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	<title>Insurance and Credit &#187; debt relief</title>
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	<description>For thoughts, ideas and ramblings on Insurance and Credit</description>
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		<title>Advice On How To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/advice-on-how-to-get-out-of-credit-card-debt</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/advice-on-how-to-get-out-of-credit-card-debt#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:34:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lena Hellsten</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/advice-on-how-to-get-out-of-credit-card-debt</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is not unusual these days to have many different credit cards with both high and low interest rates and to end up having more bills to pay then you actually are capable to. This of course is often a very stressful situation and the norm for a lot of people.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Lena Hellsten</div>
<p>It is not unusual these days to have many different credit cards with both high and low interest rates and to end up having more bills to pay then you actually are capable to. This of course is often a very stressful situation and the norm for a lot of people.</p>
<p>When you reach a certain point and realize that things seriously has to change it could be a good idea to form a plan that can be a guide and help you get out of the credit card debts that you&#8217;re having.</p>
<p>If you feel that it is time to do something serious about your situation you can be sure that there are plenty of things you can do that is more sustainable than the quick-fix of getting another credit card loan that pays your other debts.</p>
<p>Most important is to become organized. This simple step can make a huge difference. When you begin to be more aware of how much you owe, when the bills have to be payed and so forth and you begin to plan how you&#8217;re going to use your income you are one starting to be in charge of your situation.</p>
<p>It is also important to be aware of the different interest rates on the different credit cards, especially if you&#8217;re planning to completely clear you credit card debts. In this way you can prioritize the ones that has a higher interest rate and in this way making the total amount of money to pay back less. It is smart to pay off those credit card debts in case you receive extra money.</p>
<p>Another good way to free yourself from debts with high interest rates is to take a debt consolidation loan. This is a loan that covers all the credit card debts and that has a lower interest rate. In this way you debts can become a lot more manageable.</p>
<p>If you feel that your credit card debt is beyond your abilities and you dont see a way to solve your situation, it might be a good idea to seek out debt counseling and service to find a way to make a plan that can work for you. In this way you get professional advice and you can let someone with plenty of experience help you get around your credit card debt and out on the other side.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>Find out <a href="http://www.debtreliefcanada.net/how-to-get-out-of-credit-card-debt.html">how to get out of credit card debt</a> now. We assist Canadians with a variety of <a href="http://www.debtreliefcanada.net/debt-relief-strategies.html">debt relief strategies</a></div>
</div>
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		<title>Top 7 Tips For Avoiding No Hassle Payday Loans Disasters</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/top-7-tips-for-avoiding-no-hassle-payday-loans-disasters</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/top-7-tips-for-avoiding-no-hassle-payday-loans-disasters#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2009 01:19:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jacob Williams</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business and finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home and family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[instant payday loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[payday loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self improvement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/top-7-tips-for-avoiding-no-hassle-payday-loans-disasters</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever heard of a loan service that is labeled as no hassle payday loans? No hassle payday loans service is another way for you to be able to avail of easy money that could help you with your finances.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Jacob Williams</div>
<p>Have you ever heard of a loan service that is labeled as no hassle payday loans? Well to tell you the truth this is something that is not very convincing but once you get to know what&#8217;s behind the no hassle payday loans service you would definitely like to know more about it.</p>
<p>If you would like to avail of a loan that would suffice your need in cash immediately you may be able to utilize the no hassle payday loans service. It&#8217;s good that we have options like these so we would be able to get temporary assistance that would help us get the financial help that we need for the mean time. If you have already utilized the service then you probably have experienced the easiest way to get funds for your financial emergency.</p>
