Debt Relief 101: How To Get Out Of Debt

When you are swimming in debt, it may seem impossible to find an out or even know where to begin. Fortunately, you have options.

Debt relief is one method you can take to rid yourself of debt once and for all. While there are many rules, loopholes, and nuances, it isn't impossible to undertake.

The Credit Review breaks down everything you need to know about the two popular methods of relieving your debt: debt consolidation and debt settlement.

Debt Consolidation

While you may want to use the terms interchangeably, debt consolidation and debt settlement are two completely separate entities that rely solely on your current financial situation and preferences.

Let’s begin with debt consolidation. This allows you to combine high-interest debts into one lower-interest debt. Since your debts have different interest rates, payments, and due dates, combining them into one lump sum makes it more manageable. There are several ways to go about this:

• Balance-transfer credit card: These cards usually have 0% APR for a certain period of time before the interest rate is greatly increased.
• Personal loan: A fixed-rate personal loan allows you to use your loan to pay off your debt before paying it back with loan installments. There are personal loans available for consumers with both good credit and bad credit. (Need more recommendations? Here are our top picks for the best debt consolidation loans for bad credit.)
• Home equity loan and 401(k) loan: Although you can use these loans for personal needs, they pose some risk to your home and retirement.

Debt consolidation may be the option for you under certain circumstances:

• You have unsecured debt that needs to be paid off. This includes credit cards, medical debt, and personal loans but doesn't include mortgages, student loans, or auto loans.
• Your credit score allows you to receive a 0% APR credit card or low-interest personal loan. You can check your credit score with one of these top rated credit monitoring services.

• Your debt-to-income ratio is not over 50%. Your total unsecured debt should be less than half your gross annual income.
• You have sufficient funds to cover your debt consolidation payments and you are able to pay it off within five years.
• You have a plan to remain debt-free once your debt is paid off.

If you are still on the fence about pursuing debt consolidation, here are a few reasons you may NOT want to pursue it:

• You have a small amount of debt.
• You can pay off your debt in less than a year with your current payments and only save a negligible amount.

Debt Settlement

Let’s move onto debt settlement. This allows a debt settlement company to negotiate your debts with creditors.

When you enroll with a debt settlement company, you are given an FDIC-insured savings account where you contribute a monthly sum. Once you have reached a specified amount, the company takes your current debt and negotiates with creditors to lower your interest rates and monthly bills before accepting the lump sum that you have accumulated as payment. Your loan principal remains the same and your debt is considered paid off when you have taken care of the settled debt by paying your original creditors. This process takes anywhere from 2 to 4 years.

Debt settlement companies are paid once they have settled your debts, so be wary of any company that practices unethical practices like charging upfront fees. The amount they are paid is based on the percentage of your initial debt or a cut of the amount of debt they saved you.

While you can settle your debts on your own, we recommend looking to a reputable debt settlement company.

Alternatives To Debt Consolidation and Debt Settlement

If you don't want to explore either of these options or your creditors refuse to negotiate with a debt settlement company, you can try directly negotiating with creditors on your own.

Because of the damage that was done to your credit and the amount of time it takes to settle your debt, you may choose to file for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, this also has a serious effect on your credit score, so weigh your options carefully before making a decision.

Consumer credit counseling services offer debt management plans for a monthly fee to the counseling service. They negotiate a lower interest rate and monthly bills, then pay your creditors for you, which reduces the interest rate on credit cards but does not reduce your total debt. You usually can’t use your credit cards while using these services and most consumers that enroll don’t complete this service. Make sure the company you enroll with is a reputable and legitimate service since there are some scam artists in the industry.

What To Look For In A Debt Relief Company

• Avoid companies that charge fees before providing services.
• Look for accreditations -- the more, the better. Common accreditations include the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC), the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA), US Organization of Bankruptcy Alternatives, and the FTC.
• Ask for a free consultation before deciding whether or not to sign up.
• Read real customer reviews to gain perspective on customer service. All companies have complaints, but if most of the reviews are negative, steer clear.
• Check to see how long the service has been in business. Reputable businesses usually have years of experience under their belt.
• Look for companies with competitive rates and low fees.
• Most companies have a minimum amount of debt they accept before taking on your case -- it is generally $7,500 to $10,000, but they may accept slightly lower debt too. Check to see if you fit the qualifications.
• Look for transparency. If a company lists their rates, requirements, and states where they perform services upfront, that is usually a great sign. Their website should be easy to navigate and have information clearly listed. As an added bonus, many companies choose to have additional information like blogs, educational articles, and FAQs.
• Look for a company that can work within the correct timeline. Debt settlement programs usually last two to four years and debt consolidation loan terms can last up to five years.
• Look for a company that can handle a variety of debts, including credit card, medical debt, student loans, and even secured debt.
• Customer support should be easy to contact, whether through phone, email, or chat.
• The company should have professional consultants and certified financial experts.
• Many reputable companies have a money back guarantee in the case that their services do not work for you.
• Companies must disclose the rates, terms, and length of the program when you undergo debt settlement.

What To Avoid

• Avoid any company that asks you to pay upfront fees. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) banned this business practice in 2010, specifically for those that only do business over the phone.
• Stay away from any company that guarantees results. This is an illegal practice. A company can only promise to do their best to help you with your debt, not make guarantees.
• If a company seeks you out rather than the other way around, steer clear -- this is a major sign of a scam.

What are some ways I can utilize debt relief?

• Debt settlement is a legitimate option for taking care of unsecured debt.
• A balance transfer credit card has a 0% APR for a period of time before it is raised, meaning you initially save much more on your payments.
• Personal loans allow you to pay off your high-interest debt and then pay back your loan in installments.

What are the disadvantages of debt relief?

• If you don’t fix the habits that caused your debts (such as overspending), debt relief won’t help you in the long run.
• Debt settlement has high fees that the company charges after they settle your debt.
• You must save extra funds to pay your debt relief company while staying on top of your bills and debts.
• During this process, you must still pay your debts or risk having late payments, which can damage your credit.
• Creditors can still sue you during the debt relief process.
• Your credit report might state that your debt was settled, which raises a red flag for future creditors and make them wary of lending to you.
• Any forgiven debt (if it is over $600 and less than your initial debt) is considered income by the IRS, and you must pay taxes on it unless you can prove you are unable to.
• If you are completely overrun by debt and can’t pay it off with a loan or lower-interest payment, it may be time to consider another solution such as bankruptcy.

Want to learn more about if debt relief is the best option for you? Reach out to our reputable debt relief services to learn more.

About The Author

Bryan Huynh

Product Tester & Writer

Bryan Huynh, a committed Product Tester and Writer, ensures that you are well-informed, guiding you in discovering and comparing top-rated financial services, including personal loans, business loans, credit repair, and tax relief.

Articles by Bryan Huynh

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