Posts Tagged ‘Credit Card Debt’
Written on February 23rd, 2010 by adminno shouts
Got credit card debt? Youre not the only one! Everyone has that problem from time. Having a little debt is not the end of the world. One of the warning signs is simply not being able to completely pay off your credit card. Another warning sign is struggling to pay most of it off every few months. The clearest warning sign is not being able to meet the minimum monthly payment required by the credit card!
You may be paying way too much every month in interest rates and fees simply because youre not able to pay it off in time. But you can fix that problem very easily. How? Its easy and its a smart financial decision for most people. In fact, if you have a credit card with a balance, its probably a smart financial decision for you!
Why? Because credit card interest rates are among the highest rates of interest. Credit cards are essentially short-term loans and the credit card companies have been able to keep raising interest rates higher and higher and no one has done anything about it.
Did you know that many people who fail to pay off their credit card can really get stung by how expensive the interest rate is? Its true! In fact, a person who pays only the minimum balance on their credit card each month will pay almost half again as much for their purchases simply in interest! Thats a lot!
So what can you do about it? Easy! You can get a debt consolidation loan and pull all of your debts together. Not just credit cards (although those should be your priority) but also other debts, such as lines of credit, student loans, unsecured loans, wherever you have borrowed money). Each debt that has a higher interest rate should be pulled together and put under the umbrella of a secured loan.
A UK Secured Loan uses the value of your assets, such as your home, car, stock certificates, or other assets as security against the loan. You dont have to deposit the assets at the bank to get the loan, you simply have to have them. And because you have assets as security, the bank or lending institution may be more willing to give you a loan.
So get control of your debts by identifying some assets you can use as security and get yourself a UK secured loan to help you get your life back on track. Hit the reset button on your debts by paying them off at once and paying less with a UK secured debt consolidation loan!
Tags:
Assets,
Car Stock,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Card Interest,
Credit Card Interest Rates,
Debt Consolidation Loan,
Debts,
Financial Decision,
Home Car,
Interest Credit Cards,
Interest Rate,
Minimum Balance,
Secured Loan,
Short Term Loans,
Stock Certificates,
Student Loans,
Umbrella,
Unsecured Loans,
Warning Sign,
Warning Signs
Related posts
Filed under Debt Consolidation Loans
Tags:Assets, Car Stock, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Interest, Credit Card Interest Rates, Debt Consolidation Loan, Debts, Financial Decision, Home Car, Interest Credit Cards, Interest Rate, Minimum Balance, Secured Loan, Short Term Loans, Stock Certificates, Student Loans, Umbrella, Unsecured Loans, Warning Sign, Warning Signs
Written on February 8th, 2010 by adminno shouts
So you are thinking what does debt consolidation and payday loans have in common? Well typically people who opt for payday loans are not very far from those who are currently considering debt consolidation as an effort to lower high interest credit card monthly payments. We live in a country where credit is relatively easy. In fact on any given day, most of you will receive a letter from a credit card company offering you the world but spelling out the harsh details in the fine print that unfortunately few ever take time to read. This article is not meant to pit debt consolidation and payday loans as good vs. evil.
It is intended to help you understand why people chose both alternatives. First of all, what exactly is debt consolidation? Debt Consolidation is the process of aggregating unsecured debt in order to lower overall interest rate and have one monthly payment. Who needs debt consolidation? If you are stuck with high interest monthly payments, especially from credit card debt, it is likely that debt consolidation would be appealing. In many cases people simply can not afford to pay what they are currently paying.
Keep this in mind. Lets transition to payday loans or cash advance. People that want a cash advance are those who are in a bind and need emergency cash. Payday loans and cash advance have high interest rates and many states prohibit them. I am not against them because I understand why people may need them as a last resort. In both insistences people are seeking debt relief; however, those solutions are not the ultimate solutions to the problems they try to solve. The true answer lies in our ability to spend vs. save.
