Questions to Ask a Credit Counseling Service about Debt Relief
Debt relief is a topic on a lot of consumers' minds these days, and with good reason. American credit card debt in 2001 was $692 billion, triple the amount from 1989. In that same time period, the average credit card increase for a middle-class family was 75%. The amounts were even higher for low-income families and senior citizens. At one time, such a high amount of credit card debt would seem frivolous as buyers spent money they didn't have on luxury items such as electronics or jewelry. Today, however, in less stable economic times and a poor job market, more people are turning to credit cards as a way to extend their income. More and more debt is being rung up for everyday items such as groceries and medical bills. How can people get real help with debt relief?
Credit counseling services were originally established by credit card companies who wanted to get at least some of their money back before a client decided to declare bankruptcy. While that may seem shady to some people, for others it is a legitimate way to pay the debt they owe.
When seeking debt relief, however, be wary and be an informed consumer. Do your research before signing on with any one service. Here are some questions to ask:
* How much does it cost? Many less-than-reputable services charge hundreds of dollars to start up, money that doesn't go to any of your creditors.
* Does the service notify credit bureaus about your enrollment in their program? Some do and some don't. Creditors may still elect to put a bad mark on your credit report, but the agency you are looking at for debt relief shouldn't.
* What services are offered? Do they offer a range of solutions from trouble-shooting before finances are a big problem to debt management. Beware of companies promising too quick a solution or promising to "fix" your credit report.
* What are the benefits of belonging to one particular group over another? For example, some services offer newsletters and budgeting tips, all to help you become more stable when your debt is paid off.
* Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau? If that is not advertised, check them out with BBB first.
With time, patience and diligence, you can become debt free.
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Debt-Relief-Solutions.com. He provides more debt consolidation, credit counseling, repair and free debt relief information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:51:51 GMT Day After, WNBA Untangles Brawl - New York Times
New York Times - By MIKE OGLE Some of the WNBA’s biggest stars commanded national attention Tuesday night and into Wednesday - but not in a way their teams or the league wanted. Don't count on fights becoming WNBA trend WNBA may have a fighting chance Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:06:48 GMT Aurilia, Vizquel help Giants rally for win - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News - By Andrew Baggarly It would be difficult to claim that the Giants improved their playoff hopes when they rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night. Aurilia gets key hit, makes pitch for old guys Giants rally in eighth to edge Nats Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:43:04 GMT Sudan's president boogies on last Darfur pit stop - AFP
AFP - EL GENEINA, Sudan (AFP) - A dancing Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir paraded as a man of peace on Thursday during a heavily protected tour of Darfur defying accusations that he masterminded genocide in the region. Sudan counters charges with diplomacy Al-Bashir in Sudan peace pledge Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:15:43 GMT Finding Bale's dark side - Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times - BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist 'The Dark Knight'' star Christian Bale's alleged ''assault'' in London against his mother and sister is part of a long-simmering family feud. Batman star stays silent in Spain Christian Bale's lady sidekick: Sibi Bale Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:08:50 GMT Obama to demand more from Europe in Berlin speech - Reuters
Reuters - By Caren Bohan and Noah Barkin BERLIN (Reuters) - US presidential candidate Barack Obama is expected to call on Europe to do more in hotspots like Afghanistan when he speaks in Berlin on Thursday in his only formal address of a week-long foreign tour. Berliners welcome Obama as they did JFK Obama Starts European Trip With Stop in Germany Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:25:11 GMT Hunt begins for Karadzic helpers - BBC News
BBC News - Officials investigating captured Bosnian Serb ex-leader Radovan Karadzic say they will track down and punish those who aided his false identity. Video: Karadzic plans to defend himself in The Hague Kenya: Karadzic's Fate a Lesson Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:47:45 GMT US cancer boss in mobiles warning - BBC News
BBC News - The director of a leading US cancer research institute has sent a memo to thousands of staff warning of possible higher risks from mobile phone use. Cell phones: The next cigarettes? Group sees possible link to brain cancer Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:35:11 GMT RSS2Blog |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... If you have multiple debts, you may well be wishing... Read More With mounting bills and unforeseen hardships, you may be considering... Read More Lots of people take a large ammount of loans and... Read More Massive debt is something many Americans face. Debt reduction is... Read More The overwhelming task of eliminating your debts can often seem... Read More This May, the Department of Trade and Industry in the... Read More Of all the problems possible in a marriage, finances cause... Read More It seems as though whenever we go out for the... Read More If you have incurred substantial personal debt, consider these options:... Read More Recently passed by Congress with overwhelming support, the oddly-named Bankruptcy... Read More Are you still clearing a mountain of debt amassed last... Read More I have faced this financial question 8 years ago and... Read More If you are in debt, well over your head in... Read More Debt Management plans offer credit counseling clients a different and... Read More It all starts by defaulting on an obligation: Money owed... Read More No, that's not a misprint. Even though falling interest rates... Read More OK, so you are up to your head in debt.... Read More It happens all the time. Debt collectors try to collect... Read More Today's consumers benefit drastically from the usefulness of credit. Credit... Read More Next to winning the lottery, a debt consolidation loan is... Read More There are many debt relief programs out there both off... Read More Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you're... Read More In this era where we are bombarded daily with commercials... Read More As a single mother, lets admit it, times get tough.... Read More Do you have multiple debts? Do you have just one... Read More
Adsense
websites
Debt Elimination 1
Do It Yourself Debt Relief
Deal with All Your Debts with Care!
