Debt Consolidation vs Debt Settlement..which is better?
Date: Fri, 10/14/2005 - 13:03
Settlement will reduce the amount I pay by 40 to 50% but I have to pay the settlement company approx 15% of the total debt reduction. And my credit will be trashed. Plus I'll have to claim the reduction amount as income on my taxes.
In my situation I am going from a working environment with unlimited possibilities for income to a fixed retirement income. My retirement will cover my house and car payment. I can't get credit cards anymore because I'll never be able to afford the payments, so if my credit is trashed that shouldn't make a difference. Yet I'll be paying far less on the cards than if I did the consolidation, which would be a struggle to keep up with the payment that I would have to make to them. And I never would have seen this happening, otherwise I never would have used the credit cards.
So which would be the better solution and what issues am I not considering in making this decision?
Thanks..
MsMistchf, As I have stated in my previous post, leave the co
MsMistchf,
As I have stated in my previous post, leave the consultant to do the best negotiation for you with the creditors. But he should ensure that your creditors report your accounts to the bureaus with the remark 'paid in full' or 'paid as agreed'.
Consolidation or settlement programs reduce the total amount of your debt but the most important thing is the remark that will appear in your credit report. Your file should not have 'Settled' term otherwise this negative remark will stay for the next 7 years.
Your credit report is the most important and prestigious financial document and you and your consultant should ensure that it gives a good view towards your identity.
Regards
Roxette
Please help me
On a settlement program, do this show that I am behind on my accounts while this money is accumilating in a bank account. With a settlememt program what is being done to my credit cards while tha lawyers are negotiating?
"Your credit report is the most important and prestigious financ
"Your credit report is the most important and prestigious financial document"
So the banks like to make you believe
i need reassurance of this program
difficult to get phone contact so call me 7033809832 client # 797591 call before i decide to bail on this program.
Dear MsMistchf Both debt settlement and debt consolidation ad
Dear MsMistchf
Both debt settlement and debt consolidation adversly affects your credit. With debt consolidation your interest rates are reduced, but not the principal balance you owe your creditor.
Your payments will be less then they were, but not significantly, since you are still paying your debts in full. Lenders view debt consolidation as almost as negative as bankruptcy. I have been in the banking and mortgage industry for 15 years and lenders view debt consolidation as third party intervention, which indicates you do not manage your money well. The length of time to pay off the debt with debt consolidation is usually much longer then with debt settlement. Your credit is affected for the length of time you are enrolled in the debt consolidation program. They usually charge a monthly fee
With debt settlement your credit is also affected. Once your debts are settled your creidt score will improve. Your debts are typically settled for 40 to 60% less then the debt amount.
The fee the debt settlement company charges can be anywhere from 15 to 25%. Some companies charge monthly fees on top of the percentage charged, which brings the total percentage up much higher then it first appears. Some companies just charge a flat percentage rate with no monthly fees. The amount of time it takes to be debt free depends on the program you enroll in and the amount of debt you have. Most programs take anywhere from 12 to 48 months. There are many things you should consider when choosing a debt settlement company. Do they have attorneys who oversee your case? Are they members of USOBA (United States Organization of Bankruptcy Alternatives), the most respected association for debt settlement companies? Do they do a thorough analysis of your entire financial situation to determine if debt settlement is right for you or if you should consider a different course of action? Does your money go twards settling your debts from day one of the program or do they take all their fees up front before your debts are settled?
I have $50,000 in credit card debt and have interviewed debt con
I have $50,000 in credit card debt and have interviewed debt consoliators and debt settlement companies. From what I have gathered from both of them is that either options is a negative on my credit score. After speaking with counselors from both companies I have one question...Why can't I negotiate this for myself? Is there somewhere I can go to determine the parameters needed to succeed in this endeavor?
i am 5 months into a debt settlement co. and still receiving con
i am 5 months into a debt settlement co. and still receiving constant phone calls from creditors. i just spoke with one of them extensively and they insisted that they DO NOT NEGOTIATE with debt settlement co. so they are trying to involve me in a debt mgnt program, they also said they are settling at $.35 on the dollar, etc. after going over all my debt, the monthly payments will still be as high as they were when i initally had trouble paying them. i am so confused as to what to do at this point? any suggestions????
Try with Debt free Sos. I hade a good experience whith them... w
Try with Debt free Sos. I hade a good experience whith them... was very clear an tranparent, you can follow your process 24/7. ;)