Negotiating, Eliminating and Settling Your Credit Card Deb

I've talked to people who didn't believe that the credit card companies would actually settle for less than they were owed. But the fact is that if you haven't paid your bill in a few months, it is likely that they will offer you a settlement without you doing anything.
If your debt is no longer with the original creditor, and has been sent to a collection agency, you will have to deal with them. I have actually gotten better deals from some collection agencies than from the original creditor.
There is no need to panic about the first collection notice you receive. I don't want to imply that there are no consequences, but the process is fairly slow. The collection agency wants you to pay. They have no interest in you declaring bankruptcy. If that happens, nobody wins.
If they win a judgment in court, they can levy your wages, or hire the sheriff to get your property. This is unlikely. I don't want to say it wont happen, because it can. Usually, the expense is to great and they are more likely to sell the debt on the open market to another collector who will again try to collect. These companies buy old debt on the secondary market where debt is traded much like secondary mortgages.
When debt becomes overwhelming, and the word "bankruptcy" starts going through your mind, don't let it get to you. Collection agencies love to tell tall tales of gloom, about taking your pay check or your property. What they sometimes don't tell you (unlawfully) is that they can do none of these things until after they get a judgment against you in court.
Since most consumers don't know this, they turn unnecessarily to bankruptcy. Bankruptcy may become an option at some point, but there are plenty of other choices for dealing with debt before it gets to that.
Make sure you have taken advantage of all of the other options available to you for settling your debt before you go through the financial ruin of a bankruptcy.
The first step in the settlement process is to try "debt validation". Don t attempt to settle a debt until you have checked the statute of limitations.
If the debt is older than the statute of limitations, then the collector is wasting their time and yours. Usually after 7 years negative marks will disappear from your credit report.
We do need to be clear about something. The creditor can still go to court and get a judgment even after the past due debt no longer shows on your credit report. If it has been over 7 years, and the debt has been removed from your credit bureau report but the statute of limitations is 10 years - you are still liable for the debt!
If however, the debt is off of your credit report, and the statute of limitations has passed, it can no longer be collected. You don't have to worry about it any more.
If you know that the statute of limitations has not passed, then validation is a waste of time. You can move immediately to making arrangements to settle the debt.
The collection agency is assigned the debt by the original creditor. Their job is to use any legal means to get you to pay. These may be companies who have purchased the debt, sometimes called junk debt buyers. They may also be attorneys who attempt to collect either by calling, or sending you a letter.
Don't panic just because you receive a letter from an attorney. They have to go through the same court process as any other collector before they can do any type of enforced collection.
Some debts are easier to settle than others.
Unsecured debts include things like store cards, gas cards, medical bills, master card, visa, amex, etc. These are generally pretty easy to settle.
You cannot settle secured debts! You have promised an actual asset as security for the loan. If you default, or cannot make your payments, you have already promised to give back the property. Repossession is used for personal property such as automobiles, and foreclosure is used for real property.
You can get a creditor to make a good deal. In the negotiation, you have the advantage. You have what the creditor wants. They will drive a hard bargain. They will tell you no. Stand firm, and make a good deal. Be professional, be courteous. Let them know that you know what your rights are, and what they can and cannot do.
Correspond with them by mail. You will want to have ALL they paperwork so you can validate your efforts. This means saving not only the letter, but the envelopes with the postmark. When you send mail to them, send it certified mail with a return receipt.
One rule is, if it wasn't written, it wasn't done. If I were to ask you to prove that you sent a particular piece of mail to the creditor, you you be able to produce proof? They agency will almost always take substantially less than what is owed.
How much should you offer? They amount that companies receive for old debt is quite literally a few cents per dollar. The amounts that they pay depend on the age of the debt.
If the debt has been charged off recently, the company may have paid only six or seven cents on the dollar. If the debt has been cycled through a couple of different agencies in an attempt to collect, they may have paid less than 2 or 3 cents on the dollar. If the account is several years old, and is out of statute, they are basically worthless, and may have been sold for one cent or less.
Knowing this, start your offer at 25% or less. If you have an old credit card balance of $1000.00, the collection agency has probably paid at the most $70.00 for the debt (seven cents on the dollar). If you only offer them $250.00, they still make a profit of $180.00. The original creditor gets nothing because they have already sold the debt. So this money is all profit to the collections.
Remember the rule - if it wasn't written, it wasn't done. Keeping this in mind, never, and I mean NEVER, talk to a collection agency on the phone.
Make sure you have all terms in writing before you send anyone any money. A creditor will almost never live up to a verbal agreement. You need to have written documentation of all agreements, and even then you can expect a fight. Good records make or break a settlement.
Keep a copy of every letter you send. Its important to remember that you may not only need to verify what they collector told you, but also what you sent to them.
If you do call a collection agency, my first question is WHY? My second question is are you keeping a log book of the calls, the time, the date, and first and last name of the person you spoke to, their employee number if they have one, and a general record of the topic discussed including any promises made. You can also go to Radio Shack and by a telephone recorder. Keep in mind it is illegal to record a conversation without notifying the other party that the call is being recorded. But when they tell you that "the call is being recorded for quality assurance" it is kind of fun to tell them thats OK, because you are recording them also.
Make sure you know the amount of the debt. Agencies will sometimes add charges that don't actually exist to a debt, basically because they just want to make more money. I understand the motivation to make more money, but this practice is illegal. If your original debt was $2000.00 and its less than 5 years old and has somehow become $10,000, then you know there is some serious padding going on. Most companies will waive the fees.
You generally have a lot of time. As the debt gets older, the daily calls will stop, and as the debt remains uncollected your chances for a good settlement increase. Just because the debt has become inactive from a collection standpoint, doesn't mean that they won't try other means to collect. Don't think that they have forgotten about it. They may consider the debt to be a loss and take the tax write off, or may forget about it for a few months and then pursue a judgment.
Don't be in a hurry to settle. Take lots of time to reach an agreement. If your trying to settle the debt for a specific reason, its none of their business. Don't be "friendly". Be polite and professional. But no matter how nice these people seem, they are not your friends, they are not there to help you, they are there for one reason - to collect the debt. And anything you say will be used for that purpose.
If you tell them that you need to settle so you can buy a new car, you can basically forget a decent settlement.
Let them deal. Don't accept the first offer they make.
Sometimes you will be contacted by a second collection agency attempting to collect the same debt, at the same time. Negotiate with both, and take the best deal.
You should use the threat of bankruptcy. It is in your best interest to let the collector think that you have no money, and that you are on the precipice of bankruptcy. Make the collector think that this is their last chance to make an arrangement for payment.
Thats its for today. Thats a lot of information. Over the last three days we have covered what a collector can do, what they cant, and some strategies for negotiating your debts and paying a lower about. Negotiating your debt can save you literally thousands of dollars.
I constantly stress that while you can certainly settle your debt on your own, it is sometimes best to get a professional to handle a this for you. You know your situation and your comfort level. Whatever you choose to do, get started today. And begin living a debt free life.

