<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Chocolate Credit Crunch &#187; Banks</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/category/banks/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion</link>
	<description>Writings of a not so mild mannered economist</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:38:25 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Does Paying Off Your Credit Card Debt Have to Be Hard?</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/does-paying-off-your-credit-card-debt-have-to-be-hard/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/does-paying-off-your-credit-card-debt-have-to-be-hard/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:37:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/does-paying-off-your-credit-card-debt-have-to-be-hard/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Paying off your credit card debt can seem like a daunting task. It will become possible if you follow these simple steps.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Paying off your credit card debts can seem like an impossible task. However, you are not alone if you have credit card debt. Many thousands of people have fallen into debt with credit cards; many probably have even more debt than you do. All of these people are trying to get rid of their debt, but are having a hard time finding a solution. However, if you follow several simple steps, you can get rid of your credit card debt.</p>
<p>To get completely out of debt, of course, you&#8217;ll need to eliminate your credit card debt completely. There are actually many ways to do this, and you should tackle your debt in a way that makes sense for your situation. But there are several steps that should work for everyone trying to get rid of debt.</p>
<p>First, understand your full financial situation. Make a list of all of your credit card names, balances, interest rates, and payment due dates. If you have rewards points or other accrued rewards, you may also want to make a note of that. You may be able to use them to make partial payments or cover some of the fees.</p>
<p>Next, figure out which card is adding the most to your debt. This is probably the one with the highest APR and the highest balance. This is the card that you&#8217;ll want to focus on getting paid off first, because it is costing you the most money. Don&#8217;t put your money towards lower-interest cards with lower balances until you&#8217;ve paid off this card.</p>
<p>Now, compare offers from credit card debt consolidation or elimination programs. These will vary on the payment you&#8217;ll owe each month, the interest you&#8217;ll pay on the consolidation loan, and the amount of time it will take you to pay it off. Be sure that you choose a plan that you can afford, but which won&#8217;t have you paying off the card for decades. Choose a reputable company that will not charge you exorbitant interest rates, but be aware that loans with lowest interest rates are generally reserved for people without a lot of debts.</p>
<p>After you consolidate your credit card debt and set a repayment plan, your focus should shift to keeping yourself from adding new debts. Use your credit cards wisely, which means not charging more than you can pay off. Remember that credit cards should be used for emergencies, not for buying luxuries you can&#8217;t afford.</p>
<p>Because credit card debt means you were spending more than you were earning, you may want to look for alternative means to add to your income. This will also help you pay off your debt consolidation loan faster, getting yourself completely out of the problem of credit card debt. <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.debtjerk.com/selecting-balance-transfer-credit-cards.html">Balance transfer options</a> could work wonders if you are having a hard time dealing with more than just one credit card debt. You may want to look at taking on side projects, or getting a part time or weekend job, in order to increase your income.</p>
<p>Finally, celebrate the day when you finally pay off your credit card debt. Being debt free can bring you great peace of mind.</p>
<p>Now is the perfect time to view more about <a target="_new" href="http://www.debtjerk.com/selecting-balance-transfer-credit-cards.html">best balance transfer</a> cards. Today you too can take advantage of our years of experience, visit debtjerk.com.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Cason">Darren Cason</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Paying-Off-Your-Credit-Card-Debt-Have-to-Be-Hard?&amp;id=1647606">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://foodtocure.com/">Healing food: natural way to cure cancer</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/does-paying-off-your-credit-card-debt-have-to-be-hard/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Dealing With Credit Card Debt in Divorce</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/dealing-with-credit-card-debt-in-divorce/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/dealing-with-credit-card-debt-in-divorce/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:41:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/dealing-with-credit-card-debt-in-divorce/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is always a major tragedy when a marriage ends in divorce. The breakdown of the family unit and the difficult adjustment for the kids (if there are any involved) is one of the hardest aspects about divorce. The difficulty of separating one house into two can be burdensome and tedious to say the least. You have to go from one checking account to two, two homes instead of one and separate accounts for everything from credit cards to utilities.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>It is always a major tragedy when a marriage ends in divorce. The breakdown of the family unit and the difficult adjustment for the kids (if there are any involved) is one of the hardest aspects about divorce. The difficulty of separating one house into two can be burdensome and tedious to say the least. You have to go from one checking account to two, two homes instead of one and separate accounts for everything from credit cards to utilities. This becomes a very difficult adjustment to make for the entire family.</p>
<p>In any divorce situation there is a splitting up of assets between the two parties. This is likely to include credit card debt as well because this plays an important part in the general financial picture for many families today. To the credit card company, the family credit card is the property of that shared entity which was the marriage. So when the union dissolves, the transition, from a financial point of view, of your credit card accounts is one that does not happen overnight, and can be a very long, drawn out process.</p>
<p>So one of the many issues that needs to be discussed and planned is how to separate the credit card debt. Whoever continues to hold the family accounts in their respective name will continue to get those bills, and that individual will be expected to pay them. Now the least preferable way to handle the debt is to roll the payments into any forced settlement agreement such as child support. When the divorce does reach a conclusion and becomes final, the amount of the debt and the payments that must be made could be calculated, and half of that total put into the amount that the income-generating partner must provide.</p>