<p>You might as well be thinking if no hassle payday loan would be that comfortable in terms of acquiring it.  That is because of its key feature that allows the borrower to proceed through the application process without the worry of being disapproved because of a failing credit background check. Don&#8217;t get me wrong, it&#8217;s not that I am saying that there are a lot of dishonest people in the world and only those who are dishonest can avail of this, of course not anybody can even those who have good credit can avail no hassle payday loans anytime they want.</p>
<p>But since most of the concerns of the individuals who are trying to get a loan for a certain financial demand or for emergency purposes are more often with the background check that will be conducted by the lenders, they are given no options but to discontinue pursuing for the approval of the application &#8211; thinking that it&#8217;s a waste of time.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s a very good thing that we have the option to choose no hassle payday loans as your loan provider because through this you will be able to avail of a service that would be truly beneficial on your end. So if you would really like a loan processing with no credit checks, no sending of documents through fax and no brokers being involved, don&#8217;t hesitate to look for further options because if you have the will to find the answers then you will always have a way to reach your goal.</p>
<p>If your goal is to make that loan possible, all you have to do is to avail of the no hassle payday loans service online and you&#8217;ll definitely get your loan processed in the nick of time.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>For more free tips and information on Payday Loans visit try visiting <a href='http://www.paydayloanstips.net/one-hour-payday-loan.php'>A Cheapest One Hour Payday Loan</a>.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Negotiating with debt collectors</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/negotiating-with-debt-collectors</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/negotiating-with-debt-collectors#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2009 08:41:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Daniel R. Michaelson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt solutions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self help]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/negotiating-with-debt-collectors</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The phone rings. You don't pick it up, because you know that it's going to be another debt collector. You've fallen behind - the mortgage, rent, credit cards. It doesn't matter, you're still under water for a lot of money and are looking for a way out.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Daniel R. Michaelson</div>
<p>The phone rings. You don&#8217;t pick it up, because you know that it&#8217;s going to be another debt collector. You&#8217;ve fallen behind &#8211; the mortgage, rent, credit cards. It doesn&#8217;t matter, you&#8217;re still under water for a lot of money and are looking for a way out.</p>
<p>The time to remedy this is before it reaches a collections agency. There are some very basic things you can do to keep your credit in good standing.</p>
<p>First and foremost, maintain a channel of communication. Contact your creditors (even the collections agencies) proactively and talk to them. Explain what&#8217;s going on in your life; the common perception that they&#8217;re heartless sharks isn&#8217;t close to reality. They want to get their money, yes. But they&#8217;re worried that you&#8217;ll vanish down a rabbit hole leaving them with an uncollectable debt as well.</p>
<p>Before you call, have a plan. Tally up all of your debts, all of your expenses in a month, including a general &#8220;oops&#8221; amount, and figure out how much you can really afford to pay. Paying down your debts takes some fiscal discipline; cut back on going to fast food restaurants and learn to cook more vegetables for meals are two surprisingly easy ways to cut back on expenses.</p>
<p>Unless you&#8217;re already at least three months behind on your payments, creditors aren&#8217;t going to be willing to negotiate a settlement with you; and since so far, you&#8217;ve been in good standing they have little incentive to do so. It&#8217;s not uncommon to make a late payment now and again and other than paying some late fees or interest payments, there&#8217;s really nothing else to it. Consumers typically return to making regular payments. </p>
<p>Fourth &#8211; talk to your creditors. Call them if you&#8217;re going to be late with a bill. Tell them about what&#8217;s going on, and demonstrate that you do consider your debts important. Most creditors live in fear of a person becoming noncommunicative and bailing out on the debt or filing bankruptcy. Most will be quite happy to extend a payment deadline by a week or two to help you out.</p>
<p>If you are dealing with a collection agency, have a copy of your credit report handy. Try to get the final disposition of the debt changed to &#8220;settled for less than the total outstanding balance&#8221; rather than &#8220;did not pay as agreed&#8221;. Even better, if you can work out a livable agreement, and pay it off, make sure to get your credit report again and get your creditors to report it as settled.</p>
