Archive for January, 2010
I’m currently in a situation where I’ve collected more debt than I can manage and the interest payments are staggering.
Besides telling me how I can better spend my money, I’m wondering how a debt management company could help me?
I own a house. Would they somehow tie the debt into my mortgage payments?
Basically – what can they do for me that the bank can’t?
Boss – why not spam less serious questions?
They don’t help in the long run. They claim to consolidate your debt, and make monthly payments to all of your creditors. The problem with that is it hurts your score even more b/c it shows that you aren’t responsible enough to manage your debt.
Some companies don’t make the scheduled payments they promise they will. Leaving you the consumer in even more trouble. I worked with the Dept of Financial Regulation in MD for 2yrs. We received numerous complaints about the practices of some of these compaines.
If you can make arrangements with you creditors on your own and arrange for monthly payments that you know you can afford, that would be your best option. You are paying them to do what you can already do for yourself.
I’m in enrolled and was wondering how do creditors view being in a program?
it shouldn’t affect it too much, i wouldnt worry
I have been reviewing different websites for help with my credit card debt. Because of religious beliefs I am hoping to find someone that can offer Christian debt consolidation. Does anyone know who are the best Christan debt consolidators?
I have been a reporter and author on the debt industry for over 4 years. I have reviewed several companies in regards to Christian debt consolidation as several of my readers have asked this exact question. The main thing to look for is a company that offers several options, a free consultation, and has an excellent BBB rating. I have tried over 35 different services and this one has been the best above all others:
http://www.ChristianDebtConsolidation.com
You will notice that it has a legitimate website URL and is not being used for marketing purposes like the other answers submitted to this question.
I have a good credit score, last time I checked about 6 months ago it was about 720-730. Recently I have acquired a big credit card debt, about $9,000 on one credit card (with a limit of $10,000) and about $3,000 on another one (with a limit of $5,000) for many different personal reasons. After the whole spending money ordeal was over, I was left with all this debt on my credit cards. Since then, I have cut back on all unnecessary spending, besides the obvious things like food, gas, etc. I have never been late on payments and have never been over the credit limit. I Also try to pay an extra hundred bucks on top of the minimum payment due when I can. Are there any good ideas on how to consolidate these two credit card debts and help me out with all this? Thanks!
First of all, consolidating the debts wont really change anything. In fact may adversely affect your credit score.
You need to do the following:
1. Evaluate you interest rates. If you are paying more than 12%, then think about finding a new credit source to consolidate. With your credit score you are probably getting teaser rate offers in the mail. (Beware of a teaser rate that rests after 6 months, as what you save wont be that much) Look for a credit card that will allow you transfer the balances for a long period at a low rate. Many cards offer rates of 5.99 or less for up to 2 years, but also check if there is a transfer fee. This can be as much as 4%)
2. If you find a good card and rate to transfer, then transfer as much as you can from the higher of the two rates you currently have. If you able to transfer all of 3000 debt, do not cancel that card. (Just make sure you dont use it) Having a zero balance and available credit actually improves your credit score.
3. Make a plan. Figure out how long it will take to pay off each card by taking the minimum payment amount (principal only, not interest) and divide into the amount owed. Lets say on the 10,000 card the principal payment is $277, that means it will take 3 years to pay off that card.
4. If both cards have the same rate of interest, but different pyoff dates, put all your extra monthly payment towards the card with the highest % to the credit line (in this case the 9,000 card as that is at 90% of your limit, vs the 3,000 which is at 60% of your limit). The lower the % owed the better for your credit score.
Finally, do not use the cards. Pay cash for everything. (This is very important if you end up consolidating to a lower interest card. Those cards will apply all of your payments to the low interest balance first, and start accruing a high rate on the new purchases. that will go on until the original amount is paid off).
I have a good credit score, last time I checked about 6 months ago it was about 720-730. Recently I have acquired a big credit card debt, about $9,000 on one credit card (with a limit of $10,000) and about $3,000 on another one (with a limit of $5,000) for many different personal reasons. After the whole spending money ordeal was over, I was left with all this debt on my credit cards. Since then, I have cut back on all unnecessary spending, besides the obvious things like food, gas, etc. I have never been late on payments and have never been over the credit limit. I Also try to pay an extra hundred bucks on top of the minimum payment due when I can. Are there any good ideas on how to consolidate these two credit card debts and help me out with all this? Thanks!
First of all, consolidating the debts wont really change anything. In fact may adversely affect your credit score.