The best debt consolidation program will get you out of debt if you finish the program; however, to fix the problem you must understand that living within your means is the true solution. A cash advance may help you pay for a bill when you come up short, but saving for a raining day is a lot cheaper than getting a payday loan. By acknowledging our own weakness, we can become stronger when we take action to improve ourselves.
Tags:
Best Debt Consolidation Program,
Bind,
Cash Advance,
Cash Payday Loans,
Consolidation Loans,
Credit Card Debt,
Debt Consolidation Debt,
Debt Consolidation Program,
Debt Relief,
Emergency Cash,
High Interest Rates,
Interest Credit Card,
Interest Rate,
Last Resort,
Living Within Your Means,
Payday Loan,
True Answer,
True Solution,
Ultimate Solutions,
Unsecured Debt
Related posts
Filed under Debt Consolidation Loans
Tags:Best Debt Consolidation Program, Bind, Cash Advance, Cash Payday Loans, Consolidation Loans, Credit Card Debt, Debt Consolidation Debt, Debt Consolidation Program, Debt Relief, Emergency Cash, High Interest Rates, Interest Credit Card, Interest Rate, Last Resort, Living Within Your Means, Payday Loan, True Answer, True Solution, Ultimate Solutions, Unsecured Debt
Written on January 30th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Debt Consolidation Mortgage Loans – How To Secure A Loan To Payoff Debts
Trade in your high interest credit card debt with a debt consolidation loan secured by your mortgage. With your homes equity as security, you qualify for some of the lowest rates. And you can select terms that best fit your budget needs. So you can either extend terms for a lower payment or shorten the length to get out of debt sooner.
Take Stock Of Your Debt And Equity
Before you start a cash-out refi, total up your short term debt and compare it to your equity. Remember too that your equity is based on your homes assessed value, not what you paid for it. List out interest rates on your cards and current mortgage in order to determine potential savings with a refi.
With the numbers in front of you, find out what type of debt consolidation loan would be best for your situation. With an especially low rate mortgage, getting a second mortgage is a good choice. The same is true if you plan to move soon. Otherwise, look into refinance your entire mortgage to lock in even lower rates.
Start Shopping Mortgage Loans
Mortgage lenders package loans with a variety of terms and rates. You can opt for a low interest adjustable rate mortgage, or choose the security of fixed rates. You may also select terms that will affect your monthly payments and interest charges.
Once you have an idea of the loan you want, start shopping for a lender with a low APR. APR includes both interest rates and closing costs, which are often the hidden costs of loans. Second mortgages and lines of credit often have lower closing costs than traditional refi loans.
It is important to compare several lenders before settling on one. Using the internet will put you in contact with lenders from across the nation. With so many more choices, you are sure to find a great deal by comparing loan quotes.
Completing The Loan Process
For a fast turnaround, complete the loan application online. Within days, your final paperwork will be mailed to you for your signature. Funds are soon dispersed and you can pay off your accounts.
Tags:
Adjustable Rate Mortgage,
Consolidation Loans,
Credit Card Debt,
Current Mortgage,
Debt Consolidation Loan,
Debt Consolidation Mortgage,
High Interest,
Interest Charges,
Interest Credit Card,
Loan Application,
Loan Process,
Loans Mortgage,
Low Rate Mortgage,
Mortgage Lenders,
Mortgage Loans,
Payoff Debts,
Refinance Mortgage,
Second Mortgage,
Second Mortgages,
Term Debt
Related posts
Filed under Debt Consolidation Loans
Tags:Adjustable Rate Mortgage, Consolidation Loans, Credit Card Debt, Current Mortgage, Debt Consolidation Loan, Debt Consolidation Mortgage, High Interest, Interest Charges, Interest Credit Card, Loan Application, Loan Process, Loans Mortgage, Low Rate Mortgage, Mortgage Lenders, Mortgage Loans, Payoff Debts, Refinance Mortgage, Second Mortgage, Second Mortgages, Term Debt
Written on January 28th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Swimming in heavy credit card debt sometimes means getting deeper in debt simply because of high interest rates. The IRS no longer allows credit card interest as a deduction. If you use a home equity loan to consolidate and pay-off your bills, you could actually save cash three ways: 1. No interest accrues on your credit card balances, 2. Your new loan could have a lower interest rate, lowering your monthly mortgage payment, and 3. At the end of the year, three IRS allows you to deduct most if not all of the interest from your mortgage.