Ted Batron is a financial expert who specializes in debt counseling and custom debt elimination plans. He has developed a short eCourse that's a great primer for those who are want to learn how to negotiate, eliminate and settle credit card debt at a 30-70% discount and become debt free. If you would like to know more about Ted Batrons "5 Debt Settlement Secrets You Should Know" eCourse,

Are You in Debt - This Article Will Change Your Life For Ever

Within just a few weeks it will transform your life; No more stress or sleepless nights, you will be happy and life will be fun again.

This is NOT a get rich scheme (SORRY THERE IS NO MAGIC FORMULA).

(STOP NOW- do not use credit to finance your lifestyle, no more loans no more credit cards. (You are going to be a cash only person) stop giving away you hard earn money, once you are clear of debt and turned the corner you can then re-focus on becoming wealthy. The facts are you have NO option you MUST clear your debts, if you fail the consequents are Foreclosure on your home, your car reclaimed by the HP Company, court orders, bankruptcy.)(SORRY but that is the hard truth).

Quote from the course:

Nevertheless, that will NOT happen to you because you are going to implement the recovery plan that we will set out for you.

Are you in Debt? we receive many e-mails asking if an internet, e-commerce business can transform debt into wealth. We cannot promise that, to start any business takes commitment, you must be focused and have a business plan, set key objectives. You also need to have time to develop your new business.

