Posts Tagged ‘Debt Trap’

Ridding yourself of Bad Debt Without Bankruptcy

Cornie Herring asked:

Credit card debt creates anxiety and financial chaos. It caused many people trap into serious financial issue since the introduction of credit card. This plastic card create easy and convenient payment scheme for you to buy things without the need to worry about cash inside you wallet; frequently make you over spend your money and create debt.

The situation getting worse with the best feature of credit card, the minimum monthly payment; you no need to pay in full of credit card balance each month, just pay the minimum amount will do; the credit card balance snowballing month by month, when you start to realize that you have financial issue, most probably you already at a bad debt situation. When you are in the debt trap, more efforts and times are needed to get out from there.

The last option for debt free is filing a bankruptcy but before your need to choose this option, consider this five-step program first to rid yourself of bad debt with bankruptcy.

1. The desire to get out of debt

This is the most important part of any debt free program. Lip service is not acceptable because it is going to be hard work on your part. It’s going to require lifestyle changes and breaking of bad spending habits. You must get yourself ready and have an ultimate desire to get out of debt.

2. Assessing just how much debt you have

Before you put in your actions to resolve your debt issue, you need to know how much debt you have and who you owe. The best way is list down all your debts on to a piece of paper or enters your debts into any of personal finance program you use to assist you. Then, break it down further by listing down each interest rate of each credit card you current paying of. The most current information can be found on your card statement.

3. Devise a workable plan

You need a plan that you can live with. Write it down so that you will be more committed to it. You need to stop adding more debts, stop using credit cards. And try to call your creditors and ask if they would be willing to lower their interest rate. Other actions that you can put into your plan are:

* Generate and review your cash flow worksheet so that you know where your money going to come from each month to reduce your credit card debt.

* Things that you willing to change or give up to make the goal of being debt-free happen.

* Explode a few ways to increase your monthly income to cover for your debt payment.

* Assets that you may sell off to cash out to pay for your debts.

Start out with baby steps, paying more than the minimum each month. You can either choose to pay off the card with the higher interest first or choose the one with the lowest balance so that you can eliminate that one quickly.

4. Cancel all your credit card but leave one

This may be painful living without the credit card, but look what having these cards has done to you. Get the scissor out and cut all of them except one so that you will able to use it. Then, call to the credit card companies and call all your credit cards that you have put the scissor on; this is to stop you from asking for a replacement card later.

Now, what do you do with the last card? Carrying it in your wallet makes it too easy to access and use it for impulse purchase. You should keep it in a place where it will take an effort to retrieve it. This last card will only be used for any emergency purpose.

5. Seek for professional help if you just can’t manage it on your own

If you find that you can’t manage your debts at your own, then getting help from debt managing professional should be your option. You can contact the National Foundation for Consumer Credit (NFCC). This is a national network of nonprofit organization that provide consumer education, debt counseling and debt repayment program. Their counselors can help you set up a budget and re-establish credit.

In summary

If you always trap into bad debt situation, bankruptcy filing a fastest step for debt relief but it is not the best option as the impacts will follow you for many years. Always access other alternatives to rid yourself of bad debt without bankruptcy. The above five-step program can be your guide for better option.

Writing Off Bad Debt

Posted by on February 12th, 2009 No Comments

Getting Accepted For A Mortgage With Bad Credit History

Joseph Kenny asked:


The, current credit squeeze is affecting many mortgage borrowers, in particular, those with poor credit. Borrowers who have poor credit can still obtain a mortgage, using a company that offers ‘bad credit mortgages’ as a way out of debt.

Just the expression bad credit can send people running, but there is no reason for this. In the current economic climate it is very easy for anyone to fall into the bad credit debt trap.

But even in these difficult times there are still options for people with adverse credit. It is possible you may have to pay a slightly higher fee, and the broker may have to work harder for his money. But you should be able to work around any problems, to help get you a mortgage and resolve your debt situation.

To get the best results when looking for a bad credit mortgage, it is definitely advisable to engage the services of a specialist broker, as he will almost certainly get the best results for you.

This is because the specialist brokers know who to contact to make an application for a bad credit mortgage. It is essential that you are honest with the broker right from the start; if you mislead him it can only cause problems down the line. He will know how best to present your case and application to the suitable lender.

There is no reason to assume that a decent broker will not be able to help you resolve your bad debt mortgage problems and help you set your credit on the right path again.

Control your spending once you have the mortgage

Now you have a bad debt mortgage it is the best policy to try to avoid getting back into debt and repair you credit history at the same time.

Most people’s wages seem to disappear without trace, you can cover the basics of may fall down as the money starts to run out at the end of the month.

The best way to deal with this problem is to set yourself a budget; most people go their entire lives without living to a set budget. But if you have had debt problems this is easily the best way to avoid it happening again.

It can be pretty scary, to set yourself limits on your spending, rather than just spending money ‘as you need to’. The first and simplest thing you need to do is make a plan, you need to know exactly how much you bring home in cash every week every month.

Next you need to list all your expenses, generally all the things you can’t get away from such as water and electricity, gas, transport and so on. Add those of the see how much they are in total. If you’re not sure, go for the highest figure you think it is.

The next thing to do is put all your other expenses into categories. This will depend how you live your life, but basically, if you eat or drink out a lot. You could put the in a luxury category.

Then, things like food and other living expenses would be categorised as necessities. You need to be realistic, with all these estimates and make sure as far as possible it is what you actually spend each month.

Now, once you have worked out more or less what you are spending in total for absolutely everything. You can figure out how to cut down on these expenses, first, consider those essentials electricity, gas and water could you save a little money on those by cutting back a little. Perhaps switching the heating half an hour before you go to bed, rather than when you go to bed.

Could you take one more shower and one less bath each per week, how about making sure that you have all your groceries in one weekly shop. Rather than making several short trips in the car each week to the local shop to pick up ‘bits and pieces’. This will save on petrol, and the cost of the things you buy.

Next consider cutting down on some of those luxuries. Instead of eating out once a week, making once a fortnight, instead of going to a drink twice a week, make it once a week. These things will add up considerable savings over the course of a month.

One last tip to help you avoid the debt trap again is to write down everything you spend, every penny. Doing this will make it very clear in your mind, just how much you are spending on individual items. Over a few months you will learn that a pound here and the pound there can definitely add up to a considerable amount of money and plunge you back into debt again.



writing off bad debt

Posted by on February 11th, 2009 No Comments