Debt Consolidation ? Options for Reducing Your Debt

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Debt Consolidation ? Options for Reducing Your Debt

Debt Consolidation ? Options for Reducing Your Debt

Studies show that Americans are now saving less than ever before. Along with that, Americans are carrying a heavier debt load than ever. It's easy for a home loan, a car loan and a few credit card bills to get out of hand, and many people are struggling with more debt than they can easily pay. To make matters worse, new bankruptcy legislation will make it harder than ever to file bankruptcy for those who simply cannot pay their bills.

There are a number of solutions available that allow most people to reduce their interest rate on their debt, reduce their total monthly payment, or both:

Ask for a lower rate on your credit card. If you have been making payments regularly, and you haven't had a history of late payment, you may be able to lower your interest rate on your credit cards simply by calling your credit card company and asking them! It doesn't always work, but the market for credit cards is pretty competitive these days, and many lenders would rather lower your interest rate than lose you as a customer. It's worth asking.

Get a new credit card. If your lender isn't willing to lower your rate, shop around for a credit card with a better interest rate. There is no reason to be paying 20% or more in credit card interest if you don't have to. The interest on credit cards is not tax deductible, but if you can get a credit card with a lower interest rate and you move balances from other cards to that one, you can save quite a bit.

Take out a traditional bank loan with collateral. You can probably obtain a simple installment loan from your bank by putting up cash or investments as collateral for the loan. Like credit cards, the interest isn't tax deductible, but the interest rate may be better than credit cards, and if you consolidate several payments into one with a bank loan, you will lower your monthly payment.

Take out a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. If you have equity in your home, you can borrow up to 80% of your equity in either a lump sum or a revolving line of credit. Interest rates are still quite low on home loans, so this one could be a good way to consolidate your debt. As a bonus, the interest is tax deductible. A minor downside is the fact that these loans usually have application fees and/or closing costs.

Most people can utilize one of the ideas above to help them reduce their debt. If none of these options work for you, you should consider speaking to a credit counselor, who can outline other options that may work for you. Many credit-counseling agencies are non-profit, so it may be worth your while to talk to a credit counselor if nothing else will work.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding home equity loans.

In The News:

Business is booming for debt-consolidation companies as more ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - Nov 17, 2008
â€œLast month was the biggest month we ever had,â€ said Craven, president of Debt Settlement USA in Scottsdale. The national company, which operates in 29 ...

Deleveraging Must Continue
Wall Street Journal - 11 hours ago
... it is of overwhelming importance to make a clear distinction between the deleveraging process within the financial sector and debt consolidation in the ...

Athens Township: ATA Prez.: Debt consolidation could eliminate ...
Morning Times, PA - Nov 17, 2008
Debt consolidation has worked well for other municipalities facing similar situations, said Steiner. â€œThat was one of the recommendations we got from our ...

Processes for consolidation, dissolution laid out for area school ...
McLeod County Chronicle, MN - 14 hours ago
But whether there is one or more consolidation partners, Hopeman said, a consolidation plan has to address some "key ingredients." â€¢ Address bonded debt. ...
3 districts still involved in McLeod West talks McLeod County Chronicle
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Budgets help curb holiday spending
Belleville News Democrat, USA - Nov 19, 2008
Debt Consolidation Guides (www.debtguides .org/debtconsolidation .html) --Discusses types of debt, debt management and debt solutions. ...

Town debt to be deferred under a plan of Corzine's
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, NJ - 6 hours ago
Corzine also will stress that towns should consider consolidation and sharing services to cut costs, according to a senior administration official familiar ...

Shop around for new insurance quotes
Philadelphia Daily News, PA - Nov 19, 2008
One recent participant used the debt-consolidation portion of a loan to pay off $1413 in credit card debt that had been carrying an 18 percent annual ...

Fitch Affirms Children's Specialized Hospital (New Jersey) at 'BBB ...
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
Management has taken various steps to reduce costs, including cutting staff positions which were redundant or money losing, the consolidation of the its ...

Demand For Debt Consolidation Expected To Rise Despite Rate Cut
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 9, 2008
Demand for unsecured loans for debt consolidation will continue to rise despite the Bank slashing the base rate to 3.0 per cent, it is predicted. ...

Bank chief: Economy will worsen before it improves
Detroit Free Press, United States - Nov 19, 2008
"I would support consolidation." Lewis said he would favor a bailout only if the automakers provided a game plan detailing how they plan to be competitive ...

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Debt Consolidation ? Options for Reducing Your Debt

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