Get Out Of Debt

If you feel like you’re in over your head with debt, you might be considering a credit debt consolidation loan. You’ve no doubt read and seen the advertisements that promise to erase debt in a matter of days, or cut your payments by 50%.

These ads are very tempting to act on, after all, you’ve got a ton of credit debt, and you might feel like you’ll never be able to pay all that debt off. If you’re thinking that a loan might be the answer, you could be right – but read this credit debt consolidation advice first.

Millions have found themselves in the same position that you are in – too many bills and not enough money to go around to pay them all. It becomes a vicious cycle as you make your payments later and later, and your creditors begin to nag you relentlessly.

Here are the things that you must know and consider before you decide to use credit debt consolidation as your answer:

1.) No matter what you do to get out of your current debt mess, you have to commit yourself to not getting back into the same mess again. That means that you must learn to manage your money and your debt responsibly or you will end up in the same position in a few years.

While you are working to get out of your current debt situation, learn what it takes to really get control of your finances. Find out what it means to live within your means. Learn to change your mindset so that you are not spending irresponsibly. And learn to save.

2.) When choosing your debt consolidation method and company, be very careful. There are excellent debt consolidation companies out there, with great reputations, and there are some that are rather shady.

Before you commit to any debt consolidation company and program, be absolutely sure you’ve done your research. You can do online searches for the organizations you’re considering and find plenty of information on them.

3.) Take advantage of any free services your debt consolidation company offers you, such as money management tools, financial advice, savings calculators and other forms of help. These tools will be instrumental in your financial recovery.

4.) Consider getting a home equity loan for credit debt consolidation. If your credit is good and you’ve got some equity in your home, you may be able to get a home equity loan at a reasonable interest rate, one that is lower than your credit debts, and pay your debt off that way.

5.) Most importantly, don’t stick your head in the sand. If you are overwhelmed by credit debt, then you need to look for help. A credit debt consolidation loan may be the best way to get that help.

Trying to figure out how to handle a lot of debt can be a daunting task. You might feel overwhelmed and you may want to run and hide. Don’t do it! Instead, research your options, which may very well include credit debt consolidation.

Everyone’s debt situation is unique and determining what will work best for you begins with categorizing your debt. Whether your debt is secured or unsecured significantly effects the measures you can take to eliminate debt.

Secured debt is a loan which is “secured” by property. Simply put, if the bank can come and take something from you if you don’t pay (ie; home, car) then the debt is secured.

Unsecured debt is the most common type of debt and is typically in the form of credit card debt.

Eliminating Unsecured Debt

The three most common ways to eliminate unsecured debt are

1. paying as agreed

2. bankruptcy

3. reaching a settlement with the creditor for less than the balance due – also known as debt settlement or debt negotiation

Bankruptcy is rarely a viable option. Due to the changes to the Bankruptcy Law in 2004 by the Bush administration, estimates are that less than 10% of people who file for bankruptcy are successfully discharging any debt. Most have to pay it back now under Chapter 13.

Credit Counseling and Debt Consolidation services typically focus on eliminating your debt by settling with your creditor for less than the balance due. These services are typically owned by large banks and credit companies and typically charge a fee. The good news is, this is something you can do on your own.

Settle For Less than the Balance Due

The key to a successful settlement is leverage. If a bank thinks they can get more out of you, they will not settle. This means that you may have to go months without making any payments. This will reflect poorly on your credit report and affect your credit score, but it is a necessary to obtain a good settlement.

During the time you are not making payments to the credit card company they will constantly attempt to contact you to discuss it. This is best dealt with from the very beginning by sending them a letter requesting that they only contact you in writing. Also, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with your rights under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Collections representatives often behave in unscrupulous ways and knowing your rights is your key to fighting back.

Once you have sufficient leverage against the company it is time to attempt a settlement. A realistic goal would be to settle the debt for between 35%-50% of the balance. Contact the bank or credit card company directly and they will likely transfer you to their collections department. Once in touch with the collections representative simply let them know you wish to resolve the debt. Typically, they will make you an offer to settle for 65%-80% of the balance before you ever make an offer to pay. Let them know what you do have; an initial offer of 15%-25% of the balance is reasonable. They may tell you no or tell you that they have to speak with their manager but continue the negotiation as necessary to settle within the range that you desire.

Some credit companies are more apt to settle than others. For instance, American Express can be a very difficult company to settle with for less than 60%. Search the internet for information on your particular bank or credit card company to see how others have fared.