If you are in Debt, you are often under pressure from your creditors, stressed. First consider you priorities:-

- Would you like to pay off your mortgage?
- Would you like to pay off your bank overdraft,loans and credit cards?
- Follow our plan, clear your debts, and become financially independent. (THEN you can move to the next level how to become wealthy).
- You cannot wish to pay off your debts; you need the commitment and the WILL to make it happen, which will require changes to the way you control your money and your spending habits.

Create a new future, turn debt into wealth:
Course content:
1. Step one make the commitment.
2. Actions that will move your bank account into the black.
3. Golden rules to success
4. Review your current financial status.
5. Were you ever taught how control your money?
6. Money makes money, your key objective to get debt free.
7. Why do we fall into the credit card trap?
8. Those cards must go. (High interest crazy)
9. You must operate on a cash only basis. ( you will quickly see the benefits, it is amazing the extra money it creates)
10. HP the monthly payments that cause you worry and stress.
11. Now you have the mind set to pay off ALL your debts.
12. Manage your spending. (Impulse buying will blow your plan right out of the water)
13. Being in debt can be due to bad luck; however, it is far more likely to be our own fault, failing to manage our finance.
The Golden rule, NEVER spend above your means, which includes loans credit cards, over spending on luxuries, cars, holidays, entertainment, drinking, smoking.
Evaluate you current spending habits, YOUR OBJECTIVE to clear all debts, have money in the bank, plan to make money and ensure a new future. Eliminate stress, worry, and depression. Freedom happiness and wealth is NOT just a dream. YOU CAN DO and YOU MUST DO IT. (Develop that mind set believe in yourself, do it for your family and for your well being and health).
We have set the scenario, now we take one-step at a time and make it happen.
Above all, you must be honest, with your personal assessments; you must also be realistic, DO not set impossible goals.
Step one make the commitment
You are about to take the most important step to clearing your debts and achieving personal wealth.
1. I am totally committed to following the advice in this manual, I will make changes in attitude and the way I manage my money, necessary to achieve my main objective build a debt free and wealthy future.
2. In order to plan your systematic recovery and transform debt into wealth we need to put our cards on the table, hide nothing, be honest and complete the following questionnaire.
Please complete the following questionnaire.
It will provide the status of your current financial position. (sorry in this format the table forms do not work, it is better if you are working with the correct forms/ tables ( read on once you are committed to giving it your best shot. you can go to our web page and see the FREE course complete with forms)
No Answer the following questions (Truth only) Yes or No YES NO
1 Do you carry you credit card balance over each month
2 Do you have more than three credit cards that on the upper limit
3 Do you ever use one credit card to pay debts or pay off other cards
4 Do you only pay the minimum payment on credit cards each month,
5 Have you reach your maxim limits on all your cards
6 Are you are struggling to even make the minimum payments
7 Do you have more than 10 years to pay on your mortgage
8 Do you have your car on a finance agreement
9 Have you taken out a second mortgage to pay off debts
10 Are you planning to buy a new car
11 Do you have personal loans, bank over drafts
12 Do you have store cards to purchase goods
13 Are you living beyond your means, struggling every month
14 Have you ever had your services turned off for non payment
15 Is the stress and worry causing health problems
16 Is the debt having an impact on your family relationships
17 Have you tried to find ways of earning more money
18 Are you under extreme pressure from your creditors
19 Are you considering bankruptcy
20 Are you in trouble with the bank or mortgage society
Now we face the decisive moment.
Total all the "YES" numbers
If you scored, 4-0
Not too much to worry about we can soon have you on the way the wealth and happiness.
If you scored, 8-5
You need to review your spending and focus on your options to make money.
If you scored, 13-9
You are managing to pay your way; you earn the money then have to pay it to your creditors (high interest). You need to concentrate on reducing your debts by controlling you excessive spending. Implement our debt payment scheme so you have spare money to invest, use you income and spare money to generate wealth.
If you scored, 17-14
You are on the ragged edge, struggling to pay your way, urgent action is required to stem to flow of outgoing money, consider every penny you spend do you really need to buy new clothes or have that expensive evening out. Focus on channeling the money saved to pay off debits, review the debts that are costing you high interest and pay them off. Once you see the benefits, your recovery will gain momentum.
