The debt settlement company will direct you to stop paying your creditor and instead send the money directly to them each month. The company's goal is to demonstrate to your creditor that you don't have the money to pay up - that's your leverage. After a few months, the company will typically go to the creditor and say, "I'm holding X dollars on behalf of your customer. He doesn't have the money to pay you, so you should take this amount as a settlement or you'll end up with nothing." If the creditor wants to get paid badly enough, it will take the money.
Turn down offers for new cards or credit line increases on your current cards. Credit's tight, and chances are, you're not getting many offers anyway… - Jean Chatzky
Turn down offers for new cards or credit line increases on your current cards. Credit's tight, and chances are, you're not getting many offers anyway…
- Jean Chatzky
Unless you have multiple accounts that you need to negotiate and you think the project is just too big to tackle on your own, you're better off just … - Jean Chatzky
Unless you have multiple accounts that you need to negotiate and you think the project is just too big to tackle on your own, you're better off just …
If you're filing bankruptcy, you will likely want to hire an attorney. But for debt settlement, a company is sufficient, or as I said, you can often … - Jean Chatzky
If you're filing bankruptcy, you will likely want to hire an attorney. But for debt settlement, a company is sufficient, or as I said, you can often …
Take the cards out of your wallet. A debit card is accepted just about everywhere that credit cards are, and you'll be spending money you have - alwa… - Jean Chatzky
Take the cards out of your wallet. A debit card is accepted just about everywhere that credit cards are, and you'll be spending money you have - alwa…
By definition, saving - for anything - requires us to not get things now so that we can get bigger ones later. - Jean Chatzky
By definition, saving - for anything - requires us to not get things now so that we can get bigger ones later.
A little personality goes a long way. - Jean Chatzky
A little personality goes a long way.
One thing I want to make clear: You never want to hide from your debts. It doesn't work. - Jean Chatzky
One thing I want to make clear: You never want to hide from your debts. It doesn't work.
If you default on an unsecured debt, you won't lose anything (except points on your credit score). - Jean Chatzky
If you default on an unsecured debt, you won't lose anything (except points on your credit score).
Don't let the fact that you're spending time getting organized result in late fees on your credit card bills. - Jean Chatzky
Don't let the fact that you're spending time getting organized result in late fees on your credit card bills.
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