Wednesday 17 September 2008

Government Grants - debt - and credit cards

Finding a Government Grant that fits your needs can be a great way to not only pay off your credit card bills but it can help you get the financial freedom that you have been dreaming about. Know that there are many options when it comes to qualifying for a Government Grant and it is best if you start today to eliminate the debt you have accumulated on your credit cards. Having to much dent can also lead to stress which is not only good for your health it can cause you to have a lower credit score and limit you when you are in need of a loan.

There are millions of Americans that are having financial issues and charging too much on a credit card are just the tip of the iceberg. The credit card companies are unfair because they make it so easy to get new credit cards and if you do not have a lot of money you will use them to but things that you want and need. You should always keep your spending under control but it is not always so easy to do that.

It is important that when you are looking for debt relief you consider getting a Government Grant because this will allow you to get the money you need to pay off your debt and the best part about it is that you do not have to pay the money back as you do with a traditional loan.

Remember that is you are in debt and need help it is time to get the help that you need to pay off your bills. There are many professionals that help you get debt relief now.

Written by Bryan Burbank of bigloanguide.com

Tuesday 8 July 2008

New blog offering business news

It's been a while people! I was on Google blog search the other day & came across a new blog that is promoting itself as a business news hub - all your daily business related news in one place. I had a look & thought it was worth a mention. It is only new & there is much work to be done, but it has the makings of a useful resource.

Best wishes to all money savers!

Friday 28 March 2008

Get Out Of Debt Today

Get Out Of Debt Today
By Tom Heath

Everyday the number of debt laden people declaring themselves bankrupt rises significantly and with the ongoing global 'credit crunch' exacerbated by the sub-prime crisis in the US, the situation is only going to get worse.

Already the number of people legally bankrupt is already at record levels and there may be a way you can avoid becoming part of that statistic. Debt management is available from a number of sources, all of which offering varying degrees of debt advice ranging from very good to very bad.

If you are heavily in debt there are a number of options available to you depending on the actual amount of debt you are in. A good debt management company will advise you on your best route out of debt and advice on how you can handle your creditors.

So what are your options?

IVA
An IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) is a legal document signed by yourself, a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner and your creditors. It has the potential to write off as much as 90% of your debt.

Once an IVA is set up your creditors are legally obliged not to pursue you for payments outside of the IVA.

As part of the IVA you agree on a single, reduced, affordable monthly payment, usually for a period of between 3 and 5 years. At the end of this, as part of the agreement, the remainder of the debt is written off. During the repayment period all interest charges, and demands for money, are frozen.

This may sound too good to be true but it is a legal agreement and can be favoured by creditors. This is because an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) can save them money in debt collection whilst still allowing them to recover some of the debt.

To be eligible for an IVA, your debt must exceed £15,000, you must be an individual (not a company) based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and you must have a regular income. It does not matter if you own your home or if you are a tenant.

Help with an IVA may still be available if you do not meet these requirements.

Debt Management
Debt management involves allowing us to manage your debts on your behalf. We negotiate, on your behalf, affordable monthly repayments with your creditors. This is based on what you have told us you can afford.

If you have relatively low debts but are unable to meet your repayments, debt management may an appropriate solution for you.

Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation involves combining your debts into a single secured or unsecured loan. This would reduce your overall monthly repayment amount

Loans
Loans are becoming a popular choice for people in financial difficulties. These can often be arranged regardless of a good or bad credit record. You will be advised at to whether a loan is appropriate to pay off your debts according to your particular circumstances.

Remortgage
If you are a home owner the equity you have tied up in your property can be released to help resolve your financial problems. It is worth shopping around in order to get the best offer. Some companies charge substantial arrangement fees so be careful who you choose

Bankruptcy (a last resort?)
If none of the options above are suitable for you, as a last resort, bankruptcy may be an option for you. This is an option that needs very careful consideration and expert advice and again should only be a last resort.

The consequences of bankruptcy are far reaching and will probably stay with you for the rest of your life. Professionally you cannot be a director of a company and will find it difficult to start or run your own company. Personally there may be a certain amount of stigma attached to bankruptcy. In both circumstances you will find it practically impossible to acquire any kind of financial service, including credit cards, loans, mortgages and insurance.

The need for expert advice really cannot be underestimated. The right debt advice can help you avoid bankruptcy with an IVA or debt management. If bankruptcy is decided to be your best option, an ethical debt management company will support you through the bankruptcy process to limit its impact.

Worrying about your debts is not enough, take the first step today, get some debt advice and get your debts cleared.

The information in the article is based upon my experiences with debt. Eventually I got an
IVA which got me out of debt. Make sure you shop around to find the best advice and to check the consistency of the information you are given.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Heath
http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-Out-Of-Debt-Today&id=1067225

Friday 15 February 2008

Government Grants as a Debt Solution

Using a government grant as a debt solution is not a very popular option. In fact, for many, it's just not an option they are aware of. Why, you may ask. Is it just too unrealistic? Does the government really give out money to pay off debts? In short, yes; but there is a little more to it than that. Read on to find out more.

Government grants are the most overlooked form of debt solution available. Everyone harps on about IVAs, debt consolidation, debt management and even bankruptcy gets more attention. All these solutions can see you debt free, but there are costs associated with them and it will usually take a few years too.

With a government grant, you can become debt free immediately. You will have no repayments to make & there are no up-front fees.

So if a government grant it is so good, why is it so overlooked?

Put simply, most people do not know about them. Everyone knows about government grants for small businesses & for charity's, but not for the individual drowning in debt. Most people go straight to a debt solution company, who of course will not utter the words 'government grant' and 'free' - they want their big, fat, juicy commission fee!

