Debt Relief -- Why Most Programs Have A 75% Failure Rate
By Charles Phelan
Debt consolidation, equity loans, credit counseling, debt management plans, even Chapter 13 bankruptcy – it doesn't matter which of these debt programs you're talking about. They all suffer from one fatal flaw, the number one problem that causes most people to fail at eliminating their debts through these techniques. Can you guess the problem?

It's probably not what you're thinking. It's not the fees, interest rates, or the quality of the companies behind these debt solutions. No, the number one problem with most debt programs is that they require FIXED monthly payments without exception. This major flaw is the main reason that very few people make it through a credit counseling program or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan.

Do you make exactly the same amount of money each and every month? If you are like most people, the answer is probably NO. It's easy to understand why. Salespeople, for instance, often experience ups and downs based on how much commission they earn from one month to the next. Seasonal workers experience boom and bust times depending on the time of the year (think retail workers getting lots of overtime around the holidays). Overtime hours come and go depending on company workloads. Part-time jobs may offer hours that vary widely from week to week. And so on.

Now, what about your expenses? Do you spend exactly the same amount of money each and every month? Sure, your mortgage or rent and your car payments are a set amount each month. But doesn't your utility bill go up and down depending on the weather? What about your phone bill? How much will you spend on car repairs over the next 6 months? Medical bills? Dental bills? Can you predict such variable expenses with any accuracy?

If you have lots of room in your budget, with money left over at the end of the month, then fluctuating income and expenses are probably not a major issue for you. However, if you are struggling to make ends meet, living from one paycheck to the next, then an unexpected expense can destroy your monthly budget.

People enter debt relief programs with the best of intentions. Take credit counseling, for example. You enter a program to get some help in bringing your credit card debts under control. The monthly payment of $500 sounds good. You're humming along just fine for a few months, then wham! The water heater blows up. Time to shell out $800 for a new one. Unless you like cold showers, you'll need to skip the $500 payment to the agency this month, and part of next month's payment as well. Where does that leave you with the credit counseling program? Back on the street, that's where. You simply CANNOT miss payments into that type of plan and expect anything but failure.

Or look at Chapter 13 bankruptcy, where the court requires you to pay a set monthly amount to your creditors over a 3-5 year period. Even before the drastic new law went into effect, 2 out of every 3 people failed at Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It will get much worse under the new law, because the court will set your monthly budget for you, based on what the IRS says it should be for your state and county. This is simply unrealistic, and once people realize how bad the new law is, they will run in the other direction from Chapter 13. (Forget about Chapter 7, where you wipe the debts away. The new law will make it very difficult to qualify for the old Chapter 7 fresh start.)

Again, the big problem with most debt relief programs is lack of flexibility. You cannot call your loan officer, the credit counseling agency, or the court trustee and say, "Hey, my kid broke his leg and I had to pay the hospital $500 to cover my insurance deductible, so I'll need to skip my debt payment this month." If you could, then these plans might have a chance

