We get asked this question a lot by our current clients and potential clients: “What is the best debt to credit ratio?” First, we must explain what a debt to credit ratio is. To put it in layman’s terms, it is how much you owe versus your total available credit limit. A debt to credit […]
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Credit Card Debt Calculator and How to Pay Off Debt
You can always count on interest accumulating if you carry a balance every month on your credit cards. Sure, you may still have a month or two of “free interest” left on that credit card you signed up for, but when that promotion ends, what happens then? You get hit with some charges and fees […]
Continue ReadingPaying Off Student Loans
Student loan debt has surpassed credit card debt in 2014. Student debt has now crossed the $1 Trillion mark and will probably continue to rise quickly unless the government understands its implications on the US economic growth and takes action to mitigate the problem. The graduating class of 2014 is the most indebted, with roughly […]
Continue ReadingChoosing a Debt and Credit Counseling Service
Have the bills been piling up, and you don’t know where to turn? You need a credit or debt counselor to steer you in the right direction. Most credit counselors with a good reputation are non-profit organizations and offer their services through local branches, online and over the phone, says the Federal Trade Commission. What to […]
Continue ReadingWhat Is A Debt Management Plan?
We get this question a lot from individuals who are battling debt problems. So we figured that we’d give everyone a fairly in-depth and detailed explanation of what a Debt Management Plan (DMP) really is. The Wikipedia definition is very broad and general, but it states: “A debt management plan is a formal agreement between a debtor […]
Continue ReadingChapter 13 Bankruptcy vs. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
The majority of bankruptcies filed within the United States are either Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. Do you know the difference between the two of them? It’s very important to know the difference if you’ve ever considered filing for bankruptcy. To find out whether a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy would be […]
Continue ReadingCredit Counseling – What Questions to Ask
Credit Counseling can be the answer to many of your financial troubles. Advantage CCS offers stress-free credit counseling to people in need of professional advice, all of which is offered by an experienced and certified credit counseling agency. By analyzing your current financial situation, a certified credit counselor will be able to recommend a plan […]
Continue ReadingWhat Should I Know About Debt Consolidation?
Individuals trying to get financially back on track usually consider some form of debt consolidation. There are three main ways to consolidate debt: Debt Consolidation Loan, Debt Management Program, and Debt Settlement. Let’s start with a debt consolidation loan. This involves getting a loan from one lender with the purpose of paying off multiple creditors. […]
Continue ReadingPay Down Debt vs Increase Savings
Struggling with debt and not being able to put money away into savings can leave many individuals vulnerable to financial problems. Without any set savings plan or debt help program, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep your head above water. Your debt can begin to pile up quickly, and your savings will begin to dwindle […]
Continue ReadingWhat is a “charge-off” and how does it affect me?
Credit cards are excellent tools for us to use when we are in a bind, they will usually provide us with funds to keep us going until things get better. However, what happens when things do not get better and there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel, will we have […]
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