I need to consolidate my bills to start getting out of debt. Does anyone know which one is really trustworthy?
371351
Go with the Dave Ramsey method, pay minimum payments on largest debt while paying more on smaller ones and get the smaller ones paid off first.  Then when you get one paid off, put that much more on the next one.  I am doing this and it works!  I have lived paycheck to paycheck and have now paid off over $2,000 in debt so far in 2006.  It works!
526986
How soon will it be cahrged off? Your credit is already affected so it won't hurt it any more if your credit is bad already. Secondly, make CERTAIN it's your bill and call the company to ask for verifacation that this is a legit bill. Even if you know it is. Why? Because most companies don't really keep good records for the long haul and they maybe can't produce your bill. Thus, you're off the hook.\n\nThen again, BEFORE you make arraingements understand that once you inquire on the bill that you're opening up the credit hounds to pursue you until payment is recieved. \n\nI appluaude you for wanting to clean it up. Just understand what it is, how much to pay it off in a lump payment and don't over commit to something you can't afford as far as payments.
479053
The best way to consolidate your credit cards is through www.debtscape.org   I have been using it for 4 years now and I have less than a year to go and I started out with over $30,000 in debt! \n\nYou can tell them I sent you\n\nTraci Sorgi\n\nPS never close your accounts after they are paid, you will have to establish credit all over again, and it will be hard to do this with NO credit!
540165
Debt consolidation is not a good idea.  It doesn't solve the problem which caused them get into debt in the first place.\n\nIf you want to help this other person then help them understand how to manage money so that they can get themselves out of debt. \n\nCheckout 'Total Money Makeover' book and/or 'Financial Peace University' (13 week course) at www.daveramsey.com.
671118
Determining if consolidation loans are the right decision for you requires serious thought. As with any decision of magnitude, carefully weighing the pros and cons is important.\n\nLet’s explore the pros and cons of this type of debt solution.\n\nPros:\n\nOne payment versus many payments: The average citizen of the USA pays 11 different creditors every month. Making one single payment is much easier than figuring out who should get paid how much and when. This makes managing your finances much easier.\n\nReduced interest rates: Since the most common type of debt consolidation loan is the home equity loan, also called a second mortgage, the interest rates will be lower than most consumer debt interest rates. Your mortgage is a secured debt. This means that they have something they can take from you if you do not make your payment. Credit cards are unsecured loans. They have nothing except your word and your history. Since this is the case, unsecured loans typically have higher interest rates.\n\nLower monthly payments: Since the interest rate is lower and because you have one payment vs many, the amount you have to pay per month is typically decreased significantly.\n\nOnly one creditor: With a consolidated loan, you only have one creditor to deal with. If there are any problems or issues, you will only have to make one call instead of several. Once again, this simply makes controlling your finances much easier.\n\nTax Breaks: Interest paid to a credit card is money down the drain. Interest paid to a mortgage can be used as a tax write-off. \n\n\nSounds great, doesn’t it? Before you run out and get a debt consolidation loan, let’s look at the other side of the picture – the cons.\n\nCons:\n\nEasy to get into further debt: With an easier load to bear and more money left over at the end of the month, it might be easy to start using your credit cards again or continuing spending habits that got you into such credit card debt in the first place.\n\nLonger time to pay off: Most mortgages are the 10 to 30 year variety. This means that rather than spend a couple of years getting out of credit card debt, you will be spending the length of your mortgage getting out of debt.\n\nSpend more over the long haul: Even though the interest rate is less, if you take the loan out over a 30 year period, you may end up spending more than you would have if you had kept each individual loan.\n\nYou can lose everything: Consolidation loans are secured loans. If you didn’t pay an unsecured credit card loan, it would give you a bad rating but your home would still be secure. If you do not pay a secured loan, they will take away whatever secured the loan. In most cases, this is your home. \n\nAs you can see, consolidated loans are not for everyone. Before you make a decision, you must realistically look at the pros and cons to determine if this is the right decision for you.