<p>But that leaves the management of the credit card debts to one partner while the other one just pays a set amount. Additionally, if the credit cards are used by either partner, the legal amount would have to constantly be adjusted, and that would prove to be a constant headache of administration.</p>
<p>If the divorce is a shared responsibility so each spouse can work with the other to adjust the financial picture in an advantageous way, then how to separate the credit card debt should be part of that planning. Part of that planning is how to use shared assets to pay down the debt. You may have a home, retirement accounts or other assets that were set aside for the future of the marriage. An option to consider would be to close those accounts or sell assets, and distribute the funds equally. These monies can be used to retire the shared debt.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s likely some of the debt load will live on past the divorce. In those cases distributing it into two individual accounts may be the best option. For example, if the family was carrying $10,000 in debt, if each marriage partner walks away with $5000 of the debt this would seemingly be fair and equitable. How each individual handles the split debt is up to them.</p>
<p>There are two ways you can go about splitting the credit card debt. If the debt is with a credit carrier with whom you can negotiate and conduct a dialogue, getting a meeting or having a conference call with the managers would be productive. The credit card company would far rather negotiate with you on how to handle this debt load than deal with it chaotically after the fact. So the actual splitting of the credit card debt may be coordinated by the credit card company itself.</p>
<p>But you can always use the method many of us have used to manage credit card debt up until now. Each of you could set up new separate credit card accounts. You no doubt have dozens of credit card offers you can use to initiate this process. In many cases, part of the set up offers for these accounts are balance transfers. So if you take out individual accounts and use the balance transfers to move each partner&#8217;s share of the debt to those accounts, this may be an effective way to split the debt.</p>
<p>Adjustments may need to be made to the 50-50 split idea based on many factors but especially on which partner generated the bulk of the household income, and which partner generated the actual debt load in question. But by negotiating the terms of how you are going to separate the credit card debt when you dissolve the marriage, you will be dealing in a mature and responsible manner within an already very tough and tense situation.</p>
<p>You will find more information on managing debt as well as saving and managing your money better at [http://www.money.bestdamnguidebooks.com]. Trent Cohen invites you to participate in the blog and sign up for his Free Reports on all of these important topics.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trent_Cohen">Trent Cohen</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Dealing-With-Credit-Card-Debt-in-Divorce&amp;id=1520370">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://canacanyon.com/">Buy electrical pressure cooker</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/dealing-with-credit-card-debt-in-divorce/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Should You Even Try to Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt?</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/should-you-even-try-to-consolidate-your-credit-card-debt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/should-you-even-try-to-consolidate-your-credit-card-debt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:39:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/should-you-even-try-to-consolidate-your-credit-card-debt/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Is it ever a good idea to consolidate your credit card debt? Are there different kinds of consolidation loans? How can you be sure a consolidation loan would benefit your financial situation?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>So, do you think a consolidation loan is something you&#8217;re interested in? Would it help your financial situation or just increase your already excessive debt? Actually, sometimes the first step toward addressing the problem of excessive credit card debt is to consolidate.</p>
<p>Are There Different Kinds of Consolidation Loans?</p>
<p>Credit card debt consolidation loans, in general, are unsecured loans, that is, they <br />don&#8217;t require you to pledge any security or collateral. These loans are made by banks and other  <br />financial institutions at an interest rate much lower than the credit card companies. Your initial benefit to this type of loan is an immediate reduction in your monthly required payment.</p>
<p>However, if your credit rating has already been impaired due to slow pays, the bank may require a secured loan. This will not only affect the interest rate of the loan, it will require some form of collateral, i.e., the loan would have to be secured by something of value that you own. The value of the collateral is determined by the amount of the loan.</p>
<p>Another very popular method of consolidation is to use a new credit card, one that is being offered with a special introductory APR. This would give you temporary relief of the high interest rate and give you the opportunity to pay your balance down on the new card. However, you must remember that the APR quoted on the credit card application is only an introductory special and it is only good for a specific time period.</p>
<p>As soon as the introductory rate expires, the long term (or the standard) APR will automatically <br />become active. This is why it is so important for you to read all the terms and conditions of the <br />new credit offer. You need to know how long the introductory rate will last so you can determine <br />if this card is actually going to benefit you; as you need to pay down your debt as much as possible during this time period.</p>
<p>So, when you go looking for a credit card to consolidate your credit card debt, you must be keenly looking for these 3 things (in terms of APR) &#8211; 1) introductory APR, 2) introductory APR period, and 3) the standard APR. Let&#8217;s see how each one is important.</p>
<p>What You Need To Know About An Introductory APR:</p>
<p>Introductory APR is one of the most important things to consider when you desire to consolidate  <br />credit card debt. Some credit card companies offer an introductory rate of .0%. However, you need to determine the exact length of their introductory offer; some introductory offers only run for 90 days. This not only gives you an immediate relief of your continually growing credit card debt, it also gives you 90 days to reduce your total debt. Obviously, the longer the introductory rate period, the more benefit you&#8217;ll derive from the consolidation.</p>
<p>What&#8217;s So Important About The Standard Rate?</p>
<p>The standard rate is the interest rate that will be applied to your balance after the expiration of the  <br />introductory low APR. If the standard rate of interest is significantly less that your previously used credit card, the debt consolidation will benefit you, as your required monthly payment will have been reduced.</p>
