Credit cards remain in abundance in America today. Most people use their credit cards to buy what they want when they want it, giving no thought to how much the item will cost them in the long run. Credit card providers add interest to these purchases, so the $10 shirt someone buys today could end up costing $20 by the time they pay the credit card bill in full. This money isn’t free, but people often accumulate enormous debts before they realize they are in trouble. Paying off this debt becomes an impossible task in their eyes, and they consider filing for bankruptcy. Other options remain available, and all solutions need consideration. Debt consolidation serves as one option that men and women should never overlook.
Why Consider Debt Consolidation?
Countless individuals overspend regularly. They never stop to consider how much debt they are accumulating until they find themselves in trouble. They then look for a quick way to get out of debt fast, only to discover this option doesn’t exist unless they take drastic measures with far-reaching consequences. As they try to find a viable solution, the interest on the debt continues to accumulate, and they could find credit card companies hit them with penalties and late fees. Paying the minimum balance isn’t getting them anywhere either. The average household carries monthly credit card debt in the tens of thousands of dollars, showing just how prevalent this problem remains. Breaking free of this cycle seems an impossible task, but it isn’t.
Debt consolidation allows the debtor to refinance the existing debt while combining debt payments into one monthly payment. Before a person makes use of this debt relief solution, they need to ensure they have the funds to make the monthly payment on the merged debt. Fortunately, most people find they can do this because refinancing the debt means they only have one monthly payment and the interest rate is usually lower than what they have been paying. When possible, debtors should try to make more than the minimum payment to bring the debt down faster.
Regulating Debt Consolidation
Consumers familiar with debt consolidation often have a negative opinion of this debt relief option. In the past, lenders flooded the market and consumers looking for much-needed relief frequently failed to research various providers before agreeing to work with a company. Doing so was a mistake, as they ended up with a provider who would withhold critical information regarding their fees, charges, penalties, and more. In fact, certain providers refused to acknowledge they received payments from clients. Due to the number of complaints flooding into state and federal lawmakers’ offices, authorities made changes. These lawmakers have been working to put laws into place to protect clients of debt consolidation companies. Nevertheless, it falls on the debtor to research various companies to find one they feel confident working with when attempting to resolve their debt.
Choosing a Debt Consolidation Provider
What should individuals be looking for when comparing debt consolidation providers? This question comes up regularly when men and women look for solutions to their debt problems. The main aim of any debt consolidation company needs to be to improve the client’s finances rather than making the situation worse. Certain factors need consideration when a person looks for a provider capable of meeting this objective.
Reputation
Reputation needs to be the first thing a debtor considers when comparing debt consolidation providers. Start by visiting the company’s website to learn as much as possible about what they offer. Read reviews on the website, but don’t stop here. Look for reviews on third-party websites to get an accurate picture of what the provider offers and what those debtors who have used the company say about the services and the company overall.
Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if individuals have filed complaints against the provider. Complaints aren’t necessarily a bad thing, as a company can’t please every client every time. What debtors must look for is the company’s response to these complaints. Reputable providers respond to complaints and work with clients to come to a reasonable resolution. Don’t work with any company that ignores complaints.
Registration
Once you have established a company’s reputation, it’s time to do further digging. Contact the company and request their certificates of registration with the authorities. Any company that refuses to provide this documentation needs to be removed from the list of potential providers. When a company produces this documentation, verify its authenticity. Follow up with the authorities to ensure the company remains in good standing. Never trust the word of the provider. Do the follow up. Consumers find doing so is worth the time when they find a reputable provider to work with and see progress in paying down the debt.
Terms and Conditions
Read the documents that come with the loan carefully. Don’t overlook the fine print, as doing so becomes disastrous when the company assesses penalties and fees that the debtor wasn’t aware of. The fine print often covers late fees, penalties, and other hidden charges. This helps the debtor save money over the long run, as fewer mistakes are made when a person knows what they agreed to.
Communication
Talk with potential providers to see which ones listen to the client and which companies offer a cookie-cutter solution for all clients. Debt relief companies must talk with clients and get an accurate picture of each debtor’s financial situation to offer solutions that truly benefit the client. This communication benefits both parties, and any company that doesn’t maintain open lines of communication should be avoided.