Debt Reduction, a Necessary Endeavour
Eliminating Credit Card Debt
Individual Voluntary Arrangements- A New Alternative to Bankruptcy
How Do You Spell Debt Relief?
Save Money When Going Out
How to Reduce Your Debt in 5 Easy Steps
New Bankruptcy Law Will Not Protect You from Identity Theft
Debt Free and Carefree
Should You Invest In Savings Or Payoff Your Debts?
5 Options Toward Debt Relief
Debt Management - Is It the Right Choice For You?
Going Bankrupt in the World
Whatever You Do....Dont Save Money!
Debt Recovery Can be Easy
Debt Validation: Do you have to pay ?
Help for the Single Mother with Managing Credit and Debt
Eight Ways to Consolidate Debt
Two Ways To Debt Relief
Drowning in Debt? Tips and Tricks for Getting Out of Hot Water with Creditors
Is There Any Way To Get Out Of Debt?
Solutions to Single Mothers in Debt
Is There A Way Out Of Your Debt Problems?
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Corporate Debt Management ? Perspective on the Why
Entrepreneurs have a tough time in their formative years. They... Read More
Personal Debt Reduction Practices
Personal debt reduction practices, the steps people take to relieve... Read More
The Simple $10 Debt Elimination Solution
Ask a friend what resolutions they made for 2004 and... Read More
Debt Getting You Down? - Make a List!
Debt is not much fun and when faced with it,... Read More
Craving For Financial Freedom
Have you ever felt trapped in a Rat Race and... Read More
Is There A Way Out Of Your Debt Problems?
Do you have multiple debts? Do you have just one... Read More
Going Bankrupt in the World
It all starts by defaulting on an obligation: Money owed... Read More
Solutions to Single Mothers in Debt
As a single mother, lets admit it, times get tough.... Read More
Bankruptcy Your Best Bet?
Filing bankruptcy is a common practice among the U.S. Over... Read More
Is Independence Overrated?
Happy Independence Day from The Money Motivator!If you don't celebrate... Read More
Getting Past The Idea Of Budgeting & Saving Money
I'm sure you'll agree that budgeting, saving money, and eliminating... Read More
The Debt Free Lifestyle
Many people have been taught that you cannot get ahead... Read More
Debt Free and Carefree
Are you still clearing a mountain of debt amassed last... Read More
Stop Debt Collectors
Can you stop debt collectors ? . . .You better... Read More
Life on a Debt Management Program
Signing up for a debt management program is easy; it's... Read More
Debt Help and Advice for the UK
At some time or another during our lives most of... Read More
The 7 Secrets to Getting?and Staying?Out of Debt
As vice president of the American Credit Foundation, a nonprofit... Read More
Debt Collectors; And what you can do to Get Them Out of your Life
FTC opinion letter on validation Section 809(a) of the FDCPA,... Read More
How Do You Spell Debt Relief?
Of all the problems possible in a marriage, finances cause... Read More
What Does A Bankruptcy Trustee Do?
Once you file bankruptcy a court appointed bankruptcy trustee will... Read More
Reduce Your Debt With These 5 Tips
It's never pleasant to realize that you're in financial hot... Read More
Debt Collectors: Men or Mice?
Who are these people anyway? They viciously harass you and... Read More
New Bankruptcy Law ? Five Essential Things to Know
Last April, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection... Read More
Debt Elimination
If you're reading this article right now I'm sure that... Read More
Should You Join a CCCS - Consumer Credit Counseling Service for Debt Relief and Financial Freedom?
Do You Need to Join a CCCS - Consumer Credit... Read More
Debt Relief |