<p>If the standard interest rate is the same as your previously used credit cards, this particular credit offer will not benefit you, especially if you have consolidated several cards onto the one, the increase in your credit card debt in total dollar volume will wipe out any savings you would have accumulated during the introduction APR period.</p>
<p>However, the above totally depends on how many cards you have consolidated and what your total debt is. If you have several (3-4) high-interest cards with low balances, it should not be a problem and you should immediately see a reduction in credit card payments and debt. It will allow you to make one smaller payment instead of having to satisfy several minimum monthly payment requirements.</p>
<p>If you think that you will be able to clear off the entire credit card debt or at least make <br />a huge dent in your total debt while the introductory interest rate is in effect, this could very well  <br />be how you would choose to consolidate your credit card debt. The card that has a standard rate  <br />of interest that you can live with and won&#8217;t place a financial hardship on your budget, that is the  <br />card you should use to consolidate your credit card debt.</p>
<p>Although balance transfers and credit card debt consolidation loans have the same objective behind them, the consolidation loans are sometimes considered better because you normally end up closing most of your credit card accounts; which have been been responsible for creating your excessive debt in the first place. However, balance transfers have their own advantages which are not available with a credit card debt consolidation loan. If you can use the balance transfer method to get your debt under control and can make your payments on the new card timely, and can use the new card responsibly, you can actually improve your credit rating. Choosing between a credit card debt consolidation loan and a balance transfer is really a matter of personal choice.</p>
<p>Linda Moreland, Entrepreneur Author, Articles on Guaranteed Credit Repair [http://www.designedforyoursuccess.com/Credit_Repair.html]</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Moreland">Linda Moreland</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-You-Even-Try-to-Consolidate-Your-Credit-Card-Debt?&amp;id=1448787">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://canacanyon.com/">Electrical Pressure Cooker Online</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/should-you-even-try-to-consolidate-your-credit-card-debt/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Debt Collectors &#8211; What to Do When They Come Calling &#8211; Part 2</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-collectors-what-to-do-when-they-come-calling-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-collectors-what-to-do-when-they-come-calling-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:08:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-collectors-what-to-do-when-they-come-calling-part-2/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Debt collectors Part 2 will help you focus on doing and saying the right things when they come calling. The tips in this article could help turn the situation around. You can learn to face the challenges in the midst of constant calls because the mind that keeps cool can think better on how to deal with the debt collectors.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Debt collectors, how do we deal with them? Here&#8217;s what to do. Keep your cool and don&#8217;t admit that you owe the money or make an excuse for non-payment. Write down the time and date and all the details of your talk. Find out the caller&#8217;s name, his contact info, the name and address of the collection agency and the name of the original creditor.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t say anything about the debt or whether you can pay or not at this time. Neither should you mention your income and other finances, your place of employment or where you bank and other information, especially the ones dealing with the finances.</p>
<p>You should not tell the caller not to call you either. Nor should you send the company a letter telling the firm to cease and desist. These actions will make the company think they have no other way to contact you. In this case, a lawsuit may follow. Say you will call back within 30 days which is your right. Then just say goodbye.</p>
<p>You will have time to write them a letter to request for the verification of the debt. The law is clear the debt collectors are supposed to send you a letter within five days with all the details of the debt such as the name of the creditor and the amount owed. If they call again before you receive their reply, then say you can&#8217;t answer until you receive their letter of verification.</p>
<p>You have thirty days after you receive their letter to dispute any debt that seems to be in error. The firm cannot contact you until they can send a written verification of the debt or the loan agreement you signed and a copy of the last bill you received. Receiving a copy with just your name and a list of alleged debtors along with the amount of debts is not enough as an evidence.</p>
<p>During this month of waiting, do a research of the debts you incurred, the amount and type of debt and the last date you made a payment so you can check if the statute of limitation has expired. If the debt has expired, the debt is not erased but it limits the ability of the collection firm to use the court.</p>
<p>The collection agency can still sue but you can tell the court that the debt has expired. In this case, either you can ignore the debt or negotiate with favor on your side without worries that they will take out the money from your salary or from your bank.</p>
<p>Remember though that student loans have no statute of limitation. Also never admit the debt is yours or the statute of limitation clock will start all over again. Consult with a lawyer if your debts are substantial so you can get legal protection from the creditors. Ask for free legal advice and tell him to charge the collection agency for fees.</p>
<p>If you can pay and the debt has not expired, negotiate without admitting it is your debt. Just say you have only $200 on a $1200 debt, and some could accept that since often this debt has been sold to them for pennies on a dollar by the original creditor who has already taken a tax break for the loss.</p>
<p>Be careful what you say if the debt has expired because you don&#8217;t want the statute of limitation clock to start all over again. You are in a better position to negotiate in this scenario. You can say for example that you want this collection account deleted from the files which could improve the credit history.</p>
<p>Before handing in the money, get a written copy of the agreement that says the amount to pay and that this is deemed to be payment in full. The agreement should also include the promises made by the debt collectors like not selling any part of the debt and that it is deleted from the credit report.</p>
<p>Hire a lawyer if the debt collectors are breaking the law. Be aware though that not all who call about the debt are debt collectors. They could be working directly for the creditor. Last but not least, know that there are consequences, tax-wise because the forgiven debt can be considered taxable.</p>
<p>The industry of debt collection should really be regulated. It is, to a certain extent, because the debt collectors are supposed to have passed an exam and registered. In order to track down complaints on this matter though, there should be some kind of a national registry for <b>debt collectors</b>.</p>
