credit card debt Archives - Page 17 of 24

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

4 Tech Tools to Help you Get Out and Stay Out of Debt

Posted on December 15, 2017by Admin

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, household debt has reached almost $13 trillion as of September 30, 2017. If you are hoping to get a handle on your debt in 2018, here are a few tech tools to help you reach your goal.

Make a Payoff Plan: Unbury.Me

Unbury.Me is a free online tool that allows users to create an account, list all of their debt and map out a payment plan to suit their needs. The app allows users to either use the “avalanche” method, attacking the highest interest rate debt first, then moving to the second highest and so on or the “snowball” method, which focuses on the lowest balance first.

Attack Debt Subconsciously: Qoins

Qoins rounds each of your purchases to the nearest dollar, then applying that cash to your student loan or credit card debt. Nearly $1 million in spare change has been saved since the app launched in January 2017. To sign up, you log in and link your financial account to begin saving.

Meet Payoff Goals Via Savings Goals: Digit

A great strategy for paying off debt is being able to do so without having to think about it. Digit is an app that analyzes your spending habits to gauge the right amount of money to auto-save for your goals. It only transfers an amount it thinks you won’t notice and the cash is moved from your checking account to an in-app savings account. You can also set a goal amount for a certain debt and once you have saved that amount, it will notify and congratulate you.

Avoid Future Debt by Rethinking Credit: Debitize

If your goal is to pay off credit card debt, it is a good idea to put your plastic in a drawer and lock away the key until you have reached your goal. If you have paid off your credit card debt or you are hoping to avoid accruing more debt, Debitize is an app that will help you avoid more credit card debt. The app enables users to think of credit more concretely by automatically withdrawing the funds to cover any purchase you make immediately – then paying off the balance on your behalf within a day or two. Users end up with a credit card balance of zero each month.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

5 Signs it’s Time to File for Bankruptcy

Posted on December 6, 2017by Admin

Filing for bankruptcy is a complicated process and a decision that should not be taken lightly. But for some, it is the only solution that will get them out of debt and serious financial problems. So how do you know if bankruptcy is right for you? Here are five signs it’s time to consider filing for bankruptcy:

You are being sued by debt collectors. When you fail to make payments on a debt, that debt gets turned over to a collection agency. If the collection agency’s calls and letters go unanswered they may file a lawsuit against you. Fighting these lawsuits can be difficult and if you lose, you will likely end up paying more in attorneys’ fees and court costs. It is best to not let it get to this point. Filing for bankruptcy provides you legal protection against creditors and debt collectors. Once the automatic stay is issued, it bars any additional collection attempts, including lawsuits being filed against you.

Your credit cards are maxed out. This not only is affecting your credit score negatively, but you are likely trapped in a cycle of making only the minimum payment on these cards while the interest accrues to amounts you will never be able to pay off. Credit card debt is one of the easiest kinds of debt to discharge in bankruptcy.

Your wages are being garnished. If a creditor obtains a court order for a wage garnishment, your employer is required by law to abide by the order and withhold money from your check each pay period until the debt is paid off. If your wages are being garnished you can still be protected by the automatic stay, which will halt further wage garnishment.

You cannot afford your bills. If you were recently laid off from your job or had an unexpected medical expense, for many Americans it is just a matter of time before even a small amount of debt can spiral into something much greater. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is specifically designed for individuals and families whose income level is not sufficient to pay their debts.

You are in danger of losing your home. If your financial situation has reached the point where you are behind on mortgage payments and facing possible foreclosure, filing for bankruptcy can help you get caught up on those payments while staying in your home.

Related Resources:

https://smartasset.com/credit-score/4-signs-its-time-to-file-bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Subprime Warning Issued by the Fed As Household Debt Hits New All Time High

Posted on November 30, 2017by Admin

U.S. household debt has grown $605 billion in the past 12 months, with $116 billion, accumulating in the latest quarter, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Debt is ballooning on mortgages, student loans and auto loans. Credit card debt has increased 3.1 percent in the latest quarter.

Total U.S. household debt was $12.96 trillion in the three months to September, up $116 billion from the prior three months. Debt levels were $605 billion higher than during the third quarter of 2016.

Auto loans grew by $23 billion and credit card balances increased by $24 billion, while student loans saw a $13 billion increase. Credit card balances increased by $24 billion. The combined credit card limit rose for the 19th consecutive quarter, with a 1.5% increase.

Some financial experts are saying this build-up is reminiscent to the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. Federal data shows an increase in credit cards and auto loans moving into delinquency.

Aggregate household debt increased for the 13th consecutive quarter, rising by $116 billion (0.9%) to a new all time high. As of September 30, 2017, total household indebtedness was $12.96 trillion, an increase of $605 billion from a year ago and equivalent to 66% of US GDP, versus a high of around 87% in early 2009.

If you are struggling with debt, know your rights and what debt collectors can and cannot do. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) limits the tactics that debt collectors can take to collect on a debt.

Click here to read more on this story.

Related Resources:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-11-14/fed-issues-subprime-warning-household-debt-hits-new-all-time-high

Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Debt Consolidation: What will it do to my credit score?

Posted on November 17, 2017by Admin

Accumulating debt each month can be stressful and overwhelming. As you research options to lower or eliminate your debt, consolidating credit cards or loans may seem like a good option. But many wonder what effect this will have on their credit score. It all depends on how you consolidate and what you do with your debt moving forward.

Debt Consolidation Loans. This is one of the most popular forms of consolidation. But finding a loan that has decent terms, when you have less than perfect credit can be challenging. Double-check certifications to make sure that you are working with a legitimate consolidation company. Scams are prevalent in the loan consolidation business. Effect on Your Credit: Consolidating credit cards with high balances using an installment loan with fixed monthly payments may improve your credit rating for a period of time. But at the same time, any new loan can cause a short-term dip in your credit score.
Debt Management Plans (DMPs). These type plans are oftentimes confused with debt consolidation. DMPs are offered through credit counseling agencies. You make a “consolidated” payment to the counseling agency, which then pays your creditors- usually at a reduced interest rate. This option requires you to close or suspend your credit card accounts. Effect on Your Credit: If you have a good credit score and adhered to a creditor’s repayment terms in the past, a DMP could have a negative impact on your credit as it indicates that you are experiencing or have experienced difficulty with payments.
Credit Card Debt Transfer. Transferring high interest credit card debt to a card with a lower rate or 0% interest rate card is another way to consolidate. However, it is important to always read the fine print. Effect on Your Credit: It depends on how you use the transfer. You will often see a temporary dip in your credit score when opening a new card. You may also lose points if you open a new card and use a majority of the credit line to consolidate.

Paying down debt can have a tremendous impact on your credit scores. The biggest risk, though, is that it is easy to run up new balances on the cards you paid off in the consolidation. When paying down debt, periodically check your free credit report to see where you stand.

Related Resources:

http://blog.credit.com/2017/11/will-debt-consolidation-help-or-hurt-your-credit-64133/

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Increase in Personal Bankruptcy Filings among LuLaRoe Consultants Spark Speculation

Posted on November 10, 2017by Admin

A number of women who currently or formerly sold clothing through LuLaRoe have seen income from their “small businesses” decline dramatically in recent months, forcing some of the women to file for bankruptcy.

The personal bankruptcy filings- from January 2016 to October 2017- came up during a search of court records because the women or couples filing said they were “doing business” as Lularoe or LuLa Roe.” At least 24 have been identified, but it is estimated the number is much higher.

Experts noticed on average that the families reported a “quick downward fall” in income from their business from around 2015 to when they filed. For example, one woman, a single mom in California reported she made $61,330 in 2016 from “operating a business,” which is presumed to be her LuLaRoe business since it is the only one she says she owns.

But from January to July 2017, she had only made $10,547.42 from her business, less than half she had made midway through the year before. She reported her average net income in 2017 from her business was $184.39 a month.

She was spending just as much in some months, if not more, on “operating expenses” for her business as she was making, according to the filing. For example, in May 2017 she earned $1,796.12, but spent $2,666.13 to keep her business afloat.

She lists $28,991 in assets and $8,000 worth of “inventory.” Her $85,253.43 in debts include thousands of dollars on multiple credit cards and almost $1,000 owed to her Paypal merchant account. She filed for bankruptcy in July of 2017.

