Who doesn’t want to be free of their debt for the rest of their lives? Would you like to have the financial freedom that you see everyone else enjoy? Do you want to have a life where creditors aren’t on your back? The content below details how you can use debt consolidation to get all you dreamed of and more.
Ask your credit card company if they’d accept a lump payment for a lesser amount than the debt. Many companies will accept 20% to 30% less than the amount you owe currently just to get the cash in hand. If you can scrape up the cash, this is an excellent way to save funds that can go to other debts.
Avoid debt elimination arbitrators. These companies love to claim that your debt can be eliminated, though in reality they know that only bankruptcy can result in total elimination. The best these companies can do is reduce the debt you owe. Surprisingly, this is no different than you could do by calling and negotiating with creditors yourself.
Let your close friends and your relatives know you are in debt. Perhaps they can lend you some money or give you some useful advice on how to get out of debt. You should not hide this fact from friends and family members you can trust since their support will make a difference.
Always be aware of the method used to calculate the interest on your debt consolidation plan. The best thing to go with would be an interest rate that’s fixed. Throughout the course of the loan, you know precisely how much you have to pay. With an interest rate that varies, you may end up paying more with debt consolidation than you would have paid without it. Often over time they can lead to paying out more in interest than you were in the first place.
If you’re a homeowner, consider refinancing your house and using the cash to pay off your debt. Mortgage rates are low right now; it’s the right time to take advantage of this method. Also, you may get a lower mortgage payment than you already were paying.
It is best to work with a debt consolidation professional who is a member of debt consolidation organization. Ask if they are a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or of the AICCCA. A professional who is not a member of any recognized organization is not a good choice.
Find out whether a company pays its counselors by commission. This is tremendously important for you, since a counselor working on commission may not have your best interests at heart. Make sure you avoid commission-paying companies, and instead opt for those that treat their employees well and pay them a salary.
If you’re trying to find a place that gives you the option to consolidate your debts, be sure you’re able to spend the time needed to do some research. Research the BBB website, as well as other watchdog groups, so that you can learn the companies you should avoid and which ones are good.
Always be fully aware of any fees and charges that will be charged to you for the services of a debt consolidation company. The company should give you a detailed account of the fee structure. Debt consolidation professionals are not able to take any of your money before they have performed a service. You should not agree to pay any set up fees to open an account with them.
If your debts aren’t truly putting you on the bring of bankruptcy, debt management might be a better solution for you. A company will work on your behalf to talk to your creditors and ask them for lower interest rates or payment plans you can handle. This can be a better solution than consolidation in many cases, so try it first.
Remember, the debt consolidation company you sign up with will set the stage for your entire financial future. It is not a decision you should take lightly. Give yourself time to think things over before you sign with anyone. Even if you feel pressured by your creditors, keep in mind that a few days one way or another should not make much of a difference.
Debt consolidation is a process that will take several years to complete. If you visit a company and that doesn’t seem to be the plan, go elsewhere.
Find a credit counselor or representative at the debt consolidation company that you like and trust. Get their extension, so that when you call, you can talk to the same person every time. This also helps the person you’re speaking to, so that you don’t have to start at the beginning each time you talk.
Make sure to pay your debt manager at least ten days before your payments are due to each creditor. This ensures that the money makes it to them in time and you don’t end up paying additional late fees. You can speak to your manager about scheduling your dates in this manner.
Look at the Better Business Bureau’s site to learn more about different companies. Companies with low grades and many complaints should be avoided.
Check out the national accreditation organizations which exist and choose a debt management company from their ranks. These organizations vouch for their members, so you can be sure that any company which works with them will be on the up and up. This is important when dealing with such dire financial issues.
Most people dream of a life where they are free of financial constraints. Being able to live as comfortably as you wish without building debt is truly worth attaining. This article has showed you how debt consolidation can deal with your current issues, so start using these tips and find that life in the future.
