LOAN | INSURANCE | MORTGAGE

Rates on credit cards vary quite a bit, so a good idea is to know all your rates and try to transfer balances to lower rate cards when ever possible. It is also possible that consumers can call their creditors and negotiate for lower interest rates, usually it's best to consolidate the debt at a lower rate when possible. If you fail to make your monthly payments as agreed, your interest rate will then go to the penalty rate which is usually quite high.

Overwhelming credit card debt is also causing students to be hounded by creditors and in many cases, declaring bankruptcy said Candy Acezedo, director of education at Consumer Credit Counseling Service. A high debt can also force a student to take a part time or regular job, which often will have a negative effect on their studies.

The best way to stay out of trouble with debt, is to just use your head and don't spend money you know you will have a hard time paying back. If you are already drowning in debt, there are free credit counseling agencies that can be found online, that will be able to help get you started in the right direction.

It is a common misconception for people to assume that their bank will give them the best mortgage. It is a natural thing to assume, especially since people have often been banking with the same institution for many years and they feel comfortable with them.

However, the fact is that if you limit yourself to going directly to your bank and getting a mortgage from them without looking elsewhere you are most likely shooting yourself in the foot. You are restricting the possibility of other options that might be better for you and this is never a good thing.

There is no doubt that your own bank might give you the plan you want. There is a chance that they will give you a good offer that would be tough to beat by any considerable margin elsewhere. However, this is just a chance. You will only know if it's anything more than a chance by actually looking elsewhere.

Sure, the comfortable and trust factors weigh in, and these can be major factors since you want to trust the institution that is giving you such a large amount of money for such an important thing, but there are many other trustworthy lenders out there that may have a better offer for you. Keep in mind that your bank will probably sell your mortgage to another lender within the first year.

The first place to go is to other major banks and lending companies which you know of. By going to these first, you are going to major companies which are trustworthy. Most major banks offer fairly similar rates, but it is still worth it to check around. In fact, you would be crazy not to check around.

You may get yourself a quarter or half a percentage point off, which might seem small but can actually turn out to saving you thousands of dollars in interest payments. These other banks might also have other incentives or better options that you will want to consider. If you own a business, they may even offer you a better deal in an attempt to pick up that business.

There are plenty of other lending companies you can check with, both major and minor, online and offline. It is to your benefit to check as many as possible and not settle with your own bank just because they are the first place you check. Getting a mortgage is a huge thing and it is important to get the right mortgage plan for you, and this will only be done properly if you evaluate your options.

California real estate prices have jumped so much in recent years that refinancing mortgages has increased potential savings. With higher equity ratios, you can cash out part of your equity at favorable rates. But don't limit your lender search just to in-state lenders. Look to online financing companies to give you the best deal on a refi.

* First, set a budget. Figure out exactly how much you spend on the upkeep of your home. Compare each month's expenses with the previous month's to get a better idea of how much to budget for each necessity. Then, see what costs you can cut. Once you set a budget, stick to it.

* Save energy. You might be losing a substantial amount of energy dollars during the winter and summer because of air leaks. By caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all cracks and openings, you can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill.

Also, look into replacing older appliances with newer, more energy - efficient alternatives. Your light bulbs can make a difference, too. Fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.

* Refinance. Shop around to see if you can replace your existing home loan with one that has a lower interest rate. You can easily save hundreds of dollars each month by refinancing your home.

* Purchase a home warranty. Most homeowners don't account for possible repairs in their annual budget. There is a 68 percent likelihood of a home system or appliance failure in a given year. The average replacement cost of one of these systems or appliances is $1,085. A home warranty is your best defense against unexpected and costly repairs to your home's appliances and mechanical systems.

The American Home Shield Home Warranty, for example, ensures you get the best possible service through the company's network of pre-screened technicians. The minute something breaks down, you can contact American Home Shield and a local service technician will schedule an appointment that fits your schedule. The warranty covers a multitude of household systems and appliances, regardless of age.

