What sort of things have you heard about debt consolidation? Do you hear rumors about how it can fix your debt overnight? Or did you hear that it is all a scam? If you want honest, reliable answers about debt consolidation, this article will spell it all out for you.
If you are interested in debt consolation, see if there is a Consumer Credit Counseling Office located near you. They are often able to help at minimal risk to your credit. In addition, working with someone local is always beneficial because if something happens and you need help, your local authorities can work to resolve the matter.
When consolidating debt, consider doing the footwork yourself. Consolidation companies may have fees associated with their services. However, you can easily make the same phone calls to your creditors and negotiate with them. There is no special consideration from the creditor about who calls, whether a service or you, the customer.
Make sure to ask about the debt consolidation company’s privacy policy before getting involved with them. What will they do to ensure your information is kept confidential? Get a copy of their privacy policy and read over it before making any decisions. If you spot something you do not like, move on to another company.
Never select a debt company simply because they claim non-profit status. Though it may surprise you, non-profit is not necessarily indicative of quality. That is why it is essential that you check with the BBB to gain a better understanding of their practices.
Prior to making any debt consolidation decisions, look at the privacy policy of the company you are considering. You’ll be giving this company a lot of your personal financial information, and what they are allowed to use it for is a really big deal. Never assume in this instance. Look to that privacy policy to know the real situation.
One way to pay off your debt is to borrow money. If you get in touch with a lending institution near you, you can ask what type of interest rates you would have to pay. If you need to, you can use your car for collateral. Be sure to pay it all back as expected.
Bankruptcy might be an option for you. A bad mark will be left on your credit report whether you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, when you are already missing payments or unable to continue with payments, you may already have a worse looking credit report than a bankruptcy will be. Opting for bankruptcy can lead to reducing or removing your debt and starting over.
Before applying for a debt consolidation loan, contact the creditors you owe. Ask them if they can negotiate any of the the terms you are obligated to. Doing this prior to getting the debt consolidation loan will leave you in better shape to really minimize your overall debt once the loan is paid off and give you better figures to work with as well.
Consider borrowing against your 401k plan to pay your debt off. In essence, you’re borrowing from yourself. You should be aware of the terms before borrowing so you don’t completely spend your retirement savings.
Do not get involved with a debt counselor that works for a company that pays by commission. This is a red flag as it’s going to alter your situation according to the best interests of the debt counselor and not your best interests. Instead, look for a reputable company that pays their counselors accordingly.
Understand that different debt consolidation plan may have differing levels of fees involved. These fees can be rather costly, so ask about them up front before making any decisions. If it appears you are getting hit with a landslide of fees, you may be better off choosing a different option.
When creating a list of creditors, don’t forget a single company or person. Include your car payments, mortgage, medical bills, overdue library books, student loan, utility bills, phone bills, cable bills, internet costs, magazine subscriptions, and anything else you might owe. Be sure to make a comprehensive list so that you can easily figure out what your next step should be.
While engaging in a debt consolidation means a smaller bill in the short term, remember that it also means your payments will drag on for much longer. Can you afford that if something were to happen in the future? Some people find that paying off one of their smaller debts works better for them. Consider your options.
Now that you know the fact from the fiction, put these truths into action. Create a plan on how you can use debt consolidation to fix your dilemma. When you start getting to work today, your debt will be resolved sooner than you every could have dreamed, so get down to business!
