Wednesday, October 9, 2013

How To Determine The Best Debt Consolidation Program For You

By Christopher M. Seymour


When you want to know which debt consolidation programs will best fit your personal needs, then it is important to have access to reliable resources. Dealing with collection agencies can be highly stressful and lower the quality of life of any person. By finding a program that will make it easier for your to deal with your debts, then you can improve your lifestyle and find the relief that you truly deserve.
[Debt Consolidation Programs]


To help relieve you of the confusing ideas about debt consolidation programs, here is a list of popular myths about the two different debt consolidation programs: credit counseling/debt management plan and debt consolidation loans.Credit Counseling/Debt Management Plan.Myth: All programs are the same.Fact: The general idea of debt consolidation may be the same but the details will vary depending on the unique situation of the debtor. It is very important that you identify your financial weaknesses and strengths and discuss it with your credit counselor. This will help you come up with a plan that is suited to your capabilities and will have a higher chance of success.Myth: All credit counseling agencies are non-profit organizations.Fact: While most of them are not for profit, there are companies who offer paid services. They are still legitimate but be sure to conduct your due diligence to be certain.Myth: Credit counseling agencies have varying creditor payment methods.

Fact: The creditor benefits have been standardized throughout the industry so you will rarely find a company that offers a better one. However, your credit counsellor will aim to provide you with a payment plan that you can afford to pay for. Should you be unable to afford that, your chances of getting a lower scheme with another credit counseling agency is low. Instead of searching for a different company, you will also be advised to shift to a different debt relief program altogether. Debt settlement and bankruptcy are two other options that has a lower monthly payment plan.Debt Consolidation Loans.Myth: A collateral is always needed.Fact: You do not need a collateral to avail of a debt consolidation loan. However, there are benefits to be made when you avail of a secured loan like lower interest rates. This is probably why a Home Equity loan is the most pursued type of debt consolidation loan.

Myth: You need a good credit score.Fact: Like a collateral, a good credit score will help you acquire lower interest rates but it does not define whether you will be granted a loan or not. Even those with bad credit scores can still opt for a debt consolidation loan as long as they have the means to pay for it and the overall monthly amount is not greater than the current.Myth: A loan is the best way to get out of debt.Fact: There are other options to get out of debt and each of them are best for particular financial situations. It is still best to consult an expert about it or at least analyze your finances carefully to know what is the best debt relief option to take.

You have nothing to lose by inquiring about your eligibility to enroll in free government debt consolidation programs. There are several websites online which can quickly guide you through the application process, making sense of all the technical terms and regulations. The application process should only require some basic information and will allow you to view all of your available options and to see exactly how much money you could be saving each month. You can also find out if you qualify for debt negotiation, which can lower your balances and erase outstanding late fees and penalties.Federal government debt consolidation programs work by taking the total sum of all your credit cards, medical bills, student loans, automotive loans, and other debts, and paying them off in full. You are then left with one low interest loan, saving you thousands of dollars every year. You will also benefit from having to only worry about making one manageable monthly payment, instead of trying to keep track of several confusing bills every month. One such program that works this way is called the Direct Loan Consolidation program, of DOE, which has helped countless Americans put together a plan to end their debts once and for all.

When using a free website to determine which federal government debt consolidation program is right for your needs it is important to remember that there should never be any obligations of fees when requesting a free online quote for any government or private debt relief service. Once you have decided on the program that best suits your personal needs you can begin to work towards lowering your debt and repairing your FICO score. Many who consolidate their debts also choose to work with a trained debt counselor to develop a healthy financial plan for the future, and to avoid falling back into the debt trap.Military debt consolidation loans are offered to the family members of military personnel who are on duty and also for the retired officials. Agencies that favor these kinds of loans are Military Debt Management Services, Military Debt Management Agency, and AAFES. The lending institutions offer better help to such officials and assist them to sail through the troubled waters. Financial institutions lend their hands in assisting military debt consolidation by arranging services to convert their loans to an affordable monthly payment. They offer debt settlement services and negotiate with the creditors to lower the interest rates. There are certain lending companies which are dedicated to the military debt consolidation services. The government is very keen in these kinds of programs after all these persons have dedicated their life for the security of the country.

What is Debt Consolidation? The basic concept behind an effective debt consolidation program is that the debt that a person has accumulated will be bought out by the company and then repaid at a more affordable rate by the original borrower. It is effectively a debt transfer system, but can play a huge role in lightening the financial burden we find ourselves under.For example, a person may have credit card, personal loan, auto loan and a variety of other debts amounting to $50,000. Because these loans are from different lenders, and have different interest rates applied to them, the overall cost can be significantly higher than it needs to be. But by managing debts effectively the cost is reduced.

Legal and Authenticity.Nonprofit consolidation programs are authenticate and legal. They are also recognized by governing bodies like the federal trade commission.Personal Relations.The representatives of the lenders usually tend to maintain an ideal personal relation with borrowers. If the lender happens to have some religious affiliations, then the personal relationship may be boosted further.Added Service.With nonprofit debt consolidation, there are some free added extra services which are normally provided by the lenders. Some of these services include debt negotiation, credit card debt settlement, etc. Let us now discuss what you should consider in your attempt to find a reliable nonprofit debt consolidation firm.

Not least among them is the effect that this program has on the credit score of the borrower. In managing debts effectively, they need to be bought out. To the borrower, this means that the debt is transferred but, to the original lender, this means that the debt is cleared. With each cleared debt, the credit score of the borrower is adjusted, thereby improving the credit rating overall.The result of this is that the terms of any future loans will be better, interest rates lower and loan limit set higher. However, as always, there are certain things that should be watched out for when turning to debt consolidation.

What to Watch Out For.The majority of companies offering debt consolidation programs are on the Internet. This in itself has pros and cons, with the chief pro being an accessibility that it hard to match. However, the cons include the risk of unscrupulous operators taking advantage of consumers. To avail of the program, it is necessary to sign a contract, but the terms of any contract need to be examined before it is signed. For example, the company may apply extra fees and charges, and charge heavy fines to any borrower who fails to make payments to them on time. In managing debts effectively then, there can be risks.However, check the firm with the Better Business Bureau for information, and read the small print on contracts carefully. Then, only sign the debt consolidation agreement if fully satisfied everything is alright.




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