Kevin Trudeau asked:


In Chapter 2 of Debt Cures , the Credit Shakedown, Kevin Trudeau picks up on his assault of the credit card and lending industry in the United States. Trudeau starts out with some revealing statistics like America’s credit card use is greater than the rest of the world combined and that the credit card industry draws the highest profit of any economic sector in the U.S. Among the top contributors to President Bush’s 2000 election campaign were credit card companies and banks (wonder how much funds went to then Vice President Al Gore’s campaign).

Debt for the average American these days is $8,000 and Trudeau says it’s not trips to Rodeo Drive that is driving up debt, rather its visits to buy bread and milk, gasoline and trips to the pharmacy for medicine. The blame for America’s debt shifts from consumers to the lenders, with Trudeau asserting that Americans would pay their credit card bills on time consistently if not for problems popping up. Getting laid off, a divorce, or a medical crisis is what drives America further into debt according to Trudeau, not a lack of financial restraint by consumers. And the greedy credit card companies wait for Americans to have a personal crisis and instead of greeting them with compassion and aide, instead greet them with late fees, penalties and higher interest rates.

There are more opportunities to use credit cards now than ever before. Burger King now allows you to use your plastic to charge your Whopper and shake. Trudeau alleges this is not for your convenience, nor is it for the transaction fees they charge Burger King. No, you can now use your credit card at the drive thru so that you will be late on your next payment, max out your card and be stuck paying penalties and profits to the card companies. There’s no help from Washington, however Trudeau maintains that the government is in partnership with the big lenders. Trudeau concedes the fees are legal, but they are unfair because they change frequently without notice and that when notice is provided, it takes an attorney with a magnifying glass to examine the legalese. Miss a payment and watch your interest rates go up, terms changing without notice costing you thousands of dollars over the life of the credit card and nothing but indecent earnings for the bankers.

Do you know what your credit score is and what your credit report says? Trudeau says if you don’t know your credit score, your lenders certainly do. And if they notice a change in your credit rating, up goes your interest rate, keeping you further trapped in debt. Pay a late fee to Company A, and see Company B jack up your rate.

Trudeau will use the rest of the book to help explain how you can get out of debt . The early chapters are focused only on the danger and the greed of the credit card companies and lenders. The book remains interesting in style and in content and I look forward to see how I can get out of the credit card mess. Trudeau says you can not only eliminate your debt, but you can also begin to build wealth for yourself.



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John Chase asked:


For borrowers suffering the many humiliations large and small of debts increasing beyond their control, there are actually several different forms of debt relief available to average consumers. What may surprise most Americans, actually, is the extent to which bankruptcy will no longer be considered among the debt relief alternatives that seasoned financial advisors recommend to most clients. Three years ago, while the economy was still relatively robust and the media was distracted by Iraq war coverage, the congress slipped in a few seemingly minor alterations to the United States bankruptcy code that went on to weaken tremendously the protection available. Unfortunately, at this present time, with debt loads, inflation and unemployment spiraling even as property values fall across the nation, consumers are only now beginning to understand that the Chapter 7 debt elimination program they had always assumed to be a final outlet for unpayable burdens may no longer exist.

The full meaning of this legislation would take far too long to fully explain, but, suffice to say, court trustees must now strictly follow Internal Revenue Service guidelines before rendering any decision on the feasibility of Chapter 7 protection. Worse yet, even for those few borrowers whose incomes are sufficiently low for Chapter 7 to be a practical consideration, those that somehow manage to successfully declare for the debt elimination program will find that virtually all assets (including, by the viewpoint of the Internal Revenue Service, the computer you are reading this article on, the table that supports that computer, the rug underneath said table, and so on) are now subject to potential seizure for auction so as to immediately repay their creditors. Every consumer that fails to meet the new and comically harsh standards for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection will instead be passed toward the Chapter 13 debt re-structuring program. This is, indeed, a form of debt relief, but, as with anything controlled utterly by governmental regulations that ignore the day to day needs of private citizens, it is debt relief of absolutely the ugliest and most damaging sort.

