Debt Consolidation Vs Credit Counseling - Exploring Debt Reduction Options
With so many debt reduction options available to you, it’s easy to get confused on which is the most effective. Debt consolidation allows you to lower interest rates and payments on your own. But credit counseling can help you find other ways to reduce your debt and develop future financial goals.
Going Alone With Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is a quick way to reduce your interest charges and monthly payments. With secure loans, like a cash out refi, your rates can drop by half or more. You can also select terms that give you a reasonable monthly payment. Remember though that the longer the loan, the higher the total interest charges will be.
Selecting a fixed rate loan also gives you the security of knowing what your payments will always be. There’s no worry that a jump in the minimum payment will send you into the red.
It’s important to be a careful shopper when selecting a consolidation loan. Differences in rates and loan fees can mean savings of thousands of pounds. Fortunately, online lenders and broker sites help you get quotes in a few minutes. You can also finish your loan application online, with most loans closing in two weeks or less.
Getting Third Party Help With Credit Counseling
Credit counseling brings a new set of eyes to your debt issues. As experts in debt reduction, credit counselors can help you develop strategies for eliminating your debt. This might mean developing a budget with a debt consolidation loan. Or they may suggest using the services of a debt manager.
Credit counselors can point out areas where you can save money, such as switching account holders. They also help you plan for the future by developing a savings strategy. Credit counselors aren’t simply focused on reducing your debt; they look at your entire financial picture.
Picking The Best Option For You
Credit counseling is best for those who want to do a total makeover of their finances. It’s ideal for those who want to make long term changes, but need help in deciding what are their best financial choices.
For those who strictly want to get out of debt, consolidating your loans is a good choice. In a short amount of time, you can save yourself money with better rates.
Debt Consolidation – When Should You Consolidate
Exactly when is the right time to consolidate anyway? You hear a lot of debt consolidation pitches. You read about the benefits of debt consolidation. Does this mean you should consolidate because experts say it’s good for your finances? This article will try to shed light on when debt consolidation is called for.
Should you consolidate because you have multiple debts?
Not necessarily. Definitely, a necessary condition for debt consolidation is the existence of multiple debts. However, you don’t have to consolidate your loans just because you have a lot of loans. If you’re not finding it hard to cope with your loans, then you may go on as you are doing though, of course, you may think of restructuring your loans and paying some off just so you can get the best rates and terms possible.
Should you consolidate when you are receiving credit collection calls?
Yes, you should begin looking at debt consolidation options when you are already receiving collection calls. Credit collection agents are some of the most persistent personnel in the world. After all, most of them get paid through commission. Thus, they’re deeply committed to making you pay. Unscrupulous debt collectors would even begin harassing you just so you’d e bugged enough to make a payment.
If you’re at this advanced stage, the best way would be to approach a reputable debt consolidation agency. There are debt consolidating agents who will let you consult for free, and they can certainly help you sort through your financial problems. However, going to a professional debt consolidation agency will give you more options such as in-house debt financing. If they don’t offer in-house loans, they can still find you a good debt consolidation loan and even negotiate your current loans with your creditors.
However, do take note that this type of debt consolidation has repercussions on your credit record. However, this professionally guided debt consolidation option is best if you truly need help with your financial problems.
When’s the perfect time for debt consolidation?
It is when you are finding it hard to cope with your loans that you should consolidate. Ask yourself the following questions:
1.Do you have more than two loans?
2.Do you get confused about your various loans’ monthly due dates?
3.Do you have to keep calling customer service to ascertain interest rates?
4.Have you missed one or more due dates because of a payment mistake (i.e. you sent payment for one loan to the wrong creditor)?
5.Have you defaulted on one or more of your loans?
6.Are you paying mostly interest and not making headway on your principal?
7.Are you finding it difficult to meet minimum dues?
8.Are you sending out at least one check every week?
If you answered YES to all or almost all of the questions above, then you may have a problem brewing on your hands. This is the perfect time for debt consolidation – when the problem is at its early stages. At this point, you can obtain a secured loan (say home equity loan) and use the proceeds to pay of every single loan you have. This will not have an adverse impact on your credit record – in fact, it may even enhance it.
