let me warn you, YOU and the bank had better negotiate debt settlement. You do not need anyone to help. If you can make a phone call do it now or hire a lawyer. Do not waste you time with debt settlement unless you are an expert and are ready to read all the fine print.

I hope I just saved you a nickle. Best of luck!