After a bankruptcy notice appears on the credit report, borrowers will at least never need to worry about debt relief again. After the recording of a Chapter 13, even though essentially all bills will be paid by the filer and rather more quickly than would be pleasant, said borrowers will never again have the opportunity to be offered credit accounts for many, many years. Even used car salesmen will back away, shaking their heads. To put it plainly, Chapter 13 has all the deprivations and forced budgeting of the harshest debt settlement programs alongside the credit shattering repercussions of debt elimination bankruptcy. The program does, in the loosest possible sense, offer some relief to debtors utterly without any other hope. There will always be a final outlet. Still, Chapter 13 should not even be talked about in the same breath as debt consolidation or debt settlement. It simply has no possible advantage or benefits compared to the other debt relief alternatives. Compared to robbing a liquor store or selling one’s organs, Chapter 13 protection may come out on top as a sound lifestyle choice, but only just.



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Ann Gibson asked:


In making any purchase, you want that the item purchased must have a long term utility. However, while selecting the debt management technique a shift in the approach is quite noticeable. We find that short term debt management techniques like debt consolidation loans are much greater in use. Nevertheless, this is not double standard on the part of people. The choice is mostly influenced by the immediate pressure of debts.

Debt settlement techniques, which have a longer standing effect, are the rule of the day. People know them by the name of debt management in the UK. Debt management aims to strike at the roots of debt, instead of simply countering the after effects of debts. When debts are not allowed to increase, the use of debt consolidation loans and other short-term debt management techniques become redundant.

Why is debt management preferred to have a longer effect? The realisation is the result of people accepting that debt consolidation loans can give succour for only a time being, but not for ever. Even when borrowers are able to pay all the debts at a particular point of time, is there a guarantee that debts will not arise again? What shall one do at that time? Taking a new debt consolidation will not be a viable solution. The loan providers will be the first to deny loans to borrowers who have grown a habit of borrowing. And what about your home against which the loan is taken? Will it have sufficient equity left to be used for any other purposes? No! These are the reasons that have pushed borrowers towards seeking long term debt management.

Certain borrowers are perplexed at the inclusion of debt consolidation loans in debt management, when the debt management agencies themselves say that debt consolidation loans are of not much good. To this the debt management agencies reply in the following manner; “We do not recommend the total ban on the use of debt consolidation loans. What we recommend is a ban on the misuse of debt consolidation loans.”

Debt consolidation loans are rampantly used in the UK. It is because of the ease with which people are able to draw debt consolidation loans that people have started spending rashly; thus being further weighed down by debts.

Debt management agencies have come down on this habit of the people of the UK. Since debt consolidation loans abet people in taking more debts, debt management agencies also criticise debt consolidation loans.

Debt management makes a planned use of debt consolidation loans. Compare the situation with an ailment that a person is facing. Debt consolidation loans will be like a surgery to be performed. However, doctors will first try to cure the ailment through oral medication. The oral medication is to be given through debt counselling. Only when oral medication is not able to cure the ailment, doctors will suggest surgery, i.e. debt consolidation loans.

Debt counselling is referred to the advice to borrowers about the manner in which they can cure a debt problem. The advice is not general in nature. Debt counsellor, who is an expert, will sit with the debtor during a few sessions to discuss the details of the debt problem. When debt problem is at its preliminary stage, it will require efforts from the borrowers own side. Debt counsellor offers certain suggestions through which borrowers can bring upon a marked change in their finances. Debt management agencies have given a new look to certain age old principles of coping with debts. It is these principles that are made use of to inculcate debt sense in borrowers.

It is during these sessions that the debt counsellor will access the use of debt consolidation loans. The factors that will be considered while making the decision are as follows:

• What is the amount of debts that the debtor owes to one or different creditors?• Does the borrower have sufficient available income to repay debts on his own without using debt consolidation loans?• The nature of the debts- whether debts are accruing higher interest rate, and if they have already reached their repayment date.

The various tips that you learned during the debt management process must not be forgotten during repayment of debt consolidation loans. While debts owed to creditors have been settled, you continue to owe to the loan provider. Never must the borrower relax until the final instalment of debt consolidation has been made.



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Jim Vrana asked:


Credit card debt; almost everyone has some. Unfortunately, too many people are overwhelmed by it. This is a burden that always seems to be with us, no matter how hard we try to overcome it.

We are not born with it. But we catch it, and we can’t seem to shake it loose. In this sense, it is like a disease. A financial sickness with very few remedies. Sure, there are medicines for it. Just keep making your minimum payments and the keep the collectors off your back.

Like most medicines, this attacks the symptoms, but does not provide a cure for the disease itself. It will stay with you, eating away at your financial health. With this disease however, it possibly may not die with you. The credit card companies may attempt to collect from your heirs or your estate when you pass on.