<p>You might be able to take care of one or even a couple small debt negotiations by yourself &#8211; but if you have many delinquent accounts, it can be too much to juggle on your own. However, most people who are in such serious financial trouble that they&#8217;re considering debt negotiation have more than one past due account in need of settlement. If you only have one delinquent account, your creditor probably won&#8217;t be willing to settle since you&#8217;re keeping current with other accounts. Most of the time, professional help is the way to go to get a handle on your debts. A good debt management company is dedicated to helping consumers make wise choices and connect with the most appropriate debt solution to manage their debt.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>This article was written by Daniel R. Michaelson, an author and leading authority on consumer debt consolidation programs. You can learn more about approved <a href="http://www.edebthelp.com">debt consolidation</a>.</div>
</div>
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		<title>You Don&#8217;t Have to Clear Debt Alone</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/you-dont-have-to-clear-debt-alone</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/you-dont-have-to-clear-debt-alone#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2009 07:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pat Johnson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consolidation loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/you-dont-have-to-clear-debt-alone</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Moving from one or more high interest debts to a low interest one is a sound financial planning strategy. If you continue making partial payments (or no payments) the interest charges are calculated afresh on the new balance. This is people get themselves into trouble.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Pat Johnson</div>
<p>Moving from one or more high interest debts to a low interest one is a sound financial planning strategy. If you continue making partial payments (or no payments) the interest charges are calculated afresh on the new balance. This is people get themselves into trouble.</p>
<p>We know that it&#8217;s good to consolidate debt (at least that is what we keep hearing from everyone). College student credit cards are really meant to be treated like a training ground for learning more about credit cards. Unfortunately they are not always used like that and often serve as a training ground for collection agencies and getting in over your head.</p>
<p>Now, what do you do to consolidate credit card debt? There are always a number of offers available for you to choose from. These are the cold hard facts. So what do we mean by consolidation loans? </p>
<p>Some debt settlement agencies might have a very low fee but no reputation. The first thing, really, is to keep your eyes and ears open. It goes without saying that learning to watch out for scams is a part of one&#8217;s success in effectively dealing with these things.</p>
<p>I think that you should find a well appointed intermediary that deals better with settlement negotiation due to extensive hands on experience. If some friend has been through this process previously, they might be able to recommend a settlement agency to you. Like most things in life, you are usually better off by following a referral from someone you trust than to go blindly forward without knowing the integrity of the other party you are dealing with.</p>
<p>It can be a vicious circle. Soon, these people again land up with a credit cards and are again trying to pay off credit card offer. That said, it&#8217;s important to note that no unsecured loans settlement agency will be able to help you if you are not ready to help yourself. Another very important preventive measure for avoiding too much unsecured debt is to avoid going for a second credit card.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>For more credit help be sure to read Pat&#8217;s <a href='http://thecreditcamp.com/debtclear-review-94.html'>DebtClear review</a> at The Credit Camp Blog.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Real Facts about Debt Relief Options</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/real-facts-about-debt-relief-options</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/real-facts-about-debt-relief-options#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2009 03:00:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Daniel R. Michaelson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial help]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self help]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/real-facts-about-debt-relief-options</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In my years of experience in the industry, I have found that most people are looking for a debt relief option that does not exist. Here are the criteria they are usually requesting: - Pay off all accounts quickly - Not harm their credit - Not cause creditors to hound them with phone calls]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Daniel R. Michaelson</div>
<p>In my years of experience in the industry, I have found that most people are looking for a debt relief option that does not exist. Here are the criteria they are usually requesting: &#8211; Pay off all accounts quickly &#8211; Not harm their credit &#8211; Not cause creditors to hound them with phone calls</p>
<p>The straight fact: That program does not exist!</p>
<p>What I have found over years of assisting clients out from under the burden of debt, is that most are initially seeking a program that does not exist. Let&#8217;s be clear, there is no debt management program in existence that will provide the above benefits. That being said, let&#8217;s talk about what options are available and in short summary; provide a basic understanding of each one.</p>