One possible glitch in the system is a variable rate loan. If your home equity loan has a higher interest rate, the potential exists you could have more out of pocket expenses than you had before.
While equity loans usually offer a lower interest rate, the closing costs could be higher. And, some lenders could charge a pre-payment penalty, almost forcing you to stay in your home rather than sell if a potential buyer makes an offer.
One way around these restrictions is a home equity line of credit. Those usually dont carry any closing costs, and there usually arent any pre-payment penalties.
If you have extremely good equity built up, you may want to consider cash-out refinancing. No matter what your home is worth, borrow only enough to pay off the existing mortgage and a specified amount you need to spend. For example, if your home is worth $300,000, but you only have $100,000 to pay-off. Borrow more than the existing mortgage, but less than the homes market value. You will then have lower payments, and probably less restrictions for an early pay-off.
Tags:
Closing Costs,
Consolidation Loans,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Card Interest,
Debt Consolidation Mortgage,
Equity Line Of Credit,
Equity Loans,
Existing Mortgage,
Glitch In The System,
High Interest Rates,
Home Equity Line,
Home Equity Line Of Credit,
Home Equity Loan,
Interest Rate,
Irs,
Mortgage Loans,
Mortgage Payment,
Pocket Expenses,
Three Ways,
Variable Rate Loan
Related posts
Filed under Debt Consolidation Loans
Tags:Closing Costs, Consolidation Loans, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Interest, Debt Consolidation Mortgage, Equity Line Of Credit, Equity Loans, Existing Mortgage, Glitch In The System, High Interest Rates, Home Equity Line, Home Equity Line Of Credit, Home Equity Loan, Interest Rate, Irs, Mortgage Loans, Mortgage Payment, Pocket Expenses, Three Ways, Variable Rate Loan
Written on January 22nd, 2010 by adminno shouts
5 Tips To Help You Deal With Credit Card Debt
Do you tend to be late in paying your credit card bills? Is your pile of notices from creditors getting higher and higher? Do you fear you might lose your properties because you can’t pay off your credit card debts?
Being in deep credit card debt is not a thing that can be easily brushed off or treated lightly. Anyone who’s been in this situation knows how terrible it feels. However, if you ever find yourself in deep credit card debt, there are things you can do to make your financial situation not worse that it already is.
Tip #1: Budget right away.
Don’t wait until you lose your house. As soon as you find yourself in a bad financial situation, make a budget right away. How much is your income? Does it cover your expenditures? Assess your situation and know which expenditures are vital and which are not. Do you really need to eat out three times a week? Do you truly need to have all the bells and whistles that come with your cellphone plan? Must you shop for clothes every week? Your budget needs to cover all your basic necessities: food, housing, clothes, basic utilities and health-related costs.
Tip #2: Face your creditors.
Many deal with their creditors by avoiding them or running away from them. Dealing with creditors this way only leads to bigger and more serious problems. If you find yourself having a hard time paying off your debts on time, the best way to deal with it is to contact your creditors right away. Disclose to them your reasons for not being able to pay your debts and ask if they can come up with a revised payment arrangement. It’s important that you let your creditors know that, while you are in debt, you are very willing to pay it off. Face your creditors. Don’t let them reach a point where they pass your situation to a debt collection agency.
Tip #3: Deal with debt collectors.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law clearly stating that debt collectors cannot bug you, give false assertions or do anything that is not fair when they are trying to collect money from you. Read and understand this federal know so you can properly address debt collectors.
Tip #4: Consider credit counseling.
There are groups and institutions that offer credit counseling for those who need help with their financial problems. A good credit counseling organization can help you come up with an improved payment arrangement of your credit card debts. You can present this plan to your creditors for their approval.
Tip #5: File for bankruptcy.
