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No one enjoys being in debt, but unfortunatly most people find themselves in debt at one time or another.  There are many steps you can take to make sure that your debt doesn’t get out of control.  By following these six tips, you’ll be following a debt elimination strategy and a get out of debt plan, and you’ll be closer to your goal of debt-free living.

1. Assess Your Debts.  Make sure to verify that your bills are accurate.  By checking your statements carefully each month, you will notice charges that are incorrect.  You will then be able to dispute the charges and avoid paying for errors.

2. Make a Plan - a Get Out of Debt Plan.  Debt doesn’t go away on its own.  Figure out how much you owe.  Make a decision about how quickly you want to pay off your debt, and take realistic and positive steps toward accomplishing your goal. 

3. Create Personal Budget. You have to budget properly to make your plan happen.  Your household budget must specify the exact amount of money devoted to debt repayment, and that payment must be your first priority every month, until the debt is gone.  You can’t spend every cent you have on debt reduction solution.  You will need money for ongoing living expenses.  Part of the budgeting process will be making sure that you have sufficient income to pay off your debt as well as take care of your living expenses. 

4. Reduce Your Spending.  If there doesn’t seem to be room in your budget for your debt repayment plan and your expenses, take a look at your spending habits.  Most of us spend money on things that we want, but don’t necessarily need.  A great way to assess your spending is to save every receipt you get for a week.  Your daily gourmet coffee and muffin habit might not seem like a good idea when you realize it costs $200 per month.

5. Maximize your Savings.  It is an amazing feeling of security to have money in the bank.  But, if you are carrying debt on high interest credit cards and you have money sitting in a low-interest savings account, it might be in your best interest to put the money toward the credit card bill.  Then, you could pay yourself back each month by putting money that would  have gone toward the credit card bill into the bank.  The money you save on interest will be a great help toward your goal of debt elimination.

6. Increase Your Income.  One of the best ways to reduce your debt is to earn additional income that is dedicated to paying off the debt.  Many people take second (or even third) jobs when working toward a debt elimination strategy.  There are numerous opportunities for part-time work and even home based businesses that can help you earn additional income.

By following these tips for debt-free living, you will be making positive steps toward taking control of your finances.  You will be on your way to enjoying a life without debt.

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Manage Your Credit Cards, Manage Your Debts!

One important thing that many people fail to understand is that a credit card is not cash. This is why many are deep in debt. They treat credit cards as money and use them indiscriminately. When used wisely and in moderation, though, credit cards become a very useful and helpful tool in managing finances.

Whether you’re a new credit card holder who is sorely tempted to take your credit card on a buying spree, someone who has been in credit card debt before and managed to get out of debt, or someone in between, here are some tips that can help you say, “I can manage my credit card” so you can avoid the pains that come with financial death.

Tip #1: Plan your credit card purchases.

Planning your credit card purchases is one of the important steps you can take towards managing your credit card debts. Before using your credit card on a purchase, ask yourself how you will pay for it when the credit card bill comes. It’s also important that you assess the items you intend to purchase — is an item something you need or just something you want? If it’s the latter, you may just be experiencing an impulse to buy something. Keep your  credit card in your wallet and walk away. By using your credit cards only on planned and needed purchases, you will save yourself long-term grief caused by mile-high credit card debts.

Tip #2: Spend within your credit card limit.

Manage your credit card debts and payment by spending within your credit limit. It’s wise to know how much credit you have left in your credit card before purchasing anything. It’s also wise to not go over two-thirds of your credit card limit.

Tip #3: Keep credit card statements.

Don’t throw away your credit card statements. If you receive electronic credit card statements, print them out and keep your records together for future reference. Keep in mind that credit card fraud is rampant and this is one reason many people are in debt — they are in debt for purchases they never made. If there are any transactions you do not recognize, report it to your credit card company right away. It also pays to make a list of credit card purchases you make each month. This way, you can compare your list with the credit card statement. Again, if your list and the credit card statement do not match, contact your credit card company as soon as possible.

Tip #4: Know how much you need to pay and when.

