Negotiate Credit Card Debt – Getting the Best Debt Consolidation Deal

Does this sound familiar? You're in over your head and desperately trying to figure out how to get out of debt

. You're losing sleep over how to reduce debt, and overwhelmed by the dizzying array of debt settlement programs, credit card debt relief options, and ways to consolidate credit card debt. How can you possibly be expected to choose the best debt consolidation offer for your situation the one that will help you eliminate credit card debt once and for all, and get on with your life? If this is what you are facing, you need to know that you are not alone! According to a report by the U.S. Congress' Joint Economic Committee, 14.7 percent of American families had debt that exceeded 40 percent of their income. And that was in 2007, before the current recession began! Just imagine what those numbers must be now, after so many months of economic hardships. Statistics also show that between 2 and 2.5 million Americans seek help from a credit counselor each year, looking for advice on how to get out of debt and ways to settle credit card debt. The average person seeking credit card debt relief has an outstanding debt of $43,000, and although the current economy has served overall to reduce credit card debt, total U.S. outstanding credit card debt still stands at over $931 billion (as of April, 2009). So, if you are one of the millions of people looking to negotiate credit card debt, how do you know where to start? With so many debt settlement companies available, do you just choose one of them at random, or try to contact your lenders in an attempt at a do-it-yourself debt settlement program? While it is possible to make a debt settlement deal on your own, unless you are very knowledgeable about how these things work, it is usually best to rely on a professional debt settlement company. So the question becomes how to choose the one that will best serve your needs. When it comes to choosing a program to help you settle credit card debt, there are several guidelines to keep in mind. Here are just a few factors you should consider when choosing a debt settlement program: How much will the service cost? The cost of using a debt settlement company varies greatly. Some companies charge a flat monthly fee throughout the length of the program, while others will charge a percentage of your total debt. Still others base their fees on the amount of savings they are able to obtain for you. There may also be initial sign-up fees and monthly service charges involved. Does the service share information with the three major credit reporting agencies? While in the short run, debt settlement will negatively affect your credit, information reported by a debt settlement company will also show that you are doing something to solve your credit problems. As your positive actions are reported every month, it will actually begin to boost your credit score. Will you get any type of service guarantee? After all, when you are paying a registration fee, plus any kind of monthly charge, you are entitled to receive something for your money. If it turns out that the company is not able to negotiate a debt settlement deal for you, any money you've already paid should be refunded. If you have found yourself under a heavy burden and need to reduce credit card debt, finding a good debt settlement program is very important. While some debt settlement companies do an excellent job and provide a valuable service, there are also many disreputable ones. Make sure to take your time and do your research so that you can make the best choice.

Negotiate Credit Card Debt Getting the Best Debt Consolidation Deal

By: Tammi Harris

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