Filing for personal bankruptcy is a last resort to fixing — and the legal way of addressing — your credit card debt. However, keep in mind that if you file for bankruptcy, it will remain in your financial information report for years. Thus, you may find it difficult to get additional credit, buy a house or even get a job with a bankruptcy on your financial information report.
Tags:
Basic Necessities,
Bells And Whistles,
Collection Practices Act,
Credit Card Bills,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Card Debts,
Dealing With Creditors,
Debt Collection Agency,
Debt Collection Practices,
Debt Collectors,
Expenditures,
Fair Debt Collection,
Fair Debt Collection Practices,
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,
Financial Situation,
Hard Time,
Payment Arrangement,
Shop Clothes,
Shop For Clothes,
Three Times
Related posts
Filed under Debt Help
Tags:Basic Necessities, Bells And Whistles, Collection Practices Act, Credit Card Bills, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Debts, Dealing With Creditors, Debt Collection Agency, Debt Collection Practices, Debt Collectors, Expenditures, Fair Debt Collection, Fair Debt Collection Practices, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Financial Situation, Hard Time, Payment Arrangement, Shop Clothes, Shop For Clothes, Three Times
Written on January 20th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Got credit card debt? You may be paying way too much every month in interest rates and fees simply because youre not able to pay it off in time. One of the warning signs is simply not being able to completely pay off your credit card. Another warning sign is struggling to pay most of it off every few months. The clearest warning sign is not being able to meet the minimum monthly payment required by the credit card!
Whatever the case, you can nip it in the bud by paying off your credit card all at once.
How? Its easy and its a smart financial decision for most people. In fact, if you have a credit card with a balance, its probably a smart financial decision for you!
Why? Because credit card interest rates are among the highest rates of interest. Credit cards are essentially short-term loans and the credit card companies have been able to keep raising interest rates higher and higher and no one has done anything about it.
But you can. Did you know that many people who fail to pay off their credit card can really get stung by how expensive the interest rate is? Its true! In fact, a person who pays only the minimum balance on their credit card each month will pay almost half again as much for their purchases simply in interest! Thats a lot!
So what can you do about it? Easy! You can get a debt consolidation loan and pull all of your debts together. Not just credit cards (although those should be your priority) but also other debts, such as lines of credit, student loans, unsecured loans, wherever you have borrowed money). Each debt that has a higher interest rate should be pulled together and put under the umbrella of a secured loan.
A secured loan uses the value of your assets, such as your home, car, stock certificates, or other assets as security against the loan. You dont have to deposit the assets at the bank to get the loan, you simply have to have them. And because you have assets as security, the bank or lending institution may be more willing to give you a loan.
So get control of your debts by identifying some assets you can use as security and get yourself a UK secured loan to help you get your life back on track. Hit the reset button on your debts by paying them off at once and paying less with a UK secured debt consolidation loan!
Tags:
Car Stock,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Card Interest,
Credit Card Interest Rates,
Debt Consolidation Loan,
Debt Consolidation Loans,
Debts,
Financial Decision,
Home Car,
Interest Credit Cards,
Lending Institution,
Minimum Balance,
Secured Loan,
Short Term Loans,
Stock Certificates,
Student Loans,
Time One,
Unsecured Loans,
Warning Sign,
Warning Signs
Related posts
Filed under Debt Consolidation Loans
Tags:Car Stock, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Interest, Credit Card Interest Rates, Debt Consolidation Loan, Debt Consolidation Loans, Debts, Financial Decision, Home Car, Interest Credit Cards, Lending Institution, Minimum Balance, Secured Loan, Short Term Loans, Stock Certificates, Student Loans, Time One, Unsecured Loans, Warning Sign, Warning Signs
Written on January 17th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Would A 0% Apr Interest Help You With Debt Consolidation?
One thing that never helps you to pay off that debt is the high interest on some of those credit cards. In fact, when you actually calculate it, you find that it will take a long time just because of the interest. Interest payments eat up your money stretching out your indebtedness. A new credit card, however, with balance transfer options and 0% APR interest, may be a quick solution to your needs for debt consolidation.