<p>Please visit these sites for more help where you can sign up for free to receive alerts and tips delivered right to your email inbox:</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.debtchallenges.com/debtreliefhelp.html">Debt Relief Help</a></p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.debtchallenges.com">http://www.debtchallenges.com</a></p>
<p>Brief Biography: Dr. Guzman worked for the Atlantic Health Corporation and was consultant to St. Joseph&#8217;s Hospital, Sussex Mental Health Clinic, and St. Stephen Mental Health Clinic for many years. He was Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Centracare for ten years and published numerous articles, including financial ones in the Journal of the American College of Forensic Psychiatry and other medical magazines.</p>
<p>Copyright  June 21, 2010 Roger Guzman, M.D. (Debt Collectors, What to do When They Come Calling- Part 2) All Rights Reserved. You may copy and publish this article as long as the text, the author&#8217;s name, the active links and this notice remain the same.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Guzman,_M.D.">Roger Guzman, M.D.</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Debt-Collectors---What-to-Do-When-They-Come-Calling---Part-2&amp;id=4523482">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://adsenseaccountdisabled.org/">Advice on AdSense</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-collectors-what-to-do-when-they-come-calling-part-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt &#8211; The Most Effective Way</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-consolidate-credit-card-debt-the-most-effective-way/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-consolidate-credit-card-debt-the-most-effective-way/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:40:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-consolidate-credit-card-debt-the-most-effective-way/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Credit cards have been and always will be the most accessible form of credit in America. In fact, it has been reported that an average American has at least 4 credit cards to their name. If you find yourself deep in credit card debt, you might want to consider consolidating your credit card debts, to make your monthly payments more manageable and affordable at the same time.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>How To Consolidate Credit Card Debt &#8211; Credit cards have been and always will be the most accessible form of credit in America. In fact, it has been reported that an average American has at least 4 credit cards to their name. If you find yourself deep in credit card debt, you might want to consider consolidating your credit card debts, to make your monthly payments more manageable and affordable at the same time.</p>
<p>Aside from the fact that it is accessible to virtually anyone, it comes with so many incentives such cash-back rewards, discounts on major stores, reward points, and free mileage; it has become quite difficult to refuse an offer of getting more credit. Not to mention the convenience of having a credit card on hand. It is easy to comprehend why our society is now debt dependent.</p>
<p>Most of us may remember the circumstances under which we were able to avail of our first credit card. I was just a student in the university then when I was quite surprised to get an offer for a credit card in the mail. I was quite honored in fact that a credit card company would take the risk on a mere student like me who had no credit at all and I was just working part time as a librarian. Of course, I considered it an opportunity to avail of the credit card. I didn&#8217;t really mind how much the interest rate was, all I cared about was that I can finally buy the Nike sneakers I was diligently saving up for but could now afford. Well, the rest of my story as a credit card owner was history like most people who are now experiencing debt problems. One way or another, each one of us has started with just one card which has become the main tool of purchasing or paying for services.</p>
<p>The problem is one credit card does not suffice for our buying needs. We eventually apply for more than one card thinking that it will make our life easier financially. With the offers of credit card companies to entice more clients, it is very difficult even for the most disciplined of buyers to refuse such an offer. This is where it all starts. Having multiple credit cards acquired through the years, it gets more and more difficult to track the expenses we make on each card and we then tend to forget payments. For some, forgetting to pay their dues might simply be due to a temporary lapse in memory, but for most defaulting on a monthly payment may be due to more complicated financial incapability.</p>
<p>It is a fact that most people who own a string of credit cards usually spend more than what they make in a month. Because of this, they succumb to paying one credit card with another simply because they do not have enough income to pay for their balances. Eventually, people who do this will not be capable of paying off their dues on time and they will start paying only the minimum requirement each month. Before you know it, the total balance of your accounts is through the roof and atop of all that, penalty charges come stumbling in which makes the situation so much worse. The bigger the accumulated balance is the more exorbitant the charges are, leaving one with seemingly insurmountable debt problems that one cannot solve without asking for professional help.</p>
<p>Most people in this predicament seek for debt consolidation agencies. A consolidation agency provides help and guidance through the debt consolidation process and beyond. They help you make your total credit card debts more affordable, create a plan that will help you come up with ways on how to effectively pay this debt off, and most of them stick with you even after your debt problems have been solved to help you rebuild your credit score and make sure that you stay away from debt for good.</p>
<p>It is advisable however to be extra careful in choosing the right debt consolidation agency. Many disreputable companies out there will end up charging you more than what you are paying for your debts. There are companies who are paid by the creditors not the borrowers, so you can fully take advantage of their services without having to worry about burning a bigger hole in your pocket</p>
<p>Do your homework and shop around, do not sign up with the first consolidation agency you find. Make sure that you sign up with an agency that you are perfectly certain you will be getting the best deal from. Since debt consolidation is the most popular form of debt solution nowadays, there are many out there all trying to outdo each on offers and incentives to lure more customers in. It would not be difficult at all to find a good one. Make a short list of your choices, check each one of them with the Better Business Bureau, and check their clients&#8217; testimonials before making your final decision.</p>
