All debtors with excessive amounts of credit card debt just want to know one thing: “what is the safest method to quickly get out of debt?” They hear and read about different solutions to eliminate their unsecured debt, which ultimately makes them even more perplexed.
Let’s first clarify one point: In this article I am referring to debt elimination programs, not debt consolidation loans. If you can qualify for a debt consolidation loan, then that option may or may not be your best choice.
Remember, all methods of debt elimination have potential negative effects-and consolidation loans are no exception.
Negotiating with your creditors to substantially reduce the balances of all your unsecured debt is the fastest, safest, and most cost effective method of debt elimination. With a debt negotiation program, you may be debt-free in about 2-4 years. In addition, your monthly payment will be reduced as much as 60%.
However, it’s absolutely critical that you have protection to battle the potential negatives of debt elimination. The debt negotiation program should include free attorney consultation, a free comprehensive credit repair program, and a written guarantee of the company’s services.
You will not find a faster, safer and less costly method to get out of debt.
The only way to know for sure is to check for yourself. You be the judge. Ironically, it’s not the advice of debt elimination “experts” that you should follow; it’s you who needs to decide which strategy to choose.
Why? Because most debt elimination “experts” will suggest a debt reduction strategy for self-interest purposes-because they just happen to sell the service that they are recommending. It may or may not be the most effective strategy for you.
But why take that risk? After all, we’re not talking about buying a bag of peanuts. We are talking about the difference between sending your entire retirement check for who knows how long to your greedy credit card companies and being 100% debt-free!
In order to select the most effective strategy to get out of debt, you need to start by knowing and weighing the benefits and risks of each debt elimination program. Next, select the program which the pros far outweigh the cons. Finally, you need to research the credibility of the potential debt elimination company you choose to hire.
It’s only the safest method if the debt elimination company integrates credit repair, attorney consultation and a strong guarantee into the program. Keep in mind that if you are delinquent with a debt, any creditor, lender, or debt collector has a right to take legal action against you.
If you have an attorney by your side, there is a much greater probability of the creditor not taking legal action, but rather negotiating a settlement with you, or a repayment plan.
Why? because most debt collectors threaten delinquent borrowers with a lawsuit as a scare tactic. They don’t want to sue, it’s too costly. So, if they know that if they are armed with an attorney, they know they cannot lie, cheat or deceive you.
Also, if you don’t make your payments on time, any creditor, lender or debt collector can, and most likely will report to all three major credit bureaus regarding your delinquency.
All debt elimination programs adversely affect your credit. Therefore, you need a comprehensive credit repair program included in your debt elimination program to repair the damage that’s been done.
The vast majority of debtors that incorporate credit repair with debt elimination enjoy a much higher credit score than they had before they wiped out their credit card debt.
Furthermore, you need the debt elimination company to offer a strong guarantee. Do they guarantee a specific settlement amount? Do they guarantee that you can terminate their services at any time without being assessed a penalty? Do they offer a free trial so that you can get a taste of their expertise? To safely get out of debt, these features are critical.
A typical debt settlement program that doesn’t provide any protection to handle the after effects of debt elimination is like having major surgery to remove a tumor without a pre or post surgery evaluation. The nurse simply wheels you into the O.R., the physicians cut you open, remove the tumor, don’t bother to sew you back up, and immediately send you out the door!
Yes, debt settlement is indeed risky business. Don’t listen to debt settlement companies when they paint a mental picture of peaches and cream. They will hypnotize you by telling you that it’s so easy to settle your debt without any risk whatsoever.
After you complete your research, you will know the safest method to quickly get out of debt.
Below is a comparison of the different options of debt relief. Simply enter the total amount of credit card and other types of unsecured debt that you have and the calculator will tell you an approximate time to pay-off your debt.
This chart is an example only and should be used for general comparison purposes only. Many varying factors not accounted for will create differences as to each individual's circumstances and results.
Individual results may vary and are dependant on factors such as successful completion of program, creditor cooperation, and ability to save funds.
1Individual results may vary and are dependant on factors such as successful completion of program, creditor cooperation, and ability to save funds.
2Assumes 3 year: Attorney fees $2000 + Filling fee $189 + 5% Trustee fee + $300 CCCS. While not all Ch. 13 bankruptcy plans require paying back 100% of the debt, this example does not add interest that may be charged under the bankruptcy plan.
3Assumes 5 year: $50 counseling fee + $50/m service fee for 5 years. Additionally, an 8% fair share of client payments are paid to counseling agency and an average interest rate of 13% are used in calculations as reported by the NFCC and cited in Credit Counseling in Crisis: The Impact on Consumers of Funding Cuts, Higher Fees and Aggressive New Market Entrants, Consumer Federation of America and National Consumer Law Center, April 2003
4Assumes 10 year loan total fees 6% of loan value and 11% interest
580% default rate is only an estimate based on antidotal industry information on trials performed by certain credit card companies in the 3 & 4th quarter of 2005