The American Home Shield Home Warranty is a one-year contract that requires no home inspection to enroll. Several affordable plans are available to fit every budget.

The first thing you need to do is create a budget. Creating a budget does not have to be restrictive, but it should be a guideline to help you manage your income and your expenses each month. The first thing you want to do is list all your expenses on a month-to-month basis. The next thing you want to do it list all of your income on a month-to-month basis. Then compare. Many people who have trouble saving find that their expenses are very close to their income. So what can you do?

One option you have is to reduce your expenses. This might mean going out with friends a little less or giving up on some luxury that you typically enjoy. Another option you have is to increase your income. Unfortunately, for many people, this is easier said than done.

One way that you can reduce your expenses and increase your income is by using a debt consolidation loan. By consolidating many outstanding debts that are due throughout the month into a single loan with a single monthly payment you will be accomplishing several things.

In this article, we will take a look at the influence the government exerts over our daily lives through our taxation, and the good and bad aspects of that influence.

Government spending controls $5.4 trillion dollars of the total spending, and when you figure in the $1.4 trillion government-forced spending, the government actually controls somewhere near 58% of the economy's national income. That is a 3.5 times increase from a hundred years ago. And the economy has been in a steady decline. The ability of private sector growth to increase has been reduced over time, thanks to the fact that the government largely governs even private sector business.

Increased government control gets a big boost from the special interest groups, and the capability of big corporate entities to lobby Congress for programs and funding, as well as changes in tax laws that benefit them alone. In addition, government-funded welfare and public assistance programs are a major contributor to the government spending programs.

The problems with government spending are not going to end anytime soon. This isn't what our forefathers had it in mind when they broke free of oppressive British rule and penned the Declaration of Independence. Without major reforms, in the near future, we will see our children paying $25,000 each year to support an overburdened and imperious government.

Why, you may ask, is this necessary? Prepaid debit cards sound like a way to give your money to someone else before you spend it. From outside the perspective of the world of credit, yes, it does seem redundant. But take a look at this hypothetical situation, from the perspective of a consumer, and hopefully some light will be shed on the usefulness of prepaid debit cards.

Carl was living it up. He had a six-figure salary, a wife to make all other husbands jealous, a new Land Rover, and an upscale apartment. The thought of credit issues was laughable at this pristine moment in his life.

But something happened. Carl's luck began to turn. His beautiful wife, an amateur tennis fiend, was taking far too many lessons with her 25 year old Italian instructor, specifically at his private retreat where her cell phone curiously could not get reception. Carl's company hadn't made the mark for the quarter, and people at corporate were hunting heads. Carl's head, recently bald because of stress from the Mrs., must have stuck out, because he was the first one fired.

Then the divorce started, and while Carl was quite sure that he wasn't to blame for his wife's infidelity with someone half his age, she none the less made off with the car and apartment, and some serious alimony payments to come from Carl. Carl's credit score plummeted as he defaulted on his bills. He was left a broken, unemployed, bald man who could never watch tennis again.

When things leveled off years later, Carl wanted to rebuild his credit, though no credit card companies would accept him. He needed to find a way to transfer his cash into the world of credit, just so he could show that he'd make good on some payments.

As you can guess, Carl's answer is a prepaid debit card. He can show the bank that he's legitimate, in a way that only giving them cash can. The bank put credit on his card; Carl purchased Rogaine and a low-powered anti-depressant; and bingo, his credit began to return.

So, if you find yourself in such a situation, needing credit but inspiring no confidence from issuing companies, prepaid debit may be the way to go. Additionally, on a more serious note, pre-paid debit cards are increasingly used by those with relatively good credit as a method of controlling their spending. If there is not enough balance available for a charge, the charge will be denied. And there is no mandatory payment due at the end of the billing cycle.

Whether you are a company dealing with business to business collections, or you simply are trying to recover debt from one customer who bounced a check, a reputable agency can help you with this battle. There are hundreds of collection agencies out there, so doing a little research can go a long way.