Simply put, the right time for debt consolidation would be when you’re having problems coping with multiple debts but are still in control of your finances.
A Debt Consolidation Program To Relieve Debt
Debt consolidation programs are good if you are paying on several different loans. They can make your life easier by giving you one monthly payment. Your monthly debt decreases if the program you use for debt consolidation stretches your payments over a long period of time. Paying less every month will free up some extra cash.
A successful strategy sometimes is to use a debt consolidation program. With these programs you can manage various high-rate revolving debts with one payment. Let’s say you have several high credit card balances with high interest rates. With the debt consolidation program, you will be able to lower the interest rate you’re paying and manage the debt better.
Debt Consolidation Programs Reminders
A debt consolidation program doesn’t eliminate your debt. All these programs do is move your debt to make it easier to make the payments. You will have to pay the money back sooner or later since you do owe it.
One problem with a debt consolidation program is you will feel like you owe less. Your credit cards will again have large amounts of available credit for you to use. Beware of digging yourself into a deeper hole by continuing to add to these balances.
With a debt consolidation loan you may end up paying more in total interest. By stretching your payments over a longer period of time, your total interest cost could possibly be higher. Of course, it may help you more easily manage your current cash flow.
There are risks by using debt consolidation programs. If you’re using a home equity loan or line of credit to consolidate your debt, the consequences of falling behind on the payments can be disastrous. You could lose your home if it is pledged as collateral against your loan.
How to Choose the Best Debt Consolidation Programs
You should shop around to find a program that fits your needs. Local credit unions and banks you already deal with are a good place to start. They are a reliable source and will most likely give you a fair deal. You might also try a bank you aren’t currently working with. Be careful of scams though, when searching the Internet for debt consolidation.
When searching for a debt management company, look for experience, how professional the company is, their assistance and budgeting services. Try to find a local company you can communicate with without having to drive for hours to talk to your counselor.
The debt management industry is unregulated. Scam artist are out there waiting to charge your outrageous fees without informing you of the best solution for your situation. Try to find out some of their customers and talk to them. Get recommendations and research online if possible.
When you team up with a debt management company who is less than above board, you may be left feeling insecure. You should relate well with your counselor and understand what they suggest. That peace of mind should help you pursue your goals and your financial future more comfortably.
Also the debt management company your choose should be a be advise you on how to deal with angry creditors, whether bankruptcy is an option or how to consolidate debt or simply reorganize your bill payment schedule.
Remember, your main goal is to work towards a better understanding of your financial debts. You will want to learn how to take care of your own debts, assets, and financial goals through your counselor’s advice. The debt management and debt consolidation is only stepping stone towards your own financial self-reliance.
5 Simple Tips For Getting Out Of Debt In 2006!
Is credit card debt driving you crazy? Spent too much this holiday season?
Well, you’re definitely not alone. Credit card debt is a way of life these days. Especially now, right after the holidays!
For many people, money gets REAL tight this time of year – we need to pay for all the holiday gifts, get ready for tax season…
Ahhhh!
What can you do if debt has taken over your life?
Make getting out of debt your New Year’s Resolution for 2006!
Here are 5 simple tips for getting out of debt. Keeping a New Year’s Resolution is difficult. But if you follow these tips, you’ll be prepared for a prosperous 2006!
1) Write down your goal and make a plan for achieving it!
The first step to getting out of debt is by far the most important – you need to:
• make a commitment to get out of debt
• write it down
• and come up with a plan for reaching it!
Hey, you didn’t get into debt overnight, and you won’t get out overnight, either. But if you want to get out of debt – if you REALLY want to get out of debt, you need to have a plan. And you need to stick with it.
2) Seriously consider using a debt reduction program
If you have the discipline to get out of debt on your own, without any help, then good for you! But if you’re like most people, a little help will go a long way. Here are a few debt reduction programs to consider:
• Credit counseling: If you have high interest rates on your credit cards, working with a non-profit company will help you lower those high rates, and combine your credit card bills into one lower monthly payment – which means more of your money will go towards reducing your debt!