<p>Debt Consolidation: Debt consolidation loans are typically home equity loans or second mortgages. This is where you take the equity out of your home to pay off unsecured debts, and then just repay the equity loan with one payment, hopefully lower than the total min payments on all your unsecured debts. The upside is that you can trade in your high-interest unsecured debts for a lower-interest, single payment that can sometimes have a tax benefit. The downside is that most people who have a lot of unsecured debt will not qualify for a loan, or have any equity in their home.</p>
<p>Credit Counseling: Credit counseling companies have been getting a lot of trouble lately with consumer protection agencies. Most of them are non-profit and claim to lower your interest rates and provide a low monthly payment. Typically, they take your payment and distribute to pay each creditor a small payment. The good thing is well there is no good thing. Credit counseling programs hardly ever do what they claim, and many creditors no longer participate. Most have found this to be a serious waste of money and time. The bad thing is that your creditors will enter a statement onto your credit report for every account in credit couseling that states that the account is handled through a program. This is a seroius negative for anyone looking at your credit.</p>
<p>Debt Settlement: This has become, by far, the most popular and most effective program for getting out of debt in a short period of time. However, you must truly be in a financial hardship and not able to pay your current minimum payments. The idea here is to negotiate an accepted settlement of less than what is owed with each of your creditors. All creditors will accept settlements as long as you are far delinquent, and have shown valid reason. It seems that attorneys have been most effective in negotiations with creditors due to the fact they cannot be easily bullied by debt collectors. The positive is that you can completely pay off your accounts for a fraction of what is owed in a very short time-frame; usually 36 months or less. The negative is that your accounts must become very delinquent before creditors will accept settlements. This is not a problem if you are in a financial hardship; after all, you already have an inability to make your minimum payments.</p>
<p>Bankruptcy: It once was that anyone could file chapter 7 bankruptcy. In the post-bankruptcy reform era most people now don&#8217;t qualify for bankruptcy, and have no other alternative except the options outlined in this article. The good thing is that once a chapter 7 bankruptcy is fully discharged, the owed amounts are written off and will not pursued further. The bad thing is that it is that you will have a permanent public court record, and will also have a public record on your credit report for up to 10 years.</p>
<p>This information should provide you with foundation of knowledge that will allow you to select the best debt relief option for your specific financial circumstances.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>With over 20 years in the consumer debt consolidation field, Daniel R. Michaelson is one of the leading authorities on <a href="http://www.edebthelp.com">Debt Consolidation</a>.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Things You Can Do for Quick Credit Fixes</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/things-you-can-do-for-quick-credit-fixes</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/things-you-can-do-for-quick-credit-fixes#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 01:13:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brad Morgan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit Cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit repair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fast credit repair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/credit/things-you-can-do-for-quick-credit-fixes</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the ideal world, we'd never have to worry about our credit rating, as everything we would purchase would be purchased in cold, hard cash. In reality, however, it is not possible to live and buy things in the world without a little bit of credit.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Brad Morgan</div>
<p>In the ideal world, we&#8217;d never have to worry about our credit rating, as everything we would purchase would be purchased in cold, hard cash. In reality, however, it is not possible to live and buy things in the world without a little bit of credit. </p>
<p>The first thing to do is to actually figure out what your credit score happens to be. If you wait until you are trying to purchase something, you&#8217;ll be too late. It&#8217;s much better to fix a bad credit score before you are trying to purchase something rather than after.</p>
<p>There are a lot of places where you can go online that promise to give you a free credit score. Don&#8217;t believe the hype. There are not many real places that will truly give you a free credit score. The majority of them will trick you into purchasing something before they give you the information that you&#8217;re trying to get.</p>
<p>If you want to get your credit score, you may have to pay a small fee, but it is worth it when you&#8217;re trying to ascertain how bad your credit truly is.</p>
<p>Paying off credit cards is a great way to achieve fast credit repair. Credit cards can drag your credit rating down quickly due to their high interest rates. If you can get your credit rate below 30% of the credit limit that you have on the card, you will repair your credit score immensely.</p>
<p>Instead of getting any new credit cards, grab some of the older ones you&#8217;ve got out of your wallet and use them. Having a long credit history gives you a better credit rating, and the only way to get that older history is to occasionally use the older cards that you&#8217;ve got.</p>