A balance transfer credit card can be a great help in reducing your debt quickly. The thing that makes it take so long to pay down that debt is the interest payments, and the late fees. This is especially true if your credit cards are high interest – which is often the case. You can take much of your current credit card debt, and consolidate it to one card – with 0% APR interest.
These credit cards can give you up to 15 months to make interest-free payments on amounts you transfer to them. By consolidating your credit card debt to one of these, you could greatly reduce your debt – and maybe even pay it all off in that time. The goal with this, of course, is not to max out those other credit cards now that you have transferred your debt to the new card.
In order to find the balance transfer credit card you need, you will first have to make sure your credit score is good. This means that you need to look over your credit report and check it for errors, and make corrections as needed. It will take a month or two, though, for these changes to show up on your credit report. Another important thing is to reduce extra debt beforehand if you can. Having too many credit cards will also hurt your credit score, if you do not have enough income to offset the ratio.
Look over the introductory offer to make sure how much time is connected to the balance transfers. There may be more than one different time period in connection with the special offer. Some credit cards will actually give you the 0% APR for the life of the transfer that is tremendous if you can get it. It will save you a lot of money. Also, see if there is any fee for this kind of transaction – some cards may charge up to 4%, and others will do it for free.
Once you have the credit card you need for your debt consolidation, it is important to make sure you pay this bill on time. Some companies will actually take away the benefits of your card and put you into a high interest category (possibly 29%) if you are late with just one payment, or do not pay the minimum amount. Since this would immediately cause you to lose the benefits of your debt consolidation on this credit card, make sure you pay on time.
Debt consolidation with 0% APR interest is a great opportunity to get a fresh start with your finances. Look around for a card that gives you the most benefits and has a low interest rate after the introductory offer expires. The benefits do vary and you want a good one – but you will have to shop around for it. Be sure to read the small print, too.
Tags:
15 Months,
Balance Transfer Credit Card,
Balance Transfers,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Cards,
Credit Report,
Credit Score,
Debt Consolidation,
Different Time,
Free Payments,
High Interest,
Indebtedness,
Interest Interest,
Interest Payments,
Late Fees,
Long Time,
Quick Solution,
Special Offer,
Time Period,
Transfer Options
Related posts
Filed under Debt Help
Tags:15 Months, Balance Transfer Credit Card, Balance Transfers, Credit Card Debt, Credit Cards, Credit Report, Credit Score, Debt Consolidation, Different Time, Free Payments, High Interest, Indebtedness, Interest Interest, Interest Payments, Late Fees, Long Time, Quick Solution, Special Offer, Time Period, Transfer Options
Written on January 15th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Do you know what debt consolidation is all about? But the fact is that many people can benefit from debt consolidation services that are out there. If you are caught in a cycle of debt and you don’t see any way out, debt consolidation may be just what you are looking for. Consolidating your debt is not about running away from your debt. Instead, it is a way to face your debt.
Debt Consolidation Will Allow You to Sleep At Night
If all of your credit card bills keep you up at night right now, debt consolidation may be just what you need to start resting easier. Still unclear about this debt consolidation thingy? The idea is actually quite simple: if all your loans were eggs, you are now putting them into one basket, and this is actually a good thing. Why would you do this?
Many loans, e.g., credit card debt, can be very expensive. So, consolidating can lower your interest outgo too. When you consider that a lot of people are paying near 30% on their account balances on many different credit cards you can determine that there is a lot of money being spent on interest alone.
If you would like to start making more than the minimum payments on your credit cards debt consolidation will allow you to do that so you are actually making a dent in the amount of money that you owe. A consolidated loan is a loan too. So be ready to pay interest.
But if you are paying just 15 to 20% instead of 30% on each individual loan you will be saving a good deal of money. You can continue to pay the same amount of money that you have been paying to the individual companies. The good thing is that you will be reducing the principal amounts too.
Debt consolidation makes sense for people who are in over their heads with credit cards or who have many different bills that they are trying to pay off that just keep accruing late charges that make it impossible to ever pay off.