So now you know all the advantages of a government grant, lets get down to business. How do you get one?

Firstly, the government is interested in boosting the economy, in helping the disadvantaged; this is the purpose of these grants. They are certainly not interested in helping you pay off your credit card bill or funding your holiday of a lifetime. If you think it's that easy, you may as well stop reading now - this just isn't for you. This article is to help individuals who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves in serious debt problems and have nowhere else to turn. It is intended to open up a solution that they didn't know existed. One that can help them regain control of their finances & get on with their lives. If this is you, read on.

People find themselves in debt for a variety of reasons & often, it isn't just overspending. The break-up of a marriage, death of a loved one or unexpected redundancy can launch a person into a sea of debt. If you are in a similar situation, you are much more likely to be accepted for a government grant.

Another factor that will be considered is your ability to repay your debts. Unfortunately for many, if you are managing to keep on top of your debts, you will struggle to get a government grant. They are set-aside for those who are really drowning in debt, with no hope of paying back the money they owe.

You are by no means guaranteed a government grant. In fact, for the majority, an alternative debt solution will be the only option. The key is being aware of government grants & checking to see if you are eligible. In the past, it has been overlooked through ignorance. Remember, there is nothing stopping you applying for one. at worst, you will be turned down & then you can look into other debt solutions - at least you will have tried!

Don't miss out on this opportunity. If you are in a helpless situation - let a government grant help you"!

Of course, there are other debt solutions. A government grant is the BEST solution. If you are not eligible for a government grant, these can still help you become debt free. Read about them at the free debt advice website.

Friday 8 February 2008

Debt in the UK & US

I found an article a few days ago, which detailed the amount of debt in the US – a staggering £7 trillion! (can’t remember the link, sorry…) Then it got me thinking about debt in the UK. I know the debt in Britain is a lot lower than that of America, simply because of population, but I wondered what the ratio of debt-per-adult was.

Then I came across this article from a UK debt management company. It’s a very recent article and was just what I was looking for.

Apart from the actual amount of debt, which is unbelievable, it’s interesting just how close personal debt is in these two countries.

Read the United In Debt article for yourself here >>

Thursday 7 February 2008

Free Debt Advice – Say Goodbye To Debt!

Debt is the number one cause of all tooth decay! Well, it’s not really, but it is the cause of many relationship break-ups, family feuds & personal stress. Like gingivitis destroys teeth, debt destroys lives!

So what can we do? Should we just accept our fate? Are we in a hopeless situation, with no way out? No, we are not. There is debt advice out there that can help individuals, regardless of circumstances or backgrounds, say goodbye to debt – and best of all, it’s free!

There are many resources that offer impartial debt help and advice – some by individuals who have been in a similar situation and have come out of the other side, some by industry professionals and some by charities that have been set up for this very purpose.

An individual who has been in your situation understands what you are going through and the feelings involved with being in debt. They can explain the various steps they took to get out of debt in an easy to understand way. They may not be able to explain the technicalities of various solutions to you though, and that is where professional resources come in useful. Here you will find all you need to know about debt solutions, the legal issues and costs involved. Each have their own advantages and it is useful to seek advice from various sources.

“Fire in the hole!”

Debt has been likened to a ticking time bomb, ready to explode. This is true. Unfortunately, the majority will continue to spend, spend, spend without a thought of the consequences and at some point the nations debt will explode. The consequences for all involved will be catastrophic! What we have to do is move clear of the blast radius. How do we do this?

We can move out of the danger zone by taking advantage of this free debt advice on offer. Never feel that self-help is a waste of time - there is much you can achieve on your own, from budgeting to negotiating with creditors. We may need professional help as well, and if this is the case, these resources can point us in the right direction.

Whether you are considering a particular solution like debt consolidation, debt management or an IVA or you are simply looking for helpful advice and money saving tips, there is a resource out there to suit your needs.

If you want to say goodbye to debt, get Free Debt Advice here. You can also find out more about self-help by visiting the DIY Debt Help resource.

Monday 28 January 2008

Government Grants For Students

With much talk about reintroducing student grants in the UK, this article discusses the pros and cons of such an action. What does it mean for the taxpayer? What does it mean for the student? Have your say...

Since student grants were abolished, there has always been talk of them being reintroduced. There are those who feel there is a growing gap between the middle classes & the working classes in regard to university education. Bringing back these grants would hopefully attract more students from working class backgrounds. Unfortunately, at the moment, for many the university fees are just unattainable, especially for those whose families have a history of debt problems. Through no fault of their own, they are being denied a good education.

There is also an argument that these grants are the best way to tackle to growing gap between the number of expanding places in universities and the number of student applicants. Even for those who can afford the fees, or at least get accepted for student loans, the mounting debt at the end of their courses is a big reason why many are choosing to go straight into employment from school or college. For those who do enrol at universities, the start to their working life usually consists of a minimum debt of £10,000. What kind of a start is that, we may ask?

Then there are those who do not want to see student grants reintroduced. Many of these are taxpayers who feel their hard-earned money shouldn’t be going to fund students’ bar-bills. Some feel that providing grants encourages those who would otherwise have not enrolled, to enjoy 4 years of partying and heavy drinking, with little regard for the degree at the end. By forcing students to pay out of their own pocket, they are bound to have more motivation and dedication.

Perhaps the answer lies in-between. The most intriguing solution I have heard is one where the grant is based on the degree being obtained. Much more refinement is needed, but we can say for certain that the current set-up just isn’t working.

What do you think? Add your comments & suggestions below