The agency will immediately begin communications with your debtor through phone calls and mailed letters. If they are unable to connect with your debtor after several attempts, they may refer your case to a collections attorney. The collections attorney will almost always be able to collect from your debtor, as most people fear legal action. Once the debt is recovered, the only thing left to do is pay the agency the fee that was agreed upon at the date of hire.

Understanding Collection Agency Rates

If you are a business owner trying to collect on past-due accounts, a reputable collection agency can often help. However, it would be wise to conduct a little research before selecting one. Collection agency rates vary, sometimes significantly.

In general, the longer a debt has remained past-due, the harder it is to collect it. Therefore, the fee you pay out to the debt collection agency will be higher.

How Much Did You Say ?

It is plausible that collection agency rates can reach as high as 50 percent. One agency might charge 35 percent for accounts 90 days past due, while another will charge 50 percent to work on an account with the same status. Fees also vary according to the amount owed, length of time overdue, as well as previous handling by another agency.

You may find it amazing that collection agency rates can reach upwards of 50 percent. You have to decide if the amount past-due warrants the time and money you will spend trying to recover delinquent debts. In many cases, the satisfaction from collecting what is rightfully yours, balances out the fee paid to an agency.

Debt Collection Basics

The very nature of debt collection calls for aggressive planning. Businesses lose hundreds of thousands of dollars a year due to delinquent accounts. More often than not, a third party, such as a nationwide collection agency, needs to be brought in to recover lost revenue.

When a client falls behind on payments, whether it be one person or a huge corporation, the ability to collect decreases as time passes. Often times in-house accounts receivable offices cannot handle the enormous volume of past-due accounts. This is debt collection at its worst.

There Is Help

This is where a reputable collection agency comes into play. They can help ease the heavy burden of debt collection, by aggressively contacting your debtor. This is usually done by placing numerous phone calls, and sending out letters regarding their delinquent status.

These agencies have high-tech computer systems that can trace people who have disconnected their phones or changed their address. If they are still unable to collect after these efforts, a collections attorney is usually asked to take on the case. More times than not, an attorney can recover funds as the debtor does not want any legal suit brought against him or her.

Debt Management and Your Business

Debt management is an issue that most business owners would rather not have to deal with on a daily basis. However, it should be a top priority, as delinquent accounts cost business owners thousands of dollars every year. It is imperative to have an accounts receivable management office that is fully capable of handling these past-due accounts.

Unfortunately, many businesses' accounts receivable offices simply cannot handle this demand. It then becomes necessary to hire a reputable collection agency that will handle all of your debt management needs. This agency will work for you to collect money on your behalf from clients with past-due accounts.

Getting Back What Is Yours

You will work closely with the agency that you have chosen to handle debt management for your business. They will be aggressive in their efforts to get back what is owed to you. Oftentimes, they have dial-up computer systems that allow you to log on and check their progress.

The agency should always keep you in the loop regarding the status of the accounts being assessed. If and when they have recovered money from your debtors, you should be notified immediately of this change in account status. If it is to your satisfaction, the last step it to pay the agency the previously agreed upon fee, which is a percentage of the total amount collected.

Finding a Nationwide Collection Agency

Are you tired and discouraged from fighting the constant battle of debt collection? Does it seem like your in-house accounts receivable management office cannot keep up with the demand? Or have you been unable to collect on accounts despite all efforts. It may be time to find a good nationwide collection agency.

For information go to :
http://www.nationalmanagement.net/collection_agency_states/index.html

For security, fixed rates can also have reasonable rates. For even lower rates, you can purchase reductions by paying points at closing. One point equals one percent of the principle. Paying points is affective if you keep your mortgage for at least seven years in order to recoup the cost of buying the rate reduction.

The length of the loan will also affect your rates and payments. 15 year mortgage provides you with a cheaper loan, but payments are about a third higher than a 30 year mortgage.

2. Research Your Lender

Even a difference of an eighth of a point in rates can save you thousands of dollars. The easiest way to save money on your home's purchase is by finding the lowest costing loan.

With online mortgage companies, in just a few minutes you can request loan quotes without hurting your credit report. Every time a potential creditor accesses your report, it temporarily hurts your score.

