What Is an Unsecured Debt Relief Program and How Does It Work

The 2 Questions That Will Eradicate Financial Worries:

What Is an Unsecured Debt Relief Program and How Does It Work

Asking these two questions is the first thing you did right. That represents Step 1 in solving your most pressing dilemma: how to get demanding creditors off your back. Step 2 is reading this and learning the answers to those all-important questions.

Dividing the Question into 2 Parts: Unsecured Debt and Debt Relief
Many of us are burdened with unsecured debts. An unsecured debt is any debt that isn't supported by collateral or any pledge of assets. Car and home loans are examples of secured debts; the car or home can easily be repossessed by the creditor if the debtor fails to pay on time or violates any part of their agreement. Credit card bills, emergency medical expenses, school loans, and utility bills are examples of unsecured debts. When you swipe your card to buy a dress, you don’t sign anything that says the dress can be confiscated if you fail to pay on time, do you? That’s why it’s unsecured!

Debt relief on the other hand is the answer to your problems. When you have difficulties paying for unsecured debts, a debt relief company or program will assist in helping you pay for your debts for lower amounts of principal, better interest rates, and more flexible payment options.

Why Is It Important to Obtain Debt Relief?
Because the debts you’ve incurred are essentially unsecured, its creditors virtually have nothing against you to run after. For that reason, they’re more demanding and tougher to dismiss than other creditors. Being harassed by creditors isn't a good way to de-stress your life, that’s for certain. Also, they can approach the court and have a “writ of execution” issued against you before they can seek payment from you for the debts you owe to them, with or without your approval. When that happens, the creditor’s allowed to seize certain types of possessions – regardless of its sentimental value. Do you want to wait for that to happen before trying out a debt relief program?

How Does It Work?
Many debt relief companies have been sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over the years of illegitimate and fraudulent practice. To avoid being yet another victim of a debt relief scam, make sure that you ask for suggestions from your local government credit counseling agency. If you already have a company in mind, just ask the Better Business Bureau if there has been any complaint filed against the company.

Afterwards, all you have to do is provide information about yourself AND your unsecured debts, and the rest is up to them. Easy, isn’t it?

Try These Debt Negotiation Tips

You may try debt negotiation with your creditors if you have realized that you can't settle any due bills. In this way, you can find ways on how you can find the needed money before creditors start calling you.

Before starting debt negotiations, you should be able to review and know what bills you should pay first. Identify the payments that are nearing their due dates. Then you can plan for your finances and determine how you can subdivide your payments.

Many bank creditors are more than willing to negotiate with your financial problems rather than passing your account statements to collection agencies. They also don't prefer filing cases of bankruptcy against you. If in case you come across of creditors who don't want to have debt negotiations, make a communication plan that will allow yourself to take steps on how you can settle all your debt problems. Here are some debt negotiations tips that can help you arrange with your creditors.

1. You may request for agreements with your creditor to pay your bills in installments or settle for a much lower cost. Make sure that you get a copy of the agreement before making any payments. You might end up realizing that your account is on a rolling late status. This means that you will be given negative points on your credit report because you are only settling your payments on a partial basis.

2. You should also be aware on those spreading scams on credit cards. You may find some payment collectors that mislead payers on their credits and balances. It is recommended that you become cautious on the people you transact with. You shouldn't provide any personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or employment information.

3. One way to ensure the safety of your payments is to pay your debts via certified mail. Make sure that you should also be provided with a return receipt. You may request certified mail through a cashiers check or through money orders. Remember to keep all receipts and documents.

4. It is recommended that you don't confirm any assurance that you can pay your bills on time. You should exert an extra effort to notify your creditor about your difficulties on settling your payments.

You may ask your creditor if they can provide you with new payment terms. Never forget to inform your creditor about the changes in your plan before making any payments. Most importantly, stick to the promises that you will give your creditors to avoid future problems.

Student Loan Debt Consolidation

Students now have something else to bemoan besides cruel teachers, impossible assignments, and the pitiful amount of their school allowances. Since July 1, 2006, the rate for federal student loans had been officially increased making it the highest rate over the next 6 years.

Consolidating Student Loans: Good Choice or Bad Idea?
That depends on the type of student loan you presently have. If your loan makes use of a variable interest rate, you have more to lose when you consolidate your loan. With a fixed rate, however, you’ll be able to save more money since your loan rate won't be affected by the annual changes of student loan rates.

Advantages of Consolidating Student Loans
Single Transaction – No need to take out the calculator every end of the month; no matter how many loans and how much debt you’ve incurred, there’s only one single payment to make.

Less Stress – The calls from your numerous creditors will cease. Now, you’ve only one call to worry about, and that’s from your parents, if they catch you doing something you’re not supposed to do.

Less Time and Effort – Besides finally not having to fear answering the phone, you’ll also have the benefit of expending less time and effort in paying off your student loan.

Increased Flexibility in Payment Options – Student loan consolidation is generally more lenient when it comes to payment options compared to others.

Ready Access – Unlike other loan reduction methods, debt consolidation for student loans is easily accessible anytime, anywhere, and for anyone.

Disadvantages of Consolidating Student Loans
Overall Loan Increase – Consolidating your student loan might lengthen the time you’re allowed to pay off your debt and reduced amount of monthly due, but it will increase the cost of your loan in the long run.

Tough Requirements – While it is easily acceptable, we didn’t say your application will be immediately approved. You’ve to meet several conditions before your student loan can be consolidated successfully.

Other Tips on Student Loan Debt Consolidation
If you want to consolidate your student loan, do so now. Don’t wait for interest rates to rise even further.

Know the rules. Don’t waste time allowing yourself to “learn” from mistakes. If you’ve only 1 lender, for instance, you’re legally obliged to consolidate your loan with that lender, and no one else.

Compare rates. Whenever money is involved, always compare rates!

Lastly, don’t go for the lowest monthly payment. If you can afford to pay more, do so.