You can deal with your personal finance with debt settlement and credit consolidation by learning how to simply search for the right company to suit your needs. To do this you need to understand how debt settlement and credit consolidation companies work.
Debt settlement firms will work with your lenders to lower the balance of your debts. You may even be able to locate companies that can lower your debts by up to 75%. Understanding what these companies can help you with and how they operate is very important in finding a respectable and trustworthy firm, and will narrow your search down considerably.
The best way is to eliminate the companies that you should not be dealing with. You must understand that debt settlement is only available to people who are on the verge of bankruptcy. It is not for those who need a quick and easy way to avoid paying their bills.
When you begin your search you notice that most firms have varied fees, like maintenance and start-up charges. Basically the trustworthy companies will get you to pay a monthly amount into a trust until there is enough to settle at least one of your debts. When you have reached the needed amount, the company will contact you lenders and start negotiating a debt settlement. Once an agreed amount has been established, the trust money will be sent to your lender to clear your debt. Then, should you have other debts, you will start the whole procedure again until all debts have been settled. Note that you should also be aware that most of these companies will include a settlement charge, which is a designated percent of your over original balance. You should avoid any companies that want to charge this fee on top of the overall balance. Also keep in mind that while you are building up the funds in the trust account that building fees and interest are being added on to your total balance.
During your search you will find reputable companies that will also appoint a credit counselor to you to teach you how to manage your finances and learn good spending skills. This type of consolidation will be offered free of charge. So, it is critical to search for companies that offer a free financial assessment along with regular debt settlement services. Most importantly, good companies will always as for any charges upfront.
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Help answer the question about credit consolidation
What is a legitimate credit card consolidation company?I know they are not the best choice. Please don't tell me how to manage my credit cards. I am beyond that stage. This is the last option for me. I know some of the companies are fradulent and some effect your credit more negatively than others. I just need to know the names of CC Consolidation companies that are legimate and maybe won't hurt your credit as much as others.
Debt settlement and debt consolidation basically mean the same thing. STAY AWAY from any "debt consolidation" company that promises to cut your debt in half through debt settlement….This is a risky tactic of deliberately ceasing all payments to creditors and forcing your accounts into default to attempt settlements. You pay a monthly fee to a debt consolidator….this entire fee goes towards building a settlement account and to the consolidator's fees to “settle” your accounts in the future. Your credit card companies will deliberately not be paid so that all the accounts will default/charge-off so that they can attempt settlements at around 50%. If you are current on your accounts, this process will ruin your credit rating for sure. Debt settlement is like a roll off the dice with your finances…You can never predict how your creditors will respond to the deliberate defaulting of your accounts…they might settle at 50%…or they might serve you a summons, take you to court…and if they win, you could be looking at wage garnishment.
None of these “debt consolidation” firms have the power to force your creditors to accept settlements. Your creditors have the right to refuse these terms and take you to court.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122394458494631223.html
If you have already defaulted or are drastically past due, then you can try to negotiate directly with your creditors. See video from Suze Orman on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS43XFa3KGU
Another option is entering a Debt Management Plan (DMP) with a non-profit credit counselor like CCCS (Consumer Credit Counseling Services). Contact your local Red Cross for a referral. They can negotiate lower payments and interest rates. They do not negotiate settlements.
They will require you to stop using all credit and to cut up your cards. Your credit report will be updated to "enrolled in debt management." This does not damage your credit, but it may make it impossible to obtain new credit while you are enrolled in their program….so don't use this service if you anticipate applying for a new apartment, car loan or mortgage anytime soon, as you would probably be denied while you're enrolled in the CCCS debt management program…. Otherwise, it can be a very good way to deal with your debt.
Debt settlement is a process in which an organization will go to your lenders and negotiate with them regarding your debt. The purpose of the whole exercise is to reduce your debt burden. If a settlement company is good it can get your debt reduced by as much as 50%. This is what a creditor needs and this is the most visible benefit of debt settlement. The amount of the debt is reduced, the repayment plan is made easy and often the monthly installments are spread over a long period. This makes life a lot more easier for the borrower.
Credit card debt consolidation program is an innovative way which helps you to merge all your outstanding credit card debts to make them manageable. This way, you can manage your debts and finances more easily. You may have accumulated debts on various things. Some common examples could be a new car, education, foreign trips, or for renovating your home. However, the debts because of excessive use of credit cards is the most common due form of debt that bothers people. Get all information about Best Tool for Debt Reduction at: http://www.credit-card-gallery.com/article/191,Credit_Card_Debt_Consolidation_Program_The_Safest_Way_To_Erase_All_Your_Debts
I have always been a big believer that no one else can do something for you that you cannot do yourself. Therefore, learn all you can about debt management and talk with your creditors and see what they have to offer you. You can negotiate with them and you will find such a personal approach will be well received, especially as you progress and clear the debt. My profile under debt has more information if you need it.
