• Top Freedom Debt Management News – April 2, 2010
  Posted on Friday, April 2nd, 2010 in Freedom Debt Management – Comments: (0)
  Debt Settlement Choose Better Debt Settlement | Better Information …

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Top Freedom Debt Management Info in Apr

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April 2, 2010

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Top Freedom Debt Management News – April 2, 2010

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• Credit Self Help
  Posted on Friday, June 5th, 2009 in Do It Yourself Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  Credit self help strategies need to begin with pulling your credit report so you know what is being reported about you and your debts.All Americans are now eligible to receive a free copy of each of the three major credit reports on an annual basis.  This is to help consumers manage their credit, but most importantly monitor it to ensure they have not fallen victim to identity theft.  I encourage everyone to make this part of their annual financial planning.Here is the website:      https://www.annualcreditreport.comThey will take you through a series of questions to make sure you are who you say you are, and the questions they ask only you would know the answer to, as they pull them from your credit reports.You will be given the option to purchase one or all 3 of your FICO scores too.  I also recommend you do this, as this will tell you how banks view your credit report from a lending stand point.
• Debt Reduction Tools
  Posted on Monday, June 1st, 2009 in Debt Management Software – Comments: (0)
  There are many different debt reduction tools on the market, both free and paid.  If you only have a few debts to manage, and your situation is fairly simple, then a free tool will work just as well as a paid tool.  If your situation is complex, either you have many debt accounts or you have business and personal debts you want to manage, a paid version may be a better alterative for the long run.For a simple debt reduction tool, you can find several templates in Google Docs, which is online storage for personal or business documents that you can share with others.  When you sign up for a Google account, and access Google Docs, they have templates that are public tools available to be used by an any user.    Once in Google Docs, you can access under New, From Template.Here is a link to a loan amortization calculator.
• How to Eliminate Credit Card Debt
  Posted on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 in Do It Yourself Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  How to eliminate credit card is really dependent on the amount you owe and your cash flow.If you have been consistently making your payments on time, and continue to have the cash flow to support the payments, then this simple strategy will help tremendously.Step 1Make a list of all your debts, including: who is owed, balance, interest rate, minimum payment required.Step 2Evaluate your cash flow.  How much do you have to put toward your debt load each month.  Look at your income, less your usual expense (mortgage or rent, utilities, discretionary, savings). Step 3Take the amount you have to pay towards your debt each month, and apply the minimum monthly payment against each debt.  Then, take the additional amount you have left, and apply it to the credit card with the highest rate first until this debt is paid off.  Once you have paid off your first debt, then take the freed up cash flow, and apply it all to your next highest interest rate debt.
• IRS Debt Help
  Posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 in IRS Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  This is an informative website that can help with some of your IRS debt help questions.
• Bankruptcy Self Help
  Posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 in Do It Yourself Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  Can I File For Bankruptcy Self Help?Though technically you can enter into bankruptcy on your own, I DO NOT recommend it.  It will be well worth the time and stress in hiring a specialized bankruptcy attorney to help you through the process.To file Chapter 7, which is a full liquidation (if you qualify), attorney fees can run around $1700 and up, depending on the complexity of your case.To file Chapter 13, which is a wage earners plan, basically a reorganization of debt with a repayment plan of 3-5 years, attorney fees can start at $3000 and up.  It is more expensive to file for Chapter 13 because your case is open for 3-5 years through the repayment plan, which requires attorney involvement throughout the process.Filing for bankruptcy is not an easy decision, but you may be faced with it.  And if so, I encourage you to find 2 – 3 of specialized bankruptcy attorneys in your area that offer a free initial consultation for you to meet them and ask questions, and find out what all your options are.

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Top Freedom Debt Management Info in Jun

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This is one that comes with a price tag of $47, but I think its well worth it.  If you are someone with debt, and has the ability to pay more than your minimum monthly payments, then this tool will help you get out of debt faster and save you money.  It also comes with several freebies that will help you get out of debt and stay out of debt. 

Money management isn’t just a skill set, it’s a way of thinking.  And until you change how you think about money, you will always be in debt. 

This tool comes with a money back guarantee – so if you try it and it doesn’t meet your needs, then just request a refund, no questions asked.

