So, your bills are piling up and you have no idea how to control your debt. Paying the minimum balance doesn’t work because you are already drowning in bills and unable to afford the payments. How can you keep up when you keep falling behind? You may think there is nowhere to turn and that bankruptcy is your only option; however, there are many existing programs that can help you to eliminate your credit card debt and allow you to embark on the road to financial freedom.
There are several different programs that you can look at to relieve your debt, including debt settlement, debt counseling, and debt consolidation. All of these programs have their positives, as well as their potential drawbacks. It is up to you to decide how you should tackle your debt issues.
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Here is a list of the most popular forms of debt management:
Credit Counseling (Debt Repayment Plan)
Credit counseling usually involved a repayment plan, where the credit counselor works with the debtor and creditor to create reduced interest rates and payments on their credit card debt. Credit counselors work closely with the creditors and generally go by their fees and interest reductions. Credit counseling agencies are usually paid by the creditors: they generally receive a percentage of the amount that is paid through them. They may also charge the debtors fees for their services. Many credit counseling agencies maintain a non-profit (which is deceptive) status.
Pros: The debtor can receive reduced payments and interest. This keeps them from defaulting or falling behind further on their payments. It could help you to avoid bankruptcy.
Cons: A credit counseling agency generally receives a majority of their income from the credit card companies that are paid through the program. This means that the agency is basically working for the credit card companies and is merely collecting on their behalf. This could mean that the credit counselors do not have the debtor’s interests at heart. They may also not help stop the unfair practices of the creditors because they could potentially lose money. Another issue is the non-profit status that these companies receive when they are clearly paid a generous sum of money from the credit card companies and generate an enormous amount of income a year.
Another issue is the reduction of the payments will greatly extend the process of repaying your creditors. Also, your credit may be affected by being in the program because creditors can report that you are in a debt repayment plan and you have received reductions in interest and payments, which can adversely affect your credit.
Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is typically a loan that is given to repay unsecured debts, such as credit card debt; most of the time, this loan is secured by an asset, such as a house. This allows the debtor to have a much lower interest that is extended over a much longer period of time. By taking on this loan, the debtor permits the foreclosure of the house or asset if they are unable to pay back the loan.
Pros: You will replace your credit cards’ high interest with a low interest extended loan. You payments are consolidated into one large payment.
Cons: Your unsecured credit card debt becomes secured by your home, if something happened and you can’t make the payments, you could lose your home. Also, even though your interest rates are lower, the period of time to pay the loan back is greatly extended, so you end up paying a lot more money. Also, this system does not help you to manage your debt, making is easy to relapse.
Debt Settlement (Negotiation)
A debt settlement (sometimes known as debt negotiation) is an arrangement between a debtor and a creditor to fully satisfy a debt for a reduced amount of money, up to as much as 65%. The creditor agrees to eliminate a portion of the debt and accept only payment on the remaining amount.
Pros:This program allows you to pay your in a manner that fits your financial ability and needs. This program is particularly helpful if you are experiencing some type of financial strain, such as losing your job, medical bills, or any unforeseen financial problems. This program also allows you to pay your debts off quickly and efficiently because your debt is reduced so drastically. This is the only debt management program that allows you to reduce your principal balance and helps you to avoid interest and fees. This program also helps you to avoid bankruptcy, which remains on your credit report for as much as ten years.
Cons:If more than $600 of your debt is forgiven, the IRS can consider it taxable income. However, if your debts are greater than your assets, you are not required to report that forgiven amount. (Talk to your accountant for more information) Also, you’re credit could be affected (it is often the case that the debtor’s credit is already damaged by the inability to make payments).
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy [http://www.usfmgroup.com/articles/Bankruptcy-articles/avoid-bankruptcy.php] should be your last option for debt relief. The main reason for this is the long term effects, bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for approximately ten years. It can negatively affect your ability to obtain a job, home, apartment, or car. Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows you to have your debts forgiven. There are two types of bankruptcy, Chapter 7 is when all of your debts are forgiven and your assets are liquidated to pay off your creditors. Your median income must be below the median income in your state along with other requirements to file for Chapter 7. When you for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you are required to undergo a stringent repayment plan through the court. All of your disposable income is required to go towards your debts for a minimum of three year; however, you are allowed to keep your property.
Pros: If all of your other options are exhausted, bankruptcy will relieve you of your credit card debt.
Cons: Your credit will be scarred for up to ten years, your property is possibly subject to liquidation, with Chapter 13 you must abide by a strict repayment plan, your bankruptcy filing is public record, it could be difficult to obtain employment or loans for assets, and you will have to pay court fees and possibly attorney fees. The list goes on, so exhaust all possible options before you file for bankruptcy.
To learn more about your different debt options, click here [http://www.usfmgroup.com/compare_benefits.php]
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