Finance Menu
Banking
Bankruptcy
Career/Work
Education
Family/Home
Insurance
Investing
Loans
Real Estate
Retirement
Taxes
Articles
Resources
Reviews
Sitemap
Videos
Alternatives To Bankruptcy
No one wants to file for bankruptcy. You hear about big corporations doing it all the time. But corporations are different than an individual. Finding alternatives to bankruptcy can save you a world of trouble in the long run.
Think about a debt consolidation loan. Debt consolidation means that all of your debt is put together and a loan secured for the total amount. Creditors are paid what is owed to them and the bank that issued the loan is given a monthly payment that is within reason for the consumer.
Debt consolidation mostly includes unsecured debt. This would be credit cards, store credit cards, unsecured lines of credit from companies, and gas cards. Unsecured debt is what creditors have a hard time recouping from people because it is not backed up by any collateral.
If you can't find a bank that will give you a debt consolidation loan, go through an agency. The agency counselors are used to working with creditors and will negotiate on your behalf. They can get your debt dropped by as much as sixty percent. You then make just one monthly payment to the agency, and they take care of the rest with the creditors.
Debt consolidation does not involve liquidating your assets. With bankruptcy proceedings, the court may rule that you have to sell your belongings to pay the creditors. Debt consolidation allows you to keep the things that you have and comes up with another solution.
Another option is to get a second job. It isn't pleasant, but if getting another job will allow you to make a sizeable credit card payment each month for a year or two until the debt is eliminated, then it will prove to be well worth it. If a second job is not feasible, ask about overtime at your current job. You need to find a way to make more money if you want to reduce your debt.
The second job can be a way to supplement your income while you are paying off a debt consolidation loan. Things come up without warning and you may need more cash than you have available. A second job will help you to save for a rainy day and still make payments on your debt.
You could also consider starting a home business. For those who are in a time crunch that prevents a second job, a home business may be right up your alley. Most can be started with little or no money. Selling products on eBay can bring in money when you need it most.
Do you have a special skill? Market that to others who could use your services. Remember to earmark the money to be used for resolution of debt and not to spend freely and incur more debt.
Bankruptcy is not the way to go if you don't absolutely have to. Seek alternatives to this course of action. The changes don't have to be permanent, just until you get out of debt and back on a strong financial footing.
Subscribe to "Your Finances."
Our monthly personal finance newsletter, helping you with your finances.
Don't worry--your email address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you "Your
Finances."