Debt Relief Solutions
There are many debt relief solutions out there. However, before you can work on erasing your debt, you need a clear understanding of your financial situation. Here are the most important items to consider when assessing your finances.
Income versus Debt. Unfortunately, most people don't realize how much they spend until they sit down and start counting everything. After only ten minutes of research, you should clearly see how much money is coming in and how much is going out. The numbers may be worse than you think, though recognizing the problem is the first step towards improving your finances. You may have reduce your spending on simple pleasures like dining out or going to the movies or, depending on the severity of your situation, remove them altogether. Until you understand your cash flow, you won't be able to choose the right debt relief solutions.
Request credit histories. There are three agencies that run credit reports: Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (888-397-3743) and TransUnion (800-888-4213). Contact all three and ask for your credit report. While the three are usually in the same ballpark, you may find one is much higher (or lower) than the others. It's important to find out why and remedy the situation. Creidt reports are the most objective look at your finances; not only does it list what you owe, it shows who you owe to, whether you've exceeded your credit limits, and if you consistently pay your bills on time (which of course, you should!). Having low credit scores makes for higher interest payments on credit cards and, more importantly, mortgages.
Check out your FICO score. This is another way lenders assess your finances, and can be even more important than your credit histories. A FICO score is measured by your credit history, so its results should be similar to your three credit history reports. The score ranges from 300 to 850. If you are over 720, you are in great shape. You can find this information on their website at www.myfico.com.
These are the three most important steps to determining your finances and the right debt relief solutions. Remember, in order to beat over spending, you must be aware of your income and debts, and learn to manage them appropriately. According to a study by The National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 41% of those who filed for bankruptcy cited poor management of their money. Take action today, and don't become one of those 41%!
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