Cut Your Debt | Become Debt Free | Debt Management

To reduce your debt two things are needed self discipline and good financial planning. Below are ten ways that can help you with debt reduction:

1. Home Equity Loan: Homeowners have a great asset that can be used to reduce their debt. If you are a homeowner who has equity in your home, you can use that equity to obtain a line of credit, get a home equity loan or simply refinance your current mortgage. The equity you pull out of your house will help you pay off your debt. This has to be considered carefully because missed payments could result in the loss of your home

2. Lower interest rate credit cards: There are tons of offers out there for low interest rate credit cards that want you to transfer your balances from higher interest rate cards. Some of these will even offer 0% interest for a limited period of time to encourage you to transfer your balances to their credit card. However, beware of missed or late payments. Those credit card companies are quick to push the interest rates up extremely high because of one slip up.

3. Sell assets: Do you have assets that you can dispose off like an extra car, antiques, jewelry, extra property? If yes, put them up for sale either on eBay or at a local yard. Then use the money you make to start paying your debts. Always begin with the biggest debt first, they are the ones that are the most difficult.

4. Consolidation Loan: If you have decent credit it should be relatively easy for you to obtain a debt consolidation loan. If you are a member of a credit union you may find they offer better interest rates. Banks have their own set of requirements for making loans. Lenders may require that this type of loan be secured by some asset.

5. Refinance your mortgage to reduce your payments: If you do not own a home you can try to apply for an income loan with a relatively ow interest rate. Lower mortgage payments will free up cash to help pay your debts.

6. Decrease your spending habits: Only spend money on your necessities. Limit your credit card use to emergencies or necessities. Self discipline will put you back on the right track.

7. Use extra money wisely: If you come across unexpected money, such as gifts or refunds, use it wisely. Put it toward your outstanding debt.

8. Pull cash from low interest savings accounts: The amount of interest you are gaining on those low interest savings accounts is probably far less than what you are spending in interest on your debt. It is better to take that money and pay off your debt.

9. Find an extra source of income: Find a second job that earns you a bit more without eating into your time. Every little bit that goes into paying off your debts can make a huge difference.

10. Use your debit card: You cannot overspend with a debit card. You can only spend what is in your account.

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You are being contacted by NCO Financial concerning a delinquent debt. NCO Financial is commonly referred to as NCO group, NCO collections or a similar variation. NCO is third party collection agency with a checkered history.

NCO is often hired to come in and collect a debt for a lender they also will purchase debts and collect for themselves. They have a reputation for ruthless collection methods that often run afoul of the law.

NCO was punished in 2004 for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act. They were caught working the credit system in an attempt to keep a delinquent debt on the borrowers’ credit report for longer than 7 years. They were forced to pay $1.5 million dollars to the FTC.

Collection agencies are known to have called a borrowers family member, neighbors, places of employment in order to collect payment. To stop a collection agency from contacting you in the future you need to mail a letter where you say you do not want further contact from them.

I strongly recommend sending this letter certified mail, so you have proof that it was sent. Also fax a copy and save all documentation of any communication between you and the agency. This will help when filing a complaint or filing a lawsuit against the collection agency.

Upon receipt of this letter, the collection agency will be able to contact you one more time with how they plan on continuing their collection effort. Then contact must stop according to the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. This act was made by congress to protect debtors from the abuse of debt collectors.

The FDCPA says that debt collectors must be ethical in their collection methods. Meaning they can not misrepresent themselves or use undue influence to force you to make a payment. Often this law is overlooked by collection agencies.

The FDCPA was an attempt by congress to protect debtors from being abused by debt collectors. Collection agencies are frequently brought to court because they do not comply with the FDCPA. However agencies have become very skillful at hiding assets and changing their operation name to avoid a lawsuit or paying on a successful one.

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