Monday, January 2, 2012

Debt Management - Dealing With a Financial Crisis

Debt is a huge problem today with many people caught up in a perpetual cycle of debt due to credit card abuse, bad spending habits, or other unfortunate circumstances. If you ignore your debts or avoid taking control of them, they will inevitably control you and the consequences can be disastrous. However, no matter how bad things appear to be, there are steps you can take to mitigate your situation.

First, you must assess your current financial picture. This may be emotionally difficult, but sit down and tally up all your bills and prioritize them. You've got to face your situation head on and understand where you're at to begin to fix your problem and avoid future repercussions. If during this assessment you find that you are truly facing an immediate financial crisis, such as utility shut offs, repossession of your car, foreclosure, eviction or some other life altering circumstance, you must move quickly and effectively to deal with it.

Here are six steps yo u can take immediately to get some debt relief:

Contact your creditor immediately. Try to work out a payment plan. Many creditors are willing to work out a payment plan with you if you take the initiative to tell them about your situation and make alternative arrangements. Work out the best deal you can and stick to it. This may buy you some time until you can fully resolve your financial problems. Ask family or friends if they can loan you the funds you need to get current on your utilities, make a car payment, or prevent an eviction. If you don't make a habit of this and you are truly facing an emergency, a compassionate friend or relative may be able to assist you with a short term loan. Consider selling any personal items you may have of value. Being the prolific consumers we are, most of us have more than we really need or use. Getting rid of some of your excess stuff might help in more ways than one. Tap into your retirement plan. If you have a retirement fund, you may be able to take a loan against it, but you will have to pay it back or face a penalty fee. Pursue this option only as a last resort. Take out a personal loan: Unsecured personal loans can be a good solution for short-term cash needs, even if you do not have a good credit rating. File for bankruptcy. If your creditor is unwilling to work out a payment plan and you are facing dire consequences, hire an attorney that specializes in debt settlement and file for bankruptcy as soon as possible. The moment you file, all collection efforts must stop, including foreclosures and evictions. If you are already facing foreclosure or eviction, an attorney can help you explore your alternatives.

Even if your situation feels like it's out of control, taking responsibility and definitive action can lead to positive results and often sooner than you think. Developing a plan that includes working with your creditors and seeking professional advice can help keep a roof over your head and food on the table. Avoiding your financial problems will only make them worse and postpone the inevitable. Once your situation has stabilized, you can begin the process of rebuilding your credit so you and your family can enjoy a better life.

Visit our website all about American Payday Loans which gives practical advice to those experiencing short-term financial difficulties. It also offers information on Discount Advances, as well as tips on saving, budgeting, and other spending decisions.

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