<p>Make sure you look at your credit history and go through it with a fine toothed comb. If you find something that is wrong, you need to have it fixed. Lots of times, credit companies will report a dispute that you are having to the credit bureau but will forget to fix the situation once you&#8217;ve gotten everything under control.</p>
<p>If this happens, make sure that you contact the company and the credit bureau to get the collection off of your bill. This will bring your rating up significantly in a very fast manner.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re worried about getting your credit rating up and are looking for fast credit repair, look no further than yourself. There are tons of things that you can do in order to get a credit rating that is not only good, but great, especially when you take the time to look at your credit rating a few times a year. In the credit world, getting the jump on a problem before it occurs can make all the difference.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>An excellent path to credit repair is by visiting the <a href="http://www.free--credit-reports.org/">free credit report</a> technique and reviewing your <a href="http://www.free--credit-score.com/">free credit score</a>.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Divorce And Debt Collections</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/divorce-and-debt-collections</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/divorce-and-debt-collections#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:12:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jay Marzico</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bill collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bill collector harassment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collection agencies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[divorce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[re-aging accounts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/divorce-and-debt-collections</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most common questions that I receive from people struggling with their household finances is, How do I stop collection agencies from harassing me?  Many of the people asking me about the harassment they are enduring from debt collectors come from divorced individuals.  I recently got an email from a divorced lady whose ex-husband had quit paying the bills he agreed to pay in their divorce decree.  Her situation is not unique.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Jay Marzico</div>
<p>One of the most common questions that I receive from people struggling with their household finances is, How do I stop collection agencies from harassing me?  Many of the people asking me about the harassment they are enduring from debt collectors come from divorced individuals.  I recently got an email from a divorced lady whose ex-husband had quit paying the bills he agreed to pay in their divorce decree.  Her situation is not unique.</p>
<p>The story often goes like this:  Girl marries boy.  Girl and boy divorce.  Boy hates girl.  Boy vows to make girl&#8217;s life miserable.  Boy fraudulently obtains multiple joint accounts with Girl&#8217;s information.  Boy wracks up an ungodly debt and drops off the face of the earth.  Girl is stuck holding the bag.  </p>
<p>Don&#8217;t assume that a divorce settlement resolves who gets what debt.  If a partner fails to pay on that debt, and it is a joint account, you are on the hook.  Debtors do not care what the divorce court says, their collection efforts are not governed or limited by a divorce settlement.  This is unfortunate, but it is legal.  You were the co-signer. </p>
<p>The lady I received an Email from was experiencing this very thing.  Six years ago, she had wrangled with debt collectors, and refused to cooperate in paying for a single dime her ex-husband had squandered and left unpaid.  As time passed, the collection calls tapered off.  Now, over half a decade later, she is getting those same calls again.  The debt collectors are now trying to collect almost $9,000 along with interest and fees for the past-due amount.  </p>
<p>My sympathies were certainly with her.  After having remarried and left the past behind her, it was rearing its ugly head again.  She wanted to know, How can these collection agencies legally harass me for my ex-husband&#8217;s actions?  We&#8217;re not even married any more!  She also asked the more practical question of, How do I stop the collection agencies from chasing me for these bills?</p>
<p>If you allegedly owe money to a creditor, they may pursue you until they tire of the chase.  When this happens, they often sell the rights to collect that debt to a collection agency.  While there are state statutes on how long you may be pursued, the start date is based upon when the collection agency purchased your account.  To avoid the account exceeding state statutes, collection agencies routinely buy and sell accounts amongst themselves.  This process is known as re-aging debt, and can continue indefinitely.</p>
<p>Onto the first question of what to do.  I had no easy answer.  Repairing credit and disputing collections takes work.  In the case of collections, it will probably mean repeating your efforts, at some point in the future.  So, what can you do?</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t spend all of your time placing dispute comments on your credit reports.  Nobody reads them.  If you spend the time to even argue the collection, by placing a comment, you may actually be hurting yourself.  It also makes this bad debt stand out on your credit report. Exactly what you don&#8217;t want to have happen.  How much can you say in your defense when the credit bureaus only give you 100 words to dispute a claim.  It just isn&#8217;t worth it.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t be afraid to dispute a collection account, but be smart about it.  Demand documented proof that the account belongs to you, and any supporting evidence that the collector can legally make attempts to recover the debt.  Legally, if they cannot prove the debt is yours, they may not report it to the credit bureaus or continue their attempts to collect.  If you know the steps in this process, you can be surprisingly effective in shutting down their efforts.  Most collection accounts have been repeatedly bought or sold, and the paperwork can often be sketchy.</p>
<p>Check your state laws.  Collection agencies are often contemptuous of the statute of limitations on debt collection, unless you are knowledgeable enough to threaten them with your knowledge of their violation.</p>
<p>One of the most effective methods of halting those annoying calls and letters is a cease and desist letter.  Both the state and Federal government have laws that regulate debt collection to protect you, the consumer.  Once you issue a cease and desist, federal law prohibits the collection agency from pursuing you by phone or mail for that account, other than to acknowledge that they are stopping their efforts.</p>
<p>As a last ditch effort, you can offer to settle the debt.  You may tire from the efforts of the debt collections, and just want the whole problem to end.  If so, offer to pay ten cents on the dollar. In return, the collection agency must provide you with a letter stating that your account is settled, and will be removed permanently from your credit report.  Never, never settle for a verbal agreement.  A collection agency will tell you just about anything you want to hear, as long as they think that they can get at least some money from you.  Since they normally pay pennies on the dollar for your debt, they are still making money on you.  Insult to injury, they will sell the remaining debt, and the process repeats itself.</p>
<p>If you are facing collection efforts, don&#8217;t be afraid to fight back.  If they&#8217;ve damaged your credit, you can do something to repair it.  Your efforts will probably result in a higher credit score, and will certainly reduce the efforts of collection agencies.  If you are struggling with collectors, and the process just seems too frustrating, you may want to consider using a reputable credit repair agency.  One of the companies with a reputation for effectively dealing with collection agencies is Over720.com.  They are the only credit repair company that I&#8217;ve found that will repeatedly confront collectors.  Most of the credit repair companies will remove your bad account from your credit report, and it will reappear six months down the road.  The account was sold, and a new collection agency is working the file.  Over720.com is the only company that will resolve any recurrances, free of charge.  I have to admit, they are tenacious and serious about getting results.  That&#8217;s not very common in the credit repair industry.</p>
<p>Decide how you are going to resolve your collection issues, and then act.  In today&#8217;s economy, your credit score is too important to be damaged by a collection agency.  Be tough, and you can resolve those issues.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>Jay Marzico is a professional in the field of <a href="http://over720.com/bad_credit.html">credit restoration</a>. He advises clients on the consumer protection laws surrounding debt collections. You can find more educational articles on credit restoration from Mr. Marzico at <a href="http://over720.com">www.over720.com</a>. This and other <a href='http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=188977&amp;p=18361'>unique content &#8216;bill collections&#8217; articles</a> are available with free reprint rights.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Under the Weather? You Need to Know these 4 Ways to Avoid Medical Debt</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/under-the-weather-you-need-to-know-these-4-ways-to-avoid-medical-debt</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/under-the-weather-you-need-to-know-these-4-ways-to-avoid-medical-debt#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>James Williams</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt reduction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hospital bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical billing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical bills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reduce debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/personal-finance/under-the-weather-you-need-to-know-these-4-ways-to-avoid-medical-debt</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who isn't struggling to pay off debt these days? Whether it's credit card bills or student loans, most people seem to be overwhelmed by a flood of debt that never seems to subside. It has been noted that a growing portion of that debt is related to costs associated with medical procedures. A few hours can equal a few thousand dollars of medical debt, which may take a few years to pay off. This struggle with high medical costs has been a leading factor in the rise of America's divorce rate in the last few decades.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by James Williams</div>