IF you are 20-18
You are clearly deep in debt, you must be unhappy worried and stressed which will effect your well being and health.
We will help you get back on track, however it will take commitment by you and all the members of your family and you need to cut your spending. Put a plan into place to pay off the most pressing debts. NOW you need the WILL to implement the advice we will give you. (Think new future better life no worries or stress, security) Make this commitment get out of debt, to change your spending habits. This is the hard task. Do that and then you can look forward to a new future?
Learn from my mistakes:
Speaking from experience, I went to university attained a MBA you would think that I have developed the self-control to monitor my spending and invest my money wisely. NO! I did not I was spending more money than I was earning clothes, cars, holidays, living on my credit cards for a few years I had a high old life.
For nearly three years, I continue to impulse buy. Then I started robbing Peter to Pay Paul using one credit card to pay of another, transferring balances, taking out loans. WOW, I had spiraled deep into debt. Under pressure from all the creditors, could not sleep, each month all my salary already committed to creditors, outgoing much higher than my income.
OK it was my fault silly middle class girl who over spent. Why was I such a fool? Well we all want material things. We associate fast cars, designer clothes, with happiness. And fall into the trap of the media and the advertisers, to the offers of credit cards and loans.
I cannot recall any of my family or tutors teaching me the importance of being in control of financial affairs.
Now there are hundreds of ways in which we can fall into debt, I was a miss - guided fool. With many, it is bad luck, ill health, out of work, family problems. They wanted the best for their children.
The objective is to review the status, then formulate a plan transform debt into wealth.
1. Control Spending and credit management.
2. What to do with our salary (Money in / Money out)
3. Make changes, plan a new financial life.
4. Learn how to invest money, or develop a business.
5. Consider the future, pensions and retirement.
First, we will talk about the positive aspects of life and future. We all dream of winning the lottery, becoming millionaires over night. (It will not happen) The fact is if you do spend £10 per week on the lottery or the football pools. That is £520 pounds a year, invested weekly with compounding interest at 8% would provide you a substantial amount of money by the time you are 65 years old - depending on the number of years. On average for most people it would be well over £500,000.
Most of us will earn well over a million pounds in our life time, for example if you earn £30,000 for 40 years that is £1,200,000.
However, the sad fact is most people have no idea how to save or invest money, they give all they earn to banks, credit cards, loans, and high interest is hard-earned money lost forever. (Crazy but true).
If you are living on credit than you are giving away a high percentage of your money, money that, you could be investing and being paid interest.
STOP NOW- do not use credit to finance your lifestyle, no more loans no more credit cards. (You are going to be a cash only person) stop giving away you hard earn money, once you are clear of debt and turned the corner you can then re-focus on becoming wealth.
The facts are you have NO option you MUST clear your debts, if you fail the consequents are Foreclosure on your home, your car reclaimed by the HP Company, court orders, bankruptcy. (SORRY but that is the hard truth).
Nevertheless, that will NOT happen to you because you are going to implement the recovery plan that we will set out for you.
We now need to first motivate you, set key objectives and realistic goals.
We all have different life styles, often based on the salary we earn.
The rule the higher you fly the harder you fall. Applies:
If you live in a large expensive house, you will have much higher mortgage repayments. Top of the range BMW, you impress no one every one knows you are living on credit.
Therefore, before you try to impress with a new swimming pool or ponies and motor bikes for the children, stop and think can we afford to do this, would we be better to wait and pay cash. (Of course you would you know it makes sense).
If you are the average person, living in a three-bed semi, with a second hand car, and are a hourly paid worker, maybe in a factory or in the construction industry, the same philosophy applies. Yes it would be nice to impress your family and friends with a tan from a expensive holiday or a top of the range car, believe me they will only be impressed the first time they see it. You will be the one faced with 3 years of HP repayments, higher insurance, and the cost of fuel.
OK I know what you are thinking every one has a mortgage has credit cards and debits, Stop because you are having negative thoughts, NO it is not OK to be in debt, it complete madness and will never make you happy it will only bring you worry and stress..
