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Negotiating Your Way to a Better Deal Without
Breaking Your Budget
You probably have seen the commercials about the harassing
creditors and have thought that is you. Some days you may not
even want to answer your phone. Why is that?
It usually is because some of the creditors you deal with are
not very negotiable. If you encounter a problem like this it is
best to find a professional who is qualified to help you
receive lower interest rates, settle on a reduced amount to be
paid in full, or help determine reasonable monthly
payments.
That is an extreme situation, however. Most creditors are happy
to at least get you on the phone, and all they really truly
want is an answer.
How to Talk to Creditors Who Call
If a creditor phones you to ask you when you will be able to
pay a bill do not say "I don't know." Saying "I don't know" is
the fast track to an unpleasant argument. Instead, if you
are on the phone with them say you will pay it on a specific
date-even if you do not know if you can.
The only exception would be if you are required to put in
writing when you will pay your debts. In this case tell them
something such as you will call your accountant. Then, set a
date when the creditor can call you back.Dealing with Different
Types of Creditors
Of all the types of creditors to deal with, student loan
companies are probably the easiest to negotiate with. You have
several options before you even become near being in
default.
You can obtain a forbearance, receive a deferment (no-interest
grace period extension), or simply send in an amount you can
afford. They usually will work with you and usually these type
of lenders are easy to negotiate with and usually do not
require a professional.
The hardest creditors to deal with usually are the credit card
companies. They usually are very rigid-even if you are a
faithful customer who has paid every month for several months.
However, it is usually the high-interest credit card
companies.
About Debt Negotiation Help
Different types of debt negotiation help include credit
counseling, dept management plan, and debt consolidation.
Bankruptcy is another option, although in most cases is a last
resort. Please see the definition list below for further
explanation:
Credit Counseling: One or more consultations scheduled
in order to discuss your financial situation as a whole. Credit
counselors will usually ask you some questions about the amount
of money you make and help you be accountable as you devise a
reasonable monthly budget. Your new financial plan (budget)
usually will involve the allocation of money toward repayment
of past debts.
Debt Management Plan: This is a specific system
used by professionals to help people calculate how much of
their debt they can pay back per month. This system is usually
based on a certain block of time, such as two, three, or five
years.
Using this type of repayment plan your financial counselor
usually will handle all of your money. All you need to do is
deposit it in an account set up by your debt manager (financial
counselor).
This system of repayment can be costly, as you need to pay the
person who manages your debt for their time. However, often
non-profit organizations and churches offer reduced-fee plans
for low-income people.
Debt Consolidation: This is the process of combining all
your debt together (usually unsecured ones like credit cards
and quick loans) in order to only have to make one monthly
payment. Financial counselors will usually calculate the
anticipated payment schedule of consolidated loans in order to
determine if it is worth it for you to consolidate.
If your new interest rate after consolidation will be lower
then it would be worth it to combine all your bills. If not,
then you probably should not consider this option.
Further Debt Negotiation Information
You can perform a local Internet search to find available
creditors in your area. You can also check your local phone
listings or ask your friends or family who they would
recommend. You can also check the government section of your
phone book to see if your state, city, or county offers special
low-income debt negotiation programs.
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