The Consolidation and Reduction of Debt

By Marion Jones

So, you can see the writing on the wall now, you are in too deep and your creditors are starting to call you at home in the evenings too. You know that you have to do something, but you don't know just what. It's so embarrassing talking to the kid from the debt collection department, especially over the phone, but you don't want to take time off work to go down there either! But you can't wish the problem away either. You think that you ought to look into debt consolidation and reduction.

However, before you rush into debt consolidation and reduction loans, take a look at your debts to calculate your total exposure. Debt is an avenue of credit lines given to you by creditors who thought that you would repay the sum borrowed or owed. When creditors become aware that you are behind on your repayments, they will often delay a few weeks before informing the collection agencies.

At this time, you might want to get in touch with your creditors and ask for an extension of time, a debt reduction, or even a complete termination of the amount owed. Creditors do expect to get their money back and therefore, they may extend your credit period, because they want to avoid the problems that crop up when they have to report a customer for a default on payment.

Creditors do not really want to make enemies of their customers, because they expect their customers to show good faith and pay the debts and eventually continue doing business with them. If you fail to contact your creditors, however they will hand your files over to the collection agencies in the end if they have to. These agencies often use much heavier methods to retrieve the money owed.

These agencies will go to almost any lengths to stress you to the point where you find a method to pay, or else stress you to the point that you need to seek professional assistance. Debt consolidation and reduction is a process of eliminating debts, while a loan may or may not be required.

When you contact your creditors, ask for leniency, so you can work toward debt consolidation and reduction by cutting back on your expenses. If the creditors agree to debt consolidation and reduction by lowering your payments, terminating it, or else providing you with an extension and you don't take advantage of their generous offer, ie, if you fail to start repaying after the offer is made, then they will not be as friendly the next time you have contact with them.

Ensure that you repay your debts as agreed with your creditors to minimize any further complications. Communication is extremely important, because once you have ceased negotiations with your creditors, they have every justification to go all out to recover the debt. This will help you in your debt consolidation and reduction. - 23221

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