The only debt cure is to eliminate the disease itself. Like any illness, you also will want to take the proper steps to ensure that the disease does not come back. Cut it away, and keep it away, before it manifests into other health threatening effects, like stress.

Understanding all of the options to rid yourself of this disease can be very confusing. Choosing the best plan of action is a personal decision based on what you believe, what you can afford, and how much time you want to allow yourself for relieving yourself of the burden.

Can you just eliminate the debt? Surgically cut it out of your life and be done with it. If a person is willing to keep an open mind and become a bit educated, the answer is “Yes”.

A true debt elimination program will allow someone to legally discharge 100% of their non-secured credit card debt. A person can take advantage of this program just once. So once you are cured, it is up to you to be sure the disease does not return.

The eliminated accounts can no longer be used. The ultimate goal is to learn how to live without credit cards altogether. Conventional wisdom tells us that we cannot live in today’s society without credit cards. This is just not true.

An elimination program is not a quick fix. A good program will have you debt-free in 6 – 12 months, and will also include an education on the credit card system, so that it is understood just how and why an elimination program can work.

Student loans, medical bills, and any secured loans are not applicable to be eliminated. Only major credit cards, signature loans, and unsecured lines-of-credit are applicable. For these types of debts, a true elimination program may be the financial re-start people are looking for.



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Kevin Trudeau asked:


Why do you get those tempting credit card offers nearly every day in the mail? Kevin Trudeau says it is because the credit card companies lure you to use their credit cards hoping that you’ll miss a payment so that they can cash in on fees and penalties and perhaps even raise your interest rate. Rich profits are easy to be had what with Americans averaging $8000 in credit card debt. In chapters four and five of Debt Cures, Trudeau told you how to negotiate down or eliminate your debt. Don’t worry, if those methods don’t work, in chapter six of Debt Cures, Trudeau explains how to dramatically reduce the interest rate you are now being charged.

Trudeau says you must fight back when credit card companies without any warning raise your interest rate. Call and demand that they bring it right back down, you don’t change the terms on them, so why should they change it on you. If you owe $2,000; you could be paying up to 24% interest on the money. Trying to pay the interest while working off the balance and meeting any new charges is nearly impossible. Give the credit card company a phone call and ask them to lower the rate. Before calling, check the mailbox. If you have an offer from another company mention it when you call. Just the threat of transferring your balance elsewhere may be enough to get them to drop the rate. When you get the operator ask what your current rate is. If theysay20.6%, then respond with why should I keep my account open with you, when credit card A is offering 0 percent for six months followed by a 10% interest rate. Pit one company against the other. Ask for a supervisor when the operator doesn’t cooperate. The most important thing to remember is to be persistent. Call back later in the day or the next day if the first person you speak to doesn’t help you. Just a small reduction can save you thousands of dollars so it is more than worth the effort of a few telephone calls. Trudeau provides details on what to say so follow his lead when calling.

There are other traps that you will read about in chapter six. First Trudeau says that bankruptcy is not the cure all that bankruptcy lawyers say it is. After all, they get paid for helping you file bankruptcy so is it in their interest to tell you how it will negatively impact your credit score and credit report? It will make it difficult to take the next step in creating wealth. Watch out for credit repair agencies as they could harm your credit score as well. Remember it always better to cut your rate than to consolidate your debt. If you owe on more than one credit card, if you can lower the interest rates on each of the separate bills, you will save more money over time with lower rates than by consolidating. Again, Trudeau is helpful by providing information on finding credit counseling agencies if you determine you need to travel that road.

There is no longer any need to remain in fear because of your debt. You can take steps to break free of your debt. Eliminate, negotiate and cut the rate are the first three steps that Debt Cures talks about. It’s all part of fighting back and being in control of your finances.



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Uchenna Ani-Okoye asked:


Taking a step towards credit card debt elimination, so you have decided to go for credit card debt elimination and are wondering on what the methods for credit card debt elimination are. As they say, let’s take the bull by its horns and lay it all flat on the ground. There are generally 2 recommendations that are most common for credit card debt elimination: controlling the expenditures and consolidating debt. Let’s check both of these credit card debt elimination recommendations and check the list of things that you can do for achieving credit card debt elimination using these recommendations:

1. Control your urge to spend: The first thing to do for credit card debt elimination is to control your expenditures. Here we are talking about the payments you make using your credit card. Remember that the main reason being you’re getting into credit card debt is uncontrolled expenditures using your credit card. So if you are really serious about credit card debt elimination, this is one thing that will help in credit card debt elimination by preventing accumulation of further debt. Here is what you can do to control your expenditures:

a. You need to stay away from attractive offers that are put-up by various shops and stores. Don’t buy anything that you don’t really-really need. After all you are looking for credit card debt elimination not supplementation.

