Credit for Paycheck

Brooke Hayles asked:


If you don’t get on top of your credit problems fast, they will continue to haunt you and eventually consume your life. When you have over committed yourself and the bills are pouring in, the worst thing you can do is just meet minimum payments. You will find yourself getting in deeper and deeper until you are drowning in debt. If you choose to see a consumer credit counselor, you need to ensure they are qualified and authentic in their services.

Who To See?

There are large consumer credit counseling companies with strong reputations, and there are small individuals who are practically unheard of. If you are in over your head, you need to enlist the services of someone who is trained in consumer credit counseling. If you see someone who is a con artist, you could end up with even more problems. Make sure they are certified, and they will be able to help you.

Considering Bankruptcy?

If you have left it too late to seek help, you may find you are forced to go to a consumer credit counseling agency. If you get to the point where you are going bankrupt, you have to see a professional about it by law. The consumer credit counseling agent will provide documentation that enables you to file your claim.

A professional consumer credit counselor will look at your situation in many ways, even if you are considering bankruptcy. They will not only look at how to get you out of debt, but how to get you in a positive financial position. This includes savings plans and improving your credit.

Get Another Point Of View

A fresh set of eyes is sometimes all you need. Someone trained to deal with budgeting and finances may be able to change your budget around for you so you wont need to file for bankruptcy or get to that point at all. You will discuss all your spending habits with them so every area can come under the microscope. Your consumer credit counselor will have some tips and tricks for you on stretching your dollar further that could change your spending habits for life.

Managing your debt will be high on the list for discussion when you meet with the consumer credit counseling agency. They will definitely advise you never to pay minimum amounts off debts, and will teach you what a difference paying extra can make. It will be a high priority to work out how you can completely pay off credit cards ASAP to save money.

Many people with financial difficulties don’t think it is possible to ever regain their credit. This is not true, and the consumer credit counseling agent will show you how it can be done. Every time you pay out a debt, your rating will get better.

You want to come away from your consumer credit counseling meeting feeling like you have a fresh approach to your problem. You want to be sure every base is covered and you know exactly what your plan is and how to execute it. It will take time, but seeing a consumer credit counselor is something you will never regret. You can contact the Federal Trade Commission or The National Foundation for more information or referral to a counselor who specializes in consumer credit counseling.

Be Open And Honest

A fresh set of eyes is sometimes all you need. Someone trained to deal with budgeting and finances may be able to change your budget around for you so you wont need to file for bankruptcy or get to that point at all. You will discuss all your spending habits with them so every area can come under the microscope. It will be a complete waste of time if you aren’t willing to be 100% honest about your situation and how you got into it. Your consumer credit counselor will have some tips and tricks for you on stretching your dollar further that could change your spending habits for life.

Summary:

You don’t need to hide from your debt problems any longer. Do something before it catches up with you and make an appointment with a qualified consumer credit counselor. If you need to file for bankruptcy, the sooner you meet with them the better. After your first appointment, you will have a clear plan and some goals to work towards.

Marlon Baugh asked:


Typically consumers that have overwhelming debt have two options, either enter into a Consumer Credit Counseling Program or declare Bankruptcy.   While the two options may have a lot of similarities, most will opt to enrolling into a Consumer Credit Counseling program for such reasons as it is more cost effective and easier to implement.

Many credit card companies and creditors realize that it would be more beneficial to actually work with debtors and make affordable payment arrangements than to pursue typical collection activities.  Instead they work with each of the individual’s creditors to come to some agreement that will result into a reduced single payment plan, a consolidation of their debt, and or a reduction of interest rates and late fees – thus making it possible for the debtor to repay his or her debts over a period of 3 – 5 years. Once enrolled, the debtor will make a single payment to the consumer credit counseling service, and then the counseling service will make all the payments to the creditors.

One of the advantages of credit counseling services is to educate their client about debt management and budgeting.