Save yourself finance charges and late payments by knowing how much you need to pay and when you need to pay. Unless you have a low interest rate on your purchases, try to pay off all your credit card debts each month. Most credit card companies give you at least two weeks to send payment. If you’re paying with a check, mail your payment a week before it’s due. If your credit card statement is late, call the number on the back of your credit card and find out how much your debt is and what the minimum payment is. As soon as you find out this information, send the payment right away.

Tip #5: Consider Credit Card Consolidation Debt Counseling

Look into credit card consolidation debt counseling options, which can make it much easier for you to pay off your credit card debts. It’s also wise to seek the help of a financial adviser, especially if your financial problems are already too difficult for you to solve on your own. Financial advisers could help you in managing your credit card debts. Some advice on debt consolidation they might give you is to seek financial assistance through bank loans. However, before going ahead with a debt consolidation agency, do your due diligence on the company. Research different debt consolidation agencies and know their  backgrounds. You want to receive the most sound credit card debt advice so you can stop credit card debt.

Of course, the best way to stay out of credit card debt is to minimize using your credit cards. In this case, self-control is an important trait to have. However, if you already have credit card debts that you want to pay off, follow the credit card debt advice we’ve outlined in this article.

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In today’s world, credit is the basis of our purchasing power. Whether you are transacting business over the Internet or any brick-and-mortar establishment, a credit card is an almost indispensable purchasing tool.

However, a person with a poor credit history will find it difficult to secure a credit card or renew a credit card. If you are in this situation, a card credit prepaid secured card is the ideal solution. There are MasterCard and Visa prepaid credit cards available and you can use these prepaid credit cards the same way you would use regular credit cards.

When you open a prepaid credit card account, you will need to “pre-load” your card with cash. This process is similar to loading a pre-paid phone card. You can use a MasterCard and Visa prepaid credit card wherever cards with the MasterCard or Visa logos are accepted.

Advantages of a Prepaid Credit Card

• You can easily obtain a prepaid credit card either by buying it online or from a local retail store. There are no credit checks when applying for a prepaid credit card nor do you have to show proof of income. All you need to do is complete the prepaid credit card application, pay the set up fee and load your account with cash. If you load an initial amount of $200, that amount is your “credit limit.” You can add more funds to your account and however much you have in your account becomes your credit limit.
• You don’t pay any interest charges when you use your MasterCard or Visa prepaid credit card to pay for transactions. You are paying for goods or services with actual money; the amount is automatically deducted from your account in real time, thus there are no interest charges applied on your transactions.
• With a prepaid credit card, you avoid financial or credit problems that are associated with regular credit cards.
• You can use your prepaid credit card wherever cards with the MasterCard and Visa logo are accepted. This means you can use your MasterCard or Visa prepaid credit card practically wherever you are in the world.

Disadvantages of a Prepaid Credit Card

• When you apply for a prepaid credit card, you will have to pay a set up fee, which can cost from $5 to $50. 
• Each time you load cash into your prepaid credit card account, you will have to pay a transaction fee of $5 or more.
• You cannot use your prepaid credit card to pay for purchases if you do not have cash in your prepaid credit card account. For some, this disadvantage is actually an advantage because it can help avoid compulsive spending.
• You cannot use your prepaid credit card to pay for regular payments like monthly electricity bills or online services.

The Verdict

Like all other things in life, the prepaid credit card has both advantages and disadvantages. A prepaid credit card is a useful thing to have, especially if you have a poor credit history. So when choosing a prepaid credit card, compare the rates and choose the one that is best for your situation.

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Credit card debt consolidation allows you to speed up the time for paying off your debts with lower monthly bills. Should you opt for credit card debt consolidation, you can expect to pay off your current debts in three to six years. However, keep in mind that terms and conditions can change in a debt consolidation plan.

Types of Debt Consolidation Loans

Different types of credit card debt consolidation loans are available to you, depending on your ability to pay. For instance, there are debt consolidation loans that you can pay off in a short amount of time at lower interest rates. There are debt consolidation loans that you can pay off in a longer amount of time but at  a higher interest rate.

