The Road to Debt Relief
Living with debt is not something someone hopes for, but it happens and it usually becomes far more severe than it should before something is done to eliminate it. Once many individuals realize they have a problem with debt, they are too embarrassed to ask for help so they let themselves dive further into debt. Being embarrassment and ashamed are regular emotions many encounter when they realize they are in debt however you are not alone so you shouldn't feel embarrassed.
Everyday people get into debt, but everyday people are looking for ways to debt relief, whether it is through self-help, credit counseling, dept management programs, or other resources. If you are struggling with debt you no longer have to feel ashamed or embarrassed because there are resources that will steer you in the right direction towards eliminating your debt. There are a variety of options one can choose from so you have the option of choosing what debt relief option is right for you.
First you have to consider how serious your debt is. Remember having debt isn't good period, but you have the possibility of different solutions depending on the type of debt you are in. You have to decide what you think the best solution is for you and stick with it, to make sure you eliminate your debt, and stay out of debt for good.
Debt Relief Options
If you feel you have little debt but are starting to get concerned about being able to pay it off, consider setting up on a budget if you don't have one already or reevaluate your current one. A budget is a way to view your personal cash flow, which is your money coming in, and your money that goes out each month. You'll need to keep track of all your spending for one month to establish an accurate household budget. Keep a record of your monthly income and all your monthly bills and other receipts even with cash.
Once you see what you are spending and how much, you should be able to cut back on certain items especially on impulse buys like candy bars or everyday items you don't think add up to a lot but do in the long run, like morning coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Make goals for your self to set aside a certain amount of money each month to put in savings or to put towards paying off other debt.
After you create a budget you can choose to eliminate your debt on your own by ripping up your credit cards, dealing with your creditors, and still making all your payments on time. However if you tend to be late on monthly payments it's recommend you consider the next option for debt relief.
If your debt is severe it's recommended that you get help and fast. This is where most people's embarrassment sets in and they are afraid to get help. However credit counseling is a great option to help you eliminate your debt. You can find companies that do it for free, and all your information is kept confidential. A credit counselor will evaluate your current situation and then recommend the best solution for you.
A credit counselor may suggest a debt management program in which the counselor would work directly with your creditors as well as provide you with additional education, guidance, and motivation to make sure you get through the plan and pay off your debt. This simply includes sending a single payment each month to the agency, which is then dispersed to the creditors that you owe money to.
Another debt relief solution is by debt consolidation, where existing debts and mortgage payment are compiled into one. You would take out a loan, often times using your home as collateral and the lender sends you a check and you pay off your creditors. However if you fall behind you put losing your house at a serious risk.
An absolute last resort and not recommended is filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a court action that stops lawsuits and any other attempts by creditors or collection agencies to collect from you. However, it comes with a high price. It usually stays on your credit report for a full 10 years, causing great difficulty in using credit to purchase a car, home or other loans. It can even restrict you from certain types of employment. Bankruptcy shouldn't be thought of as a "get out of debt free card" because it can still completely destroy your credit worthiness for a long period of time.
The Road to Recovery
Now that you have all the options, it's up to you to decide what you need to do. Getting out of debt is in your hands, you should never feel alone or embarrassed because there are others in your same situation and they are successfully getting out of debt with the use of each of these debt relief options. For more information on credit and debt management go to http://www.inchargeorg.org where you will find professional budget counseling, debt management, and financial education programs at your fingertips.
Katie Spencer is a contributing writer for a number of international financial journals both online and in print. Katie has been delivering financial education to the public in a variety of areas to include college budgeting, credit and debt management, and money saving tips. Recently, Katie has been in partnership with a national educational foundation to deliver financial advice to American consumers via the web. For more information and to read the latest articles published by Katie, please visit http://www.inchargeorg.org