Rates are one way to evaluate loans. But closing costs can also add up to thousands. That's why the APR number is important. It gives you the total cost of the loan. But if you plan to move or refinance, focus on low closing costs rather than low rates.

3. Apply Online
When you have found the right lender, you can start your home loan application online. Even if you haven't found the right house, you can still get pre-approved and lock in your rates.

With online financing companies, your paperwork is expressed mailed to you. You complete the forms with a notary's seal. Working with your real estate agent, escrow company, and seller, the date of sale can then be finalized.

Many consumers are aware that they can obtain a credit report, for a fee, from the three major credit reporting agencies. These include TransUnion, Experian and Equifax and they provide your credit report to loan officers, credit card companies, financial institutions and anyone whom you give permission to obtain a copy of your credit file. While many consumers know that credit reports can be obtained for a fee, many do not know that everyone is entitled to a free copy of their credit report from each of the 3 credit bureaus each year. Once every 12 months, you can visit http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com and gain instant online access to your free credit report.

When looking at a copy of your credit report, you will be able to view payment histories as submitted by each of your creditors, current and previous addresses along with any information included on public record. This may include civil judgments, bankruptcy or foreclosures, etc. If any of the information contained in your credit file is incorrect, you have the right to dispute that information directly with the credit bureau. At the time a dispute is submitted, the credit reporting agency will investigate and correct any errors that are made.

Additionally, if you are turned down for credit at any time, the creditor must provide you with a written reason for the decline. At that time, you may request a free copy of your credit report from the agency that provided the information to the creditor. By sending a copy of the denial letter to the credit reporting agency, they are then required to provide you with a copy of their entire file relating to you and your credit history.

It is recommended that consumers check their credit file every 6 months to ensure that information is accurate and to prevent or detect identity theft. If you notice an invalid address or credit line that you never applied for, this is an indication of possible identity theft and should be dealt with immediately by calling the credit bureau and having a fraud alert placed on your file. An informed consumer is a happy one.

Obviously, you use the Internet or you wouldn't be reading this article. Since you use the web, you know about phishing scams or should. Some scams are now using fake IRS identification.

IRS Wants to Know About Fake Emails Using IRS Name

The IRS has sent out numerous press releases and warning about phishing scams involving tax and IRS logos and fake sites. Now the IRS wants to have a go at hunting down the scam artists. Obviously, it can only do this if it sees the fake emails being sent out. If you receive one of these email messages, the IRS is asking that you forward it to phishing@irs.gov.

The IRS does not send unsolicited emails to taxpayers. Indeed, the IRS doesn't even know your email address, so how could it ?. When you receive email messages from something @irs.gov, it is a scam trying to fleece your private information in one form or another. Do not respond to these email messages. Instead, forward them to the IRS at the email address provided above.

An example of a fishing email using the IRS identity might read something like :

Pursuant to our automatic tax return review process, we have determined you are due a tax refund of $xxx.xx. Please submit a request for the issuance of your tax refund.

Once you click through to the page, you are asked to provide a variety of personal information such as social security number and bank account number. The purported reason is to verify your identity as well as issue the refund to your bank account. This is all completely fake. The scam artists are just trying to get your information so they can open accounts under your name or swipe money from your bank account.

Importantly, you must understand that domain names are really just representations of numbers. The fact you see "irs.something" does not mean it is from the IRS. If you think the IRS might really be trying to contact you, get on the phone and call them. Do not use any phone number in the phishing email.

Consumer Federation of America offers these tips on how to be environmentally friendly and save energy in your home.

* Clean or replace the air filters in your home's heating and cooling system regularly. A dirty air filter can increase your energy costs and lead to equipment failure. It's also good to have your systems checked once a year by a licensed professional. Regular maintenance can detect problems early.

* Use light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the Energy Star label - the government's symbol for energy efficiency. Such lighting uses two-thirds less energy and can last up to 10 times longer.