b. Leave your credit card at home. If you really-really need something, then you can fetch your credit card from your house. This will prevent you from yielding to the too-attractive-to-resist sale offers (that are actually there all the year round). This credit card debt elimination technique, again, works on the principal of ‘prevention is better than cure’. This will prevent unplanned expenses from happening.

c. Prepare a monthly budget and stick to it. This is really a very important credit card debt elimination measure. This budget will form the basis of your credit card debt elimination plan. So if you deviate from your budget, your credit card debt elimination plan will go for a toss.

2. Debt consolidation: Debt consolidation or moving from high APR credit cards to a low APR one is generally the first step (the first reactive step) for credit card debt elimination. Here are a few things that you need to do:

a. Do not go for the first balance offer you come across. Analyse various offers and choose the one that best suits you. This will be an important thing on you credit card debt elimination plan. Initial APR, Initial APR period and standard Apr, all need to be considered.

b. Read the fine print on the balance transfer offer and check the terms and conditions on these. These might affect your overall credit card debt elimination plan.

c. Compare other benefits e.g. rebates, reward points, etc, before you actually decide to go for one of the offers.

Credit card debt elimination is about proper planning and discipline. So make your credit card debt elimination plan and stick to it.



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Jim Vrana asked:


We have all seen credit card advertisements on television, radio, magazines, etc. These ads always show ordinary people, living an extraordinary life. Just like we all want to do.

The message is clear, just use our powerful plastic card, and you can have it all, and have it now. Forget what you can really afford, just live the good life.

I saw a credit card commercial on television this past weekend that really started me thinking about the message they are broadcasting to America. The wrong message in my opinion. You have probably viewed the ad. A young couple’s television finally dies out. The wife tells her husband that it is all right to go get that new TV set. The excited husband heads down to the electronics shop, credit card in hand. In the background, the music screams “I Want it All, and I Want it Now”.

The premise for this ad is the new credit card feature where you can immediately get your available balance via an instant text message on your cell phone. So you can see just how much you can buy.

The underlying message here is “The heck with what you can actually afford. As long as you have some available credit balance, go ahead and use it.”

The pharmaceutical companies can now advertise their products (i.e. drugs) to us, but they must clearly include the side effects. It is time we establish a similar regulation for the credit card industry. We must warn people of the side effects of using their card. This would not be new grounds for the financial industry. Commercials for investment companies have disclaimers regarding the risks of investing.

So what are the side effects of making that big purchase on a credit card? What does this commercial not tell us? They don’t tell us that you still must be able to afford to pay for that big screen TV. They don’t tell us that your big purchase will actually cost you more than the price on your receipt as you will be paying interest on that purchase. So your $1200 television will really cost you $2000 after you are done paying the interest.

They don’t tell you that as your credit card balance jumps towards your credit limit, the bank will use that as an excuse to raise your card’s interest rate, causing that big purchase to cost you even more.

This is the cycle for financial disaster that too many consumers have fallen into. This is exactly where the credit card companies want you; in the never ending cycle of debt.

Sure, we must take responsibility for our own actions. We must think before we pull out that plastic card. We must also however demand that the credit card advertisements stop sending a message of prosperity by simply using their cards. The bank should be required to give us full disclosure on the effects of using their credit cards.

When we use any other type of financing for any type of purchase, we are aware of exactly the terms and conditions of the purchase. With credit cards, we are clueless as to the actual cost of an item because the credit card companies change the rules and interest rates at their discretion. This needs to be disclosed in their advertisements. When people begin to realize that they really have no idea what that big purchase is really costing them, maybe then we will think twice before proceeding with that “I want it now” purchase.



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Jim Vrana asked:


Overwhelming credit card debt is a very common problem for many American consumers. Too many people just continue to pay their monthly minimum payments without any knowledge that their debt burden may never go away.

When a person comes to the realization that they are caught in an endless cycle of debt, they may then admit that help is needed. What people may not know is what kind of help is available, and how to find it.

Understanding all of the options to relieve themselves of debt can be very confusing. Choosing the best plan of action can also add the stress caused by the debt in the first place.

