Mad About Debt

Credit card debt is an epidemic, a virus, and can drive people to madness, depression, anxiety or insanity. What does it all mean? Debt consolidation, debt reduction, debt elimination, debt management, debt settlement.... So many options to get rid of credit card debt.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Credit Card Debt – Flush It Already!


Credit card debt is a pile of crap. It stinks. It’s not pretty to look at. Go ahead and flush it already. You know you want to. You’re tired of seeing the stupid commercials about how people’s lives are suddenly changed for the better – once they’ve got their fancy new credit card with a picture of some fluffy puppy on it. According to the T.V., credit cards are capable of defeating hordes of armed barbarians and have something to do with genuinely wonderful and funny moments in our lives. They don’t. So cut up your cards. What are you waiting for? Need more? Ok.

Do you know how much profit is made by the credit card companies? Around 30 billion dollars a year and growing, in the U.S. alone. The credit card industry is the most profitable in the U.S. The top credit card companies make more money than the likes of McDonald’s, Microsoft and WalMart. How? Penalties and interest rates, in that order, and if you’ve got a credit card with a balance, you’re paying them. Let’s put into perspective how much money 30 billion dollars is…it’s enough money to hand every man, woman and child in the U.S. a hundred dollar bill.

If you carry a balance, pay the minimum payment, and occasionally make a late payment (which is becoming easier due to the sleaze-ball tactics of most credit card lenders) – you can easily be in a situation where you will never pay off the balance. For every thousand dollar balance maintained this way, 20 percent means you’re paying the entire amount of your balance to the card company every 5 years. Even without late fees, exceeding a 20 percent interest rate on your credit card debt is easy. With the late fees ($29+ for missing your payment or exceeding your maximum), the money you can pay out then progresses into loan shark territory. Do you want to line their pockets or yours with cash?

Are you ready to flush your credit card debt now? Go ahead and cut your cards up and flush’em, burn’em or whatever suits your fancy. But wait till you pay them off before you call the credit card company and cancel them officially and don’t tell them what you’re planning either…they may raise the interest rate on you. Why? To squeeze every last drop of blood they can from you before you slip away from their slimy grasp.

Brad Homer offers free-to-try budgeting software which can help you easily generate a plan to become debt free and more. At his website you can also find more personal finance articles like this one.

© 2006 Homerworks LLC. All rights reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Homer


Shed Debt Burden through Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Loan


You have a pile-up of debts and a financial disaster is waiting if you do not pay off debts at the earliest. The best way of clearing debts is to take a debt consolidation loan. Your problem in taking the loan is that you are labeled as bad credit which makes lenders apprehensive. The solution lies in applying to the lenders who specialize in offering bad credit debt consolidation loan. You can pay off all your previous debts immediately through the loan despite bad credit.

Bad credit debt consolidation loan is opted for by the people who are having a bad credit. On taking the loan, bad credit people can pay off all previous debts immediately. But the debts remain the same. The difference is that the debts are consolidated under one new lender. You therefore no longer pay installments to different lenders but instead pay monthly installments to one lender only. Like any other debt consolidation loan, bad credit debt consolidation loan is useful only when it is taken at lower interest rate as compared to the higher interest rate you have been paying on previous loans.

Your bad credit is of no major concern to the lenders if you opt for secured bad credit debt consolidation loan. Because to take the loan you have offered any of your property like home that has equity, lenders have no risk as in case of payment default the lender can recover the loan by selling the property. Secured bad credit debt consolidation loan therefore comes at lower interest rate despite bad credit. Lower interest rate is crucial in taking a debt consolidation loan.

If you are a tenant or student, you can opt for unsecured bad credit debt consolidation loan as you may not have property for securing the loan for the lender. In the absence of collateral though bad credit debt consolidation loan is offered at slightly higher interest rate, still after calculating previous interest, lenders will surely offer a comparatively lower interest rate. On comparing different loan offers you can settle for a better interest rate. Take a repayment plan to the lender for convincing him about safe and timely return of the loan.

Bad credit means you repeatedly defaulted on loan payments and therefore faced CCJs and may have filed for bankruptcy. On FICO credit score range of 300 to 850 you as bad credit are having a credit score of below 600. You should pay off some easy debts before approaching for bad credit debt consolidation loan as this will convince your seriousness towards paying off the loan.

Prefer applying online for bad credit debt consolidation loan for fast processing and approval. Online lenders take no fee on loan processing and on giving vital details of the loan.