<p>Most importantly, compare their fees and charges. Calculate how much in total the consolidation firm will be charging you so you can be sure that the amount you will be saving on interest after you have consolidated your credit card debt will outweigh the fees of your debt consolidation company.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, a credit card consolidation can adversely affect your credit score. However, this will be a very minimal blow, which you can easily rebuild once your consolidation loan is well underway. When it comes to credit scores, what matters most is how close you are to your credit limit. Generally, your score is safer if you have 3 credit cards each below 50% of the limit rather than 1 credit card which has a usage close to a 100%. But the fact is a debt consolidation may be your fastest way out. So unless you are planning to take out a major loan in the near future, you can make sacrifices on your credit score. Besides, you can immediately work on rebuilding your credit score by consistently making regular payments on your consolidated loan, which is now considerably more affordable.</p>
<p>Knowing all the necessary information on how to consolidate credit card debt is the first step one can take in solving overwhelming debt problems. Debt consolidation makes monthly payments more affordable, you get to manage payments of your debt more effectively since you will be left with a single debt payment to deal with, and best of all, you get enjoy a debt free life sooner than you can imagine. Also, employing the services of a debt consolidation company will speed up the process of debt consolidation and they will guide you by the hand in rebuilding your credit score even after your debt has been totally paid off.</p>
<p>To learn more about Bill Consolidation Loans and other options to help you get out of debt fast, please visit this link: <a target="_new" href="http://billconsolidationloans.info/">http://billconsolidationloans.info/</a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Keith">Brandon Keith</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Consolidate-Credit-Card-Debt---The-Most-Effective-Way&amp;id=4227476">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/duty/">Canada duty</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-consolidate-credit-card-debt-the-most-effective-way/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Eliminate Credit Card Debt Legally So That You Can Free Yourself From the Crushing Pressure</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-eliminate-credit-card-debt-legally-so-that-you-can-free-yourself-from-the-crushing-pressure/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-eliminate-credit-card-debt-legally-so-that-you-can-free-yourself-from-the-crushing-pressure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:38:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-eliminate-credit-card-debt-legally-so-that-you-can-free-yourself-from-the-crushing-pressure/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The debt situation in this country has so become so widespread, many say it's a pandemic. Living above one's means and bridging the gap with credit cards is a practice that's run rampant through our country. As a nation, we have accrued an astonishing mass of debt. In just last few years, it's exploded to quantities never before seen in our history.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Are you swimming in credit card debt? Are you literally maxed out and cannot make the minimum payments? If so, you are not alone. It&#8217;s become nearly commonplace for people to be carrying more credit card debt than they can possibly pay off. The situation has so become so widespread, many say it&#8217;s a pandemic. Living above one&#8217;s means and bridging the gap with credit cards is a practice that&#8217;s run rampant through our country. As a nation, we have accrued an astonishing mass of debt. In just last few years, it&#8217;s exploded to quantities never before seen in our history. Once people find themselves with all their credit cards maxed and facing minimum payments they cannot meet each month, they begin to panic. If they&#8217;re smart, they begin to investigate how to eliminate credit card debt legally.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s one thing you need to know about credit card debt. It is what we refer to as &#8216;unsecured debt.&#8217; What does that mean? Unsecured debt is debt which is incurred without any physical objects put up against the debt. In other words, no collateral was required to secure the loan. If the payments are not made, the bank cannot repossess an item in order to recoup their funds. No one will appear at your front doorstep in order to take possession of anything you own. If you were to be taken to court over the debt, it would be to civil court. The point of all of this is that if you were to choose not to repay your debt, that behavior is not considered illegal.</p>
<p>This is not to say that there wouldn&#8217;t be consequences. If you do not make payments on your debt, then your credit rating will undoubtedly suffer tremendously. It&#8217;s likely that you will never again be given a loan for anything else. Think about that. If you ever needed to buy a car or a home, if you wanted a store credit account, you would be denied. You do have a contractual agreement with the credit card company and by choosing not to pay them, you would be in breach of contract, which isn&#8217;t looked upon favorably in the financial world. If you were to decide to simply stop making payments on these accounts, you would eventually find yourself unable to even be approved for layaway. Your credit identity would be known as a parasite. Doesn&#8217;t sound like a good option, does it?</p>
<p>So rather than simply avoiding paying your bills, the smarter move is to exercise your right to utilize various programs created by the credit card companies themselves. These programs aim to allow consumers to pay off their balances. There are specialized organizations whose mission is to assist consumers with their credit card debt management. These companies exist to enable people to climb out of debt. Many people need these companies because they feel badgered by their creditors. They do not feel they can bargain with the credit card companies because they feel so overwhelmed, ashamed and intimidated. There&#8217;s a great reason many people feel this way. Ever talked to a collection agent? It&#8217;s pretty well known that they have the personality of Attila the Hun with a migraine. These people have a singular focus. They care about one thing, and one thing only. What is that? To force you to write a check to them, no matter what else you may have to forgo in order to do so. They&#8217;re well trained in how to bully, browbeat, menace and torment.</p>
<p>Third party organizations can truly help you out in this situation. They are more than happy to withstand the verbal abuse these collectors want to dish out and still stand their ground. After all, they aren&#8217;t emotionally involved like you are. They are not the ones who have no money and no idea where the next bit of cash will come from. So they can be calmer, more logical, and stand toe-to-toe with those collection agents. The process works like this: you write up a list of your creditors. You detail how much you owe and what your minimum payments usually are. They will take it from there. Ready for the very best part of this offer? You don&#8217;t have to pay them any money upfront. &#8220;Let me get this straight,&#8221; you say, &#8220;I don&#8217;t have to take any more abusive phone calls. And I also don&#8217;t pay any money to this company?&#8221; Are you scratching your head in confusion, wondering what the catch is? No, you&#8217;re not confused. That&#8217;s precisely how this works. You stop having to field calls from collectors and you don&#8217;t have to write a check to the third party company either. And get this: in 99% of the cases, your monthly payments drop considerably. In fact, after using these companies, people report that they have some financial breathing room again for the first time in years.</p>