One option is to enroll in a Debt Management program. A Debt Management company will attempt to work with your creditors to lower the interest rates and waive any fees, such as over-the-limit fees and late fees. Please notice the words “attempt to”. There is no guarantee that the creditor will agree to lower the interest rate or waive any fees. Actually, the interest rate on a card may increase when a credit card company is informed of a financial hardship.

With a Debt Management program, your budget will be analyzed to determine how much money per month you can part with to pay down these debts, and initiate a plan to make regular payments to your creditor for a specific dollar amount. Once your creditor sees a pattern of regular payments reducing the principal balance, they may agree to lower the interest rates even further.

For a Debt Management program to be effective, the debt should be paid off within five years. You must be able to continue to make the regularly scheduled payments. Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue, so your payments are not all being applied to the principal balance. Part of the payments will continue to be applied to interest, as well as any monthly fee charged by the management company.

The Debt Management company should provide you with an amortization schedule, showing the amount of principal and interest you will be paying each month, month after month. With this schedule, you will be able to see exactly the amount of time it will take to be debt free under the payment plan. This schedule can change however because of adjusting interest rates, missed payments, or extra payments. You should look for a different management company if they cannot provide you this schedule.

If you cannot work out a plan to have the debt paid off within five years, a Debt Management program may not be right for you. One option to consider is a Debt Elimination program.

A Debt Elimination program will allow a person to legally walk away from 100% of their non-secured credit card debt, without bankruptcy, consolidation, or refinancing. A person can take advantage of this program just once. It’s kind of a financial “do-over”.

With a Debt Elimination program, a person can select which cards to eliminate, and which ones to keep. The eliminated cards can no longer be used. The goal however, is to learn how to live without credit cards.

Debt Elimination does not happen overnight. A good program will have you debt-free in 6 – 12 months. Also an education on the credit card system should be included, so that it is understood just how and why an elimination program can work.

Student loans, medical bills, and any secured loans do not apply to a Debt Elimination program. Only major credit cards, signature loans, and unsecured lines-of-credit are applicable. For these types of debts, a true elimination program may be the financial re-start people are looking for.



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Alan Zakoam asked:


I’ve been reading Kevin Trudeau’s new book Debt Cures over the past several days. Among my first thoughts is that Trudeau is seeking to give power to his readers so they can take command of their own financial lives. I agree with his beliefs that the average consumer doesn’t understand the way that the banking and credit card industries work in the United States. The purpose of the Debt Cures book is to educate readers to understand the credit card system and its rules and use this information to take action and free themselves from the burden of debt. The book is written in a very simple manner that allows any reader to pick it up, read it and understand it very easily. My objective in my reviews of the book is to tell you what the book is about. Unfortunately, though, I can’t share with you all the stories and techniques that are explained in the book.

Trudeau begins Debt Cures by stating his own credentials as an author and consumer advocate. He talks about the fact that the government, as well as corporate America, was angry with him after his previous books Natural Cures and The Weight Loss Cure. Trudeau says that he writes about what others do not want you to know about. He plans on revealing the secrets and tactics that takes money from your pockets and puts it into the banks’ pockets. He goes on to explain that his main objective in writing Debt Cures is, “to have a positive impact on individuals and society.”

After declaring his intention, Trudeau begins to empower his readers to tackle their debt problems and the effect that being in debt might be having on their daily lives. Stress is greatly increased by debt and the pressures of debt collectors cause higher stress levels which affect every area of one’s life. Trudeau explains that while these stresses are real, they are usually not the cardholders’ fault. Predatory practices are unfair to credit card holders according to Debt Cures. The credit card industry is using questionable tactics to unfairly increase cardholders’ debt by increase interest rates without notice, charging unfair fees as well as many other unethical acts. Trudeau also says the U.S. government does nothing against the credit card companies because of the multiple donations they make annually to many of the politicians’ election campaigns.

Trudeau promises to share the secrets of how to eliminate debt and get the creditors off your back. But it promises to go farther. Debt Cures claims that it will teach you how to use good debt to begin creating wealth for you and your family. I know that many of you are now asking, “What is good debt?” That question will be answered throughout the book. Another claim of the first chapter is that you will be able to find free money through available grants.

After reading the first chapter of Debt Cures, my first reaction to Trudeau is that he is trying to work up the readers emotions to try to take advantage of any suffering they may have due to credit card debt. However, I also believe that no matter what his intentions are, he is making important information available to the readers, and if you follow his tips you will save money. If Debt Cures helps you save on penalties and fees from your credit cards, then it will save you more than the price of the book.