Here is what you get:

• Rapid Debt Reducer! Is the most comprehensive personal debt management software available anywhere. This is the main program, which helps you develop a precise debt repayment plan. It stacks your debts and makes suggestions regarding the quickest repayment strategies. 
• Basic Budgeting! creates, a simple step-by-step budget. Making it easy to manage where your money goes each paycheck is vital to getting a handle on your finances and is a key part in eliminating your need for credit. 
• Investment Calculator! How would you like to be a Millionaire? Have fun with this built in investment calculator. Try inputting the amount that you are currently paying on your debts and see what you could have in a few short years in a tax-deferred account. Once all debt are paid off create an emergency fund first and then start saving for your American Dream.  
• Financial Tools! The Rapid debt reducer comes with ten financial calculators presented as scenarios, Loan comparator, Money Saving Tips, and money/time saving charts.

BUY NOW

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Debt Settlement Software

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Though technically you can enter into bankruptcy on your own, I DO NOT recommend it.  It will be well worth the time and stress in hiring a specialized bankruptcy attorney to help you through the process.

To file Chapter 7, which is a full liquidation (if you qualify), attorney fees can run around $1700 and up, depending on the complexity of your case.

To file Chapter 13, which is a wage earners plan, basically a reorganization of debt with a repayment plan of 3-5 years, attorney fees can start at $3000 and up.  It is more expensive to file for Chapter 13 because your case is open for 3-5 years through the repayment plan, which requires attorney involvement throughout the process.

Filing for bankruptcy is not an easy decision, but you may be faced with it.  And if so, I encourage you to find 2 – 3 of specialized bankruptcy attorneys in your area that offer a free initial consultation for you to meet them and ask questions, and find out what all your options are.

photo credit: laura padgett

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Bankruptcy Self Help

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If you have been consistently making your payments on time, and continue to have the cash flow to support the payments, then this simple strategy will help tremendously.

Step 1

Make a list of all your debts, including: who is owed, balance, interest rate, minimum payment required.

Step 2
Evaluate your cash flow.  How much do you have to put toward your debt load each month.  Look at your income, less your usual expense (mortgage or rent, utilities, discretionary, savings). 

Step 3

Take the amount you have to pay towards your debt each month, and apply the minimum monthly payment against each debt.  Then, take the additional amount you have left, and apply it to the credit card with the highest rate first until this debt is paid off.  Once you have paid off your first debt, then take the freed up cash flow, and apply it all to your next highest interest rate debt.

Now, if you have credit card debt and mortgage debt, do not apply extra payments towards your mortgage until all credit card debt is paid.  Mortgage debt is still currently tax deductible, and consumer debt is not, so the net interest rate you are paying on your mortgage is actually less than the actual interest rate because of the benefits of the tax deduction.

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

How to Eliminate Credit Card Debt

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All Americans are now eligible to receive a free copy of each of the three major credit reports on an annual basis.  This is to help consumers manage their credit, but most importantly monitor it to ensure they have not fallen victim to identity theft.  I encourage everyone to make this part of their annual financial planning.

Here is the website:      https://www.annualcreditreport.com

They will take you through a series of questions to make sure you are who you say you are, and the questions they ask only you would know the answer to, as they pull them from your credit reports.

You will be given the option to purchase one or all 3 of your FICO scores too.  I also recommend you do this, as this will tell you how banks view your credit report from a lending stand point.  Are you credit worthy?  I will discuss the details of FICO in a later post.  For now, in order to get your credit in shape, you need to know where you currently stand.

Once you pull each of the credit reports, go through them in their entirety and ensure there are no problems, issues or mistakes.  Highlight anything unusual, and I will provide steps in a later post on how to deal with any inaccuracies.

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Credit Self Help

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• Understand basic tax information
• Determine if you need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Learn about special tax credits
• Help prevent identity theft
• Understand why it’s important to follow the tax laws
• Learn more about the tax end of starting a small business
• Understand your options when you owe the IRS money
• Get your tax refund quickly and fairly

Tax Payer Advocate

photo credit: ColumbusCameraOp 

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

IRS Debt Help

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For a simple debt reduction tool, you can find several templates in Google Docs, which is online storage for personal or business documents that you can share with others.  When you sign up for a Google account, and access Google Docs, they have templates that are public tools available to be used by an any user.    Once in Google Docs, you can access under New, From Template.

Here is a link to a loan amortization calculator.  You can enter in your debt information, and calculate various scenarios including how long it will take to pay off a debt based on a certain monthly payment and inertest rate.  Or, if you want to pay off a debt within a certain timeframe, calculate the monthly amount you would need to pay to achieve that goal.