Bad credit debt consolidation loan enables you in improving your credit score as you pay off each installment of the loan in timely manner. Make sure that you take the loan at lower interest rate as compared to previous loans.

Amanda Thompson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce.To find a Bad credit debt consolidation loan, Bad credit tenant loans,Personal loans,Tenant loans,Wedding loans,Bad credit Personal loans UK at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://www.chanceforloans.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Thompson


Monday, October 09, 2006

4 Sure-Fire Strategies To Consolidate Debt


Debt consolidation isn't always easy, especially if you have a lot of credit card debt. But there are many options available to consumers in need of debt relief. If you need to consolidate debt, your main objective should be to reduce your overall expenses. In order to accomplish this, it is imperative that you get the lowest interest rates you possibly can, and use a solid pay-off plan to eliminate your credit card debt in at least 5 years.

Most people who need to consolidate debt aren’t really thinking about constructing a plan to pay off their debt completely, they just need a little breathing room from the burden of their monthly payments. Credit card debt consolidation loans are the fastest way to get back on track and get a little extra money back into your wallet at the end of each month.

Here are 4 Sure-Fire debt consolidation strategies that will help you out of your deep credit card debt.

Credit Card Debt Consolidation Balance Transfer: Credit Card balance transfers are the leading form of debt consolidation in the US. If you have a good credit rating you can easily consolidate debt from other cards onto one lower interest rate card.

Because of the steep competition between card issuers to gain your business, you can find very low annual percentage rates offered for debt consolidation. It is even possible to find a 0% interest rate for the first three to six months. This could save you a ton of money by the end of each month. Remember, the introductory rate changes after a certain amount of time, so be sure to read the fine print and make sure you are truly cutting your expenses in the long run.

Another great way to consolidate debt is using a Home Equity Debt Consolidation Loan. Using a home equity loan or home equity line of credit is a great way to consolidate debt because they offer low interest rates and low monthly payments. There are usually very low closing costs for this type of debt consolidation loan, and the interest rates you pay are tax deductible.

If you don’t qualify for a low interest rate credit card balance transfer, and don’t have a home to borrow against, then a personal debt consolidation loan may be your best bet. This type of debt consolidation loan usually carries a higher interest rate; especially if you have a lot of credit card debt you want to consolidate, because lenders deem you as a high risk client. Still, these types of loans are popular and will work to get you out of a financial jamm, just make certain the interest rates aren’t so high that you end up even deeper into debt.

If none of the above debt consolidation options are viable to you, and you are in so deep that you’re on the brink of bankruptcy, then you need to take a look at Debt Settlement. Debt settlement is becoming one of the most popular forms of credit card debt consolidation in the country.

Here is how debt settlement works to consolidate debt; you stop paying your regular payments to your creditors, and make payments directly to the debt settlement agency. As your overdue bills accumulate and fall behind the settlement company negotiates a deal to settle your balances, usually for half of what you actually owe. This is an extremely effective method of debt consolidation, although it will tarnish your credit score. But if you are in a serious financial situation, debt settlement is certainly better on your credit score than filing for bankruptcy.

Need more details about Debt Settlement? Check out my Special Report: Using Debt Settlement To Save Yourself From Financial Ruin at my website: OutOfDebt4Good.com. While you’re there, check out my Quick Debt Relief Tips and get some expert advice on how to Eliminate Credit Card Debt.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_L._Wilson


Getting out of Debt with Debt Counseling


What is Debt Counseling?

Getting your debt under control is no easy task, and most people need help to do it. Whether you want to want to consolidate your private loans or your student loans, it is important that you find the best debt counseling that you can.

These days, finding good debt counseling is not difficult to find. There are now numerous companies who now offer this service, and it is quite unlikely that you won’t be able to find one willing to take on your case.

Organizations who offer debt counseling should fulfill a few basic functions.

First, they should be able to educate you a fair deal about your finances. Debt counseling should not only address the effects of debt but help you root out its causes. By helping you learn more about personal finance, debt counseling organizations should reduce your chances of sinking into debt in the future.

Second, they should help you renegotiate for lower interest rates, as well as get your credit company waive late fees and penalty payments. Ideally, your debt should be consolidated to a single loan under a unified interest rate. Obviously, the amount should be one that you can afford.

Lastly, good debt counseling should enable you to get out of debt faster and fix your credit report. There are many methods to accomplish this goal, and your debt counseling organization should be able to provide you with ways and means to get you started.

With good debt counseling, getting out of debt is much simpler. Be sure to find that best help that you can, and financial freedom can be just around the corner!

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of billconsolidationhq.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about debt counseling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock