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Credit Counseling vs. Debt Consolidation – Which is right for me?

Debt consolidation and credit counseling are similar services that assist individuals in getting out of debt.

Debt consolidation agencies help to minimize interest rates and therefore the monthly payments. The replacement of several monthly loans by a single loan at a lower interest rate and sometimes with an extended repayment period can be of significant assistance to a person in debt. A single secure loan can lead to the interest rates dropping by as much as half. The debt consolidation company interacts with the collection agencies and credit card companies on behalf of their client and along with a reduced rate, they can also negotiate for elimination of late fees and a reduced balance. Debt consolidation is not applicable to secure loans such as mortgage loans and car loans but is very useful for unsecured credit card loans.

Debt consolidation is received well by the creditors who prefer it over bankruptcy. Debtors can get out of debt by using debt consolidation and maintain a good credit record, something which would not be possible if they filed for bankruptcy. Debt consolidators may charge a fee upfront or charge service fees; given that most debt consolidation companies are non-profit, these fees are usually quite affordable. Debt consolidation is ideal forsome people who wish to get out of a debt as quickly as possible without juggling their finances in a major way.

Credit counseling organizations also assist consumers in clearing their debts. Credit counseling organizations were first started by the credit card industry that was looking for a way to ensure that their debtors not file for bankruptcy. Consumers who participate in a credit counseling program normally have a certain amount of debt with reference to the monthly income. One may not qualify for a credit counseling program if in the creditor’s opinion the debtor has the income to make the payments.

Credit counselors interact with the creditors on behalf of their clients to secure a revised monthly repayment schedule, a reduction in the interest rate, or a waiver of the interest charges, if possible. Credit counseling services assist with unsecured debit like credit cards, auto loans, medical bills, attorney bills, etc. Well-established credit counseling companies can even negotiate with creditors on behalf of those who have defaulted on secured debt repayment and help them to pay the arrears as per an agreeable plan, thereby avoiding foreclosure and repossession. Credit counseling is recommended for those who wish for a complete alteration in their finance management and require assistance from a third party to assess their financial options. It is not uncommon for creditors to pay the credit counseling fees on behalf of the debtors in order to encourage them to repay the debts. Unlike debt consolidation services, credit counselors provide useful advice for not only getting out of debt but also staying out of it

Debt Help-Giving You Financial Respite

You have been trying really hard to get out of debt. To your dismay, nothing seemed to work. It is quite likely that your approach wasn’t right. If you are sinking in debt and desperately need a financial breather, get debt help from a professional. There are many companies offering debt assistance to borrowers seeking help with debt problems. If you have decided upon a particular debt relief option, the most important thing to do is to have a thorough understanding of the process and be aware of what is actually going to happen to your debts. How will the debt help program help you to become debt free?

There are many options of debt help and some of the options that are widely used by the debtors have been mentioned below. A brief explanation of each of the debt help option has been provided.

Debt consolidation Debt consolidation loan You can either opt for a debt consolidation loan or a debt consolidation program. If you are opting for a debt consolidation loan, you take a loan equal to the outstanding balances of all the debts taken together. Thereafter, you pay off to a single lender. You may use collateral if you wish to. Using collateral will attract low rate of interest. You can also opt for an unsecured debt consolidation loan, where no collateral is required.

Debt consolidation program If it is a debt consolidation program you are opting for as a debt help option, you merge all your debts together and treat it as one. You enroll for a debt consolidation program, where the company you hire work on your behalf and try to work out a new repayment plan. You start making payments as per the new plan. It not only lowers your interest rate but also lowers your monthly payments.

Debt settlement Debt settlement is another debt help option that can make you debt free. In debt settlement or debt negotiation, your outstanding balance is reduced. The lenders are negotiated with and the debt settlement company you hire does all the negotiation on your behalf. In debt settlement, you can reduce your outstanding balance by as much as 40% to 60%.

Debt Management Program (DMP) In a DMP, a credit counseling company gathers all information about your current financial situation. It works out a budget for you and educates you to manage debts better. When you enroll for the DMP, the company negotiates with the debtors by working on your behalf. The negotiating company tries to convince lenders for lower APR and monthly payments.

Select the debt relief option that you think will solve your debt problems. If you are undecided about the option, talk to a credit counselor.