Sunday, 18 September 2011

Debt Settlement Attorneys: Will they save you from debts?


The economic scenario that became dismal during the financial meltdown has propelled thousands of Americans to fall into the vicious trap of debts and they have turned to the debt settlement companies for savior. Debt settlement is a perfectly legalized solution for people who are desperately seeking a way out of neck deep debts and avoid filing for bankruptcy. Initially, the consumers often try to dodge their debt related issues that makes it more complicated and unpleasant. The best way out to ease off your debts is to approach a qualified and professional debt settlement attorney who can spearhead the entire process of settling debts with their practical experiences in handling such cases.

The principle function of a debt settlement attorney is to negotiate with the creditors for a debt reduction by establishing successful contacts with each and all of your creditors and collection agencies and finally settling down with a reduced repayment schedule. The debt settlement attorney can help the indebted consumers to a large extent by asking the creditors for a complete cut down of all premiums and penalties that are deepening up on their accounts. By applying their valuable knowledge and workable strategies they can end up striking the best deals to resolve the consumer debts. These lawyers will first have a detailed assessment of the financial condition of the debtors and then try to balance the income and the expenses for deciding the amount of monthly installment that is to be paid by the debtors. Thereafter, the debt settlement attorneys will go into direct negotiation with the creditors and the creditor harassment can be reduced automatically as the debtors will pay their indebted amount. However it is also important for the consumers to acquire a detailed credit report from the debt settlement attorney to have a clear and vivid idea about its inclusions and to check for any mistakes which can later assist them to have good credit ratings and proper management of finances. Consulting the debt settlement attorneys is the ultimate solution for the consumers for dealing with all their debts and related issues that will help them to reduce about 50-60%of their debts from the original balance amount. With a strong focus on consumer debts, they can help them to get complete monetary freedom.

Is debt settlement a worthy option for the Consumers?


Debt settlement companies have grown in number since the onset of recession and helped the people of America who could no longer manage their debts. As a matter of fact, the consumers of the American society had no other option but to embrace the option of debt settlement to get rid of their financial obligations. However, in a hurry to get respite from their debts, they did not even bother to check the legitimacy and the reputation of the company from which they have so willfully decided to opt for these services. It is not untrue that when it comes to financial management, Americans are clueless. This is reason enough that a majority of the consumers have fallen prey to debts and financial hardships. Although, debt settlement has helped innumerable citizens to get out of debts, they have also marred their finances to a large extent particularly because the consumers did not check the credentials of the debt settlement company. However, the reasons for which the American consumers have got into bad debts is due to their habit of spending in an extravagant manner and at times it becomes so irresistible that they may end up buying things beyond their means which is no less than a calamity during an economic crisis; debt settlement companies perhaps indicate that the Americans are still in trouble.

But a majority of debt settlement services do not follow fair dealing methods with the intention of minting money through their clients without taking proper care of their credit score. There are several debt settlement companies that are full of scams and take away people’s hard earned money when they are in deep debts and utter trouble. But the fact remains that handling the creditors and the officials of the collection agencies is the last thing that the consumers desire. Actually debt settlement is a process wherein the lawyers and the debt experts try to negotiate with the creditors to work on a reduced amount of the total outstanding balances.  However, these companies are more famous for making efforts to rope in more people to offer them with fake and flowery promises for ending their debt issues.  In fact, settling debts with professional agencies is a matter of intensive research and a careful approach to get hold of the right company would do more good to deliver the consumers from debts.

Sunday, 11 September 2011

Benefits of low interest credit cards


The interest rates of the credit cards are the greatest influencing factors for the balance that we usually carry on a credit card account which on the other hand has an effect on the monthly finance charges; so these low interest cards have emerged to be the more popular ones because it can allow you to save a significant amount of money in both long and short term basis. Apart from saving money, these cards act as good financial tools to improve the credit score which poses as the deciding factor for securing loans and availing credits. Most of the credit card issuers also provide the low interest cards along with the advanced ones. But as all good things come with a flaw so also the low interest cards, as the offer which may initially seem as tempting may turn out to be the wrong deal if you lose sight of the drawbacks as well. As credit card debts have been the ruling and the most persistent problems with the Americans during the last few years, one should not forget to exercise control while making use of these cards even if they have been quite familiar with the best credit card debt help; accumulating debts is one thing which should be strictly avoided.
The low interest credit cards can come to your help if you have ended up spending more than your limits which you are otherwise unable to pay back. A low interest credit card may also allow you to have the advantage of lower minimum payment but it depends on the way that the bank or any other credit card issuing company is going to calculate the amount .Either ways you should be careful while applying for the credit cards and assess the purpose, for which the cards will be utilized. But the best thing is to compare the rates and finance charges of the low interest credit card before you can actually make a choice of opting for one.

Consumption Smoothing and the consumer


It is nothing new and perhaps you have heard of it so many times before that you need to have substantial savings for your retirement years. Followed by this there are other things such as not getting into so much debt as to consult the debt relief programs or to live within your means. The percentage of amount that you may have to save during your lifetime will depend on the time of your retirement; it will also depend on your lifestyle during the leisure years. Following the principles of money management is easier said than done. Life is ever changing and over a period of time your needs may change as well. For instance, your financial needs will increase as you get married and have kids. It is only common to succumb to the sheer pressure of financial discrepancies. However, instead of giving up under the circumstances of financial stress let us get into the concept of Consumption Smoothing. This concept is related to Macroeconomics which implies that a consumer’s earnings should be balanced in order to be able to maintain the best standards of living. The basic idea of the concept is to rationalize the spending and saving strategies so that the consumers are able to have a consistent lifestyle over the period of time. The dangers of over spending have surfaced during recession and all of you are familiar with it. Unlike the common idea that one should keep on with the savings target to enjoy during retirement rather than being indigent is not what is stressed by Consumption smoothing. It simply states that the level of spending should be even and you will automatically enjoy your retirement years. The financial experts may however have a different view towards this concept. A noted economist has discouraged the use of this concept citing two reasons:
·           1) Firstly, it is too difficult to understand the saving and spending strategies in one’s time and it is essentially complex.
·          2)It may not arouse motivation in your financial management.
 Some people may simply use the concept of Consumption Smoothing to procrastinate their financial goals particularly saving. In that case, you will have to save more to compensate for the future needs and it is better to stick to the age old tradition of saving and spending.

Friday, 1 July 2011

Beware of a foreclosure scam


The administration of the Obama Government has set up a Homeowner’s Affordability plan to help those consumers who are struggling to make their mortgage payments. With the entire country and its people who are fighting with their debts and financial obligations and consulting the various debt relief options, inability to repay the mortgages is just another addition. There is a large scale mushrooming of agencies which are referring themselves as foreclosure specialists or consultants. Not only are they charging exorbitant fees but they will actually not provide you with any sincere help to sort your mortgage irregularities or to stop the foreclosure. In a worst case scenario these people will even persuade the homeowners to send their mortgage payments to a different address; after collecting the amount for some months, they will simply disappear. There is another scam which is much in vogue these days wherein the homeowners are asked to transfer the title to the foreclosure relief agency. Eventually, the house will become the property of that agency and the homeowner may end up living like a renter in his own house. Let us review some of the tips which will help you to have a closer look at the ways which will help you to recognize the foreclosure scams:
·         You are not required to pay in hundreds as upfront fee. A counselor who is approved by the HUD will also provide you with nonprofit advice. The only thing about which you should be careful is not to pay any fees before getting the service or an agency which may force you to make payments related to the same.
·         A good and established agent will never guarantee you to stop the foreclosure process but getting an advice from a genuine counselor will only increase your chances to stop the process. Therefore, you have got to be wary about those agents who may offer you loads of promises but will do you no good in the long run.
·         Do not ever try to send your payments to a suspicious address provided by the agents. The address will automatically change for a refinancing option or if the mortgage company has been absorbed by a larger financial institution. If you are suspecting a foul play by the mortgage company, you should call them or visit them in person to know the truth.
·         Before signing on any document you should know the details mentioned therein and do the needful. You can also consult a lawyer and make him to check the documents before signing on the dotted line.
·         Lastly, it is more of your instincts that you should trust rather than the misdeeds of the foreclosure company for sometimes you might just get suspicious out of no reason.
During the time of foreclosure, you are already under the greatest stress and anxiety and this can be an opportunity for many people for whom you might just be the right target. Therefore try to look out for the measures which will allow you to prevent a possible scam during the process of foreclosure.
Avail the best refinancing advice from our team of experts at Best Debt Care. Know more from www.bestdebtcare.com

Managing your money when you are self employed


As soon as you have decided to start with a business, you will be required to develop a plan for the same and also need to assess your financial condition. Given the fact that you have just recovered from a large financial liability with the help of debt care solutions, it is important to have a few considerations in mind. Therefore, the business plan that you are supposed to design should cater to your finances and also be able to provide a definite form to your goals. While developing the plans, you should try to take into account all the laws and regulations which are most likely to affect your business. The beginners should try to find out about the license and the permit which are required for the smooth operations of the business. The business plan must include the financial statements in detail such as the balance sheet and the income statement.  While managing the financial aspects of your business, you will have to make sure that your methodologies are in tune. This is by far one of the most important aspects of a home based business or any other means of self employment. A majority of the home based businesses do not perform up to their level simply because of poor financial planning.
Managing the income of self employment may not be as easy as it sounds. Starting from preserving the receipts of all the purchases that have been made related to the business or keeping the accounts of the conveyance, is an laborious task. These are just a few of the concerns which can make or mar your business. Although, it is not simple to manage the hassles of the business accounts, it has still to be taken care of. A little less than 40 percent of the businesses will not require a substantial amount to begin with. However, while preparing the financial plans, you should never forget the miscellaneous costs such as electricity and postage. Usually, the income which is generated from a self employment is irregular but you should try to calculate the average amount. Followed by this, you should try to keep a watch on the months in which the income is higher and put the amount in a savings fund.
Credit card usage should be reduced to minimum. It is better to make use of business credit cards for the purpose when you will need them the most. It is worse still to use the credit cards to secure funds for the business. Instead, you can try to have a small business loan to suffice your monetary needs. Some of the self employed individuals may have to shell out more taxes than others. However, a periodic review will save you from additional penalties or tax burdens. You should also try to keep the financial documents in perfect alignment, the receipts should be duly preserved and all the paperwork should be completed on time. Your business should be properly insured and you should ideally remain in the consultation of a lawyer to deal with the legal issues and complexities.
Since there are a lot of things that you will need to manage regarding the business finances, you could try to balance some of the strain with the help of personal management software.


The debt ratio calculator is very useful for the consumers to determine their debts and assets and make suitable decisions about their finances. Know more from www.bestdebtcare.com