The main disadvantage of enrolling into consumer credit counseling services is that many creditors will make a notation on the debtor’s credit report indicating that the debt is being managed by consumer credit counseling agency.

Another major issue that a client may experience is, even though they are making their monthly payments to the credit counseling service on time, the credit counseling service doesn’t make the payments to the creditors on time. Now this will reflect on the client’s credit report as late payments.

And to add fuel to the fire, it is not uncommon for the credit counseling service to make the payments on time, while the creditors are not accepting the reduced payment amounts. This, too, would negatively affect the consumer’s credit report.

However, if you are in the market to purchase a home or refinance, it is important to find a mortgage expert that specializes in helping individuals that have been enrolled or that are currently enrolled in consumer credit counseling services.  The lender will request from the credit counseling agency a copy of the agreement which will indicating the date the consumer entered into the program, all the creditors involved, and the payment history of the consumer’s payments. From this information, the lender will then determine if the client qualifies for a mortgage loan.  FHA LENDER’S understand that if the consumer has been making their payments on time to the consumer credit counseling agency, but the creditors have been getting their payments late, then that’s not the fault of the consumer and shouldn’t penalize them from purchasing a home or refinancing their home.

It is important to note that many lenders view credit counseling services as similar to a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, because both can entail a payment plan and re-negotiation of debt payments. (And, in fact, some people who are using a credit counseling service do end up filing bankruptcy because they still don’t have the income or money management skills to handle the payments.) So, in some cases use of such a service can be a negative.

However, many FHA Lenders recognize that if a person is attempting to handle debt responsibly by enrolling in these types of services, then that person probably takes their financial commitments seriously. In general, in order to get a mortgage the borrower must have a 12-month history of paying on time and a letter from the counseling service stating that purchasing a home or refinancing will not interfere with the repayment plan.  Thanks to FHA Loans, consumer credit counseling services will not restrict the borrower from obtaining a low interest rate mortgage loan.

Henna Youngman asked:


Debt consolidation credit counseling might be just what the doctor ordered for you or not. If you are drowning and debt and don’t what to do a credit counselor may be able to help.

Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling is Not Hard to Do

Your first contact at a debt consolidation credit counseling agency is often a credit counselor. A good credit counselor will want to meet with you locally in person first. The counselor will provide you with customized education and what your option are before you need to make any choices. The primary service that most credit counseling agencies provide today are Debt Management Plans (DMP). With creditor approval a debtor submits a lump sum to their credit counselor as a key feature of a DMP.

Finding a Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling Agency

It is hard to find good debt consolidation credit counseling for several reasons today. Helpful places to start looking are the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCA) and the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). You can find recommendations to follow up on by doing your own due diligence. Once you have a short list of credit counselors in your area use Google to search for positive and negative reports on each agency. Make sure they have a clean record with the local Better Business Bureau as well.

Beware Aggressive Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling

There are more scam debt consolidation credit counseling agencies today than ever before. Protect yourself by doing your homework before meeting with any counselors. Check out the debt consolidation credit counseling agency online and with the Better Business Bureau. Look out for upfront payment demands

Credit Reports and Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from the three major bureaus annually. Get a copy and review it before you take on any debt consolidation credit counseling. After completing counseling or a DMP check your credit report again for any notes or improvements. Some positive benefits to your credit report could be the removal of delinquent payments or “re-aging” of your accounts by creditors. Lenders may take credit counseling as a plus or a minus depending on their bias to words lending.

Do I Need Debt Consolidation Credit Counseling Before I File For Bankruptcy

There have been some important changes to understand with the adoption of the Bankruptcy act of 2005. You must complete federally approved credit counseling at least six months in advance of filing for bankruptcy. So even if bankruptcy is your preferred choice of action a good understanding of credit counseling is still needed.

Debt consolidation credit counseling can help you to take care of business. Do your research and find a great credit counselor. Don’t procrastinate get on with it immediately.