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Oswald J. Eppers asked:


Do you think you are a typical American citizen? Well, if the answer is yes, your household also has a debt of about $14,500 and you annually spend more than you earn. Not an American – ok, don’t worry! The situation in Canada, the UK or other developed countries is not very different.

But how to get out of debt if you are not able to pay your monthly obligations? It seems difficult to find a solution but the earlier you start in reducing or consolidating your debt, the better. With time it becomes even more difficult.

Many advisors recommend starting with a debt consolidation in order to recover control over personal money management. Debt Consolidation means in general, taking out one loan to pay off several others. This often is done to secure a lower and fixed interest rate and has the convenience that you only need to service one loan instead of many. If you manage to get a considerably cheaper short-term bank loan or you can achieve a mortgage refinancing or a home equity loan, you save a lot of money and will be able to pay back your debt faster or even at once. As a first step you should consolidate all of your short-term debt into one loan in order to reduce your monthly payments. Important: Start with your credit card debt as you usually pay a much larger interest rate than even with an unsecured loan from a bank.

Risks and Problems of Debt Consolidation

You should know that Debt Consolidation has its drawbacks also. First of all it will be difficult to obtain a cheap loan if you have a poor credit score or even worse if you’ve declared bankruptcy.

These days, more and more people are suffering difficulties in servicing all their debt repayments, with the consequence that they are getting negative credit report entries and thus decreasing their credit worthiness. If you don’t get a loan due to your poor credit score you are in trouble and it is recommendable to request help from a professional financial consultant. There are several options for credit repair programs and bad credit debt consolidation [1], which help to improve your credit score and enable escaping from this catch-22. But in recent years, reports in the media have raised concerns about the use of consolidation loans [2,3]. Many people are tempted to consolidate unsecured debt into secured debt, usually secured against there home.

Robert Watts and Roya Nikkhah from the Sunday Telegraph [3] report: “Rising interest rates and large credit card liabilities are driving increasing numbers of consumers to take out controversial loans that put their homes at risk. Five interest rates rises over the past 11 months will leave scores of people unable to meet monthly repayments on credit cards, personal loans and car finance deals”. Although the monthly payments can often be lower, the total amount repaid might be significantly higher due to an elevated loan period. There are other alternatives to a debt consolidation loan, where unsecured debt is not “shifted” to secured debt, but is eliminated through a settlement or payment plan. Debt consolidation can be confusing for many people, so it is helpful to learn more about different options [1] before taking a decision.

What consumers need to know is that Bad Credit Debt Consolidation often only treats the symptoms of debt and does not address the root problem. “The problem is that people see their monthly repayments are lower and then go out and spend the difference. They don’t understand the long-term picture or the trouble they’ve got themselves into”, says Mr. Treharne, head of personal insolvency at the financial services group KPMG. Good debt management is 80% made in our heads and only 20% based on financial technical knowledge. Only if we manage to change our behavior, a Bad Credit Debt Consolidation will be a sustainable solution. Everybody knows that this is not an easy task, but there are proven systems for improving Debt Management and achieving our financial freedom.

The first step is as simple as difficult as well:

Stop Spending – stick to your budget!

This is common sense and the traditional Grandma’s way of handling money, but it always works. Statistics show that more and more people forgot this golden rule of money management and pulling them deeper and deeper in the dept swamp. There are hundreds of publications providing systems and money management plans. One of the most known approaches is the “Debt Snowball Plan” from Dave Ramsey [4]. Ramsey’s money Debt Snowball System helped already hundreds of thousands of people change their lives through simple determination and following a plan that works: Stop everything except minimum payments and focus on paying off the smallest debt first. The advantage of this system is that paying off the smallest debt gives you quick feedback, and you are more likely to stay with the plan and keep stepping up to the next larger bill. Once you have a real debt management plan in place, its only a matter of time. Important for the success of the system: avoid using credit cards as you need to control your expenses. Credit card debt is a mayor problem in developed countries and this seems to be a psychological problem of our modern civilization. With plastic money you don’t “feel” the money you are spending and the card remains like new even after using it hundreds of times. Cut out habits that make you spend more and use common sense to control your budget. Only following these “simple” rules, Debt Consolidation will be sustainable and not just a symptoms cure.

Literature

1. Bad Credit Debt Consolidation – Credit Optimization Strategies, Two-Approach Job Assistant and Career Information Guide

2. Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia

3. Robert Watts and Roya Nikkhah, More people have loans that risk homes, Sunday Telegraph, 7/7/2007

4. Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover (critical review)



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