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Debt can hit families hard. While some debt is necessary for acquisition of things we cannot readily afford, it is when debt obligations become unbearable or cannot be met that trouble starts looming. Debt can cause strife within a relationship or family, it can bring about stress and anguish and also result in loss of property, assets and other possessions.

There are some solutions available to people with mounting debt that they are unable to repay or are on the verge of violation. Most of these solutions are available to people who realize the need to find a solution to their debt problem and decide to consult a personal financial adviser or charitable debt relief organizations.

One of the most popular debt relief solution is an IVA debt solution. An IVA is an Individual Voluntary Agreement that is agreed upon by the indebted individual and is an agreement between the person and all his creditors. This agreement is a five year plan that basically states that the indebted person will pay off what they can afford outside of their living expenses towards the debts. The IVA debt agreement is usually drafted by an IP, or insolvency practitioner, who is a licensed professional.

The IVA debt settlement is usually an agreement made in reference to all unsecured debts. Once the IVA debt is agreed upon, the creditors will cease charging and additional fees and charges to the debt already owed. The payments will be made every month for five years. The payments terms for the IVA debt solution will vary depending on the income rise of the individual and is not fixed. After the expiry of the five year period, the entire debt owed to the creditors is legally written of and the IVA debt agreement comes to an end.

The IVA debt solution is just one out of a list of solutions available to people facing a debt crisis across the UK. There are other solutions too, that can be prescribed by a personal finance adviser. These include a debt management plan, a debt consolidation loan as well as a bankruptcy filing and declaration. The choice of the most suitable remedy for an individual will depend mostly on their personal circumstances, but will also be advised by the finance specialist.

Home Equity Loans Versus Consumer Credit Counseling for Debt Consolidation

With the recent bankruptcy reforms, some consumers might turn to consumer credit counseling to get out of their heavy debt. But, do not forget one of your biggest assets is the home in which you live. While consumer credit counseling does work for many people, some mortgage industry experts think a home equity loan could erase your debt faster and improve your credit almost immediately.

First, lets talk about Consumer Credit Counseling. When a consumer signs up for Consumer Credit Counseling, or CCC for short, the CCC agency contacts each of the creditors and negotiates lower interest rates or no interest at all, and sets up a payment schedule. In severe cases, the National Foundation for Consumer Credit Counseling shows consumers should participate in a Debt management plan or DMP.

“A DMP is a systematic way to pay down your outstanding debt through monthly deposits to the agency, which will then distribute these funds to your creditors. By participating in this program, you may benefit from reduced or waived finance charges and fewer collection calls. And when you have completed your payments, we’ll help you reestablish credit.”

“When you use a credit-counseling service to structure a debt-management plan, the accounts included in that plan are usually noted on your credit report as “not being paid as agreed, says Don Taylor, Ph.D. “These creditors may also report that the payments are being received through a credit-counseling service.”

A consumer choosing to use a home equity loan to eliminate debt, pays off the debt immediately. Experts say “After using the funds from a 2nd mortgage to repay credit cards, many make the mistake of closing the credit accounts. However, if hoping to boost credit rating, closing older accounts will have a counter-effect. For this matter, never close accounts. If unable to use restraint with credit, cut or destroy the credit cards.” Another benefit to using a home equity loan is the IRS allows you to deduct the interest from your debt consolidation whereas CCC usually requires you to pay some interest, and personal credit card interest is no longer a valid tax deduction.

“Once credit accounts are paid in full, and homeowners begin making regular payments toward reducing the balance on the 2nd mortgage, a noticeable credit score increase will begin to occur. The key to boosting credit rating is keeping low balances, paying bills on time, and avoiding late payments.”

Are you deep in debt and have a bad credit history? If you answered yes to that question, finding a company who offers a bad credit debt and loan consolidation service may seem like the perfect solution. It is very important however, to investigate all of your options before taking such a drastic step. Bad credit debt and loan consolidation solutions usually come at quite a hefty price so it is important that you choose carefully.

Many people who have large amounts of debt do not need any form of bad credit consolidation as long as every every effort is made to spend less and pay off bills. Obviously, you don’t need to pay a professional bad credit consolidation advisor to find that out.

Before you consider taking out any kind of bad credit consolidation loan, it is important to call the companies that you owe and plead your case for lower interest rates and a longer payment schedule. You may well find that you will be given reasonable arrangements if you explain that you are considering using a bad credit consolidation service. Many firms would prefer you to pay less over a longer period of time than have to deal with the negotiations of a bad credit consolidation agency.

The interest rates of most bad credit consolidation packages are more or less the same and any very low rates that are advertised are for people who have great credit. You need to be sure you know exactly what the cost of entering the bad credit consolidation program is, and whether it will be worth it in the end, so you should inquire about interest charges and any other fees that might stack up during the program.

Your credit rating may or may not benefit from working with a bad credit consolidation plan however it is unlikely to make your credit rating worse. Many creditors will actually see that having a bad credit consolidation plan in effect as a sign of you trying to get your finances back on track.

A bad credit consolidation plan and loan is most certainly a better option than declaring bankruptcy. Bankruptcy will follow you for a long time whereas the bad credit consolidation loan only remains for as long as you are paying it off. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy will be part of your financial history for roughly 10 years. Chapter 13 can be much longer depending on how many years you need to pay off your debts. If you do decide to go forward with declaring bankruptcy, rather than taking a bad credit consolidation loan then make sure you are prepared to deal with the consequences.

Are you having trouble paying your bills? Receiving 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 financial crises at some time in their lives. Whether the crisis is caused by personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or simple overspending, it can seem overwhelming. But often, it can be overcome. The fact is that 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. 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.

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.

Credit Counseling
If you’re not disciplined enough to create a workable budget and stick to it, can’t work out a repayment plan with your creditors, or can’t keep track of mounting bills, consider contacting a credit counseling organization. Many credit counseling organizations are nonprofit and work with you to solve your financial problems. But be aware that just because an organization says it’s “nonprofit,” there’s no guarantee that its services are free, affordable, or even legitimate. In fact, some credit counseling organizations charge high fees, which may be hidden, or pressure consumers to make large “voluntary” contributions that can cause more debt.

Most credit counselors offer services through local offices, the Internet, or on the telephone. If possible, find an organization that offers in-person counseling. Many universities, military bases, credit unions, housing authorities, and branches of the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service operate nonprofit credit counseling programs. Your financial institution, local consumer protection agency, and friends and family also may be good sources of information and referrals.

Reputable credit counseling organizations can advise you on managing your money and debts, help you develop a budget, and offer free educational materials and workshops. Their counselors are certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting. Counselors discuss your entire financial situation with you, and help you develop a personalized plan to solve your money problems. An initial counseling session typically lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions.