The burden of unmanageable levels of debt is something that nobody ever wants to face, but far too many people do. Debt consolidation can be a useful solution, provided that it is done in smart, deliberate manner. The piece below offers lots of helpful tips for ensuring that you make the best decisions for you and your family.
One sign that a debt consolidation company is reputable is whether or not they are a member of an organization, like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Even if the company verbally confirms to you that they are a member, make sure you still research it to make sure what they are saying is true. A member of an organization like the NFCC has to follow certain rules, like only employing certified credit counselors.
To pay off your debt, try borrowing money from friends or family. This is a great way to save interest. That said, there may be several problems like possibly damaged relationships, expecting returned favors in the distant future despite paying it all back, and possible legal action from a family member or former good friend. Exercise caution when using this suggestion, and make sure to pay it all back in a timely fashion.
Never scoff at negotiating your debt. While you may wish for all the debt to go away, it will not. Bankruptcy is your only option for a clean wipe, and most people do not want to go that route. If you can reduce your debt by any amount of money through negotiation, do so. Dropping some of the debt is better than nothing.
Debt consolidation works best when applied to credit cards. If you have significant balances on various cards, you're probably paying way too much in interest and could benefit greatly from a debt consolidation loan. See if you can't combine all of the debt into one payment with a favorable interest rate, and limit your credit card spending once that is accomplished.
Do you own a house but have debt? Refinance it and use the money to pay off your debts. Rates are low, so it is the best time to consolidate what you owe this way. In addition, you may discover that your monthly mortgage payment is lower than you believed.
Negotiate as much as possible to get the best possible deal. For instance, see if you can get a lower interest rate on your credit card if you agree to not use it, and switch to a plan with a fixed rate. Without trying, you'll never know what could be offered.
Find out where the debt consolidation company is located. Depending on which state they are in, the licensing rules could be different than in your own state. For example, Maryland does not require its debt consolidation companies to receive licensing. In that instance, you may want to choose another company.
Extreme amounts of debt plague an unfortunate number of individuals, many of whom feel there is no hope for ever climbing out of the situation. However, when done wisely, debt consolidation offers a way out. Hopefully the information presented above has given you the tools you need to move forward with confidence.
To pay off your debt, try borrowing money from friends or family. This is a great way to save interest. That said, there may be several problems like possibly damaged relationships, expecting returned favors in the distant future despite paying it all back, and possible legal action from a family member or former good friend. Exercise caution when using this suggestion, and make sure to pay it all back in a timely fashion.
Never scoff at negotiating your debt. While you may wish for all the debt to go away, it will not. Bankruptcy is your only option for a clean wipe, and most people do not want to go that route. If you can reduce your debt by any amount of money through negotiation, do so. Dropping some of the debt is better than nothing.
Debt consolidation works best when applied to credit cards. If you have significant balances on various cards, you're probably paying way too much in interest and could benefit greatly from a debt consolidation loan. See if you can't combine all of the debt into one payment with a favorable interest rate, and limit your credit card spending once that is accomplished.
Do you own a house but have debt? Refinance it and use the money to pay off your debts. Rates are low, so it is the best time to consolidate what you owe this way. In addition, you may discover that your monthly mortgage payment is lower than you believed.
Negotiate as much as possible to get the best possible deal. For instance, see if you can get a lower interest rate on your credit card if you agree to not use it, and switch to a plan with a fixed rate. Without trying, you'll never know what could be offered.
Find out where the debt consolidation company is located. Depending on which state they are in, the licensing rules could be different than in your own state. For example, Maryland does not require its debt consolidation companies to receive licensing. In that instance, you may want to choose another company.
Extreme amounts of debt plague an unfortunate number of individuals, many of whom feel there is no hope for ever climbing out of the situation. However, when done wisely, debt consolidation offers a way out. Hopefully the information presented above has given you the tools you need to move forward with confidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment