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Why it Really Pays to Consolidate Your Debts

October 22, 2017 by Justin Weinger

Bloomberg reported that credit card debt levels in the US recently exceeded the levels at the peak of the Global Financial Crisis. Consider that US consumer credit card debt hit an all-time high in June 2017 when it topped out at $1.02 trillion according to the Federal Reserve Bank. Major US banks and lenders in the form of JPMorgan Chase & Company, as well as Citigroup Inc. are vying for their slice of credit card customers with existing balances. In an era of extraordinarily low interest rates, customers are being enticed with credit card offers to try and get them to sign up with big banks and credit card companies. Fortunately, the status quo is far more favourable to US households in 2017 than it was in 2008/2009 when interest rates were significantly higher.

Additionally, the unemployment rate is at multi-decade lows, coupled with low inflation and an otherwise ‘booming’ economy. Back in 2008, the housing bubble burst and trillions of dollars were wiped off global bourses. The financial meltdown that ensued threatened to upend economic stability around the world. Were it not for bold initiatives by the Federal Reserve Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, and the European Central Bank, a meltdown most certainly would have occurred. In the US, the crisis resulted in banks eliminating some $100 billion+ in credit card-related loans from their books. This all took place within a 2-year period. In February 2017, the total outstanding debt on credit cards in the US breached the $1 trillion level.

Credit Card Companies Happy to Lend Money Out

Concerns mounted as major credit card companies such as Synchrony Financial, Capital One Corporation, and Discover Financial Services posted results of write-offs (credit card debt that would not be recovered): unrecoverable bad debts in Q2 2017 increased sharply. Equally concerning is the fact that US household credit card debt is now at its highest level in history. Outstanding revolving credit card debt now exceeds the worst levels seen since April 2008 when it was also at $1.021 trillion. For those wondering why credit card debt levels are growing so rapidly, there are several factors to bear in mind:

  • Interest rates are at historic lows, despite the Fed’s push to raise the federal funds rate as inflation begins to rise
  • The US economy has turned the corner since the financial crisis and things are markedly better, although there is room for improvement
  • Lenders are eager to snap up as many borrowers as possible with low interest rate credit card offers

Lower Spending Limits on Credit Cards

However, it should be borne in mind lenders have put limitations on credit card balances. Nonetheless, it’s important to pay close attention to outstanding balances, and the interest-related payments that must be made. While interest rates are currently low, the APR (annual percentage rate) of credit cards ranges from 15% through 28% and this means that customers are paying interest on their interest. At such high rates, it’s important to manage credit card debt before it overwhelms your household budget.

 

One way to do this is debt consolidation – the process of grouping together similar debt like credit card debt and paying it off with a loan through another lender at a lower interest rate than the credit card debt. The benefit of debt consolidation is that you can immediately pay off high-interest debt with a low interest loan and use the money saved to pay down other debt or use as savings.

 

According to the New York Federal Reserve Bank, US household debt spiked over $1trillion in March 2017, a worrying trend. The bulk of US household debt remains locked in the following areas: mortgage debt, student loans, automobile loans, credit card debt, and medical debt. The rise in student loans and automobile loans is disturbing. Household income is not growing as quickly as the rising costs of medical coverage, and other expenses. At two thirds of overall household debt, mortgage debt is the most pressing concern. However, it is regarded as good debt since the real estate is an asset with a value proposition.

Filed Under: Get Out of Debt

5 Reasons to Reach Out to United Debt Counselors When You Need Debt Relief

August 5, 2017 by Justin Weinger

When every paycheck is spent just trying to keep up with bills and loan repayments, it can start to get you down. If you’re ready to live a life free of the crushing stress of debt, qualified debt counselors may be able to help. Here are a few reasons to reach out in an effort to start living debt-free.

1. You’re Swamped

Most Americans are dealing with some kind of debt trouble. Whether it’s college loans, taxes from freelance work, or credit card bills piling up, debt is something we all struggle with from time to time. However, when debt starts taking over your ability to live a normal life and enjoy things, that’s the time to reach out to a debt counselor. No one should have to put his or her life on hold or file for bankruptcy just to get a handle on mounting debt.

2. The Interest Just Keeps Piling Up

If you’ve been diligent about paying your bills and loan repayments on time and you’re still seeing no progress, it might be time to consult a trusted debt representative. When it comes to high interest rates and impossible terms, they have experience negotiating debt settlements with lenders to reduce your obligations to something you can actually pay back with time or with a lump sum saved up.

3. You Don’t Have the Time

Perhaps you’ve made a real effort to try and get your financial affairs in order. But, as with everything, sometimes life just gets in the way. If you’re working one or two full-time jobs, it’s not easy to come home after a long, hard day of work and turn your attention to debt. When you entrust debt counselors to help work to settle your debt, you’re delegating your financial burden over to a company that has the time and resources to advocate for you.

4. You Want to Start Saving

If you’ve been living with debt for a long time, there may come a time when you realize you want something more. Maybe you’re trying to buy a car or a house, and you feel your debt situation is getting in the way of your moving forward. If this is the case, debt counselors may be able to help. By working with the company to negotiate your debts down to a payable sum, you’re paving the way for a future in which you can start saving money for the things you want.

5. You’re Making a Big Life Decision

Whether you’re looking at making a big move, going back to school, or having kids, debt shouldn’t ever be able to affect a huge personal decision in your life. If you feel like you’re ready to move on to the next stage of your life, call a debt counselors today and schedule an appointment with a representative to talk about starting your debt settlement plan.

Filed Under: Get Out of Debt

Why Debt Advisors Are So Important

July 17, 2017 by Justin Weinger

Debt is a never-ending problem, for as long as money exists, we love to spend it. From credit cards to loan repayments to mortgages, the entire population will encounter debt at some point in their life, either themselves, the company they work for, or their family. Financial problems are the most overwhelming and difficult to face as money means food, a house, and other essential things that we all need to live comfortably and survive. Being a debt advisor can mean helping people through perhaps one of the toughest times of their life, and requires a great deal of knowledge in accountancy.

How Debt Advisors Can Help

Debt advisors can offer legitimate and helpful advice to those suffering from debt problems such as student loan repayments, tax debt, and bankruptcy. This can include ways to manage the client’s incoming and outgoing money in a way that will begin to decrease their debt. Often, people just don’t understand how to manage their finances and need a gentle push in the right direction. Debt advisors aren’t just another accountant – they need the ability to be compassionate and empathetic. Remember that your clients are dealing with a very stressful period in their life from divorce to unforeseen financial difficulties and they may lean on you for emotional as well as financial support.

 Why Become A Debt Advisor

Being a debt advisor is not for everyone and you need to be resilient in order to get your job done whilst building a trusting relationship with the client. You need to be empathetic but also remember that the relationship needs to stay purely professional. You want to help these people but it cannot affect your personal life. Unfortunately, this is where many debt advisors can struggle. Becoming a debt advisor is putting your accountancy skills to good use to help those who truly need it and it can be a rewarding job.

How To Become A Debt Advisor

The easiest way to start your career in debt advice is if you already have an accounting or similar degree. If you wish to gain more experience before starting a career, a masters degree in accounting may be a good place to start. Gaining a degree has never been easier as it is completed solely online, meaning you can complete it whilst still working in the comfort of your own home or your favorite cafe, and best of all you don’t need a degree in accounting to do it. Gaining an extra qualification can get you ahead in the debt advisory career pathway and means you will have more confidence in your ability to help those struggling with financial issues.

Debt advisors are very important and will always continue to be as debt is ever increasing and those in need want a trustworthy, compassionate person whom they can talk to, not a computer screen. It’s never too late to get into debt counseling and you could be the difference in many people’s lives.

Filed Under: Get Out of Debt

Can Trading be a Tool for Getting You Out of Debt?

May 23, 2017 by Justin Weinger

Very few would consider going to a casino as a way of tackling their mounting debts. Quite the opposite, most would dissuade family members or friends who seem to be harboring such thoughts in their heads. However, would we say the same for trading? It is truly just a high-class version of gambling?

Everyone has their own perspective on this topic, one that has become a highly personalized and touchy subject since recent recessions. Those who were negatively affected found that they lost trust in the system, while those who weathered out the storm found that they are no worse than they were before, and in many cases better off.

So, who should be believe? Can trading truly be the answer to my financial problems or will it end up being one in and of itself?

If done properly, trading can provide funds thanks to which you can pay off owing debts, especially if coupled with a strategic saving scheme. Look at these as two separate methods of getting to the same end goal: living in a state of financial freedom and stability. Those going ahead with this tack which includes informed trading, should incorporate the following considerations into their plan:

Have a Hard Maximum

It’s easy to slip into the habit of investing more and more, especially if you are doing well and it seems like this could be an easy win for you. However, consider the consequences if it were all to fall apart. Would you still be alright financially? Would you be significantly worse off? Would it completely break you? Create a plan now in cold-blood putting together all the scenarios and how you think would be the best way to continue should any of them play out. But remember- never draw out more than your maximum. Not ever.

Be Informed

Trading is very different than buying a scratch card or a lottery ticket. There’s an actual science (well, more like math) to it, even if we can not always predict what will happen one hundred percent. If you are a beginner, invest in a service that provides trading recommendations personalized to a client’s preferences and goals. From regularly accessible exclusive reports to one-on-one coaching, you don’t have to look far to find professionals who have years of experience and an in-depth understanding of what is at hand.

Adjust Your Risk Levels

You’ll learn quickly that there are different ways to play the market, ranging from very conservatively to high risk. Everyone has their own view of what is better, but the truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle. Depending on your personal goals, how liquid you need the investments to be, and how much money you are dealing with in total, you may find a natural fit on your own. However, many take years to discover the perfect ratio or quantities of high and low risk investments, often transitioning from one towards the other as their lifestyle and priorities change.

Though trading isn’t for everyone, most of those who take the leap of faith are rewarded. We never recommend borrowing money in order to invest it, however, if you do have some cash that you would like to invest in order to pay down some of your debts, it might just work. Use common sense and all the resources available to you to make the most of your trading experience, learning by the mistakes and successes of others along the way. If this is all too much for you, there are other ways of achieving financial freedom, though they might require more active involvement on your end.

Filed Under: Get Out of Debt

Ways to Reduce Debt by Investing in the World’s Financial Markets

March 14, 2017 by Justin Weinger

“It’s not how right or how wrong you are that matters but how much $ you make when right and how much you do not lose when wrong” – George Soros.

Most commentaries on the state of the global situation agree that we are living in tough geopolitical and socio-economic times. Very few countries remain unaffected by America’s internal and foreign policies; consequently, the world waits on tenterhooks to see what Donald Trump’s latest bombastic and obnoxious utterances are going to be. It must be noted, however, that he managed to garner the majority vote in the November 2016 USA presidential elections; ergo, most USA citizens must feel that his policies and pronouncements are indicative of the direction that they want the USA to take.

Take the rise of nationalism in the USA, for example, and the move to exclude migrants from entering The United States of America. Another diplomatic crisis is once again brewing as Donald Trump has pointed fingers at other countries for not managing their migrant populations, as well as blaming the presence of migrants for an increase in the crime rate of the involved countries. Thus must, and does, play a major role in creating volatility and instability in the financial markets.

In my experience, the stock markets usually stabilize as they get used to an idea. In other words, they should start reacting less and less to Trump’s pronunciations. In this case, however, I am honestly not sure that this will ever happen. His foreign and domestic policies are too radical and too harmful to many people, especially the disadvantaged global citizens.

Minimizing debt by increasing investments

It goes without saying that many people are saddled with large amounts of debt, and they are battling to settle this debt. Is it possible to invest on the global financial markets in order to pay off debt? I think it is possible and a good idea; however, restraint and self-control must be exercised. It is easy to end up losing your initial capital outlay, as well as ending up in a worse financial position that when you started.

How do you minimize risk while increasing gains?

There are a few simple tips which will help you reduce your exposure to risk and increase the size of your investment portfolio:

The careful consideration of your online trading partner

It is easy to sign up with the first investment broker you come across; however, the continued ease of access to the internet has allowed for the rise of unscrupulous agents whose aim is not to help you grow your investment. It is rather to fleece you of your initial investment and then to disappear. Therefore, take time to look for a bona fide broker with a solid reputation. You won’t be sorry.

Knowledge is power

It’s vital that you try and learn as much as there is to know about trading on the global capital markets. The more time you take to research an underlying asset’s price movement history, as well as the past, present and future market trends, the greater chance you will have of making the right decision. At the same time, it’s important not to vacillate after having made an investment decision. Once you have made a decision on what assets you want to trade on, stick to your decision. Trust yourself! Don’t change your mind halfway once you have opened your position and before your position closes. This is one of the quickest ways to lose money.

Implement a conservative trading strategy

One of the best ways to thrive in volatile, unstable market conditions is to implement a conservative trading strategy. I believe it is best to stick to day trading; ergo, you open and close your position within the same day. In this way, you will avoid going to sleep at night knowing that the market conditions are looking strong to waking up the next morning to discover that the bottom has fallen out of the market because of Trump’s latest enunciations (for example).

Final words
In conclusion, it must be stated that the purpose of this article is not to opine or deliver judgment on Donald Trump and American politics. The facts are what they are; notwithstanding, the bottom line is that the global financial markets are strongly impacted by what the USA, and other countries, say and do. Furthermore, the aim of this discourse is to consider the extent to which the current global events impact the world’s financial markets, to determine how to thrive in such a challenging environment, and to be able reduce your debt levels in spite of the current market conditions.

Filed Under: Get Out of Debt

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