Therefore, no matter what your station in life is the same principles will apply.
We are taking time to outline the reasons most of us find ourselves in debt, because if you can not accept there is a problem you cannot take the actions required to eliminate the problem (In this case debt).
We could show many examples of credit cards. They make it so easy, you always spend three times more than, if you were buying cash. Then the situation gets even worst, let us assume you have four credit cards, average interest 16.9% they have a combined outstanding balance of £5,200. If you only pay the minimum monthly payment = to 3% of the outstanding balance it will take you 20 years to pay those cards off and your payment would total £9,720 - work it out you have paid them £4,520 interest.
You know in your heart that you get a much better deal paying cash, often a lower price and you pay NO interest.
OK we never promised a magic over night formula, we did promise the plan that WILL take you from debt to being wealthy.
Key Objectives:
o STOP ---using credit NO loans or credit cards, now you are 100% cash. Think before you spend, do not buy until you have spare cash.
o This is NOT an option, if you are at present deep in debt, you will realized, the high life is over. You will be receiving legal letters. If you do not stop using credit, then you will reach a point where that decision will not be yours. Because once you are exceeding the limit on your cards and fail to make the payments, the credit card companies will put you on stop, and immediately inform the credit agencies. Then you are really in trouble, all the other loan companies credit cards will follow suit quickly. Your bank will also withdraw your over draft facility and monitor you account as high risk.
o Cut up those credit cards. Use only cash, and only when you have spare cash, you need every penny to pay off your debts. You must learn to live a cash based life style.
o Pay off ALL your debts including mortgage, ( we will tell you how to do that in the shortest possible time)
o Learn to invest ALL spare money wisely, your main objective will be to generate wealth,
o Phase 1 set aside money in your emergency saving fund.
o Phase 2 Focus on building long-term retirement wealth, we will guide you to save investment that will generate income without the need for you to work. (You will have financial freedom) Enjoy life travel, play golf, go fishing. Have fun been happy.
o Now in the first few years you are going to throttle back, drop out of the fast lane, no more living on credit and accumulating debts that will eventually bring you crashing down, maybe cost you every thing house, car, family. (That would be devastating)
o Work hard for real freedom and independence; soon you will be the one being in charge in complete control of your own destiny.
o Simple rules, cash only, no loans, no more monthly HP agreements.
o Your family and children will need to understand that from now on all spare money will go to pay off debts. ( Hard to say no to a tearful little girl who wants a new play station game) Still a lot better than telling a teenage daughter, we are going to lose the house because we have not paid the mortgage.
o OK this is not rocket science; it is just plain common sense. You can dream and it is important to have the vision that in 5 years you can be completely debt Free.
The plan:
Prioritize your debts, (we will provide the formula).
List All your creditors ( Debt is money you owe and are legally committed to repay) (Expenses = Money you pay out each month for Gas, Electricity, food, petrol, take items that you pay every year for example car insurance, and divide by 12).
First, clearly understand how much you actually owe, what rate of interest you are paying.
Complete the following work sheets designed to help you and your family to understand where the money going. Invite innovated think and ideas as to how you could save money.
(A) Monthly Living Expenses
Living Expenses Actually cost Saving
Rent
Council Charges
Electricity -
Gas
Telephone / internet
Water Rates
TV company ( Sky)
Food (total for every thing)
Entertainment.
Children Pocket money
Car expenses
Car 1 petrol (only)
Car 2 petrol (only)
Maintenance
Road fund Tax
Insurances
Home insurances
Medical Care
Children's Education Expenses Books Tuition etc
Clothing and Miscellaneous
Other expense
Total
(B) Major Purchases - over 12 months divided by 12
Holidays
Car purchase
Major House improvements
New Furniture
New Kitchen equipment
Garden plants tools
Gym or Golf club fees
Season tickets
Recreation expenses
Miscellaneous expenses
Cash spent ATM etc
Total C/f to summary
(C) Debt payments
Name of Debt Total
Balance Monthly Payment % interest Full amount or min
Mortgage
Second Mortgage
Car Loan 1
Car loan 2
Bank Loan
Over draft
Credit Card 1
Credit Card 2
Credit Card 3
Credit Card 4
Other debts
Total C/f to Summary
(D) Monthly Income
Monthly take home salary
Second income
Benefits DHSS
Pensions
Part time job
Internet income
Total C/F to Summary
Totals carry forward
Personal Financial Statement - SUMMARY the points of reckoning, you now need to insert you figures.