* Install a programmable thermostat. It will automatically adjust the temperature to meet your comfort needs efficiently during different times of the day or week. A programmable thermostat can save you up to $100 a year when properly programmed and used.

* Seal air leaks in your home. Add new weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors. Caulk and weatherproof all exterior openings for plumbing and electrical service, and look for other openings that need to be sealed, such as attic vents and ducts.

Effective air sealing, combined with the right amount of insulation, can save up to 10 percent on energy bills. And if you're in the market for new windows, look for energy-efficient ones to help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

* When replacing older, inefficient appliances in your home, look for new ones that have earned the Energy Star label. They meet strict energy-efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy; use less energy; help prevent air pollution; and reduce energy costs in your home.

Generally, these people have bad credit score. Here we need to know what credit score is. Mainly credit score is the estimation of a person's credit worthiness. Normally, credit scores that are above 580 consider as good credit score. But, if it is below 580, then it is labeled as bad credit score.

However, it is a common belief among bad debtors that they can not opt for any loans. But it is completely wrong. Some loans are also made for people with bad debt and these loans are easily available in loan market nowadays. A Borrower can borrow the loan both in secured and unsecured form and get the amount ranged from ₤5000 to ₤75000. Although before providing these loans, lenders will check the borrower's credit score and repayment capacity.

Bad debtor's loans offering an opportunity to come out of bad debt tag. These loans can be used for various purposes like debt consolidation, home improvement and so on. But, lenders offer these loans at comparatively higher rate of interest to cover the risk of lending money to such borrowers. Apart from that, borrowers may have to pay down payment that could be from 10-20%.

Nevertheless, with bad debt loans, one can improve their credit history and stop them from getting negative impact on credit report. The new loan will begin to make positive reports so long as borrowers make their payments on time and keep it up to date.

Now the question is availability these loans. These days, getting such kind of loans is not so tough. Many traditional lenders like banks, financial institutions and lending companies provide loans for people with bad credit history. Besides, online is a good source to avail these loans. This process is less time consuming as borrowers just need to fill up an online application form. After that the lender will contact them automatically. At the same time, all borrowers are advised to compare different loan quotes before obtaining for a deal.

It is said that only iron can cut an iron. Loans for bad debtors have same functions. These loans are the best alternative for bad debt labeled people to overcome their cash-crisis and erase their bad debt tag.

A person who finds himself in this condition can use debt card consolidation to take out all his problems at once. The principle of credit card debt consolidation is similar to that offered by any creditor in case of multiple loan borrowings. The idea is to take all the accumulated payments that have to be made and then let a professional lender make it for us. What the borrower in this case needs to do is to take a loan and pay off that loan on agreed terms.

Reasons as to why any one should go in for credit card debt consolidation may vary from person to person but the primary reasons are :

• People generally find it easier to pay off one single creditor than to deal with different requirements of different creditors.

• Any sort of delay in payment of dues to the credit card banks would bring about hefty fines and sanctions for the credit card holders.
• A credit card holder can easily get loan at lower interest rates than the one paid out on credit cards.

These few benefits go a long way in helping the people who have credit card debts to meet.

After a borrower decides to take the Credit Card Debt Consolidation loans, it is imperative that the loan chosen should be the best and perfectly appropriate. In this regard the customer can choose between a secured credit card debt consolidation and an unsecured one. All depends on the need at that particular time. Other steps may include choosing between many lenders, taking advice from the counselors and using quotes to determine the best option. These steps help the borrower in getting the best loan available.

After all the thinking is done all is needed for a loan is an application for the loan and that can be made online or personally to a local lender to get a deal and start afresh with your credit cards.

This amount can then easily be used to pay back debts and small loans that you may have. This amount can also be used o fund any unforeseen expenditure such as a medical emergency which may not be covered by your insurance company. Debt is a financial burden, if not paid hence to, its essential that you write down all the debts for you to get out of the debt structure, in this way, you can prune your debts. Debts comprise of the principal as well as the interest component. If you miss the interest for even a month, the lender has the right to take away the service or the goods and will also charge you penalty for the same.