<p>As great as these companies are, lots of people have never even heard about them. A lot of people are suffering the indignity of endless phone calls and harassing collections agents when they could be using this entirely legal avenue to resolve credit card debt. Imagine it: eliminate credit card debt legally. I guess it&#8217;s not that shocking that few people are aware of this option since the credit card companies certainly want to keep consumers in the dark when it comes to this solution. This option is gaining popularity across the country. More and more folks each day call up one of these companies and breathe a sigh of relief as they watch their credit card debt shrink before their eyes.</p>
<p>There are other means to eliminate credit card debt legally. However, the options available have a lot of problems associated with them. Read on to learn about two of these options.</p>
<p>1. A consolidation loan &#8211; Consolidation loans can be a good solution for those consumers whose credit score is high enough to qualify. Other consumers can qualify by using collateral. Sounds great, right? Yeah, except the part where you realize that if you had credit that good, you wouldn&#8217;t be struggling to pay your bills, would you? And if you actually owned something that would constitute a collateral, then you might have already sold it to rectify your debts. If you do still own something of enough value to secure a loan of this size, it&#8217;s not really financially savvy to put it on the line to get more debt. Once you begin thinking about it, it seems pretty silly. Doesn&#8217;t it? It&#8217;s not really a viable option.</p>
<p>2. Borrow money from your family members or your friends &#8211; Here is where things get uncomfortable and hairy. If you&#8217;re already struggling to pay your existing debt, how is taking on more debt going to solve your problem? If you do convince a loved one to extend even more money to you, you&#8217;ve now put yourself in a very awkward situation. Ever heard the adage: Don&#8217;t loan money to family or friends? Well, there&#8217;s a reason for that. These situations rarely turn out well. In fact, these type of situations are exactly the fodder that day time talk shows are made of. If you&#8217;d like to see yourself on Judge Mathis or Jerry Springer, then go ahead and hit someone you&#8217;re related to up for some cash.</p>
<p>Once you&#8217;ve dug a deep financial hole for yourself, there is really only one viable option to alleviate your discomfort. When you can&#8217;t pay your credit card bills, you can only make one move. You have to call a third party negotiator to talk to your creditors. They can convince them to either lower your monthly payments or even reduce your entire debt amount. It&#8217;s that or take on even more debt and burn bridges among your family and friends. Gosh, when you put it that way, the choice starts to get really clear, doesn&#8217;t it?</p>
<p>The important thing to remember is that time is not on your side. If you&#8217;re already behind on your payments, then your account has been flagged. Once it is officially sent to &#8220;legal,&#8221; your options grow very slim, very quickly. If they&#8217;ve put your account with their legal department, then there will be no negotiation. It won&#8217;t matter if you call or your third party negotiator calls. No one will be able to move the creditor at that point. If they&#8217;ve referred the account to their legal department, then they are planning to circumvent you and get their payment directly from your paycheck. They may even be planning to put a lien against something you own. If you truly want to get out from underneath this crushing debt, you must take action now.</p>
<p>If you want to <a target="_new" href="http://www.DebtReliefTipsEZ.info">Eliminate Credit Card Debt Legally</a> then you need to take action now. <a target="_new" href="http://www.DebtReliefTipsEZ.info">Click here</a> to get debt relief help immediately.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Sachs">James Sachs</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Eliminate-Credit-Card-Debt-Legally-So-That-You-Can-Free-Yourself-From-the-Crushing-Pressure&amp;id=4065791">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/excise-tax-sin-taxes-or-luxury-taxes/">Excise Tax</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/how-to-eliminate-credit-card-debt-legally-so-that-you-can-free-yourself-from-the-crushing-pressure/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Credit Debt Help &#8211; Best Ways to Manage Out of Control Credit Debt</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-help-best-ways-to-manage-out-of-control-credit-debt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-help-best-ways-to-manage-out-of-control-credit-debt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:41:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-help-best-ways-to-manage-out-of-control-credit-debt/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is very difficult to manage out of control credit debt, facing collection calls, dealing with collection agents and leading a life without stress at the same time. The overwhelming debts are bound to bring in debt stress. If you let your finances go off the track it might lead you to face bankruptcy. The most sensible thing you can do to avoid this adversity is to find a reliable and trusted credit debt help.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>It is very difficult to manage out of control credit debt, facing collection calls, dealing with collection agents and leading a life without stress at the same time. The overwhelming debts are bound to bring in debt stress. If you let your finances go off the track it might lead you to face bankruptcy. The most sensible thing you can do to avoid this adversity is to find a reliable and trusted credit debt help.</p>
<p>It is never too late to address your debt situation but the sooner you act the better options you will find. Debt settlement is often considered to be a better solution to severe debts than filing insolvency. If you are considering credit counseling or bankruptcy to bring your finances back on track then debt negotiation can provide you with the best options.</p>
<p>You might have already spent countless months in paying minimum monthly payments without having any effect on the balance debt amount. Debt settlement can bring this never ending cycle of monthly payments to an end. It can also bring you debt freedom in about 1 to 3 years. The best part is it enables you to settle your credit account by paying the amount less than what you owe to your credit card company.</p>
<p>When you negotiate with your lenders to pay off percentage of your debt, you risk your credit score. The effect of debt settlement does not stay longer on your credit report. You can always work to regain your credit score one you put an end on your financial hardships. Many times debt settlement is also referred to as the most aggressive approach to deal with your debt issues. Still is also the most favored approach.</p>
