Credit Card Debt: How To Control It

A lot of people spend more money than they can afford to repay toward their credit card debts. To regain control over your finances and to manage your debt, here are some solutions you can try.

CREATE A SPENDING PLAN

In many cases, people design and then stick to a spending plan to get their debt under control. A spending plan is a guide for how much money you have and how much money you spend. Sticking to a realistic spending plan allows you to pay off your debts and save for the proverbial rainy day.

CREDIT COUNSELING

Many universities, military bases, credit unions and housing authorities operate nonprofit financial counseling programs. Even though some may be called non-profit, a fee may be charged for their services.

Creditors may be willing to accept reduced payments if you're working with a reputable program to create a debt repayment plan. When you choose a credit counselor, be sure to ask about fees you will have to pay and what kind of counseling you'll receive.

A credit counseling organization isn't necessarily legitimate just because it says it's nonprofit. You may want to check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against a counselor or counseling organization. DECLARING

BANKRUPTCY

Bankruptcy is considered as an extreme last resort credit solution. Unlike negative credit information that stays on a credit report for seven years, bankruptcies stay on a credit report for 10 years.

Bankruptcy can make it difficult to rent an apartment, buy a house or a condo, get some types of insurance, get additional credit, and, sometimes, get a job. In some cases, bankruptcy may not be an easily available option.

WHEN TO CONTACT CREDITORS

If you're having trouble paying your bills, contact your creditors immediately. Tell them why it's difficult for you, and try to work out a realistic modified 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 this point, it may be too late. Take action immediately and keep a detailed record of your conversations and correspondence.

USE CAUTION WITH DEBT COUNSELING

Turning to a business that offers help in solving debt problems may seem like a reasonable solution when your bills become unmanageable.

Be cautious. Before you do business with any company, check it out with your local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau in the company's location. One rule to remember is that if a credit repair offer seems too easy or just too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. And knowing your rights can help you steer clear of rip-offs.

As you try to take control of your credit card debt, be on the lookout for advertisements that offer quick fixes. While ads pitch the promise of debt relief, they rarely mention that this relief comes in the form of bankruptcy.

Because bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years and hinders your ability to get credit, it's important to ask for details before agreeing to any debt-relief services.It's a good idea to check the information found in your credit report at least once a year.

Since credit reporting agencies don't share files, you'll need to contact each reporting agency to make sure the information about you is correct. The three major credit reporting agencies are: Equifax (1-800-685-1111); Experian (1-888-397-3742); TransUnion (1-800)-888-4213.

Jamie Madison is the webmaster at http://www.ReviewMyCreditReport.com where you can request a FREE copy of your credit report. Visit today for a copy and keep track of what yourcredit report says about you.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Credit Information:

Related Articles

Credit Card Balance Transfers Explained
What is a balance transfer ?A balance transfer can be explained simply as a balance transfer! When a balance is transferred usually from a credit card, but possible from a bank account or loan to a credit card with a offer interest rate (usually 0%) for a set period. It does not have to be the entire amount.
UPS Delivers the Goods, Your Identity
Well now we add CitiGroup and UPS to the Identity Theft corporations who have allowed Americans identity to be lost. Each time we have another identity theft case, we find larger and large numbers being lost.
Credit and Its Cost
What is Credit?Credit is money granted by a lender (or creditor) to a debtor (or borrower) whereby the lender defers receiving payment of the debt for a period. In exchange for the credit allowed, the lender will get back the money lent plus interest.
Understanding Credit Card Penalties
Because most of us have one or two credit cards and we use them every day, understanding credit card penalties and fees is a significant issue since one time or another we have paid a penalty for some reason. Every user of a credit card must first understand that every charge on the credit card represent a loan which must be repaid.
Ethical Finance: Who Benefits From Our Spending?
On one hand consumers are being universally criticised for running up significant amounts of debt on credit cards, yet conversely many companies are capitalising on the growing credit card debt, from charities and political organisations to football clubs, the Association of Surgeons and somewhat ironically ActionAid, an international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide.Financial comparison site moneynet.
Is it Safe to Use Online Car Finance?
Online car finance is convenient. You can apply over the net and shop around for a good deal from the comfort of your home.
How to Save Money on Your Credit Cards
Credit card companies make their money on the 85% of us who fail to pay the outstanding balance each month. Even if you are not in a position to pay the balance each month you can still save some money if use your card wisely.
Credit Report - How to Improve Your Credit Score
One of the great mysteries of life is how the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union) score credit. They all have secret statistical formulas for determining your credit score, but they are unwilling to divulge exactly what, exactly, constitutes your score.
Beware of Bogus Credit Repair Companies!
So-called "credit repair" companies claim they can remove negative information from credit reports. Advertising as "Credit Advisors," "Credit Rating Correction Services" or "Credit Consultants," they trumpet variations on this message: "Turned down because of bad credit? We can help!" Many of these companies charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the promise to "clean up" bad credit reports.
Make Sure Your Credit Report Is Correct to Improve Your Interest Rates And Lower Insurance Premiums
Did you know that you could make sure to get the best rates on your auto and homeowners insurance simply by having a good credit score.Additionally a great credit score will allow you to get the best interest rates on your credit cards, car loans and even your home mortgage.
All You Wanted to Know of Bad Credit
Martin Henderson is in a fix these days. Because of his failure to repay a loan he had taken a few years back, he has been adjudged as a bad credit case.
SuperCharged Secret 4, Credit Card Utopia
YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!Let's just take a brief moment to recap:If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies.
Good vs. Bad Credit Debt
Do you know the difference between good and bad credit debt? Most everyone seems to think that all debt is bad, but that is not always the case. In fact, there are some instances where good debt can actually help your financial situation.
Pitfalls of the Credit Industry
The credit industry if rife with pitfalls. If you have ever owned a credit card you probably already have learned this the hard way.
How To Use Your Credit Cards Wisely
Are you one of the thousands pulling your hair out trying to figure out how you're going to pay your credit card bills? Using your credit cards wisely and sensibly will help you avoid financial problems and establish a strong credit rating, so here's some information to help you get your credit card problems under control.Credit cards are convenient for buying things now and paying later.
What Can Happen to You as a Victim of Identity Theft, Facts & Figure
Is identity theft really that serious? Thousands of people every year are victims of this terrible crime. Thieves use your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes in your name and can cause significant credit damage.
Learn The Truth About Identity Theft
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, according to a recently released FTC study. Did you know that the term "identity theft" did not exist until just a few years ago? It is a recent phenomenon that is causing a great furor around the world.
What Is a FICO Score and How Do I Make It Work for Me?
Whether or not you receive a loan and what interest rate you get on your credit card may be determined by something called a FICO score. Named for Fair, Isaac & Co.
Five Credit Card Billing Problems and How to Fix Them
It goes without saying that your first and best defense against paying fraudulent or unfair charges on your credit card is knowing what your bill says! When you receive your credit card statement each month, sit down with it and check each item to make sure that you actually DID purchase it. If you do run into inaccuracies or problems, there are procedures to follow to report and deal with the charges.
What is Credit Card and Debit Card Blocking?
Have you ever been told you were over your credit card limit, or had your debit card declined, even though you knew you had available credit or money in your bank account? If this happened shortly after you stayed in a hotel or rented a car, the problem could have been card "blocking."What is Blocking?When you use a credit or debit card to check into a hotel or rent a car, the clerk usually contacts the company that issued your card to give an estimated total.