Debt Relief Information

Eliminating Credit Card Debt


The overwhelming task of eliminating your debts can often seem like an uphill battle. Without the knowledge and expertise of a professional on your side, unfortunately, the odds are not in your favor. In order to reduce your debt, you have several options; however, if you want to maintain a "good credit rating", you have to pay you bills on time; anything else will cause your credit score will suffer. With that being said please consider the following:

Option 1 - Consumer Credit Counseling

Consumer Credit Counseling companies were originally established to help credit card company's recover revenue from clients that were falling behind on their bills. Choosing to use a Consumer Credit Counseling service can have negative effects on your credit that last up to 10 years. These services are also considered Chapter 13 Bankruptcy by most lending institutions. The bottom line is that Consumer Credit Counseling companies work for the creditors and banks.

By using their services, you will end up paying back your full debt, plus interest. These companies do not always provide financial relief as consumers often find out.

Option 2 - Debt Consolidation Loan

Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is no way to get out of debt. It is however, the premise behind debt consolidation programs. Debt consolidation programs require that financial institutions provide consumer loans based on items of equity. For example, a home equity loan is used to "combine" your debts into a single monthly payment, which can often take 10 to 20 years to repay depending your on financial situation. This may seem like a viable solution in the short term, but missing payments on a secured loan could cause you to lose your home or the collateral you pledged. Many people who decide to go the debt consolidation route find themselves worse off than they originally were. It is not a good idea to exchange your unsecured debts for secured debts.

Option 3 - File Bankruptcy

While bankruptcy may seem to be the most expedient method for removing your unsecured debt, it is not, by any means, the best answer. A bankruptcy will remain on your credit record for 7-10 years and seriously affect your ability to rebuild your credit. Even after a bankruptcy has been removed from your record, you are still required to disclose it on forms and applications; even applications for employment. If you fail to answer this question truthfully it can be considered a crime. Additionally, certain types of bankruptcy can require a court-appointed trustee to control and oversee all aspects of your personal estate. Bankruptcy can have an adverse affect on your credit rating and lifestyle long after the legal matters are over. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. Bankruptcy is an option that should only be explored as an absolute last resort to solving your financial problems.

Option 4 - Debt Negotiation and Settlement Programs

Debt settlement programs provide their customers with a viable solution to an otherwise complex problem. By helping eliminate your current debt, Debt Settlement programs allows you to regain control over your financial affairs and allow you to become debt free within a reasonable time frame. Debt settlement is fast becoming the only true option to financial recovery! However, I will say it again, even in Debt Settlement you have to pay you bills on time; anything else will cause your credit score to suffer.

Debt settlement is not a Consumer Credit Counseling Service or a consolidation loan. Debt settlement is a legitimate and legal way of solving your debt and credit problems without the need for bankruptcy. Detb Settlement programs were designed to lower your current debst by 40-60%. Traditionally, this is accomplished by negotiating approved payoff amounts with your creditors. A Debt Settlement program can typically be completed within 36 months or less and eliminate most, if not all, of your current debts.

Alan Barnes
IAPDA Certified Debt Arbitrator and
President and CEO of Debt Regret
http://www.debtregret.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Consumer Debt Law Services, Inc. Launches Credit Card Debt Relief ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Jul 24, 2008
Consumers in substantial credit card debt now have professional debt relief attorneys to turn to in order to reduce and resolve unmanageable credit card ...


How To Make Sure Your Debt Relief Plan Stays On Track
istockAnalyst.com, OR - Jul 19, 2008
All these things, however, pale in comparison with the importance of sticking to and staying focused on your debt relief plan. It can be very difficult for ...


Debt relief scheme benefits farmers
The Statesman, India - Jul 10, 2008
... informed district collector Mr Pramod Chandra Patnaik, while attending a meeting on ‘Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme-2008’, here today. ...


Dhumal writes to FinMin for debt relief anomalies
Business Standard, India - Jul 3, 2008
... has sought removal of numerous anomalies in the Union government's debt relief scheme so that majority of farmers of the hill state could be benefitted. ...


NDTV.com

Debt relief Waiving, not drowning
Economist, UK - Jul 3, 2008
A KNOT of farmers points in anticipation and dread at the spreadsheets posted on the walls of a bank in Sikandrabad, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, ...
Himachal government urges to Centre to look into debt relief ... myHimachal
Banks in JK identify 34000 beneficiaries for debt relief GreaterKashmir.com (press release)
SyndBank to waive Rs 1063 cr farm loan Business Standard
Livemint - Economic Times
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Jamaica Gleaner

Obama's promise of debt relief a $29b opportunity for Jamaica
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Jun 27, 2008
Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, is promising 100 per cent debt relief for the Caribbean if he becomes the next leader of the United ...


Haverhill reeling from Patrick's cut in Hale debt relief
Eagle Tribune, MA - Jul 14, 2008
Deval Patrick's decision to cut in half $2.4 million in state aid for the Hale Hospital debt relief. Mayor James Fiorentini said the city built its budget ...
Local legislators aim to undo cuts in pet projects Eagle Tribune
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The Associated Press

Obama donates $4600 to Clinton's debt relief
The Associated Press - Jun 26, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama announced Thursday that he will help pay off Hillary Rodham Clinton's more than $20 million debt, personally writing a check ...


Cort hopeful for debt relief from G-8 countries
AntiguaSun, Antigua and Barbuda - Jul 10, 2008
by Patricia Campbell Antigua and Barbuda could benefit from a Caricom effort to approach the Group of Eight (G-8) countries for debt relief or concessionary ...


Response to "Unconditional Debt Relief is Not the Answer for ...
Ghana Dot, Ghana - Jul 7, 2008
Further, the Jubilee Act recognizes and works to end the unsustainable ‘lend and forgive cycle’ that has brought on the need for debt relief. ...
US Jubilee Act rewards past African leaders reckless behavior Ghana Dot
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