Best Ways to Settle & Eliminate Credit Card Debt FAST:
1. Hire The Best Debt Settlement Company
2. Do It Yourself Debt Elimination
I am wanting to rid myself of all debt and consolidating under one company at first sounded great. Now I’m getting “cold feet”! Should I continue on w/ them or should I “tough it out” and try and do this myself? The chief thing I like about consolidating is that THEY deal w/ headaches for me, not to mention I’m getting ONE payment as well as lower interest and “re-aging” of accounts. Any advice would be appreciated!:)
They can be very helpful just be sure that they are not for profit companies. Also check the Better Business Bureau for the one you pick before signing anything with them.
They can be very helpful just be sure that they are not for profit companies. Also check the Better Business Bureau for the one you pick before signing anything with them.
References :
If you dont want to ruin your FICO score any further, your best bet is Consumer Credit Counseling Service which is a not-for-profit agency.
All other debt consolidation programs end up further ruining your credit score plus you pay other consolidation programs around 15% of the entire debt you owe as a "service charge"!
References :
http://www.cccservices.com
http://www.suzeorman.com/igsbase/igstemplate.cfm?SRC=MD012&SRCN=aoedetails&GnavID=84&SnavID=20&TnavID=&AreasofExpertiseID=3
Consolidation is used for several different things.
1. You get a big loan to pay off all your debt. It’s bad to transfer debt to a new loan. People tend to run those credit cards back up and then have the credit cards and that big loan payment.
2. Debt settlement. Very bad. The companies take your money and let all your accounts go 90 days past due then try to offer lowball settlements. Not only does this trash your credit, but most credit card companies won’t play and simply sue you.
3. Credit counseling. Check here for an NFCC member in your area: http://www.nfcc.org/. They are legit, non-profit companies that offer debt management programs for a nominal fee, if you qualify. They don’t negotiate debt settlement. They negotiate lower interest and payments to allow you to pay off your debt. While in the program, it is noted on your credit file. However, upon completion, the notation is removed and you have a good payment history.
If you are not actually struggling to make your payments, you should work on doing it yourself. Make a strict budget. Eliminate all the extras — cell phone, eating out, new clothes, etc. Take every penny you can squeeze out of that budget and throw it at the highest interest rate credit card, while paying minimum payments on the rest. When the highest card is paid off, move to the next till they are all paid in full.
The advantages are that you will learn some new finanancial management skills, pay off your debt, and have a good payment history/credit.
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I would stay away. You can usually get a lower-interest consolidation loan from your bank or local credit union. Plus, they won’t rip you off.
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