772038
I have my money kept in two separate accounts.  I have a current account that my salary is paid into every month and on the same day a large bulk of that is transferred into another account.  This is the account that I have all my direct debits set up from to pay all my bills, mortgage etc and the lump sum that goes in is enough to cover this every month and a little more for "just in case".\n\nKnowing that all my bill money is safe in a separate account and that all my bills are going to be paid on time, means that I know that the money left in my current account is mine to do with as I like, and even if I spend it all in the first week of the month then it is only my social life that will suffer and not my commitments!\n\nSo far I have not come accross any cons...
554082
PAY YOUR BILL!!! I work as a bill colelctor and the best thing to do is work out an arrangement that you are able to commit to. Stop running and being immature about it by hanging up (If that's what you do). Although it's people like you that keep us having a job. I know there are some nasty bill collectors but not all are bad. Other wise you can write a cease and desist letter that will eliminate calls for 5 years.  But please make out an arrange to pay off debt or do a settlement. By this, I mean agree to work with the creditor by paying 50% of bll and writting off the rest- it much better than have your acct charge off.
572931
There are debt consolidation companies that will help you out. Also, you can apply for a debt consolidation loan from your own bank.
622347
I should avoid a loan to pay off an outstanding bill as it will end up costing you more. Try and negotiate a payment plan with your initial creditor or see your bank for an approved loan.
731063
Bad credit is one of the worst problems to have... however there exists a solution.\n\nI will hereby talk from my personal experience.\n\nI did debt consolidation a couple of years ago, however If I had to do it again I would pay to some minor details,\nif someone wants to get out of debt today it is pretty easy with a debt consolidation plan, however it may get a bit tricky at times, I suggest you get as much information as possible online on this first,\n\na good place to start in my humble opinion is astraight to the point ebook with question and answer I found :\n\nhttp://umgarticles.atspace.com/debt-consolidation.htm\n\nif it helps kindly remember me in your voting!.. cheers!
176027
1. Pray\n\n2. cut out unnecessary expenses (you'd be surprised what you can cut out)\n\n3. concentrate on paying off one bill at a time.  Start with the smallest balance.  Once you pay that one off, you will feel better, and you can apply that money to the next bill.  \n\n4. talk to your creditors, some may have special programs for people in difficult situations.\n\n5. consider consolidation, but be careful.  This can lead to more debt if you don't reduce spending.\n\n6. Talk to reputable credit counsellors.  Beware of those who promise to work miracles with your debt and bills.  If it sounds to good to be true, it is probably a fraud.\n\n7. Don't pay a credit card with a credit card, that will only make things worse.  The only exception is to transfer a high interest rate balance to a low rate card.  Even then be careful.  It's easy to make it worse.
1036265
You want to investigate www.daveramsey.com and get Dave Ramsey's books from the library. Debt consolidation is NOT the answer. Not trying to be preachy here but the answer is the debt snowball and careful budgeting. I know it sounds insane but it works. Get his book from the library and give it a try.
581471
capital one\n\nIf you're paying higher interest on your other debt, then definitly consolidate into a lower rate card.
607012
start by becoming a responsible spender. pay your bills and keep paying them on time. it will take a while, but eventually your credit score will come up. if you are in debt over your head, try a consumer credit counseling service. they help you pay off your bills and a lot of times reduce your debt load by negotiating with the card companies on your behalf. might be a good idea to check into
1178845
Go to one of these and your credit is done.  It will be the same as filing for bankruptcy when it comes to buying a home.  They can get your debt reduced, but this is how they do it.  First they tell you to stop paying your payments (there goes your credit), then when you are about 3 months behind they contact your creditors and make a deal to take less.  If you send them the money sometimes it doesn't get paid anyway.  IF you use one, be very careful.  You should just pay your debt for yourself.  A good book to read that will help you get out of debt is "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey.
715391
Go to the credit bureau in your town and they can help you.If a creditor sees that you paid the bill then it won,t be used as a write off...Alot of people are afraid of the local credit bureau but don,t be they are fair and are there to help you build your credit........everyone makes mistakes sometimes,gets in a bind and messes up,don,t dispair...You do know that after 7 years you can get bad debts removed from your credit...Also everytime someone checks your credit it scores against you,did u know that? good luck
685061
Here are some websites that discuss how to get out of debt. Watch out for the "non-profit" credit counseling agencies that are frequently scams. Good luck!