Debt Handling Solutions

Sometimes debt can seem overwhelming. In those instances, or even before things get that far out of hand, get back to basics and try some of these debt handling solutions.

BASICS ? Lower insurance deductibles for your homeowners, renters and vehicles policies where appropriate and save money. Don't take chances on bouncing checks; instead get covered with overdraft protection and pay about the same as what it would cost for one bounced check to cover our account for an entire year. Ask your banker about packaged account services. Many offer free savings and checking accounts with free overdraft protection and checks, free online bill paying and more. When you shop, check your receipts, even for groceries. Many times items ring up at incorrect prices. Sometimes store policy allows for no errors, meaning you get the items free if it wrings up wrong. So carry along a handheld calculator or pencil with small notepad to tally up your charges.

REACH OUT- If you have medical debt, the first thing healthcare offices try to do is get you to charge the bills or refinance your home, etc. STOP. Before you take such a drastic step, check with legal counsel. There are often other steps to take first. For example, notify the billing parties and tell them you need to apply for financial aid. Many have forms to complete, and although they may be lengthy, remember they're for free money to pay your bills. Reach out, take forms and fill them out. Then set up minimum payment arrangements for the remaining balances, even if it's just $10 a month for 30 years. Healthcare bills are not like credit card debt and do not need to be reported to the credit bureau in the same manner.

Also reach out with merchandise and return any recently purchased items that you can for a refund. Credit cards and mail order companies generally allow you 30 days to inspect your purchase. Return any you can for refunds. If purchases are beyond the 30 days and for various reasons don't hold up to their end of the "bargain;" i.e. they broke already or never worked right to begin with, get on a letter writing campaign pronto. Write the place of purchase and copy the manufacturer, the distributor, the Better Business Bureau and your state Attorney General's Office. State the reasons our product is faulty and that you want a refund. It's often rewarding to get help with other entities like these. No need to go it alone!

So before your debt gets out of hand, take charge and get back to basics. Put some of these debt handling solutions into practice and make the most out of what you have.

Masni Rizal Mansor is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.1st-usa-credit-cards.com. He provides tips on how to apply credit card online.

In The News:


Nigeria: G8, Poverty And Africa
AllAfrica.com, Washington - Jul 8, 2008
We have some aid, but not enough, some debt relief but not enough and virtually nothing on trade. Once again Africa's people have been short-changed. ...

Response to "Unconditional Debt Relief is Not the Answer for ...
Ghana Dot, Ghana - Jul 7, 2008
Further, the Jubilee Act recognizes and works to end the unsustainable ‘lend and forgive cycle’ that has brought on the need for debt relief. ...
US Jubilee Act rewards past African leaders reckless behavior Ghana Dot
all 2 news articles

NDTV.com

Debt relief Waiving, not drowning
Economist, UK - Jul 3, 2008
In Sikandrabad one farmer could not quite believe that the pink slip he had been given released him from 25000 rupees of debt. But others did not get the ...
Banks in JK identify 34000 beneficiaries for debt relief GreaterKashmir.com (press release)
Union Bank completes farm-loan waiver, relief programme Hindu Business Line
Himachal government urges to Centre to look into debt relief ... myHimachal
Business Standard - NDTV.comall 81 news articles

BBC News

Obama Donors Aren’t Rushing to Aid Clinton
New York Times, United States - 6 hours ago
... but what I think the sensible elements of good will are trying to achieve is debt relief for Hillary consistent with getting Barack elected president,” ...
On A Hybrid High National Journal
all 490 news articles

Daily Star - Lebanon

Wave of attacks kill 16 in Iraq
Seattle Times, United States - Jul 7, 2008
The Abu Dhabi government announced the debt relief and the naming of a new ambassador to Baghdad shortly after al-Maliki began a visit to the wealthy Gulf ...
$7bn debt relief Gulf Daily News
Report: United Arab Emirates cancels Iraqi debt The Associated Press
UAE Vows To Forgive $7B In Iraqi Debt Evening Bulletin
Hot Air - CNN Internationalall 551 news articles

Ecuador Debt Policy Hinges on Audit, New Finance Minister Says
Bloomberg - 5 hours ago
... audit will be crucial,'' Salgado, a 55-year-old economist who studied in Mexico and France, told reporters today after an event on debt relief in Quito. ...

China Daily

Hard issues hit G8
Joy Online, Ghana - 20 hours ago
Loans were approved for countries that already qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative. ...
Business.view Africa shines Economist
Editorial: Why we are sceptical about G8 meeting Business Daily Africa
Mbeki to press G8 leaders on Africa Independent Online
Bloomberg - Winnipeg Sunall 514 news articles

Dhumal writes to FinMin for debt relief anomalies
Business Standard, India - Jul 3, 2008
... has sought removal of numerous anomalies in the Union government's debt relief scheme so that majority of farmers of the hill state could be benefitted. ...

Syndicate bank extends debt waiver relief to 3.93-lakh farmers
Hindu, India - Jul 2, 2008
The bank said it is confident of completing the total process of handing over debt waiver and debt relief certificates to the eligible farmers latest by ...
Kerala banks display debt waiver lists Business Standard
all 5 news articles

TVNZ

Obama proposes easing consumer bankruptcy laws
Reuters - 17 hours ago
"I'll reform our bankruptcy laws to give Americans who find themselves trapped in debt a second chance," Obama said at a town hall event in Powder Springs, ...
Obama Calls For Bankruptcy Law Reform Consumer Affairs
all 431 news articles
debt relief - Google News


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