You need to do the following:
1. Evaluate you interest rates. If you are paying more than 12%, then think about finding a new credit source to consolidate. With your credit score you are probably getting teaser rate offers in the mail. (Beware of a teaser rate that rests after 6 months, as what you save wont be that much) Look for a credit card that will allow you transfer the balances for a long period at a low rate. Many cards offer rates of 5.99 or less for up to 2 years, but also check if there is a transfer fee. This can be as much as 4%)
2. If you find a good card and rate to transfer, then transfer as much as you can from the higher of the two rates you currently have. If you able to transfer all of 3000 debt, do not cancel that card. (Just make sure you dont use it) Having a zero balance and available credit actually improves your credit score.
3. Make a plan. Figure out how long it will take to pay off each card by taking the minimum payment amount (principal only, not interest) and divide into the amount owed. Lets say on the 10,000 card the principal payment is $277, that means it will take 3 years to pay off that card.
4. If both cards have the same rate of interest, but different pyoff dates, put all your extra monthly payment towards the card with the highest % to the credit line (in this case the 9,000 card as that is at 90% of your limit, vs the 3,000 which is at 60% of your limit). The lower the % owed the better for your credit score.
Finally, do not use the cards. Pay cash for everything. (This is very important if you end up consolidating to a lower interest card. Those cards will apply all of your payments to the low interest balance first, and start accruing a high rate on the new purchases. that will go on until the original amount is paid off).
We are in debt and I don’t want to file bankruptcy. After all I created the debt so I should pay it, but I also do not want to keep paying the minimum amount due for the rest of my life. I’m thinking of trying credit counseling and debt consolidation. Does anyone know of a good company? I tried my local credit counseling center that is through the government and they were rude and inattentive. I am in the United States. Thanks for the advice.
The first thing I would try to do is talk to your creditors yourself and see if you can reduce how much you owe. Some allow you to reduce it by 40%.
Explain to them that you want to repay the debt but can’t afford to pay all of that. You have to tell them that you are very close to filling for bankruptcy. If they sense that you are really close to defaulting on debt, then they may work something out since it’s better than nothing. The most important thing is to get everything in writing! Don’t just take their word for it.
If it doesn’t work out with debt consolidation, you can try calling up a debt settlement company, advantage debt settlement 1-866-925-0991. Ask for Bradley or Brian.
(In detail, when a company does a credit check, does being in a debt management program effect the chances of employment? I have never been late with payments or went through bankruptcy. I signed up to reduce interest rates. Your honest feedback would be appreciated.
It’s actually a good thing because it shows personal responsibility versus non-payment. Credit wise it helps because you make payments on time. What can hurt you is your present credit rating if it is low. But that also depends on whether your company checks that and how it ranks that information. Your focus should be on a good interview highlighting what you bring to the company.
I have about 25K in credit card debt. I am planning to buy a 540K house. Currently I have great credit, is it possible to add my credit card debt into the home loan in order to make it a single monthly payment. What is the loan program called? I am shooting for 5 yr. ARM. Me and my wife plan to live there for about 3-4 yrs.
To add I mean to pay off my credit cards with the home loan.
I doubt there is a loan program around right now that will lend over 100% of the homes value on a home purchase. You can sometimes get them on refi’s but they are usually loans that are attached to some type of construction or major improvements.
Value is determined two ways:
In a purchase, the Purchase price or the appraised value- whichever is LESS.
In a refinance- the appraised value.
If this is new construction, the home is probably worth alot more now than when you purchased it. You should have a lot of equity.
Right now, prices are not going up as much as they were, so if this is existing construction, you may have to wait a few months until you have enough equity to pay off the debt.
If you have cash in the bank, try to pay off that debt and get a second mortgage instead of putting that additional money as a down payment.
You can also wait until you close your loan and refinance with a second mortgage paying off your debt- provided there is enough equity in the house.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but let me show you from a lenders perspective.
You have $25,000 in Credit Cards and the average interest rate is probably 15% or greater. You are buying a house that the value is $540K, you want them to lend you $565K for a house they know is only worth $540- at an interest rate of about 6%- less than half of what you are paying on the credit cards now.
If you were to default on the loan, you get to take all the furniture, clothes, handbags, etc that you paid for using the credit cards, however they can only reposess the home that is worth $540K. If they sell it at auction for the full price of $540 (which is doubtful) they would be at a loss after the Realtor takes the standartd 6% commission (approx $32K). That leaves the bank with getting $508K for the house at best, before fees.
This is obviously not a favorable investment for them.