Archive for the 'Credit Ratings etc.' Category

Debt Consolidation - Options for Reducing Your Debt

Posted in Credit Ratings etc. on June 8th, 2008

Studies show that Americans are now saving less than ever before. Along with that, Americans are carrying a heavier debt load than ever. It’s easy for a home loan, a car loan and a few credit card bills to get out of hand, and many people are struggling with more debt than they can easily pay. To make matters worse, new bankruptcy legislation will make it harder than ever to file bankruptcy for those who simply cannot pay their bills.

There are a number of solutions available that allow most people to reduce their interest rate on their debt, reduce their total monthly payment, or both:

  • Ask for a lower rate on your credit card. If you have been making payments regularly, and you haven’t had a history of late payment, you may be able to lower your interest rate on your credit cards simply by calling your credit card company and asking them! It doesn’t always work, but the market for credit cards is pretty competitive these days, and many lenders would rather lower your interest rate than lose you as a customer. It’s worth asking.
  • Get a new credit card. If your lender isn’t willing to lower your rate, shop around for a credit card with a better interest rate. There is no reason to be paying 20% or more in credit card interest if you don’t have to. The interest on credit cards is not tax deductible, but if you can get a credit card with a lower interest rate and you move balances from other cards to that one, you can save quite a bit.
  • Take out a traditional bank loan with collateral. You can probably obtain a simple installment loan from your bank by putting up cash or investments as collateral for the loan. Like credit cards, the interest isn’t tax deductible, but the interest rate may be better than credit cards, and if you consolidate several payments into one with a bank loan, you will lower your monthly payment.
  • Take out a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. If you have equity in your home, you can borrow up to 80% of your equity in either a lump sum or a revolving line of credit. Interest rates are still quite low on home loans, so this one could be a good way to consolidate your debt. As a bonus, the interest is tax deductible. A minor downside is the fact that these loans usually have application fees and/or closing costs.
  • Most people can utilize one of the ideas above to help them reduce their debt. If none of these options work for you, you should consider speaking to a credit counselor, who can outline other options that may work for you. Many credit-counseling agencies are non-profit, so it may be worth your while to talk to a credit counselor if nothing else will work.

    EzineArticles Expert Author Charles Essmeier

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity loans.

    Bad Credit Debt Consolidation and Credit Card Debt Consolidation Tips

    Posted in Credit Ratings etc. on April 17th, 2008

    If you have managed to get yourself into a situation whereby you have many loans, credit card debt, mortgage, utilities, and other bills to pay, then think about credit card debt consolidation. It can be extremely difficult to get yourself debt free once the downward spiral has started. Maybe you had college fees to pay, got divorced, lost your job or have a large medical or legal bill to pay.

    Even if there was no single, major event that caused your situation, it is all too easy to use a credit card for day to day expenses until your monthly paycheck comes in. Maybe you took out loans in order to pay for the amounts on the credit cards and found that you could not pay back the lender. Eventually you ran out of avenues to obtain further credit, and you have not managed to pay back what you owe. If you are unable to pay your utilities you could be disconnected; non payment of taxes and you could face imprisonment.

    This situation can be aggravated by multiple demands, harassment, and increasingly threatening communications from lenders for repayments. All the while the money is outstanding, you will be having interest and late payment charges added to the total, multiplied by all these people you owe. You will find that obtaining credit is more and more difficult until your credit rating is so bad that you cannot gain funds from anywhere. If you have defaulted on a mortgage or other loan secured on your home, you and your family could become homeless adding more stress and worry to your situation.

    If you benefit from receiving a regular income, then a debt consolidation loan is designed to help you get out of this downward spiral. The loaned sum is enough to settle with all the people requesting payment such as medical fees, attorney’s fees, and college fees, federal state or local tax demands and those debts are then settled outright. Angry communications will stop. You now only have to deal with one person or organization that has agreed to consolidate your credit card debt, and you have one simple payment every month.

    Debt consolidation loans are designed so that you have payments, which you know you can afford over a term which you can support. The interest rate and length of term over which your debt consolidation depends on the individual lender and what you negotiate with them. Once agreed, the term and interest rate are usually fixed which will help you plan your other finances around this predictable monthly payment. A longer term will mean that you pay more interest in the long run. If you add up the late payment penalties and the high interest charges (credit cards companies usually apply stringent interest and penalties for late payment) you will find that a debt consolidation loan is far cheaper, and far less stressful, than juggling multiple lenders or risking personal bankruptcy.

    Once you have taken the decision to consolidate your debt you can begin to repair your credit rating. A debt consolidation loan could well be the answer to your problems if you are in this situation. Make sure you check with a professional financial advisor to see if you are entitled to any concessions or tax breaks.

    Paras Shah - EzineArticles Expert Author


    Paras Shah
    Bad Credit Debt Consolidation - Consumer Credit Counseling
    http://www.alifeoutofdebt.com