E.g., total income - total Living expenses- total debt payments.
Which we hope will give you a positive result, e.g. more income than outgoings? Referred to as disposable income a true measure of your current capacity to decrease you debts and increase your wealth. Taking these initial steps should have provided you with the base information to empower you and your family to focus your efforts and give you the means to measure your progress.
It is important that you share this information with your family.
Depending on the result of Income (- outgoings) your objective will be to ensure that you have a minimum of 10% of your total income as disposable income, that is the money you are going to use to clear your debts in order of priority.
It will depend on your original check on status if you were in the 18-20 range then the figures may indicate that you have debts and expenses that exceed you present income.
If this is the case, you have NO option: You must cut your spending. All luxuries, none essential expenditure, holidays, two cars, smoking, drinking, golf club, gym, entertaining, clothes, furniture, children games, garden plants flowers. In place of golf the gym going to the pub, find spare time work earn more money.
If you DO NOT TAKE THESE ACTIONS NOW, you WILL lose your home, you will face bankruptcy. This is the hard line truth.
Total income
Total Living Expenses=
Debt Payments
D - Total of AB&C =
Disposable Income
Right now your head will be spinning, you were expecting an easy way out, there is no easy way out it takes total commitment.
We did warn you TOTAL commitment.
NO MORE CREDIT CARD spending
NO MORE LOANS
NO MORE impulse spending
NO MORE Holidays (Until you are clear of debt)
You are now on the road to recovery, you are going to transform you debt into wealth.
You first step was to create disposable income = Income minus outgoings.
Your starting point should be 10% your monthly gross income.
Write down each debt in the first column 1, total balance in column 2 the minimum payment in column 3, then you divide the total balance by the monthly payment, insert the answer in column 4.
Next, you need to prioritize your debts in column 5 Start with the lowest division answer in column 4 until they are numbered.
Column 6 that is where you start to see the benefit, to show the debts as they are cleared (Paid off).
To know how many payments to pay off: You divide column 2 by column 6 = the number of months in column 7.
First you use your disposable income to increase the payments on debt 1, what will quickly clear that debt, at which point you now have even more disposable money all off which you use to accelerate the payment of debt 2, as each debt is paid you roll it over to really accelerate the payment on the next debt. Once you pay all debts off, then you have ALL of the disposable income to invest. Now you have gone from debt to building wealth.
Invest wisely NEVER go back to credit cards or loans only live on a cash basis. Moreover, plan for retirement.
Name of Debt Total
Balance Monthly
payments Division
Answer Pay off
Priority Additional monthly payments Months to pay off
Column 2 = total debt £------------------------
Column 3 = Total Monthly payments £------------------------
We trust that you can see the philosophy, and the benefits of using ALL your disposable money E.G. Income minus outgoings to accelerate repayment of your debts, then the amazing acceleration that takes place as each debt is written off you have extra money to pay of the next debt ( In order of priority).
This is a WIN -WIN situation, once you see it actually working and no more creditors chasing for money, do not relax maintain total commitment this is not just about clearing your debts this is about a new life, (CASH ONLY).
In just a few years, you will be in a position to create wealth for you and your family. You will have taught your children how to manage money, never to worry about you future again.
Now you will really have the respect of your piers, friends and family. You will own every thing the house, cars. Take that five star holiday all paid up front CASH.
I wish you good fortune;
If you need further help or would like the Excel forms to monitor and record transactions FREE please do not hesitate to contact us.
Your Faithfully
Kenneth Yearsley

(Think new future better life no worries or stress, security) Make this commitment get out of debt, to change your spending habits. This is the hard task. Do that and then you can look forward to a new future?
For nearly three years, I continue to impulse buy. Then I started robbing Peter to Pay Paul using one credit card to pay of another, transferring balances, taking out loans. WOW, I had spiraled deep into debt. Under pressure from all the creditors, could not sleep, each month all my salary already committed to creditors, outgoing much higher than my income.Learn from our mistakes: (It take WILL and commitment, but will change your life for ever) if I can be of any assistant please contact us: (It is free genuine no sign up or sales pitch ) ken@makemoney.us.com