Loan Amortization Calculator

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Debt Reduction Tools

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• Debt Settlement Companies
  Posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 in Debt Negotiation Services – Comments: (0)
  Before you hire a debt settlement company, you need to do your research to ensure they are reputable and will not just take your money with no follow through on their promises.  Many people think all debt settlement companies are a scam, but if you read the general concerns about debt settlement, the most common problem identified is how your credit will be hurt by using one of these companies.  In all reality, if you are at a point of needing the services of a debt settlement company, I doubt your credit score is really a priority.  If you can’t pay your bills, it doesn’t matter if you have good credit.I recommend researching all companies though first, and this includes searching the company name in any search engine (Google, in example).  If you search for the company name in quotations (“Debt Settlement ABC”), this will narrow your search to the most relevant content.
• Ways to Get Out of Debt
  Posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 in Credit Card Debt Solutions – Comments: (0)
  There are many different ideas about ways to get out of debt, and throughout this blog, I will educate you on various ideas and provide the advantages and disadvantages to each. But to start at a very simple point, you need to understand how you got into debt in the first place.  Unless you figure this out, all the tips and tricks in the world to get you out will be short lived.  I have worked with many clients over the years on debt management, and the bottom line is, getting to the source of the problem and developing a different way of thinking about money will truly help you overcome the debt burden for good.Before I go into how to get out, I want you to take a few hours and organize all of your debts and monthly bills.  I recommend using a spreadsheet or just simply writing it out on a piece of paper.
• Debt Management Spreadsheet
  Posted on Monday, May 11th, 2009 in Debt Management Software – Comments: (0)
  A simple and affordable way to get a handle on your finances while not requiring fancy software is by creating a Debt Management Spreadsheet in excel or any spreadsheet software program.The information you need to gather to effectively analyze your debts is the following: Due Date Creditor Name Total Amount Owed Minimum Payment Required Interest Rate Website Login InformationIf you compile all the information above, this will give you everything you need in one place to help effectively analyze and manage your debt situation.  You may consider adding all of your monthly bills to this spreadsheet (utilities, rent, mortgage, etc), and also do a similar exercise for your dictionary expenses (food, entertainment, etc) and establish a budget for each item to help control spending.
• Free Debt Management Software
  Posted on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 in Debt Management Software – Comments: (0)
  Throughout this blog, I will analyze various free debt management software tools.  Here is the first one I tested:Credit Federal Free Budget Calculator to help manage expenses. Also includes a Savings Calculator to determine interest earnings. I like this because it’s simple, and includes  several different calculators all bundled in one.  You can calculate your monthly budget, see how interest accrues when saving, and different loan calculators such as auto loans and mortgages.  This would not be recommended for managing cash flow long term, but its perfect for someone just getting started on trying to understand their current financial situaion.
• Podcat Alley Feed
  Posted on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 in Freedom Debt Management – Comments: (0)
  My Podcast Alley feed!

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Of all creditors, the IRS is not one you want to sweep under the rug in hopes it will just go away. 

As with most of my advice, I recoded you gain control of any debts you owe to the IRS.  I understand that you may not be able to pay it, but avoiding it will cost you more in the long run than dealing with the issue head on.

Here are a few FAQs with answers that I pulled direct from the IRS website.  This explains the importance of staying in contact with the IRS to best help them work with you in putting together a solution for your situation.

Why Should I File My Tax Return as Soon as Possible?

There are two advantages to filing as soon as possible:

Generally, if a taxpayer is due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes paid, it must be claimed within 3 years of the return due date or risk losing the right to it. The same rule applies to a right to claim a tax credit such as the Earned Income Credit (EIC).

Self-employed persons who do not file a return will not receive credits toward Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Failure to file results in not reporting any self-employment income to the Social Security Administration.

What If I Owe More Than I Can Pay?

Even if a taxpayer doesn’t have enough money to pay, returns should be filed to avoid further penalties for failure to file. The IRS will assist in finding a solution to the problem.

The IRS has streamlined its policies to offer alternative account resolutions if a taxpayer cannot pay in full with the return:

The IRS will help to set up an installment agreement when the situation warrants. Installment payments allow taxpayers to pay the tax debt over time.

The IRS will consider whether an offer in compromise is an appropriate solution.

What If I Don’t File Voluntarily?

The IRS is taking enforcement steps for those who repeatedly choose not to comply with the law. IRS employees will prepare returns when taxpayers do not file. The returns prepared by the IRS might not give credit for deductions and exemptions a taxpayer may be entitled to receive. Bills will be sent to those taxpayers for the tax due, plus penalties and interest.

