|
|
|
|
|
Business & Finance
Articles
Drowning in Debt? Tips and Tricks for Getting Out of Hot Water with Creditors
By:
Beth West
Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you’re sinking in an ocean of credit card debt? Well, fear not--there are many options for reducing your debt way before you have to be concerned about receiving notices or daunting telephone calls from debt collectors. The important thing to remember is to be proactive in handling your credit card debt. Unmanaged debt can ultimately lead to lawsuits, loss of property, and tarnished credit reports.
Here are a few ideas for managing and/or reducing your debt:
· Get in touch with creditors right away. Often times, creditors will reduce credit card interest rates if you simply ask for a break. Explain your situation, and let creditors know if you’re having trouble meeting your minimum monthly obligation. Many creditors will work with you to arrange a customized payment plan.
·Develop a budget. While many people dread this very important step in reducing debt, it can be extremely important in taking control of your financial situation. Compare and contrast fixed expenses—mortgage payments, rent, car payments, and insurance premiums, for example--with variable expenses, such as entertainment and recreation. List all your expenses, even those that seem unimportant. This is an important step in determining your spending patterns, prioritizing expenses, and determining whether or not you have additional money to contribute to the monthly payments on your credit card.
· Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate. While debt consolidation is a sometimes daunting and drastic step, it can be an important move in the quest to reduce your credit card debt. If you’re a homeowner, consider a second mortgage or a home equity loan to pay off high-interest rate debt. While these loans often require you to list your home as collateral, remember that if you start skipping out on credit card payments, you could easily lose your home. What’s more, these loans provide tax advantages that are not available with many kinds of credit.
· Go to counseling. Credit counseling, that is. Many credit counseling organizations will help you come up with a feasible solution for ridding yourself of debt. You can find credit counselors on the Internet, and many credit unions, universities and military bases provide credit counseling programs. Also, get in touch with your bank, friends, and/or family for a recommendation.
Some of the services credit counselors provide: Advice on how to manage your debt, assistance in developing a budget, and classes and workshops that are geared towards teaching consumers about money management, credit card debt, and budgeting. Counselors can also recommend a debt management plan (DMP), which allows you to make monthly deposits to the specific counseling organization that you’re working with. Your counselor will then develop a payment schedule with your creditors that includes lower interest rates or waives certain fees.
For more suggestions and information on how to manage your credit card debt, please visit http://www.informedcredit.com
About the author:
Beth West has an extensive background in public relations and marketing, previously serving in management positions in both the hospitality and software industries. Currently acting as Director of Marketing for http://www.informedcredit.com she has also recently launched a freelance writing business.
Circulated by Article Emporium
http://www.universalwealthcreation.com
Wealth Creation | Financial
Wealth
Copying or
republishing this article is permitted with this footer
included
Collect a Free 260 page
ebook here: Universal
Wealth
Earn up to $1,000 per referral: Wealth
Creation Affiliate
These property,
finance, stock market & business articles have been supplied in the
interest of Universal Wealth Creations visitors who want to
expand their knowledge in the wealth creation & investment
fields. All the business, finance, stock market &
business articles have not been read as they are submitted
remotely, so if you find any questionable facts in here or simply do not
like it, please email webmaster@universalwealthcreation.com and we
will review the material. As we find time to do so, we will go through
all articles and remove any that appear not suitable. Other sites we
recommend here at Universal Wealth Creation are:
21st
Century Academy with
Jamie
McIntyre, Investor
Finance, Universal Trading Solutions which promotes great wealth
creators like: Kim Reilly,
Simon Martin,
Justin
Beeton, Louise
Bedford, John Kaye, Daniel Kertcher & more. They run great seminars
across the country. At times we will publish dates for these
seminars as they are made available around the counrty.
Meanwhile, there is a great opportunity to learn about the finance,
stock market & property investment field through reading these
kind of articles. Learn about share trading, options, futures, CFD's,
derivatives, warrants, indices & more in the stock market. You will
also learn plenty about business, finance & property
investing through authors opinions in the marketplace. Enjoy
your journey towards financial freedom. We hope you will enjoy your
visit.
Regards
Sean
Rasmussen -
Universal Wealth Creation Pty Ltd
Financial Wealth | Wealth Creation
Ebook | Wealth Creation Ezine | Financial
Investment Books | Kim Reilly | Jamie McIntyre DVD | Jamie McIntyre
Homestudy | FAQ | Jamie McIntyre
Testimonial | Wealth Creation Forum
| Wealth Creation Affiliate | Bourse Data | Australian Property |
JB Global | Justin Beeton | Investor Finance
| Renting Shares | 21st Century Academy |
Pacific Investor Group |
Forex Currency Trading |
Property Investment | Property
| Covered Calls | Property Sourcing | Property Articles | Business Articles |
Finance Articles |
Resource Directory | Jamie McIntyre | Business Opportunities |
Property Investing |
Share Trading | Renting Shares
| Investor Finance Articles | Property & Finance Links | Wealth Creation DVD |
Perth Property | Adelaide Property | Brisbane Property | Hobart Property | Melbourne Property | Sydney Property | Australian Property | ASX Links | Work From Home | Making Money | CK Locke | IPO | Finance Review | Deposit Bonds | Bank Guarantees |
Site
Map