There are many different forms of consolidation and each of them have varying effects on your credit rating.
Debt Consolidation Loan – Many people think first of a debt consolidation loan when seeking debt consolidation help. Usually, this is reserved for home owners with equity in their homes that can be tapped to payoff other debts. This option typically means a second home loan (or home equity line of credit) or refinancing your primary mortgage. In a debt consolidation loan, you exchange one or more loans for another. The most frequent form is taking out a mortgage loan, which carries a lower interest rate and is tax deductible, to pay off high interest rate credit card debt. There is no credit rating impact with this kind of consolidation.
Credit Counseling – Credit counseling, or signing up for a debt management plan ("DMP"), is a very common form of debt consolidation. There are many companies offering online credit counseling, which is essentially a way to make one payment directly to the credit counseling agency, which then distributes that payment to your creditors. Most times, a credit counseling agency will be able to lower your monthly payments by getting interest rate concessions from your lenders or creditors. While most credit counseling programs do not impact your FICO score, being enrolled in a credit counseling debt management plan DOES show up on your credit report… and, unfortunately, many lenders look at enrollment in credit counseling akin to filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy – or using a third party to re-organize your debts. This is typically a good form of debt consolidation help if you have lots of high interest credit card debt and just want a lower monthly payment.
Debt Settlement and Debt Negotiation – Debt settlement, also called debt negotiation, is a newer form of debt consolidation help that cuts your total debt, sometimes over 50%, with lower monthly payments. Debt settlement programs typically run around three years – so they are a short programs with low monthly payments that can save you the most money while avoiding bankruptcy. It is important to keep in mind, however, that during the life of your debt settlement program, you are NOT paying your creditors. This means that a debt settlement solution of debt consolidation will negatively impact your credit rating. Your credit rating will not be good, at a minimum, for the term of your debt settlement program. However, debt settlement is usually the fastest and cheapest way to debt freedom, with a low monthly payment, while avoiding Bankruptcy. The trade-off here is a negative credit rating versus saving money.
Net-net: While there are many forms of debt consolidation help, many people with good to perfect credit who own homes should look into debt consolidation loans, while consumers with high credit card debt and poor credit may want to explore debt settlement or debt negotiation.
You have to make sure you have a reputable debt consolidation company. There are many out there that are not. I know that Consumer Credit Counseling is good because NCUA backs them and I have to work with them to coordinate classes for our members. The thing about debt consolidation companies is that sometimes they can get a better payment plan or rate because they have deal in place with the cc companies. Also, the credit card companies feel better because they know you are working with someone to actually pay down your debt.
You could also look into a consolidation loan through a credit union or bank. You have to look around and make sure you are getting a decent interest rate.
I think that you can get free consultations with the debt consolidation companies. This should tell you what the costs/fees would be. You can always try the calling the credit card companies first to work out a deal.
Good Luck!
Bad credit is one of the worst problems to have… however there exists a solution.
I will hereby talk from my personal experience.
I did debt consolidation a couple of years ago, however If I had to do it again I would pay to some minor details,
if someone wants to get out of debt today it is pretty easy with a debt consolidation plan, however it may get a bit tricky at times, I suggest you get as much information as possible online on this first,
a good place to start in my humble opinion is astraight to the point ebook with question and answer I found :
http://umgarticles.atspace.com/debt-consolidation.htm
if it helps kindly remember me in your voting!.. cheers!
The damage done by time will stay there, unless you allow a professional to take over.
Some people think that they can wait for 6-7 years and the debts will wiped off.This is not always a good thing.
The industry will be regulated again for settlements, making it harder to dissolve.
A debt counselor can assess your income, and look at your budget to determine how much you can afford to put towards the debt, while they can handle the creditors for you.
Once the program is set up, just keep making those payments, and get an updated credit report to make sure that these debts are being noted as being resolved.
I racked up $50,000 in debts and a friend recommended Real-Estate-Yogi.com. They have at least 2-3 different options for you.I was able to chop away at the debt and rebuild my credit score.
http://www.real-estate-yogi.com
866 964-9644
Check out Bills.com. This website has useful information for people struggling with debt. It has detailed information on your options when it comes to debt settlement. You can use their savings center to find yourself a good match for even a debt settlement company.
Nothing is free in life. You have to pay your debts to society.