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

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!

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

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.

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 >>

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.

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

Consolidating Your Debts – For Good

Don’t get caught in the vicious circle of debt! The following advice will help you to GET out of debt and, more importantly, STAY out of debt.

The Background

Many families & individuals have a high level of debt, and for some repaying those debts can be a real struggle. It may be for a few months the debts are juggled around, cutbacks are made elsewhere & budgets are stretched in order to keep on top of repayments, but there will come a time when this leads to late or even missed payments, which in turn lead to further charges and a poor credit rating.

Consolidation Offers Hope

By consolidating your debts you can reduce the total amount you pay each month, the hassle involved in dealing with multiple creditors & even the interest rate.

Consolidating your debts simply means replacing multiple debts to multiple creditors with one new loan. This means you only have to deal with one creditor. It also means you only have one payment to make each month. Consolidation makes it a lot easier to keep on top of your debts.

Another key reason why consolidating your debts will help you get back in control is that many consolidation loans can be repaid over a longer period of time. This means that your monthly payments will also be lower. Bear in mind though, that repaying your debts over a longer period will mean you pay more in interest in the long run. This is why you should only consider consolidating if you really cannot afford to pay your debts. If you would just like some extra cash every month then going down this route will only lead to further problems as you get caught in the debt trap!

When you consolidate, you may also be able to take advantage of a better interest rate – instead of the high credit and store cards.

Consolidating – For Good!

So, now you can afford to keep on top of your debts, do not fall into the same trap as many others before you. The temptation is to think you now have more money to spend, forget about the old debt - which still exists of course, and start racking up new debt. Once you get caught in the trap of consolidating every time your debt builds up you will either end up bankrupt or at the very least be paying off these debts late into your retirement. Don’t do it! Consolidate your debt and then stick to a budget while you pay off that debt. Only then can you consider yourself debt free!

If you would like more information on debt consolidation click here. You can also benefit from general debt advice and guides on DIY debt help using these resources.

Debt Collectors - What They Can And Can't Do

Are you worried every time there is a knock at the door? Scared to open your post in case it is another warning from a debt collector? Don't be. The following article exposes the legal rights of these debt collectors (or bailiffs) so you can be rid of your fears & start getting back in control of your finances.

If you owe a creditor money & are struggling to make repayments, they may try to use a debt collector. For years there has been much confusion over what they are actually entitled to do. Can they forcibly enter your home? Can they break a window to get in? Once they are in your home what can they do?

The image painted of these debt collectors is often over-exaggerated & inaccurate; Big burly men in black jackets, making physical threats in order to gain entry to your home. Barging past as you open the door. This picture is far from the truth. As with all industries, there are regulations to be adhered to. For the minority who do not follow these guidelines, the government is currently turning it's attention to expose these law-breakers & revoke their licences.

In the majority of cases, you will experience no such thing. If the creditor you owe has any sort of reputation to preserve, you can be assured they will be using a reputable debt collection agency.

What they can and can't do.

If a debt collector visits your home, you DO NOT have to let them in. They cannot force their way into your home. This includes pushing past you as you open the door. They can however enter if the door is unlocked & can even gain entry through an open window. The advice here is to close all windows & to make sure your door is locked if you think bailiffs will be visiting your home.

Once a debt collector does gain entry to your home by peaceful means, they CAN legally force their way in on any subsequent visit.

Once in, what can they take

First and foremost, they cannot take anything that is classed as essential. These things include clothes, cookers, fridges, your bedding & most of your furniture. They also cannot take anything that you require for work, such as a computer or a phone...etc.

They can take things that are non-essential such as your T.V, games consoles & computers that are not required for work. They can also take your car.

Ultimately, you are in control. If you do not let a debt collector in your home, they cannot take any of your possessions.

If you are unsure, or require further advice, including help with getting out of debt visit the free debt advice website.

DIY Handbook to Negotiating With Creditors

Negotiating with creditors. 'Gulp!... I can't do that... I wouldn't know where to start... Even if I did, there's no way they would listen to me... I'd rather take the easy option and get a debt management company to do it for me.'

Sound familiar? Many people reason this way. Yet for those who have been willing to give it a go, many have been surprised at how much they achieved without the help of a debt management company. Lots of people have successfully negotiated reduced payments with their creditors, even getting them to freeze interest and charges on their accounts. Granted, you may not be the right kind of person for this approach. We are not recommending this to everyone - you will need a little bit of cheek and a lot of determination to succeed. But if you think you can be persistent enough, if you are confident in going it alone, the following guide will provide you with valuable advice on how to do this successfully.

If you don't think this is for you, use some of the helpful links at the end of this article for more information on debt management plans, companies and other debt solutions.

How to successfully negotiate with creditors

Step 1
Make a list of your debts

The first thing you need to do if you are considering negotiating with your creditors yourself is to make a list of your debts. You need to know exactly who you owe money to and how much each of these creditors is owed. If you go into this fully aware of your financial situation, you are much less likely to be taken advantage of.

Once you have made this list, you need to work out which ones to deal with first. These are called 'priority debts'. For example:

• Mortgage/rent
• Gas, electricity and water
• Income tax
• Council tax

These are called 'priority debts' because the consequences of not paying them are far more serious than your 'non-priority' debts (see below). By not paying your mortgage your home could be repossessed. If you do not pay your council tax, a court can send bailiffs to take your belongings to the value of the amount owed. If you do not pay your gas, electricity and water rates, these services can be disconnected. You can also be sent to prison if you do not pay your income tax.

Far less serious are 'non-priority debts'. Some examples are:

• Credit cards
• Store cards
• Personal loans

First and foremost, you cannot be sent to prison for not paying non-priority debts, though your creditors can still take action if you do not pay. They could take you to court, where you can be ordered to pay. Failing this, your creditors can then get a court order, which allows them to send bailiffs round to take your belongings away. Neither option is particularly pleasant, but by sorting out you priority debts first, at least you will still have a roof over your head, a warm home, hot/cold running water and of course, stay out of jail.

Step 2
Work out what you can afford to pay

Once you have made your list of debts, you need to work out how much money you earn and how much is left over after paying all your essentials. This can be used to pay your non-priority debts.

When working out how much you earn, try to include everything:

• Your wage
• Benefits or tax credits
• Any other form of income

Then work out your expenses:

• Mortgage or rent
• Gas, electricity and water
• Council tax
• Housekeeping (Food, cleaning materials, toiletries, pet food)
• Buildings and contents insurance
• Travel expenses (Public transport, fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and MOT)
• TV license
• Childcare
• Clothing
• Any other essentials such as medical expenses

Once you have deducted your expenses from your income, you will see how much money you have left over to pay your non-priority debts. It may also be worthwhile checking to see if you can make any savings. When you add up all your expenses, it can sometimes be surprising how much you actually spend on things like food and clothing which could be saved.

Step 3
Contact your creditors

Now you know how much you can afford to offer each creditor, it's time to get in contact with them. You will need to send them a list of all your creditors and the amounts you are offering so they can see how you have worked out your budget. Remember to keep copies of all correspondence.

Step 4
For detailed help in dealing with creditors read the following article, 'Negotiating with Creditors'.

If you would like to know how to work out what to offer creditors, read the following article, 'Debt Management DIY' which contains systems used by the courts to determine fair amounts to offer each creditor.

The 'Negotiating With Creditors - DIY Handbook' has been produced on behalf of Debt Advice 4 Free.

Consolidating Your Debts – For Good

Don’t get caught in the vicious circle of debt! The following advice will help you to GET out of debt and, more importantly, STAY out of debt.

The Background

Many families & individuals have a high level of debt, and for some repaying those debts can be a real struggle. It may be for a few months the debts are juggled around, cutbacks are made elsewhere & budgets are stretched in order to keep on top of repayments, but there will come a time when this leads to late or even missed payments, which in turn lead to further charges and a poor credit rating.

Consolidation Offers Hope

By consolidating your debts you can reduce the total amount you pay each month, the hassle involved in dealing with multiple creditors & even the interest rate.

Consolidating your debts simply means replacing multiple debts to multiple creditors with one new loan. This means you only have to deal with one creditor. It also means you only have one payment to make each month. Consolidation makes it a lot easier to keep on top of your debts.

Another key reason why consolidating your debts will help you get back in control is that many consolidation loans can be repaid over a longer period of time. This means that your monthly payments will also be lower. Bear in mind though, that repaying your debts over a longer period will mean you pay more in interest in the long run. This is why you should only consider consolidating if you really cannot afford to pay your debts. If you would just like some extra cash every month then going down this route will only lead to further problems as you get caught in the debt trap!

When you consolidate, you may also be able to take advantage of a better interest rate – instead of the high credit and store cards.

Consolidating – For Good!

