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5 Popular Debt Reduction Strategies
Author : Simon Volkov
Submitted : 2011-12-27 22:51:52 Word Count : 597 Popularity: 0
Tags: debt reduction, debt consolidation, debt settlement, budgeting, credit counseling, bankruptcy
Debt reduction has become a top concern for many Americans. The fallout from the economic recession has left millions of people facing overwhelming financial crisis. The unprecedented wake-up call has forced consumers to drastically reduce spending and reassess personal finance strategies.
To successfully achieve debt reduction, consumers should first determine which strategy best suits their needs. The type of debt help required depends on the type of debts owed. Most debtors can benefit from using one strategy, but those with staggering debt loads may need to incorporate two or more tactics to achieve their goals.
Popular ways to reduce debt include debt settlement, debt consolidation, credit counseling, budgeting, and bankruptcy. Each requires debtors to adhere to certain protocol and commit to reducing expenses until debts are eradicated.
Debt settlement is best suited for debtors carrying high levels of debt. Debt settlers negotiate with creditors to reduce outstanding balances or interest rates. Many debt settlement companies claim they can slash debt by as much as 60-percent. However, consumers must pay monthly maintenance fees which often amount to nearly the same amount as the reduction.
Debtors should calculate the true costs of services before entering into a contract with debt settlers. Debtors may want to attempt creditor negotiation on their own. Creditors are sometimes willing to accept less than the full balance if debtors offer a lump sum cash payment and reasonable payment plan.
Deb consolidation can be a good choice for individuals who own real estate. Using this debt reduction strategy, property owners take out a home equity loan using their property as collateral. Banks assess a substantially lower rate of interest on real estate loans which can save borrowers a considerable amount of money. However, using a home equity loan to pay off credit cards can place real estate at risk for foreclosure.
Borrowers must have sufficient equity and credit rating to qualify for a home equity loan. Debtors should contact creditors to negotiate a reduced payoff before applying for a home equity loan. If creditors are willing to accept less, borrowers can borrow less money and pay less for interest.
Nearly everyone can benefit from credit counseling, but this debt reduction option is particularly helpful to borrowers drowning in debt. Credit counselors can help debtors develop a get-out-of-debt plan and might be able to assist with creditor negotiations.
Individuals considering personal bankruptcy should obtain credit counseling through a U.S. Trustee approved credit counseling agency. New bankruptcy laws require debtors to obtain credit counseling before receiving protection through the court. Oftentimes, credit counseling can help debtors avoid bankruptcy altogether.
The U.S. Trustee program is governed by the Department of Justice. Many of the approved credit counselors are non-profit organizations offering low- or no-cost services.
Bankruptcy should be used as a last resort as it is expensive and causes serious harm to credit scores. Bankruptcy is reflected on credit reports for 7 years and can prevent borrowers from obtaining credit for several years.
The most affordable option for obtaining debt relief is budgeting. The concept is simple; spend less than is earned. To succeed with budgeting, debtors must commit to sticking to their budget regardless of temptations.
Individuals unfamiliar with budgeting should spend time conducting research. The Internet and public libraries are great sources for learning how to create a household budget. Two trusted sources for obtaining accurate personal finance information are Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey. Both professionals have published books and offer a wealth of information via their websites.
Author's Resource Box
Discover additional debt reduction strategies from California real estate investor, Simon Volkov. His website includes a comprehensive personal finance article library covering topics of foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy alternatives, and debt help tips at http://www.SimonVolkov.com.
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