You can get out of debt free by asking the lender on an early settlement, the lender may charge a penalty for repaying the loan early. Ask the lender for all the clauses before you take debts from them. One can get out of debt provided that they act wisely to get out of debt free, in fact there are also many websites which can provide free advice for getting out of debt. They don't charge any fees. The advice can be general, however you can take their tips and solutions and apply it to your situation to make it work. Debt not paid also makes your credit report negative, which is accessible to all future lenders that you may approach.

Mistakes to Be Avoided in Contracts

One of the primary mistakes made when negotiating their lease is the use of a very short contract. The short contract text may not address issues involving problems with software in computer leases or litigation issues such as employee piracy. Other issues that are not addressed in many short contracts include:

• Software transaction agreements
• Troubleshooting Support Issues
• Clauses handling provider's going out of business

It's important to make sure that all parties have their expectations clearly outlined in the contract. The contract helps avoid mistakes in leasing equipment by detailing the obligations of both parties. Contracts that possess clarity and completeness are important and the shorter the contract, the more likely there will be legal risks and ramifications for the company leasing the equipment.

Performance Details

The contract should detail the performance of the equipment. If someone is leasing a computer system, a server or a backhoe, they need to know that it will handle the load they are preparing to deliver to it. The performance details are an area where equipment can fail in leasing if they are not clearly stated. It's important to make sure that both parties have those issues clarified before closing on any contracts or deals regarding performance issues.

Structure Defects

Structuring agreements is key to understanding where responsibility lies. An equipment leasing agreement needs to stipulate the structure of the deal. In other words, the salesman is unlikely be the primary contact for system defects. The primary contact may be the manager in charge of that account, but they will likely only handle negotiation issues. Customer support issues may be directed elsewhere. That structure and allocation of responsibility must be clearly spelled out in the contract.

Equipment Hardware Leasing Specialties

When leasing computer equipment, there are often software leases that are required. It's important to coordinate the duration of the software leases to be comparable with the duration of the equipment lease. It's important to ensure the compatibility of all leased equipment with other equipment from different vendors. It's also important to make sure that a project's start and completion dates are commiserate with the equipment lease. Balancing the needs of the developers with the equipment support is a difficult thing to assess, but it's important to make sure that the leases support the needs of the company small or large.

Solicitors Not Welcome

Solicitors (lawyers) are often not consulted during the initial drafting of equipment leasing. This is a mistake, especially for small businesses that do not possess an in house legal team. Lawyers can help smooth the transaction and avoid loopholes that might cause legal problems for both parties during an equipment lease. However, when utilizing a lawyer, it's important to find one experienced in lease transactions.

The Results versus The Resources

Be sure to clearly define the need for the equipment lease. Most leasing companies see themselves as providing resources. Companies large and small are not looking for a resource as much as they are looking for a result. It's the end of the line result they are seeking most of all.

Communication

Clear communication is important from the get go. When negotiating for an equipment lease, be sure to have all questions answered prior to agreeing. Companies make a mistake in leasing equipment from a vendor if they have trouble getting them on the phone or returning calls. Those issues can lead to service problems in the future.

Be Realistic In Expectations

Client companies must be realistic about what they are expecting. Vendors will usually negotiate and do their best to fill customer requirements, however the client company must also keep in mind industry standards and limitations. While technology continues to grow, it's important to realize that not every goal has been achieved as yet.

Short Term Versus Long Term

The final and most important mistake made in equipment leasing is considering a contract as something that needs to be closed immediately in order to make a deadline that occurs in the next few weeks. Realistically speaking, avoiding looking at the long-term effects of an equipment lease may leave the client with a piece of equipment they do not need or a bad contract altogether. If their short-term goal is to launch a new product or get the foundation of a new project started, but the equipment will not help in the long-term goal, that should be addressed.

Equipment leasing provides numerous benefits to businesses large and small. It's important to recognize the benefits, but to also avoid the pitfalls of mistakes that can be made when negotiating an equipment lease.