Tips For Keeping Your Get Out of Debt Resolution
Keeping your resolution to stay out of debt may seem like a daunting task once the credit card bills roll in from holiday spending. Instead of faulting on the resolution to get out of debt consider such methods like using your tax return towards your credit card debt or a balance transfer credit card to consolidate your debt. Having a clear understanding of what options are available to help you succeed in your resolutions will help you keep your resolution and make this year the year that you get out of debt.
Handling Your Debt On Your Own
Just because a person has debt does not mean that a person is obligated to use a debt consolidation loan or credit repair service to get out of the debt that they are in. People with debt can easily negotiate their own debt as long as when they call their creditors they have the funds available to pay immediately on the price that they negotiated with their creditor. Online payday advances is one way people have found that they can acquire the funds that they need so that when they start their own debt negotiation they have the money readily available in their bank account to use.
Properly Dealing With Credit Card Debt
Credit cards are an easy way for a person to find themselves in over their head in debt. Once a person realizes that they are in credit card debt they may find it very hard in choosing the best option in getting themselves out of the financial mess that they are in. Taking the time out to research the various options available in helping one take care of their credit card debt can help a person decide if a balance transfer credit card, debt consolidation loan, or even a cash advance loan is the best solution to their financial needs.
Tips and Tricks In Getting Out Of Debt
At one point or another many people are faced with debt. Debt has a way of working itself very easily into anyones lifestyle and when it does become a part of how one lives it is best to get the situation out of control. Using the snowball effect on credit card payments is one way in which a person can get a better hold on their finances and not feel the complete burden of debt.
What To Do When Debt Becomes A Problem
Debt is simply one of those things that can not be ignored. When debt becomes a problem it also becomes a problem that needs to be handled immediately. Dealing with debt can be done solely by the person who has accrued the debt and it starts by not accruing any more debt and ends in making the best financial decisions on a daily basis that will free up money that can be later used in getting out of debt.
No Hassle Loans
Cash advances are a simple, easy tool to help with any financial burden. Theyand#39;re quicker, and easier to do than conventional loans, and can have the money in your account almost immediately.
Solutions for Financial Troubles
Payday advances allow you to catch up on monetary matters that need immediate attention. Unexpected bills or costs can be stressful, but with a cash advance, you can take care of the issue in a hurry.
Credit and Expenses
Controlling your finances is a job that only you are responsible for, it''s not difficult to spend wisely, however it is very easy to fall into a debt trap. Make sure that you only spend what you have, live on your level. Those that try to live on a level they''re not on get themselves into trouble. Maintaining you daily expenses is the first step, everyone needs to remember that bad credit equals you not being approved for loans or other financing, so keep your credit as immaculate as possible!
Car Leasing vs Car Buying
Leasing a car can be a good option for someone who knows that won't like having the same car for an extended period of time, in addition for one that will not want to pay for any car repairs. Buying a car is a great option for one that knows they will keep the same car for a while, and they will be able to make any or fund any repairs on the vehicle. Their are pros and cons to each option and it comes down to personal preference. There is no right answer, you just need to make sure it works for you and your life.
Community Home Buyers Programs
A Community Home Buyer's Program is an extreme benefit to a person that desires to purchase a home, but doesn't have the means. The loan is financed by Fannie Mae, and there are certain restrictions, such as a one hundred and twenty percent income cap. In addition, you must pay back a portion of any home appreciation if sold. Contact your local Board of Realtors for more information about availability in your area.

of working. But such inflexible programs simply do not reflect the unpredictable nature of the average household budget.

So is there any debt program that does provide this flexibility? Yes. It's called debt settlement, or debt negotiation. It's certainly not for everyone. Debt settlement is an alternative to bankruptcy. It's not for people who can pay their bills in full without hardship. But it can be a real blessing for those seeking relief from a crushing debt burden.

The reason debt settlement is so flexible is simply because YOU control the cash. You build up money in a separate savings account until you have enough to make a reasonable offer to one or more of your creditors. Like any debt program, debt settlement has its downside and its risks, but no other program provides this level of flexibility. Because the monthly payment is going into a negotiation fund that you set up and control, a bad month simply means you have less money to settle with. If you can make it up later, that's great. If not, that's life. When you have enough to settle ONE account (usually between 35% and 50% of the balance owed), then you make an offer. If your creditor takes the deal, then you start building up funds to knock out the next debt, and so on. It's the only program out there that recognizes a basic reality: Your budget should set the pace for your debt elimination program. Not the other way around!

Again, debt settlement is not a magic bullet. It won't cure every debt problem. But if you need to skip a month, or adjust up or down a little to reflect what's going on in the real world, it doesn't mean the end of the program. It's truly a shame that the financial "experts" who have set up the bankruptcy rules, consolidation loan terms, credit counseling plans, and debt management programs haven't figured this out yet. If they would just recognize this fundamental problem, then the success rate on their programs would increase dramatically and they could stop misleading the public about what works and what doesn't in the world of debt relief.

About the Author

Charles J. Phelan has been helping consumers become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former executive in the debt settlement industry, he teaches the do-it-yourself method of debt negotiation. Audio-CD material plus expert personal coaching helps consumers achieve professional results at a fraction of the cost. http://www.zipdebt.com