Some of the other women identified, listed unpaid unsecured business loans, which shows a “clearer tie to the LuLaRoe” business.”

The co-founders of LuLaRoe appeared on CBS This Morning to speak out against the recent allegations the company is facing about merchandise quality and refund policy complaints. A $1 billion lawsuit was filed on October 23 by two former consultants on behalf of all LuLaRoe consultants alleging the company is operating a pyramid scheme.

Related Resources:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lularoe-clothing-retailer-founders-speak-out-against-pyramid-scheme-accusations/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/lularoe-bankruptcy?utm_term=.bjkXAJ1kn#.vva5gXLwK

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Credit Stress? Here are 5 Ways to Negotiate with Your Credit Card Company

Posted on October 27, 2017by Admin

Opening up a credit card statement each month can be a daunting task. However, negotiating the terms of your debt with your credit card company is not as hard as you think. If you take the right steps, you will be surprised at how eager some banks and credit card issuers are to work with you.

Here are five things to keep in mind when negotiating with credit card companies.

Go right to the top. When you call your credit card company to negotiate the terms, ask to speak to a manager right away. Be polite and assure the representative there is not a problem. If the representative asks you if there is a way for them to help you, explain what you are trying to accomplish.
Request a due date change. An easy adjustment to make to your credit card terms is to simply change your payment due date. Most credit card companies are willing to move the date to help increase timely payments. If you consistently make late payments, it would be in your best interest to request a more suitable date.
Bargain for a lower interest rate. Have you been getting some competitive offers from other credit card companies? If so, you may be able to use the offers as a bargaining tool. Before you go to your credit card company, make sure you jot down all the perks, interest rates and other benefits that you would be getting if you switched cards. Your credit card company most likely will not want to lose you as a customer and will be willing to work with you.
Request a late payment fee waiver. If you have a responsible payment history with your company, they may be willing to waive late fees. If you consistently make late payments, they will likely suggest you sign up for automatic payments.
Negotiate to get the annual fee removed. Some credit card companies charge as much as $95 per year in annual fees in exchange for a few perks. When you signed up for your card, the annual fees may have worked in your favor because of the benefits you received as a cardholder. However, it may be time to reevaluate whether or not the benefits, such as cash back rewards and travel points, are outweighing the annual fees.

Click here to read more on this story.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Foreclosures

Life After Bankruptcy: Getting a Credit Card Again

Posted on October 25, 2017by Admin

If you have recently filed for bankruptcy, you may be wondering about the possibility of getting a new credit card. Before you apply for a credit card, it is important to make sure you have a stable job and the ability to pay your other bills such as rent and utilities.

If bad financial decisions led to your bankruptcy, you may want to avoid getting a credit card for a while. However, if unexpected events such as a divorce or a job loss led to your money problems, you may be able to handle a credit card again.

Below are three important things to consider before filling out a credit card application:

Timing is everything. Your bankruptcy must be discharged before you can get a credit card. Lenders will deny a line of credit during a bankruptcy proceeding because the account can be included in the bankruptcy. It takes approximately three months for debts to be discharged after the initial filing of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy entails a three to five-year partial repayment plan and therefore takes much longer to be fully discharged.
Weigh your options, good and bad. A recent bankruptcy will drag down your credit score for some time. As a result, you will likely receive credit card offerings from subprime lenders. Keep in mind that these credit cards typically come with higher interest rates and low limits. In addition, they typically require frequent fees that are much higher than most. A better option after a bankruptcy discharge is a secured credit card. This type of card is designed for consumers with bad or no credit. They are backed by a security you are required to put down. Secured cards have low limits and high interest rates but do not typically charge annual fees.
Monitor your credit score. If you do get a secured card, do not spend more than 30 percent of the credit limit and pay off the balance every month. If you follow these two rules, your credit score should improve in time.

Click here to read more on this story.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Nearly Half of U.S. Carries Credit Card Debt for At least Two Years

Posted on October 6, 2017by Admin

A new survey by CreditCards.com reveals that 43% of adults have carried credit card debt for more than two years, and 23% have been carrying debt for five years or longer.