Maximizing you non-capital losses can result in major tax savings. If your expenses exceed your income for a year, you obviously will not have to pay taxes for that year. What most people don't realize, however, is that such losses can be carried forward for seven years and deducted against future income. Alternatively, the same losses can be carried backward three years to recover past taxes paid. The end result of this situation is you can turn a bad business year into an income generator by applying the losses to taxes in other years which effectively wipes out your tax bill for those years.

Another tax strategy is to look at your side businesses. If you have one business, you'll often have a second one that is tailored to making some money off a personal interest. While you are in it mostly because you like it, you may not realize it qualifies as a business and can help you reduce your taxes. Let's assume you are primarily a self-employed consultant, but also write travel articles on the side. You may view the travel articles as a hobby, but it is in fact a business. If you've sold or even tried to sell any of your articles to a publication, all of your expenses related to travel writing can be deducted from your taxable income. This includes trips and so on. These, deductions can significantly reduce your taxable income from the consulting business. Make sure to get a grasp of your overall business efforts, even if you don't really consider them to be a business.

Consider employing your children to save on taxes. A child under 18 that works for you does not have to pay FICA and so on. If the total wages for the year are under $4,250, they will pay no taxes and you can write off this amount as a legitimate business expense. Of course, the child needs to actually be doing a legitimate business task, but filing and similar manual tasks certainly will qualify.

Tax strategies for the self-employed are plentiful. If you are self-employed, consider getting professional help. A good professional will save you thousands upon thousands of dollars in taxes, more than making up for their fees. Oh, you can also deduct their fees!

Consolidation is a process by which a person puts or organizes systematically all that he has accumulated. It can be in terms of debt or any other item considered important or worth while. It can also be a process by which an individual who has more than one debt can convert it into one single debt.

• Credit card debt consolidation

• Debt consolidation

The difference is that in credit card we spend over the provided limit and with debt consolidation we take the credit which can sometimes be hard to manage with our resources. This can lead to some serious repercussions.

The saying goes that the "prevention is better than cure". The same can be applied to this scenario. If you see that you will not be able to handle the bulging debts and its consequences then it is better off applying for an unsecured consolidation loan.

An unsecured consolidation loan is a loan which provides a covering loan to all the accumulated debts. This can either be for credit card debt consolidation or for debt consolidation. Being unsecured in nature, it puts no extra pressure on the borrower of the consolidation loan. In addition to that there are other benefits of unsecured consolidation loans which help the UK population who have taken loans.

Knowing When to Consolidate

Although using a bill consolidation company may be slightly damaging to your credit score, the long-term effects of having a negative credit rating are worse. Thus, if your debts are getting out of control, a debt consolidation may be a way to avoid bad credit. Even if your credit score has already declined, a debt consolidation company can help raise credit rating. If contemplating a debt consolidation, look for three signs.

Finance Charges and Late Fees Exceed Credit Limit

Keeping credit cards at the maximum limit can become a serious problem very quickly. A high balance credit card equals a higher monthly payment. When unable to pay the minimum, some consumers stop paying creditors altogether. However, just because the account is maxed-out does not mean that creditors will no longer charge fees.

To avoid a snowballing effect, continue making credit card payments, and never go over your limit. By exceeding a credit limit, additional fees are applied. In turn, you are stuck paying late fees, finance fees, and over-the-limit fees.

Harassing Phone Call from Creditors

If you do not submit regular monthly payments to creditors, expect several phone calls throughout the day. Unfortunately, creditors have a right to call homes when attempting to collect a debt. Thus, registering with the national "do not call registry" will not stop harassing phone calls.

If creditors begin to call, the only way to stop the phone from ringing is to setup a payment arrangement. However, if payment is not received by the arranged date, the creditor calls will continue.

Unable to Afford the Minimum Payments
Understandably, the majority of people want to handle their debts themselves. However, if you have too much credit card debts, it may become difficult to afford the minimum monthly payments. In this case, a debt consolidation and bill company is necessary. Because these agencies negotiate lower interest rates, monthly payments become more affordable.