<p>There are few drawbacks of this method and with proper guidance from a legitimate debt settlement company you can take maximum advantage of the plans. For instance you are entitled to pay taxes on the amount you save from your debt repayment. You can opt for tax debt settlement with the help of your arbitrator. It is therefore very important in case of overwhelming debts that you only approach companies with certified professionals. These professionals will have detailed knowledge of debt settlement industry.</p>
<p>Debt settlement is not only the best ways to manage debt but it is your legal right and you can apply for it anytime. It will stop you creditors from taking any illegal or harassing action for debt recovery. They cannot take any legal action against you till the settlement of your out of control debt is in process.</p>
<p>Bankruptcy is certainly not your best way to deal with debts. Debt relief and debt settlement can certainly make a difference, and eliminate a strong percentage of your debt and in the meantime you will avoid the consequences of having to file for bankruptcy. Make sure you are always informed in regards to the best solution for you, and eliminate as much debt as you can. If you want to find more about this, check out the following link:</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.debtreliefemergency.com">Free Debt Advice</a></p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Sheridan">Diane Sheridan</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Credit-Debt-Help---Best-Ways-to-Manage-Out-of-Control-Credit-Debt&amp;id=3791876">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/duty/">Import duty tariff</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-help-best-ways-to-manage-out-of-control-credit-debt/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Credit Debt Negotiations &#8211; The Best Way to Negotiate a Credit Debt Settlement</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-negotiations-the-best-way-to-negotiate-a-credit-debt-settlement/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-negotiations-the-best-way-to-negotiate-a-credit-debt-settlement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 06:51:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-negotiations-the-best-way-to-negotiate-a-credit-debt-settlement/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Credit negotiation is one of the best ways to eliminate your unsecured debts as well as to put an end to the harassing calls from creditors. It can eliminate your unsecured debts such as Credit cards, signature loans, store cards, medical bills and other personal loans.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Credit negotiation is one of the best ways to eliminate your unsecured debts as well as to put an end to the harassing calls from creditors. It can eliminate your unsecured debts such as Credit cards, signature loans, store cards, medical bills and other personal loans. The process basically involves negotiating with your creditors either on your own or with the help of an arbitrator to reach a settlement amount to close your credit account.</p>
<p>The settlement process can offer you relief and in many cases it can allow you to close your credit account at discounted amount. Sometimes your creditors also forgive you the interest on debt. The negotiation for debt arbitration allows you to pay substantially less than the full balances owed to your creditors, it can reduce the creditor&#8217;s harassment for debt recovery and also prevent them from taking any legal or illegal action against you for recovering their debt.</p>
<p>The procedure for debt settlement to negotiate with your creditors is quite simple. If you have in-depth knowledge of the laws that govern the debt settlement industry and you have skills for negotiation you can conduct it yourself. If you do not have an overwhelming debt then you can negotiate on your own. But it is sensible to hire a reliable debt settlement company to represent your debt case of over $10k.</p>
<p>You will need to approach a reliable settlement company through reputed debt relief networks that are operating in your area. Call them and set up an appointment to review your debts. The company will review your debts and generate a payoff amount and monthly payment option for you debt elimination plan. They will ask you to sign some regular papers and start to work on your debt case. You will need to deposit a fixed amount in a trusted account every month until all your debt accounts are settled.</p>
<p>It is also considered to be very cost effective. The commission of the settlement company usually depends on the amount of the debt that you want to settle. If you are dealing with a legitimate debt settlement company you do not need to make any advance payment to them before you get rid of all your debts. By debt settlement negotiations you can settle your debts in minimum one payment or in a stretched period of about 36months.</p>
<p>Bankruptcy is certainly not your best way to deal with debts. Debt relief and debt settlement can certainly make a difference, and eliminate a strong percentage of your debt and in the meantime you will avoid the consequences of having to file for bankruptcy. Make sure you are always informed in regards to the best solution for you, and eliminate as much debt as you can. If you want to find more about this, check out the following link:</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.debtreliefemergency.com">Free Debt Advice</a>.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Sheridan">Diane Sheridan</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Credit-Debt-Negotiations---The-Best-Way-to-Negotiate-a-Credit-Debt-Settlement&amp;id=3786287">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/payment/">Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-debt-negotiations-the-best-way-to-negotiate-a-credit-debt-settlement/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Credit Card Help &#8211; Consider a Professional Credit Card Debt Solution For Your Debt Problem</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-card-help-consider-a-professional-credit-card-debt-solution-for-your-debt-problem/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-card-help-consider-a-professional-credit-card-debt-solution-for-your-debt-problem/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:37:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-card-help-consider-a-professional-credit-card-debt-solution-for-your-debt-problem/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you feeling over stressed and hampered under the yoke of debt? Forgetting everything about your debt repayments is the simplest way to get your peace of mind back. But this peace will not last longer. You can forget about your debt but your creditors will not.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Are you feeling over stressed and hampered under the yoke of debt? Forgetting everything about your debt repayments is the simplest way to get your peace of mind back. But this peace will not last longer. You can forget about your debt but your creditors will not.</p>
<p>They will leave no stone unturned to recover their money back from you. So before they act in their way which will surely bring you more stress, it is better if you yourself consider a professional credit card debt solution to eliminate your debt problem forever. Mentioned below are a few things, these professional agencies can help you with.</p>
