Published in Debt Advice Features on Friday, May 13 2005 0 Comments

It is no secret that consumers these days are carrying more and more debt. At the same time, personal savings rates have never been lower. It does not take a financial expert to see the problem with this situation. As consumers take on more and more debt, even the smallest financial setback can quickly spell disaster. One of the simplest ways to get a handle on debt is through the judicious use of a realistic monthly budget.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Wednesday, April 27 2005 0 Comments

It is not surprising that more and more people seek credit counselling services every year. Levels of consumer debt have never been higher and savings rates have never been lower. Given these two volatile facts, it is not surprising that even a small financial setback can quickly spiral out of control and leave you with more debt than you can handle.

When consumers do get in over their heads, a good consumer oriented credit counselling service can help them to not only pay off their current debt but to learn how to avoid debt in the future. Consumer education is one of the most important aspects of quality credit counselling, and consumers who seek help should be sure that consumer education services are included as part of the debt advice services they offer.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Wednesday, April 27 2005 0 Comments

Your credit report is one of the most important documents in your financial life. It is essential to know what is in your credit report and how it got there. Your credit report comes into play any time are planning to buy a home, buy a car, apply for a loan or even apply for a job or take out care insurance.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Wednesday, April 27 2005 0 Comments

UK county court judgments can prevent many borrowers from getting the loans they need. If you have a UK county court judgment, it may be a good idea to consolidate your debt and pay it off. Paying off the debts you owe can go a long way toward clearing your credit and getting you back on the right financial track.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Wednesday, April 27 2005 0 Comments

For many years now, the rate of consumer debt has been growing steadily, year after year. At the same time, rates of personal savings have been declining, thus leaving people with a smaller and smaller cushion to help them through a financial crisis.

It is no wonder then, that even the smallest financial setback, like car repairs, home repairs or the loss of a job, can trigger a dangerous spiral into ever increasing levels of debt. It may seem like you are stuck with debt, but there are steps that smart consumers can take to reduce and eliminate what they owe.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Wednesday, April 27 2005 0 Comments

Each year thousands of prospective homeowners are shocked to discover their credit history will keep them from their dream of home ownership. While it may seem surprising that an individual could know so little about their own credit score, the truth is that far too many consumers go blithely through life, unconcerned about how their financial actions my effect their future plans. While consumers may be aware there are a few spots on their credit score, they do not realize the full impact their actions have and the adverse effects until they are denied a loan. If asked what they thought their credit score to be, consumers generally respond they believe their credit score to be fair or good. In reality those same consumers have absolutely no idea what their credit score is because they have not taken the time to run a credit check or to research the qualifications for having an excellent, good, fair or poor credit rating.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Tuesday, April 19 2005 0 Comments

One thing our culture has become proficient at is developing measurement systems. We have precise measurements of health like the thermometer to take our temperature and other medical tools so we always know in precise terms how our body is doing. We measure the weather, our vehicles, the economy, just about anything we can measure, we measure it. Measurement gives us control over decay or change and gives us the signals we need to make changes before things go to badly wrong.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Tuesday, April 19 2005 0 Comments

It seems like everyone is wiling to provide you with budgeting advice. Everyone from dear old dad to old Uncle Morty has something to say about how you spend your money. You may think you know where your money is coming from and where it is going, but if you do not have a written, monthly budget you cannot know for sure.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Tuesday, April 19 2005 0 Comments

If you are stuck with a bunch of old debt and find yourself using your credit cards to finance this debt, you could be doing yourself a grave financial disservice. Using credit to pay off old debt is almost never a good idea. If you look around, you should be able to find a better and more cost effective way to retire the old debts you have been carrying around.

Published in Debt Advice Features on Thursday, December 30 2004 0 Comments