People who repeatedly don’t comply with the law are subject to additional enforcement measures.

How Can I Avoid Owing Money on Next Year’s Return?

Many people don’t file tax returns because they don’t have enough money to pay the tax they owe. They find out after completing their return that their withholding or Estimated Tax payments do not equal their tax liability.

To help avoid this situation, the IRS can advise taxpayers how to ask an employer to withhold enough tax from their pay. For any income that is not subject to withholding, the IRS can provide information necessary to make quarterly payments to cover any amount to be owed. To make payments electronically, see Payment Options – Ways To Make a Payment or go to the EFTPS Web site.

Changes in financial circumstances could have an impact on taxes. For example, an increase in income, divorce, or selling an asset, may require adjustments to withholding or estimated payments.

By taking these steps, taxpayers will be better able to meet their tax obligations and avoid tax day surprises.

Will I Go to Jail?

A long-standing practice of the IRS has been not to recommend criminal prosecution of individuals for failure to file tax returns, provided they voluntarily file, or make arrangements to file, before being notified they are under criminal investigation. The taxpayer must make an honest effort to file a correct return and have income from legal sources. A letter from the IRS concerning taxes is not a notice that a taxpayer is under criminal investigation.

The IRS helps to get people back into the system as part of its long-term plan to improve voluntary tax compliance. The IRS wants to get people back into the system, not prosecute ordinary people who made a mistake. However, flagrant cases involving criminal violations of tax laws will continue to be investigated.

Visit the IRS website for more information.

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IRS Tax Problems

#1 Unsolicited Offer to Creditor

Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone #

Creditor’s Name
Department
Creditor’s Address

Date

Dear Creditor,
Re: Account Number__________

After a long period of financial crisis, I’m finally in a position where I can take care of my debt whose account number is given above. I would appreciate in advance all efforts your company is willing to take in order to help me resolve my debt problems. I’m sincerely trying to settle this debt and pay it off faster.

The amount I would propose to pay towards full settlement of the debt is $___________. Additionally, I would request you to take off any late payment or charge-offs on this account from my credit report.

The fact is, I’m currently negotiating debt with several creditors and I have limited amount of money to pay the creditors. So, I have decided to settle only those debts for which I can satisfy the terms and conditions as mutually agreed between myself and my creditors.

I have already reached acceptable settlements with a couple of creditors and I doubt whether I will have enough funds available till the end of this month. However, I’d like to regain my credit rating and if you can help me do so, I’d be willing to offer you some more money as part of my settlement.

If you find the above terms and conditions acceptable, please sign this letter of agreement and send me a copy. Upon receipt of this agreement, I shall forward you the stated amount through money order.

Yours truly,

Your Signature
Your Name

#2 Request for Alternative Payment Plan

Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone#

Creditor’s Name
Department
Creditor’s Address

Date

Dear Creditor,

Re: Account Number__________

This letter is a written request for a temporary change in the repayment terms of my debt account. I am currently going through financial crisis and may not be able to follow the current payment plan. Neither do I plan to file a bankruptcy nor do I intend to default on this debt. 

I do have some income from [mention income sources]. However, when I examined my financial situation and planned a budget, it became necessary for me to request each of my creditors to accept a reduced/alternative payment plan for a number of months (specify the number, if possible). 

I would appreciate your co-operation in making this payment plan effective shortly. I request you to accept a monthly payment of $____________ instead of the regular payments of $____________ made on the [date] of each month. I hereby assure you that I shall not add to my debt till my financial situation improves. 

I shall begin making regular monthly payments as soon as I recover from this financial crisis. I hope you will understand my situation and co-operate with me. I shall surely notify you of any change in my financial situation.

Your co-operation during this difficult time is highly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Your Signature
Your Name

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Debt Settlement Letter

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Once you have a handle on your overall debt load, begin calling each credit card company and ask for a reduced interest rate.  Your payment history with the card company will be a factor in negotiation, so if you have been late several times, they may not be willing to negotiate.  But still call and ask.

If you have little luck with getting your interest rates down, then apply for a credit card with a low interest balance transfer rate.  Ideally, you would look for a rate that is locked in for the life of the transfer, instead of being low for a period of time (6 – 12 months) then rising again.  A few important points though when it comes to balance transfer rates, there is most commonly a fee associated with this, so read the fine print.  This can be up to 5% of the amount transferred (with no limits).  Also, do NOT use this card for anything else – no additional purchases or transfers.  Do not commingle a balance transfer offer with new purchases, as the credit card company will take your monthly payments and apply them to the lowest interest rate first, therefore charging you a higher interest rate on the additional purchase balance.  Many consumers are unaware of this little loophole – and it can be a costly misunderstanding.