<p>Who isn&#8217;t struggling to pay off debt these days? Whether it&#8217;s credit card bills or student loans, most people seem to be overwhelmed by a flood of debt that never seems to subside. It has been noted that a growing portion of that debt is related to costs associated with medical procedures. A few hours can equal a few thousand dollars of medical debt, which may take a few years to pay off. This struggle with high medical costs has been a leading factor in the rise of America&#8217;s divorce rate in the last few decades.</p>
<p>With such a huge problem weighing on the minds of many good people, you might think more practical solutions would be presented. But alas, most advocates of health care reform live in the theoretical and never speak to real-world answers for the here and now. To wit, here are four practical tips for reducing medical bills and avoiding the resulting debt.</p>
<p><b>1. Shop Price.</b> If you know you have a procedure coming up, it is important to shop around for the best price. A mistake many people make is assuming all doctors or hospitals charge the same. That is simply not the case. You wouldn&#8217;t have your garage door repaired without trying to find the best deal. Why should it be any different with a colonoscopy or a breast exam? Another mistake is in assuming that if you have insurance, there is no need to fret with the details of medical billing. Remember that the total bill will affect your out-of-pocket cost, so do yourself a favor and shop around for quality care at the best rate.</p>
<p><b>2. Get an Itemized Bill.</b> Hospitals make mistakes like any other business. And like any other business, there is always the possibility of the cost of a service being over-inflated. As a matter of practice, most hospitals do not give you an itemized bill automatically, so you must ask for one. This could mean several hundred to several thousand dollars of savings if you catch a mistake or call out a grossly over-stated line item.</p>
<p><b>3. Watch out for Medical Codes.</b> Every procedure that is billable gets coded using a standard medical coding system for diagnosing and treating medical concerns. Why should you care about these codes? Well, it is best explained with an example. Say you have a history of migraine headaches, and you visit the emergency room complaining of pain in your forehead. Ultimately, you find out it was a sinus issue and you leave. The doctor may code the diagnosis as a sinus headache or possibly a migraine headache, maybe because you mentioned that during the exam. Well, if it was coded as a migraine and your insurance company has that down as a preexisting condition, they will refuse to pay, even though you really just had a sinus headache. If you find one of these mistakes, talk to the doctor or nurse that did the exam. They may recognize the error and resubmit the paperwork.</p>
<p><b>4. Request a Discount.</b> Everyone knows someone who is either without medical insurance, or is lacking significant medical coverage. For example, securing an independent insurance policy that covers maternity is near impossible these days. But if you find yourself without insurance, you may be eligible for a discount. The cost of filing insurance claims has driven costs higher for doctors and hospitals, and they have responded by increasing the prices you pay. However, in many cases, if you pay them directly and thus absolve them from having to file insurance paperwork, they may cut their prices dramatically. Other discounts may be given for up-front payment or early registration. Do inquire about discounts any time you are facing a significant medical procedure.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>James offers tips, tricks, and common sense advice about <a href='http://reducedebtschool.com/12-ways-to-reduce-debt-today-part-1/'>reducing debt</a> on his website where he helps people <a href='http://reducedebtschool.com'>get out of debt</a>.</div>
</div>
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		<title>Debt Consolidation Companies And What They Can Do For You</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/debt-consolidation-companies-and-what-they-can-do-for-you</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/debt-consolidation-companies-and-what-they-can-do-for-you#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brenda Lengel</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bill consolidation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation companies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation quote]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation quotes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nonprofit debt consolidation companies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online debt consolidation company]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/debt-consolidation-companies-and-what-they-can-do-for-you</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Debt consolidation companies are the organizations that help you find a solution for the never-ending debt trap. Debt consolidation companies work to reduce your debt burden, the stress of collection calls, high finance charges, late payment charges, and over the limit charges.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by Brenda Lengel</div>
<p>Debt consolidation companies are the organizations that help you find a solution for the never-ending debt trap. Debt consolidation companies work to reduce your debt burden, the stress of collection calls, high finance charges, late payment charges, and over the limit charges. </p>
<p>Debt consolidation companies work in several ways. The first way is to consolidate all of your loans and credit card payments into one single loan at a lower rate of interest and for an extended duration, so that you can comfortably work towards paying off the debt. This is called a debt consolidation loan.</p>