Those most likely to carry credit card debt were older Baby Boomers (age 63-71) at 63%, while the Silent Generation (ages 72+) was at 57%. What was more surprising was that out of the 2,000 some adults surveyed, those with more education were less likely to pay their credit card bill in full every month. Only one in five cardholders with a high school degree or less carry a credit card balance, but one in three college graduates admit carrying one.

Everyday spending, such as grocery shopping and utilities, were the leading contributors to their credit card debt- not luxury purchases. Other reasons included medical bills, home repairs, retail purchases, and vacation expenses.

When it comes to income, Americans earning less are actually more likely to pay off their balances. Only 24% of cardholders who earn less than $50,000 a year carry a credit card balance, compared to 38% of cardholders with an annual salary of more than $50,000.

Florida is in the top 5 states with the highest credit card debt burden, according to CreditCards.com. Here are some tips on how to tackle long-term credit card debt.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/card-debt-survey.php

https://www.forbes.com/sites/reneemorad/2017/09/30/why-43-percent-of-adults-have-carried-credit-card-debt-for-more-than-two-years/#4a75fdb5e263

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/09/28/nearly-half-americans-carry-credit-card-debt-for-at-least-2-years.html

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Boost Your Credit Score in 30 Days by Doing This

Posted on September 25, 2017by Admin

Rebuilding your credit score can take time and there are not many shortcuts, but paying your credit card bill early can give you an added boost in just 30 days. Some consumers saw their credit score increase as much as 100 points. Here is how it works:

Timing is everything. There are two factors that have the biggest impact on your credit score: One is paying bills on time versus paying late. Making early payments can help with the second factor: credit utilization (i.e. – how high your balance is compared to your credit limit).

It is recommended that you keep a balance below 30% of your credit card limit and the lower the better. Consumers with the highest credit scores typically use less than 10% of their available credit. Here are some tips to reducing your credit utilization.

Set up alerts to let you know when you have reached a certain percentage of your available credit. When you get an alert, go online to make a payment.
Setting up charge alerts or checking your account regularly so you can pay off purchases as soon as they post.
Making scheduled “micropayments” every week or two to keep balances low.
Be cautious with retail credit cards that typically offer lower credit limits. If you have just $250 in purchases on the card and the credit limit is $500. You have already used 50% of your credit utilization.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/09/11/credit-move-can-bump-up-your-score-30-days/629455001/

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Why Debt Settlement is Still a Bad Alternative to Bankruptcy

Posted on September 8, 2017by Admin

Increased regulation and enforcement has forced debt settlement companies to do what they promise in recent years, rather than charge people hefty upfront fees and fail to deliver any relief. However, debt settlement is not as consumer-friendly as the industry presents it, and many of the people who praise the companies and the process do not fully understand their alternatives or the long-term consequences of settling debts. A few of the minor consequences you might experience if you opt for debt settlement include: tax bills on the forgiven debt, a dip in credit scores and increased interest on new purchases.

Here are some of the biggest problems with debt settlement:

The debt settlement process takes years. Customers are told to stop paying their credit card bills, loans and other debts and put money into a savings account, however; negotiations may take years. According to the Freedom Financial Network, the largest debt settlement company, half of all customers eventually settle at least 75 percent of their debt, but the process usually takes three to four years. In the meantime, customers risk being sued over their debts. On the other hand, Chapter 7 bankruptcy halts collections activity, including lawsuits.
The math doesn’t add up. Debts are typically settled for 45 to 50 percent of the current balance, which is often higher than the initial balance because of late fees and interest. The average debt settlement fee is 20 percent of the debt at the time of enrollment. The amount of forgiven debt is usually reported to the IRS and is taxable as income. If the borrower is in the 25 percent federal tax bracket, the total cost of the settlement can equal 90 percent or more of the original amount owed.
Debt settlement companies tend to demonize bankruptcy. For example, National Debt Relief, a large debt settlement company, claims on the website, “Declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy may mean saying goodbye to most of the assets you have accumulated over the course of your life.” However, few people who file for Chapter 7, which erases most debts in three to six months, lose any assets thanks to state laws that typically protect most if not all of what filers own.
Debt settlement companies also claim that bankruptcy is harder on credit scores. However, both processes often drop scores into the mid-500s. Credit scores can begin the recovery process immediately after either process is complete. The difference is that Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes only months to complete, while debt settlement typically takes years to complete.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.