The interest rates of debt consolidation loans are also variable. For instance, with a variable rate debt consolidation loan, you can make extra repayments anytime without extra cost. However, with a fixed rate debt consolidation loan, you can only pay fixed repayments for the duration of the loan.

Go with the Lowest Available Interest Rate

Many consolidation loan applicants face the problem of not getting the lowest available interest rate. Thus, before signing off with a debt consolidation agency, make sure that the new interest rate on the consolidation loan is indeed lower than the interest rate you are paying to your creditors. Ensure, too, that you can secure your loan with something, such as your house for instance.

To determine if the new interest rate you are being offered on a consolidation loan is indeed better than the current interest rates from your creditors, calculate the interest and fees of your existing accounts. This will give you the total payments you are currently making. Compare this figure with the consolidation loan amount. A good debt consolidation plan will offer you a lower figure.

Tips to Remember When You are Under a Consolidation Loan

As with any type of loan, make timely payments if you are already under a consolidation loan. You should make your credit payments to your consolidation company because they are responsible for dividing the amount and determining how much goes to each of your creditors. 

Making payments on time gives your creditors the impression that you are serious about paying off your debts. Avoid delayed payments or worse, skipping them, as this can prompt your creditors to go back to normal collection activities. Even worse, your creditors can put you back on the regular interest rates and fees.

Keep in constant touch with your consolidation representative. Your account may be turned over to a collection agency so it’s wise to keep your agent updated regarding any changes on your account. This way your agent can work with you and help you solve any problems that may crop up.

Keep an eye out on the monthly statements sent by your creditors and see if the rates have been reduced. Once you are under a debt consolidation plan, your creditors should stop charging you for late fees. Also make sure that your debt consolidation company is paying your creditors the right amount.

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Do you tend to be late in paying your credit card bills? Is your pile of notices from creditors getting higher and higher? Do you fear you might lose your properties because you can’t pay off your credit card debts?

Being in deep credit card debt is not a thing that can be easily brushed off or treated lightly. Anyone who’s been in this situation knows how terrible it feels. However, if you ever find yourself in deep credit card debt, there are things you can do to make your financial situation not worse that it already is.

Tip #1: Budget right away.

Don’t wait until you lose your house. As soon as you find yourself in a bad financial situation, make a budget right away. How much is your income? Does it cover your expenditures? Assess your situation and know which expenditures are vital and which are not. Do you really need to eat out three times a week? Do you truly need to have all the bells and whistles that come with your cellphone plan? Must you shop for clothes every week? Your budget needs to cover all your basic necessities: food, housing, clothes, basic utilities and health-related costs.

FREE Family Budget Ebook to help you get started.

Tip #2: Face your creditors.

Many deal with their creditors by avoiding them or running away from them. Dealing with creditors this way only leads to bigger and more serious problems. If you find yourself having a hard time paying off your debts on time, the best way to deal with it is to contact your creditors right away. Disclose to them your reasons for not being able to pay your debts and ask if they can come up with a revised payment arrangement. It’s important that you let your creditors know that, while you are in debt, you are very willing to pay it off. Face your creditors. Don’t let them reach a point where they pass your situation to a debt collection agency.

Tip #3: Deal with debt collectors.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law clearly stating that debt collectors cannot bug you, give false assertions or do anything that is not fair when they are trying to collect money from you. Read and understand this federal know so you can properly address debt collectors.

Tip #4: Consider credit counseling.

There are groups and institutions that offer credit counseling for those who need help with their financial problems. A good credit counseling organization can help you come up with an improved payment arrangement of your credit card debts. You can present this plan to your creditors for their approval.

Tip #5: File for bankruptcy.

Filing for personal bankruptcy is a last resort to fixing — and the legal way of addressing — your credit card debt. However, keep in mind that if you file for bankruptcy, it will remain in your financial information report for years. Thus, you may find it difficult to get additional credit, buy a house or even get a job with a bankruptcy on your financial information report.

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