<p>Another method a debt consolidation company uses is debt counseling in which the counselors help you stick to a financial discipline and manage your debts. In this way you do not have to take out a fresh loan to repay your previous debts. </p>
<p>Sometimes you can also do debt consolidation without a loan.  In this process, the debt consolidation company negotiates lower interest rates and charges with your creditors.  You make one monthly payment to the debt consolidation company and they make the monthly payments to your creditors.</p>
<p>If debt consolidation, a loan, or debt counseling is not what you need, the debt consolidation company can help you obtain a debt settlement.  The debt consolidation company will discuss your financial situation with the companies that you owe money to and try to obtain a settlement amount that is much less than the total amount that you owe.  You will be able to make one payment to the debt consolidation company each month, and in turn, they will send payment to the companies that have offered you a settlement for your debts.  </p>
<p>The counselors of debt consolidation companies educate you by changing your attitude towards money and helping you rationalize your monthly expenses. By this, you can increase your monthly repayments, which will reduce your debt burden and gradually help you to become debt-free. However, debt consolidation counselors cannot help you unless you impose financial discipline on yourself and cut out excess spending. </p>
<p>You can also seek help from nonprofit debt consolidation companies who may help you reduce your monthly payments. Since these companies do not work for profit, they do not buy your debts and loans. Rather, they focus on reducing your monthly payoff by negotiations and settlement to ease your debt burden. Debt consolidation companies want to help you consolidate your bills and become debt free.</p>
<p>For a free debt consolidation quote, please click on the link Debt Consolidation.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>Brenda Lengel is an expert in unsecured bill consolidation loans. To find out about <a href="http://www.debtconsolidationquotes.org">debt consolidation companies </a>, visit her site to get free <a href="http://www.debtconsolidationquotes.org">debt consolidation quote.</a></div>
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		<title>Should you opt for debt consolidation</title>
		<link>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/loans/should-you-opt-for-debt-consolidation-2</link>
		<comments>http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/loans/should-you-opt-for-debt-consolidation-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:56:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Peter Daas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit repair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit score]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt consolidation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt repair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FICO score]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mortgage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.insuranceandcredit.info/finance/loans/should-you-opt-for-debt-consolidation-2</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you having trouble every month paying the bills? You can get out of your current dire financial straits. It's your responsibility to take back control over your finances and start moving towards solid financial ground. And the quickest way to do it is debt consolidation.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style='font-style:italic;' class='byline'>by William Brunswick</div>
<p>Are you having trouble every month paying the bills? You can get out of your current dire financial straits. It&#8217;s your responsibility to take back control over your finances and start moving towards solid financial ground. And the quickest way to do it is debt consolidation. </p>
<p>Will debt consolidation have a negative impact on your credit score? The answer is yes, but only in the short run. But sometimes taking a step back is the fastest way to get ready to move a few steps forward. If your having serious problems now, the first thing you need to do is find stability. Debt consolidation will give you this much needed stability.</p>
<p>Chances are good your credit score needs some improving anyway if you&#8217;ve ever been behind on payments. The fastest way to consolidate debt is getting a home equity loan. A lender will be glad to speak to you if you have enough equity in your home to cover your current debt.</p>
<p>A home equity loan can drastically lower your payments because of the difference in interest rates between a home loan and a credit card loan for example. If you&#8217;re not a home owner at the moment, speak with a debt consolidation professional. You can set up a good debt consolidation plan with the help of an expert. </p>
<p>If you do it right, you will reap the benefits of debt consolidation. A lower interest rate, lower monthly payments and most important, a feeling of financial stability. If you want to get debt consolidation done, find out if there&#8217;s a way for you to take out one big loan to pay back your current total debt. Start your road to financial stability today by adhering to these steps.</p>
<div class='resource'>
<div style='font-style:italic;' class='about'>About the Author:</div>
<div class='links'>William is a financial writer. He writes about <a href="http://www.mijnadviseur.nl/hoeveel-hypotheek-kan-ik-krijgen">hoeveel hypotheek</a> and <a href="http://www.mijnadviseur.nl/">hypotheken</a> in Dutch.</div>
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