 
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Self Help Debt Reduction

The problem with this is that while I do believe consumers are responsible for their own spending habits, and buying things which they cannot afford, I also hold the credit card companies liable for extending credit to people that they shouldn’t have.

If you really want help getting out of debt, then I suggest getting a handle on your monthly expenses to get an clear understanding of how you got into debt to begin with.  If you do not get to the root of the problem, all the debt solutions provided will be short lived, because you will end up back in debt again.

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Get Me Out of Debt

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As a rule of thumb, it is recommended that if your tax debt is less than $10,000, you can handle this one on one with the IRS.

If your debt is between $10K – $25K, you should consider hiring a tax professional, as you will want to ensure the accuracy of your past tax filings, and may need to make amendments.

If you owe more than $25K, then you should hire a professional, because it will be in your best interest for a successful negotiation.

Back to the 5 ways to reduce your debt – I will provide the 5 options, and will later discuss in  more detail about each of these options.

• Installment Agreement
• Partial Payment Installment Agreement
• Offer in Compromise
• Not Currently Collectible
• Filing Bankruptcy

photo credit: Josh Thompson

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Reduce IRS Debt

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Podcat Alley Feed

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The information you need to gather to effectively analyze your debts is the following:

• Due Date
• Creditor Name
• Total Amount Owed
• Minimum Payment Required
• Interest Rate
• Website Login Information

If you compile all the information above, this will give you everything you need in one place to help effectively analyze and manage your debt situation.  You may consider adding all of your monthly bills to this spreadsheet (utilities, rent, mortgage, etc), and also do a similar exercise for your dictionary expenses (food, entertainment, etc) and establish a budget for each item to help control spending.

photo credit: sarae

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Debt Management Spreadsheet

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I recommend researching all companies though first, and this includes searching the company name in any search engine (Google, in example).  If you search for the company name in quotations (“Debt Settlement ABC”), this will narrow your search to the most relevant content.  Also check with the Better Business Bureau.  Consumers can file complaints with the BBB even if the company is not a registered member.  The BBB will also provide a company score even if they do not pay for the membership.  This is an easy way to see if complaints are being filed on a company.  Always do your homework before you hire anyone for debt management services.

photo credit: Andres Rueda

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Debt Settlement Companies

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Credit Federal Free Budget Calculator to help manage expenses. Also includes a Savings Calculator to determine interest earnings. 

I like this because it’s simple, and includes  several different calculators all bundled in one.  You can calculate your monthly budget, see how interest accrues when saving, and different loan calculators such as auto loans and mortgages.  This would not be recommended for managing cash flow long term, but its perfect for someone just getting started on trying to understand their current financial situaion.

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Free Debt Management Software

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But to start at a very simple point, you need to understand how you got into debt in the first place.  Unless you figure this out, all the tips and tricks in the world to get you out will be short lived.  I have worked with many clients over the years on debt management, and the bottom line is, getting to the source of the problem and developing a different way of thinking about money will truly help you overcome the debt burden for good.

Before I go into how to get out, I want you to take a few hours and organize all of your debts and monthly bills.  I recommend using a spreadsheet or just simply writing it out on a piece of paper.  It doesn’t need to be fancy.

You need to itemize your bills by who is owed, the due date, the amount owed, the balance, and interest rates if debt.  Just use the minimum amounts due for now (for credit cards).

Once you have this information, compare this to your net monthly income; you net income is the amount you get after taxes and other withholdings.

If your monthly income is less than your total monthly bills, this problem is not easily solved.  Because at this stage, you only documented your bills – these are things that are due monthly or weekly.  This does not include the rest of your living expense (discretionary), such as food, clothing, entertainment, etc. 