<p>1) <b>Debt Counseling</b>- The professional credit card debt solution company can mediate between you and your creditors. Through mediation they try to lower the interest being charged by the creditors. They also assist you with planning your budget to gain stability in your financial situation. When you apply for debt counseling, you get a payment break for 6o working days and your creditors are forbidden from taking any legal action against you.</p>
<p>2) <b>Debt consolidation</b>- The professional credit card debt solution agency can also help you to club all your unsecured debts. In this process of debt consolidation they help you secure lower or fixed interest rate for repayment in one payment. You can also opt for paying fixed installments for a fixed period of time. The debt consolidation program will usually require that you have some property or assets to mortgage.</p>
<p>3) <b>Debt Settlement</b> &#8211; It involves negotiating with your creditors to reduce the total amount of debt. It offers immediate and substantial reduction in your monthly payments. It is the most favored and excellent debt relief solution to get rid of debt problem. In addition to significant reduction in amount of debt you can also benefit from the reduced term of repayment. There is no need for any property or financial assets to be mortgaged.</p>
<p>4) <b>Bankruptcy</b>- It is the last option for anyone who is in serious dept. The professional credit card debt solution companies can also help you in filing bankruptcy, if you owe a lot of money and do not have income source to repay your debt. However, it is not a good option to opt for. The long term effects will cause you more damage than any other debt relief program.</p>
<p>It is better to act wisely before you reach a point where nothing can be done. Consider a professional credit card debt solution for your debt relief and to regain control of your financial situations.</p>
<p>Bankruptcy is certainly not your best way to deal with debts. Debt relief and debt settlement can certainly make a difference, and eliminate a strong percentage of your debt and in the meantime you will avoid the consequences of having to file for bankruptcy. Make sure you are always informed in regards to the best solution for you, and eliminate as much debt as you can. If you want to find more about this, check out the following link:</p>
<p><a target="_new" href="http://www.debtreliefemergency.com">Free Debt Advice</a>.</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Sheridan">Diane Sheridan</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Credit-Card-Help---Consider-a-Professional-Credit-Card-Debt-Solution-For-Your-Debt-Problem&amp;id=3668101">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://betterdollar.com/payment/">Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/credit-card-help-consider-a-professional-credit-card-debt-solution-for-your-debt-problem/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Debt Judgment &#8211; Texas</title>
		<link>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-judgment-texas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-judgment-texas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:53:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-judgment-texas/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Debt settlement is an option for consumers who are in unmanageable debt situations. Debt settlement companies negotiate with creditors on behalf of consumers to settle the debts by 40-60% of the original payment. Usually the consumer opens a separate "debt settlement" savings account at the bank of their choice.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Debt settlement is an option for consumers who are in unmanageable debt situations. Debt settlement companies negotiate with creditors on behalf of consumers to settle the debts by 40-60% of the original payment. Usually the consumer opens a separate &#8220;debt settlement&#8221; savings account at the bank of their choice. They make deposits into the account as the debt settlement company negotiates with creditors, lawyers and collection agencies on behalf of consumers to get the debt settled. Debt settlement does not guarantee results or that collectors will not continue to call. Debt settlement stays on credit report and creditors can still sue for the full balance. Most states have laws that protect the consumer. Texas however, is known as a &#8220;debtor friendly state&#8221; and has laws that go further than most when it comes to protecting consumers against creditors.</p>
<p>Communication with Creditors</p>
<p>The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act enforced by The Federal Trade Commission prohibits third party debt collectors from contacting a consumer at inconvenient times or places. A third party debt collector includes collection agencies, lawyers and companies that buy delinquent debt and then try to collect it from the consumer. This federal act only applies to third party collectors, not the original debtor. In Texas, debt collection is regulated by the Texas Debt Collection Act. In this state, the consumer has legal protections against the original debtor as well. They cannot harass the consumer with threaten phone calls, call early in the morning or late at night, fail to identify who holds the debt, give a false name or identification, misrepresent the debt, or employ any other deceptive acts. Theses protections go beyond what consumers in other states experience since they apply to the original creditor as well as to the third party collectors.</p>
<p>Property and Wages</p>
<p>Some states allow creditors to take money directly from a debtor&#8217;s check to get money owed or a consumer could lose their home. In Texas it&#8217;s handled differently.</p>
<p>Some collectors will threaten to take your home or wages to pay for a debt. In Texas, if you residence has been declared a homestead, it cannot be taken to pay a debt except for debts taken from the purchase of the home (i.e. a mortgage in default) for home improvements, for home equity loans or to pay certain taxes. Wages may be garnished only to pay debts related to court-ordered child support, back taxes, and defaulted student loans. Debt collectors&#8217; cannot garnish wages for repayment of consumer debt.</p>
<p>It is best to check with a licenses state of Texas attorney to find out specifics on how to settle debts and judgments in Texas.</p>
<p>Ted Clarke writes for PayingPaul.Com, a company dedicated to helping consumers <a target="_new" href="http://www.payingpaul.com">pay off debt</a> without taking out additional loans. If you are looking to <a target="_new" href="http://www.payingpaul.com/reduce-credit-card-debt.php">reduce credit card debt</a>, feel free to visit PayingPaul.Com for additional resources!</p>
<p>Author: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Clarke">Ted Clarke</a><br />Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Debt-Judgment---Texas&amp;id=3604953">EzineArticles.com</a><br /><a href="http://instantpot.com/benefits/">Benefits of electric pressure cooker</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.chocolatecreditcrunch.com/opinion/debt-judgment-texas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

<!-- Dynamic Page Served (once) in 0.354 seconds -->