• Debt consolidation loan: If you own a home, you can consider taking out a home equity loan to pay off all your credit card bills, lower you interest rates, and possibly deduct the interest on your taxes (but check with your tax professional on this one).
• Debt settlement: If nothing else is working, and your debt is still overwhelming, then you should consider debt settlement. This is a more aggressive approach, and is not right for everyone, but if you’re considering bankruptcy, this is a good option. You can pay off all your credit card bills at a savings of 40-60%, and get out of debt much quicker.
3) Start fixing your credit problems
Many people think that anything that goes on your credit report stays there for 7 years. Well, that’s not always true. I got a bunch of negative credit items off my credit report – all I did was get a copy of my credit report, and ask the credit bureaus to remove the “bad stuff”. In just a few months, my credit was almost back to normal. There’s nothing that says we must pay for our mistakes forever (or even for 7 years)!
4) Cut down your monthly expenses
If you overdid the spending in 2005, then it’s time to cut out all the expenses you don’t need, and use the money you save to pay off your credit card bills. Take a look at your checking and savings account statements, your credit card statements, and your monthly bills. Then start looking for things to cut. I know, I know, it’s hard to live without cable TV, cell phones, internet access, the morning paper, weekend dinners and entertainment. BUT DO IT ANYWAY – at least until you get your debt back under control!
5) Make some extra spending money
Sometimes making more money is the best answer! There are lots of ways to make money – selling some of your valuables, getting a part-time job, starting your own business. Despite some of the ads you read, there’s no really secret to making money – you just need to find something you like to do, and work hard at it!
6) Think positive!
OK, there were only supposed to be 5 tips, but this one is the best one – no matter how hard life can get, no matter how much debt you have, the one thing in life you can control the most is how you think. So rather than focusing on what you don’t have, be thankful for all that you do have. Nobody dies wishing they had made more money or worked longer. But many people do regret all the fun and meaningful things THEY DID NOT DO! So make some time to have fun, think positive, and find little ways to enjoy life EVERY SINGLE DAY you are here on plant Earth!
Wondering what makes me an expert on debt? Well, I lived through it. I know what it feels like to struggle. And I know what it feels like to overcome financial problems. There’s nothing special about me. I work at a college, so I don’t make a heck of a lot of money. I didn’t win the lottery. And no rich relatives left me a pile of money.
I just learned a few simple strategies – actually, I learned the 5 tips you just read about – and stuck with them until my life changed for the better.
And you can, too – just follow the tips above, believe in yourself, and DON’T LET ANYONE OR ANYTHING STOP YOU FROM REACHING YOUR GOALS in life!
4 Debt Reduction Tips For You
Getting out of debt can be a long, drawn out process. If you spent years wrestling with financial problems, the solution will not come to you overnight. It can take months, even years to unravel debt difficulties but it can be done. You have some options to help you get started; let’s take a look at four of them:
Credit Counseling. Credit counseling companies are vying for your business. This can be a good option as you shop around to find the best plan out there, but bad as you learn that many companies will charge exorbitant fees or do work for you that you can do yourself. Some government agencies and nonprofit firms provide credit counseling too. For little or no money you may be able to find a professional who can help you navigate through your debt dilemma.
Debt Consolidation Loan. Replace your high interest credit cards with one, low interest rate credit card. You could also see if a lending institution will give you a debt consolidation loan. However, you may have to pay for an application fee, whereas with a credit card you would not.
Home Refinancing. Even with rising interest rates, refinancing your mortgage may make sense and allow for you to save hundreds of pounds per month on mortgage payments. With the monies saved with a new, lower mortgage payment you could use your savings to pay off your other debt.
Cash Out. Alternately to home refinancing, you may have enough equity in your home to cash out and pay off your debt. Importantly, although credit card debt is not tax deductible, a home equity loan is. Ultimately, you can reduce your debt as well as reduce your tax obligation by cashing out.
You have some viable solutions to help you reduce your debt. Learn all you can about each option and select the plan that is right for you.