If bankruptcy is around the corner, you can certainly enjoy the fruits of consolidating your debt. A debt consolidation specialist may be able to actually reduce the amount of money that is owed by doing away with the past interest charges and the like.
Many people who are simply tired of the cycle of trying to pay off card after card with no luck take out a debt consolidation loan to finally be done with the problem.
While it might take some time to pay off the loan, depending on the amount of debt that you have, one loan is much less a headache than a regular stream of bills.
And who does not want to get a good night’s sleep knowing that once they have paid off a few consolidated bills, they will not be plagued with an unending stream of unpaid bills. That is where debt consolidation comes into the picture.
Tags:
Account Balances,
Amount Of Money,
Bankruptcy,
Consolidated Loan,
Consolidating Your Debt,
Credit Card Bills,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Cards Debt,
Credit Consolidation,
Debt Consolidation Services,
Debt Help,
Eggs,
Face,
Fruits,
Individual Companies,
Loans,
Many People,
Minimum Payments,
Principal Amounts,
Sleep
Related posts
Filed under Debt Help
Tags:Account Balances, Amount Of Money, Bankruptcy, Consolidated Loan, Consolidating Your Debt, Credit Card Bills, Credit Card Debt, Credit Cards Debt, Credit Consolidation, Debt Consolidation Services, Debt Help, Eggs, Face, Fruits, Individual Companies, Loans, Many People, Minimum Payments, Principal Amounts, Sleep
Written on January 9th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Prevent Bankruptcy By Seeking Help Through A Non-profit Debt Counselor
For many Americans, it is believed that the people who file bankruptcy are irresponsible with money, which all filers are living outside of their means and flat out refuse to make bill payments. While there are unfortunate cases in which these instances have been found to be true, the majority of Bankruptcy causes are uncontrollable. There are seven main factors that can lead to a person filing bankruptcy.
The seven main factors are listed from the main cause to the least likely cause of bankruptcy. Credit card debt is the most likely cause of bankruptcy at a 67% cause rate. The loss of a job or a decrease in pay carries a 50% rate for bankruptcy. Poor financial management is rated at 37%. Medical bills are said to be half out of 1.5 million bankruptcies. Three quarters of individuals who file bankruptcy due to medical bills or health issues are insured. Medical causes carry a 28% cause of bankruptcy. For those who encounter business trouble there is a 15% rate of bankruptcy. Divorce carries 13% and legal bills and lawsuits combined carry 12%.
These percentages show the true factors for most bankruptcies are not at the fault of the filer. Unfortunately even when finances are managed frugally, bankruptcy can still be forced to occur. It is very important in prevention of bankruptcy to properly plan your finances and create a budget that you can live within. Make bill payments on time and pay credit card payments on time as well. By doing so you lower your risk of having to file bankruptcy at all.
Non-profit debt counselors are well-trained and experienced professionals who help those who are struggling with severe debt and financial struggles. They do this as a free service to help debtors regain control of their finances and to pay off their debtors. This program is not a loan but an education based program.
Tools and courses are provided to assist debtors in creating either a repayment plan or a debt management plan. These debt counselors review your personal situation to help provide you with the most beneficial program. They research your credit report, your average income, your assets and your debts. Once this information is gathered, the plan that is most suitable will be discussed with you entirely. You will know the advantages and disadvantages of the plans offered so that you can choose the plan that will best help you regain control over your finances.
Debt counseling does not just provide a band-aid for your debt trouble like bankruptcy can. Instead it heals the problem at the source. You are provided with tools to help you to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Bankruptcy can discharge your debts immediately for a fee, but further in the future your debt troubles can easily return.
There is numerous non-profit debt counseling services available to you. To find a representative in your area the most helpful tool is the Internet. You can find services that can help you online and over the phone. They are there to help you in any way possible. The help is available to relieve you from stress and financial chaos. All you have to do is click or call and you will be on your way to a fresh start with your finances.
