Credit Card Blues
By Nathan Dawson

 For the average American family, debt, and especially credit card debt is spiraling out of control at a record pace. The average household credit card debt has risen dramatically from $3000 in 1990 to over $8000 today. Personal bankruptcies are also at an all time high, prompting Congress to consider a radical bankruptcy law overhaul, designed to weed out those who are merely taking advantage of the system loopholes while directing many to more palliative alternatives such as a debt management program.


Of course some debts are considered necessary and indeed wise choices. For instance, few if any could afford a house if we had to wait until we could buy it outright. Generally speaking, a home is an asset that, over time, appreciates in value. Another debt that makes sense is a student loan. All data points to a direct correlation between income and educational level. However, what about that big screen TV you really didnt need, or that new car when a used one would have served the same purpose and not have created a financial nightmare. We need to start telling ourselves NO!

According to the experts at The Credit Counseling Foundation, Inc. (www.GoDebtFree.com), statistics show that about 60% of all credit card holders do not pay off their entire balance each month. With average interest rates still hovering around 15%, this increases the cost of everything you buy by at least 15%. And if you are only making the minimum payment, you could be looking at 20-30 years to pay off that balance depending on your interest rate. Minimum payments are designed to cover mostly interest, thereby keeping the holder chained to their credit card debt. One may ask with interest rates at 30 year lows why are credit card interest rates still so high? Simply put, there are no regulations on credit card interest rates requiring that they mirror prevailing interest rate indexes. Along with late fees, user fees and penalties, these interest rates, which can be greatly increased due to just one single late payment, are all implemented to generate tremendous revenues for the issuers, while at the same time creating a situation of unwanted indentured servitude for the debtor.

When faced with this overwhelming problem, what is one to do? Well the first line of attack is to cut up all credit cards. Only buy what you can afford to pay for in full. If you decide to keep a credit card, pay it off every month. This may sound like basic, common sense advice, but what about the average Joe who has already accumulated too much debt and cannot pay it off? If you are extremely disciplined and have the extra cash, you may want to formulate a plan to pay off the higher interest cards first. For most us who neither have the cash flow nor the self-discipline to adhere to such a plan, or dont want to lose the built up equity in our home by taking out a line of credit or re-financing which, by the way, could put the family home at risk should future financial setbacks occur, a good alternative would be to use a non-profit 501 (C) (3) credit counseling service. These companies can afford their clients many benefits that they could not ordinarily accomplish on their own. Interest rates can be reduced, accounts can be brought back to current status through re-aging, and maybe best of all, can stop those annoying and embarrassing creditor calls. It can get you a workable monthly payment while shortening the payoff term to typically 4-6 years. This can save thousands in interest costs! Another overlooked benefit is that all credit cards put into a debt management program are closed, thus eliminating all temptation no matter how hard you find it to say NO! All this without the trauma and stigma caused by bankruptcy or settlement.

Since there are literally thousands of these debt management companies out there, how does one go about choosing the right one? In addition to using a non-profit agency, check factors like the companys Better Business Bureau report, are they accredited by a nationally recognized certifying agency such as ISO or COA, are their counselors certified as well, how long have they been in business and word of mouth recommendations. Another consideration is whether to use one of the local community funded agencies or a private one. Although the local agencies have the advantage of being able to meet you face to face, due to limited budgets they can lack the expertise of private companies as they are often staffed predominately by volunteers and dont offer the array of modern on-line and technological services which todays consumers deserve and most large creditors demand in order to extend the debtor their most favorable terms. Moreover, many locals encumber their clients with restrictive guidelines, going as far as limiting the number of haircuts you can get or movies you can view.

If you have reached the point where you are transferring balances just to keep afloat, making minimum payments and getting nowhere or getting harassed by creditors and view bankruptcy or settlements with your creditors as both far too damaging and morally unacceptable, you may want to consider contacting a reputable credit counseling/debt management organization. A good starting place besides the BBB, would be one of the debt management organizations that belong to the American Association of Debt Management Organizations (AADMO). Most of all, dont despair! Help is out there, just do your homework and choose wisely. With the right agency to guide you combined with a true commitment to getting out of debt once and for all, there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel

The Credit Counseling Foundation, Inc provides web-based education and personalized consumer credit counseling to clients and the general public in an effort to help consumers use credit wisely. Visit us at www.godebt free.com
Nathan Dawson writes for a great online source for finance information.


Pay Off Your Student Loans and Reduce Your Debts

By Nathan Dawson

 Financing a college education is one of the more expensive debts you may incur. Student loans can take years or even decades to pay off. Making late payments or missing payments all together can result in a poor credit rating and collections on your accounts. Millions of people have found themselves owing large sums of money due to student loans and other unsecured debts. Finding a way to eliminate your debts and pay off student loans is the primary thought on the minds of many people.


For some, student loans are the only way to get a college education. The large sums of money you may have borrowed to finance your education are not repaid nearly as quickly as the amount of time it took you to finish college. Debt consolidation, negotiation, and credit counseling may be a good way to begin paying off your student loans and living a debt free life. If your student loans are in default or you are having difficulty making the monthly payments, there is a way out.

Student loans can often be renegotiated. The federal government offers programs to individuals who are having trouble making their student loan payments. One option is forbearance. This is a temporary postponement or a reduction in your payments for a period of time due to financial difficulties. Your interest will continue to accrue but you will get some relief from the amount you have to pay each month. There are also income sensitive and graduated payment plans available for those who are having trouble repaying their student loans. The amount of money you pay on your student loans will rise and fall with your income when you enroll in one of these programs.

If you student loan is already in default, you may want to enlist the services of a debt consolidation organization who may be able to help you reduce the interest and fees you owe on your student loans and help you pay down the balance quickly.

Find more great articles at www.marriedfinances.com a great online source for finance information.


Like it or Not, Finance Matters, a Lot

By Nathan Dawson

 Finance. We hear that word thrown around quite a bit and used in phrases like in the world of high finance or financing options are available for those who qualify, but what does it really mean? It doesnt take an E.F. Hutton or J. Paul Getty to understand that the term finance and variations like financial, financing, financier, and such are related to monetary matters.


You may be surprised, however, just how many people have no real idea what is meant by finance. In fact, its safe to say that much of America has a better fix on the goings on inside the Big Brother house than they do on what happens at the Federal Reserve! This is sad, but true.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language offers four definitions for the word finance.

They are:


1. The science of the management of money and other assets.


2. The management of money, banking, investments, and credit.


3. Finances Monetary resources; funds, especially those of a government or corporate body.


4. The supplying of funds or capital.

The third and fourth definitions are not what were dealing with here as they indicate the funds and capital belonging to a person, persons, or business entity (My finances are in total disarray!) and the act of lending money (I couldnt buy the new SUV because I didnt qualify for the financing.).

The first and second definitions, however, are right on the, um, money. This is what theyre talking about on CNN Financial. This is what concerns economists and financial analysts. This is what should concern you. The world of finance in the United States revolves around several things.

These include the stock market because the prices at which stocks trade are a direct result in most cases of how well the companies are doing, the actions of the Federal Reserve which sets interest rates and is responsible for the coining of money, and the value of the American dollar as compared to other national currencies.

Many people think that, unless they have significant investments and considerable assets, financial matters like these do not concern them. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The unfortunate fact is that, while the wealthy are more immediately concerned with finance, the common people are usually the most affected when extreme changes in the financial world happen. The stock market crash of 1929 is a prime example of how drastically financial upheavals can effect everyone in the country.

Nathan Dawson writes for http://www.marriedfinances.com and http://www.successfulmarriageresource.com, great online sources for marriage and finance information.