If you are one of many consumers who have surpassed their spending limit and are feeling the pressure of debt collectors or have suffered the closing of their credit cards, we can give you some interesting hints as to what can be done in these circumstances. It is true that it takes some patient negotiation and effort on your part, but it is absolutely repairable.
If You Are A Tenant
Not being a homeowner makes things a little harder for you, but there is always a way. The possibility you have in this case is an unsecured personal loan. There are loan brokers or lending companies that specialize in unsecured personal loans for people with bad credit. We must admit that by now, your credit report will have begun to show each payment that you missed or paid late.
As a first step, you will have to know exactly how much you owe, how much could be written off for a prompt payment and therefore, how much the loan will be for.
Conditions
Unfortunately you are learning the hard way, so this will surely be a one-time-lesson that should get you on track towards a better control of your spending. It is important to give these matters a high priority and look around for the mildest conditions available for your situation. A difference of one per cent or even half a percentage point in the interest rate will mean a lot to you, since you are counting every cent and distributing your scarce cash as best you can.
The Length Of The Loan
This factor is also very important since one year more in length will mean a bunch of dollars more in your hand every month. If things change while the loan is in force, you can always refinance for a shorter period and get over with it faster. Remember that you are trying to get out of bad credit, so it is very important that your payments, whatever they are for, are never late and if possible a day or two in advance.
Getting Prepared
If you feel that you are not decisive enough, get someone to help you out, with an opinion or even going with you to the interview with the loan agent. Doing your “homework” means re-editing those old school techniques of taking note of what is being offered, asking questions about what you do not know, not giving a definite answer yet and studying the situation at home, if possible with a copy of the contract that you will eventually be signing.
Good Company
The ideal person to study this up with is your spouse, since you are both on the same boat and have to bail out together. However, it is important not to be alone and since a financial advisor also costs money, a good, knowledgeable friend or co-worker will do.
A loan is not just “free” at the moment of closing: It has some fees that have to be paid. Maybe your lender will agree to spread them over your monthly payments, but some of them will have to be paid at closing time.
Things Begin To Happen
Once you have defined who will grant you the loan, start to distribute the payments and stick to your decisions. You are in the process of replacing many debts for just one, with a more manageable amount and the certainty that you are running out of the ditch fast. This behavior will shortly improve your credit rating and will prepare the way for a much more interesting future.