Welcome, visitor! [ Login

Post an Ad

Knee Deep in Debt : Self-Help- Developing a Budget

Debt-Credit Consolidation September 27, 2023

Knee Deep in Debt

Having trouble paying your bills? Getting dunning notices from creditors? Are your accounts being turned over to debt collectors? Are you worried about losing your home or your car?

You’re not alone. Many people face a financial crisis some time in their lives. Whether the crisis is caused by personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or overspending, it can seem overwhelming. But often, it can be overcome. Your financial situation doesn’t have to go from bad to worse.

If you or someone you know is in financial hot water, consider these options: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Debt negotiation is yet another option. How do you know which will work best for you? It depends on your level of debt, your level of discipline, and your prospects for the future.

Self-Help

Developing a Budget: The first step toward taking control of your financial situation is to do a realistic assessment of how much money you take in and how much money you spend. Start by listing your income from all sources. Then, list your “fixed” expenses — those that are the same each month — like mortgage payments or rent, car payments, and insurance premiums. Next, list the expenses that vary — like entertainment, recreation, and clothing. Writing down all your expenses, even those that seem insignificant, is a helpful way to track your spending patterns, identify necessary expenses, and prioritize the rest. The goal is to make sure you can make ends meet on the basics: housing, food, health care, insurance, and education.

Your public library and bookstores have information about budgeting and money management techniques. In addition, computer software programs can be useful tools for developing and maintaining a budget, balancing your checkbook, and creating plans to save money and pay down your debt.

Contacting Your Creditors: Contact your creditors immediately if you’re having trouble making ends meet. Tell them why it’s difficult for you, and try to work out a modified payment plan that reduces your payments to a more manageable level. Don’t wait until your accounts have been turned over to a debt collector. At that point, your creditors have given up on you.

Dealing with Debt Collectors: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is the federal law that dictates how and when a debt collector may contact you. A debt collector may not call you before 8 a.m., after 9 p.m., or while you’re at work if the collector knows that your employer doesn’t approve of the calls. Collectors may not harass you, lie, or use unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. And they must honor a written request from you to stop further contact.

Managing Your Auto and Home Loans: Your debts can be unsecured or secured. Secured debts usually are tied to an asset, like your car for a car loan, or your house for a mortgage. If you stop making payments, lenders can repossess your car or foreclose on your house. Unsecured debts are not tied to any asset, and include most credit card debt, bills for medical care, signature loans, and debts for other types of services.

Most automobile financing agreements allow a creditor to repossess your car any time you’re in default. No notice is required. If your car is repossessed, you may have to pay the balance due on the loan, as well as towing and storage costs, to get it back. If you can’t do this, the creditor may sell the car. If you see default approaching, you may be better off selling the car yourself and paying off the debt: You’ll avoid the added costs of repossession and a negative entry on your credit report.

If you fall behind on your mortgage, contact your lender immediately to avoid foreclosure. Most lenders are willing to work with you if they believe you’re acting in good faith and the situation is temporary. Some lenders may reduce or suspend your payments for a short time. When you resume regular payments, though, you may have to pay an additional amount toward the past due total. Other lenders may agree to change the terms of the mortgage by extending the repayment period to reduce the monthly debt. Ask whether additional fees would be assessed for these changes, and calculate how much they total in the long term.

If you and your lender cannot work out a plan, contact a housing counseling agency. Some agencies limit their counseling services to homeowners with FHA mortgages, but many offer free help to any homeowner who’s having trouble making mortgage payments. Call the local office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the housing authority in your state, city, or county for help in finding a legitimate housing counseling agency near you

  • Debt Collectors -Recovery Services - PA & VA

    by on February 3, 2024 - 0 Comments

    Entity Address Telephone Monarch Recovery Management, Inc. 10965 Decatur Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19154 (215) 281-7500 Monarch Recovery Management, Inc. 9350 Ashton Road, Suite 101, Philadelphia, PA, 19114 (215) 281-7500 Central Credit Services, Inc. Five Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 117, Trevose, PA, 19053 (215) 333-2272 Tate & Kirlin Associates, Inc. 2810 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19154 (215) […]

  • Credit Counseling Agencies :EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

    by on January 11, 2024 - 0 Comments

    Alliance Credit Counseling, Inc. 13777 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Ste.100 Charlotte, NC  28277-3433 Phone:  888-594-9596 Fax: 704-943-0313 Email:  kevin@knowdebt.org Website:  www.acc.consumerbkcenter.com, www.crisishelp.org, www.knowdebt.org Debt Management/Credit Counseling All Names Used: Alliance Credit Counseling, Inc., AAAlliance Credit Counseling, Inc., AAA Alliance Credit Counseling, Inc.  Addresses: 15720 John J. Delaney Dr., Ste.100, Charlotte, N.C. 28277, 7621 Little Avenue, #100, […]

  • How to calculate Monthly Income and Expenses - Case study

    by on January 4, 2024 - 0 Comments

    Monthly Income and Expenses   Once you know your monthly expenses, you can use a Monthly Income and Expense Worksheet (similar to the one on page 8 of your Participant Guide), a money management software program, or an online budgeting worksheet to determine: How much money you have coming in (income) How much is going […]

  • 5 Tips for Getting the Most From Your Credit Card

    by on February 16, 2024 - 0 Comments

    Pay on time. Paying your credit card account on time helps you avoid late fees as well as penalty interest rates applied to your account, and helps you maintain a good credit record. A good credit record leads to a higher credit score, which helps you qualify for lower interest rates. Know the date your […]

  • Credit Counseling Courses and Financial Management Courses : Puerto Rico (PR) USA

    by on January 16, 2024 - 0 Comments

    Financial Management Instructional Courses /Debtor Education Agencies Name,  Website , Courses Offered & Languages Supported  Debtor Education Agencies   address Forbes & Newhard Credit Solutions, Inc.         Website – forbescs.us:      Financial Management Instructional Courses (Debtor Education) Delivery Method – Telephone :   Language (other than English) in which the service method is provided, either through a translator, written […]