So, now you can afford to keep on top of your debts, do not fall into the same trap as many others before you. The temptation is to think you now have more money to spend, forget about the old debt - which still exists of course, and start racking up new debt. Once you get caught in the trap of consolidating every time your debt builds up you will either end up bankrupt or at the very least be paying off these debts late into your retirement. Don’t do it! Consolidate your debt and then stick to a budget while you pay off that debt. Only then can you consider yourself debt free!

If you would like more information on debt consolidation click here. You can also benefit from general debt advice and guides on DIY debt help using these resources.

Negotiating With Creditors – 5 Top Tips

You could well be surprised at how much you can actually achieve without seeking the help of a debt management company. Many people have negotiated reduced payments with their creditors, sometimes even getting them to freeze interest and charges on their debts. If you have decided to go it alone, the following article will provide you with valuable advice on how to do this successfully.

When negotiating with creditors, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Follow the top 5 tips below for a better chance of negotiating successfully.

5 top tips for negotiating with creditors

1. Be polite. If you are respectful, calm and show a willingness to work with your creditors, your negotiations will be much more successful. It is good to remember that your creditors do not HAVE to accept your offer, they are under no obligation, so shouting the odds and being confrontational will get you nowhere.

2. Be honest. Explain your financial situation fully. Creditors are real people and they understand that everybody’s circumstances can change at any time for various reasons. Be aware though, that your creditors will ask questions and may require proof of your change of circumstances. If you have been ill - a doctors note, if you have been made unemployed or had reduction in income - wage slips…etc. If you are honest from the outset, there is no chance of your story coming unstuck and your negotiations stalling.

3. Do not let your creditors persuade you to offer more. Before you even contact them decide exactly what you can afford and stick to it, even if they are being difficult. If you agree to pay more than you can afford, you will only run into more problems in the future when you cannot keep up the repayments.

4. Importantly, you must ask your creditors to freeze the interest on your debts. Unless they do, your debt will carry on growing, meaning you will be paying them for longer and your debt will be harder to clear. Do not presume they will do this automatically.

5. Be vigilant. Sometimes you will need to contact your creditors several times before they agree to your offer. If, after numerous attempts, you cannot get them to agree, or you just don’t feel confident about negotiating with them, you can contact a debt management company who specialise in negotiating with creditors.

For more information on negotiating with creditors, debt management companies and other helpful diy debt management articles visit the free debt advice website.

Debt Solution Companies Under the Microscope

Debt solution companies have been under the microscope recently, ever-more as debt in the UK continues to grow. As consumers, we should welcome such interest in these companies as, after all, they are looking after our money. We want our questions answered - such as; How do we know they are reputable? How many clients do they have? How long have they been established? What solutions do they offer? As the governing bodies & independant consumer watchdog's take interest, our questions will be answered.

The UK has serious debt problems. Spending is out of control and many people don't know what to do or where to turn when it comes to sorting out their debt problems. The market for these debt solution companies is only getting bigger by the day.

Many critics of these debt solution companies believe some are constantly trying to push customers towards agreements that will only benefit them, with little regard for the customers actual needs. You only have to look at the number of people applying for IVAs each year to see this is not far from the truth. IVAs can provide them with massive sums of money in return for setting up the agreement.

On the other hand, an IVA can be the best, if not only solution for some individuals, writing off a large amount of their debt, and providing them with some financial stability.

The debt companies that offer these solutions argue that loan, mortgage and credit providers should have stricter lending conditions and it is they who are to blame for mounting debts in the UK.

The best advice for anyone whose debts are out of control is to first understand your own finances. That way, if you have to approach a debt solution company, you'll know exactly where you stand with your personal debt. If you go in not knowing the facts, then you're much more likely to be taken advantage of. It's really just common sense.

So, though many people find their cheesy television adverts annoying, the debt solution companies are here to stay. It is our responsibility to research each one before signing on the dotted line.

You can find impartial reviews on many debt solution companies here.

Welcome to the Debt Advice 4 Free Blog

At Debt Advice 4 Free, we like to keep on top of debt industry news. We also like to share this news with our users by means of regular articles. Unfortunately, this was starting to cause a problem, as categorizing & archiving all these articles in a user-friendly way was no simple task. Then we had an idea!

This blog is a medium to display these articles, allowing you to keep up to date with all the latest debt news, and even to add your own comments. We hope this will create an even better experience.

Please visit again soon as we hope to add articles daily.