credit card debt relief

Get Your Finances In Order – Declare Bankruptcy

For many of us, the word “bankruptcy,” immediately evokes a room-full of guys in fancy ties, running around, screaming “I am ruined!” and jumping from the Empire State Building. And, even though you have nothing to do with those guys, you also feel like screaming your lungs out because your minimum monthly payments are eating up a good portion of your paycheck, your credit is maxed out and your credit card applications get declined because your credit rating had fell crashing through the floor and stayed there forever.

You might have a job, but, really, what’s the point of keeping it, if all the money earned goes to the credit card companies. But you are afraid to quit because, if you stop paying them, they’ll start calling you and your family threatening to sue. That’s what already happened a few times you had to miss a payment – once because of that vacation and the other time, because of that car accident – you’re still receiving hospital bills for that – bills that you can’t pay. The hospital’s billing department has been calling for months, by the way. Add to that your student loans and hiding in a cave in Afghanistan suddenly becomes an attractive option.

Bankruptcy might actually offer you an escape from that ferry-wheel of interest rates and monthly payments. There are different ways to go bankrupt – but the one you will grow to love is called “Chapter 7.” In a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, two important things happen. Number one: your debt gets discharged. Number two (a.k.a. the “other side of the coin”): everything that you own gets taken away and sold to pay back your creditors. That other side of the coin might sound pretty harsh, but fortunately, the law contains many, many exceptions to that rule – all these exceptions basically ensure that no one will take your personal possessions and sometimes even your car and your house. But – your collection of modern art, your villa in Tuscany and your slave army of French chefs will be confiscated. What was that? You don’t possess even a single piece of modern art? What a shame! But, on the other hand, now you won’t have to worry about your belongings getting taken away.

Finally, after you file your Chapter 7 petition in Bankruptcy Court, you will have to appear before a judge – a bankruptcy trustee. The trustee will make sure that you are trying to hide a family fortune from him (and your creditors), and, once he is sure, he will enter an order discharging all your debt. Well, not all – student loans “survive” the bankruptcy, which means, you would still be responsible for them. But, all your credit cards, veterinarian and grocery bills, auto loans and medical bills will go away. The trustee doesn’t make his order final for a few months – just in case you happen to win lottery or receive a large inheritance. However, once the bankruptcy order becomes final, your ailing rich uncle can finally kick the bucket – your debt will still remain discharged.

Now you can finally take those skiing lessons you’ve always wanted to take, go for a vacation or maybe even start saving. You will be able to get new credit cards eventually – quite soon actually – credit card companies prefer somebody fresh coming out of bankruptcy to someone who’s never declared Chapter 7 before. That’s because one can only do a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy once every 10 years. So, don’t repeat the same mistake again – remember, you won’t be able to get rid of your new creditors for quite a while. So, before whipping out that credit card, stop and think how much better it feels without those monthly payments. Try and keep that feeling for as long as you can.

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If you live in New York or New Jersey and are thinking about bankruptcy, drop me a line – our law office helped hundreds of people discharge their debt. Once your debt is discharged and you are ready to start anew, read about ways to make money in this hilarious guide – GetRichandQuick.com.

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How To Achieve Debt Reduction and Debt Elimination

How To Get Out Of Debt

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Ways to get out of debt and regain control of your finances…

If you opt for debt negotiation or debt settlement, your debt negotiator will evolve a new debt amount. Often, it is possible for you to pay only 60-70% of the original loan. In case you do not have the option of a lower payment, your creditors may permit you a lower interest rate. Either method benefits both you and your creditor.

You should not be averse to explain your money and credit situation honestly. By being transparent, you can come to an agreement and one successful negotiation can be the stepping-stone to eliminating your debt.

Debt consolidation is yet another option to get you out of debt. In debt consolidation, you avail of a lower interest loan and use it to pay off all your higher interest loans, for example credit cards. Debt consolidation is a risky step for some, because paying off credit card debt is not sufficient if you give in to further temptations to overspend on your credit card. It is best to stop using credit cards altogether after debt consolidation in context with credit cards. Else, you are in danger of getting into more debt than you were before debt consolidation.

Finally, controlling your expenses is the only long-term solution to get you out of debt. For this, you must first understand what your expenses are. Keeping a record of everything you spend is the only way to ensure that you know your spending patterns. After this, you will have to sacrifice many frills in your lifestyle and learn to live on a budget.

Remember that it takes discipline and sacrifice to get out of debt. You can rest assured that enforcing discipline and sacrifice will be worth it, because staying on budget equals investing in your future.

By Arun Chitnis
Published: 3/9/2007

Erase Debt Legally! Find out in 60 seconds or less if you qualify!

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Debt Solutions Settlement With Lenders and Creditors

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Negotiating Settlement With Creditors

Tips For Negotiating Settlement With Creditors

Debt negotiation is when someone negotiates with lenders and creditors to have the total debt owed lowered. This can be done alone or can be done by a debt settlement company that will negotiate with creditors on the clients behalf. Debt that can be negotiated include department store credit cards, collection agency debt, medical bills, credit cards, and other unsecured personal loans.

Which Lenders To Deal With

When it comes to negotiating settlement with creditors you will find that smaller lenders are far more likely to talk. If you have debt with large financial companies you may have better luck using a professional.

Why Would a Creditor Take Less Then Is Owed

If you are considering debt negotiating settlement with creditors then you probably have looked at bankruptcy as well. Creditors will take less than is owed when they suspect that the debtor is a candidate for bankruptcy. It’s better for them to get 60% of what is owed over nothing at all.

Things You Can Do Before And During The Negotiating Settlement With Creditors Process

Showing Good Faith Is Key

Lenders and creditors will not negotiate with you if you show terrible financial judgment. If you purchased a new LCD TV three months ago then good luck in trying to get the creditor to talk. If they see that you are making an honest attempt to get your finances back on track they may be a little friendlier.

Be Polite

They are the ones in control so being difficult will only make things worse.

Tell The Truth

Let your creditors know about your situation and be honest.

Set Realistic Goals

Before you even begin negotiating settlement with creditors and lenders you should set a budget where you breakdown your expenses and income. See exactly how much you can afford and set that as your break even point. Explain to the creditors that if you have to pay more then this you will end up in the same situation. Why settle if you won’t be able to afford the settlement payments.

Be Persistent And Keep Records

Keep a record of every letter you send the creditors and send the letters registered. You may have to contact them multiple times before they will even talk to you.

Negotiating Settlement With Creditors is Not Easy

Negotiating settlement with creditors is not easy and can be a stressful situation if you don’t have the personality for it. Most people are better off using a specialist but you can do it alone. For more help and information please visit my debt negotiation website.

By Jeff Dragt

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More Resources for negotiating settlement with creditors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Settlement

When a borrower does not include all credit lines and credit cards in the debt settlement process, t…

Negotiating with Lenders to Stop Foreclosure

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