Whatever your personal outcome, stay tuned for more information on what to do next.

photo credit: Andres Rueda

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Ways to Get Out of Debt

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• Christian Credit Counseling
  Posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 in Christian Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  Christian Credit Counseling is the first step in taking control of your personal finances.  My experience suggests that most people do not intentionally make bad money decisions, but that these decisions are simply based on a lack of education or knowledge.  I have worked with many very intelligent people over the years as financial advisor, and many of these same people knew very little about managing money.  This can lead to financial disaster without the appropriate help or guidance.  If you feel out of control with your finances, seeking a Christian credit counselor can be the first step to recovery.
• Christian Debt Help
  Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2009 in Christian Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  To find Christian debt help, the first place you should look for a referral or recommendation is your own church.  If you do not belong to a church, then seek out advice from a friend or family membr.  Most church organizations have credit counselors they can refer you to that will meet with you at no cost to provide some guidance on what your options are to gain control of your finances.
• Christian Debt Settlement Companies
  Posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 in Christian Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  Christian debt settlement companies can be found all over the internet.  In reviewing any debt settlement or negotiation company, putting the word Christian in the mix should not be reason enough to choose one company over another.  You need to do your own research on the company to ensure they are reputable and will follow through on their part in the settlement process.  The things that set a Christian debt negotiation company apart from others is that they are non-profit organizations that are certified and recognized by Christian churches and financial organizations.  In addition, they use Biblical principles to help clients not only take control of their debt, but also help them determine how they got there to begin with to help ensure it doesn’t happen again.
• IRS Debt Collection
  Posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 in IRS Debt Settlement – Comments: (0)
  If you are behind in your tax obligations and the IRS debt collection agencies are calling, you are most likely fearful and trying to avoid the calls.  That is the worst thing you can do.  As with anything in life, if you face the problem head on and are proactive about dealing it, the fear will subside because you will be in control.So many people try to avoid financial problems rather than just dealing with them.  Sometimes it’s because of not knowing what to do, and sometimes it’s simply fear.  Regardless of the reason, you must take control and evaluate your options.  I don’t guarantee many things in life, but I guarantee that if you work proactively with the IRS, the solution will be less painful than if you try to avoid it.
• Welcome to Freedom Debt Management Help
  Posted on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 in Freedom Debt Management – Comments: (0)
  Times are tough for almost everyone in today’s economy.  I have worked with may people over the years as a financial advisor, helping clients set financial goals, review their current situation, then put an action plan in place to achieve these goals.  But with today’s economy, there are so many people that are just trying to keep their head above water.  I have found that so many people have simply gotten in over their heads financially and are struggling to get out.  The purpose of this blog is to provide resources and education on how to take control of your debt and move forward with your over all financial health.Times are stressful enough.  What creates the biggest problems in managing debt is when you sweep it under the rug and hope it just goes away.  Avoiding problems is NEVER the solution.  Defining reality, understanding what your situation looks like in detail, and knowing how you got into this position is the beginning of taking control.

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

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If you feel you just simply cannot pay down your debt, either because your minimum payments are too high as compared to your income, or because you have recently lost your job, consumer debt negotiation may be an alternative for you.

Negotiating with your creditors can sometimes be difficult if you are current with your payments.  This is unfortunate, but I have found it to be challenging to get any response in terms of negotiation with the credit card companies for clients that pay their bills on time. 

If you are already behind though, the credit card companies seem to be more open to discussing, especially if they think there is a chance that you will file bankruptcy, in which they may get little or no repayment of the debt.  I will evaluate the alternatives for various situations to help you determine if debt negotiation will work in your situation.

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Consumer Debt Negotiation

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Debt Reduction Calculator

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I recommend you start by analyzing your spending habits.  Begin with a budget that includes all of your monthly bills, then analyze your discretionary spending (food, entertainment, travel, extra curricular activities, etc).  Once you determine how you got here, it will be easier to put a balanced budget in place and monitor your spending as you work towards reducing your debt.

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

How to Get Rid of Credit Card Debt

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So many people try to avoid financial problems rather than just dealing with them.  Sometimes it’s because of not knowing what to do, and sometimes it’s simply fear.  Regardless of the reason, you must take control and evaluate your options.  I don’t guarantee many things in life, but I guarantee that if you work proactively with the IRS, the solution will be less painful than if you try to avoid it.

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

IRS Debt Collection

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Christian Debt Help

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Christian Credit Counseling

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This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Christian Debt Settlement Companies

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Times are stressful enough.  What creates the biggest problems in managing debt is when you sweep it under the rug and hope it just goes away.  Avoiding problems is NEVER the solution.  Defining reality, understanding what your situation looks like in detail, and knowing how you got into this position is the beginning of taking control.  I don’t guarantee many things, but I will guarantee that by taking control and doing something will reduce the stress and taking action will help you over come these challenging times. 

I hope you find this information helpful.

This post via the Freedom Debt Management blog, an educational resource to help you gain control of your debt management and finances.

Welcome to Freedom Debt Management Help

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