Tags:
Bankruptcies,
Bankruptcy Credit Card,
Bankruptcy Due To Medical Bills,
Bankruptcy Help,
Bill Payments,
Credit Card Debt,
Credit Card Payments,
Debt Counselor,
Debtors,
Filer,
Filers,
Filing Bankruptcy,
Financial Management,
Health Issues,
Legal Bills,
Medical Causes,
Non Profit Debt Counselors,
Program Tools,
Three Quarters,
Unfortunate Cases
Related posts
Filed under Debt Help
Tags:Bankruptcies, Bankruptcy Credit Card, Bankruptcy Due To Medical Bills, Bankruptcy Help, Bill Payments, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Payments, Debt Counselor, Debtors, Filer, Filers, Filing Bankruptcy, Financial Management, Health Issues, Legal Bills, Medical Causes, Non Profit Debt Counselors, Program Tools, Three Quarters, Unfortunate Cases
Written on January 9th, 2010 by adminno shouts
Debt has a way of piling up in a sneaky way. Many consumers think that they are wisely managing their money until the day comes when they realize that they are way too deep in debt. The average U.S. household has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt, and that debt is often distributed among multiple accounts, each of which has its own minimum payment requirements.
As most credit card companies have recently increased their minimum monthly payment requirements to approximately 4% of the unpaid balance, paying off a number of credit card accounts at once can be difficult. The sum of the minimum payments can be more than many people can afford to pay. There is a solution, however. It is called debt consolidation.
Debt consolidation is the process or taking out one loan to pay off a number of different loans. By doing that, only one payment need be made each month. Depending on minimum payment requirements for the credit card debt, the single monthly payment could actually be less than the sum of the previous payments, thus easing the burden of retiring the debt.
But where can you get such a loan? While there are companies that advertise heavily that they can provide such loans, you may have other sources of funding at your disposal. Some may be worth pursuing, while others may be poor choices.
Home equity loans – If you own a home, and most people do, you could borrow against whatever equity you have accrued during the time you have been living there. Home equity loans are available from many lenders at affordable interest rates. As a bonus, the interest is deductible from your Federal income tax returns on loans of up to $100,000. Be aware, however, that a home equity loan puts your home at risk if you default on your bills.
Retirement plan or 401(K) – If you have a retirement plan or a 401(K) plan where you work, you may have the option of borrowing against it. The interest rates are quite favorable, and it may seem like you are borrowing from yourself. The downside to this is that your money is not earning interest during the time you have borrowed it, and this lost earning power is lost for good. You can’t make up for interest you didn’t earn.
Insurance – If you have whole or universal life insurance, you may be able to borrow against it. Talk to your insurance agent for details.
Family and friends – Not always the best choice for a loan, but it may be better than nothing. Just remember that many valuable friendships have been lost over loans. If you plan to borrow from friends or relatives, make certain that you can them back in a timely manner.
Most people with problem debts will have one or more of these sources of funding available if they want or need to consolidate their debts. Before you borrow, be sure to weigh all of your options carefully. The last thing you want to do while trying to get out of debt is to make the problem worse.
Tags:
401 K,
Credit Card Accounts,
Credit Card Debt,
Debt Consolidation Debt,
Debt Consolidation Loan,
Federal Income Tax,
Federal Income Tax Returns,
Home Equity Loan,
Home Equity Loans,
Household,
Income Tax Returns,
Interest Rates,
Lenders,
Minimum Payment Requirements,
Minimum Payments,
Poor Choices,
Possibilities,
Retirement Plan,
Sources Of Funding,
Unpaid Balance
Related posts
Filed under Debt Consolidation Loans
Tags:401 K, Credit Card Accounts, Credit Card Debt, Debt Consolidation Debt, Debt Consolidation Loan, Federal Income Tax, Federal Income Tax Returns, Home Equity Loan, Home Equity Loans, Household, Income Tax Returns, Interest Rates, Lenders, Minimum Payment Requirements, Minimum Payments, Poor Choices, Possibilities, Retirement Plan, Sources Of Funding, Unpaid Balance
Older Posts »