Tips for Avoiding Filing for Bankruptcy

Are you struggling to pay your bills on time? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the debt? Do you feel as if your only choice is to file for bankruptcy? If so, you might want to take a few steps in order to avoid having to actually file. Filing for bankruptcy is a serious issue that will haunt you for years to come. Therefore, you should do as much as you possibly can before you take such an extreme measure.

Contact Your Creditors

One of the most important steps you can take is to contact your creditors directly. Many people facing financial problems choose to ignore the phone calls and to throw away the reminder notices sent by their creditors. Pretending you aren’t in debt won’t help you with the situation. Rather, you need to take a proactive approach. Don’t wait for your creditors to contact you. Instead, call them and try to work out some sort of payment plan. Most creditors will work with their clients if they explain their situation and present a repayment plan to them. Not only will this make your bills more manageable, it will also help prevent you from having to file for bankruptcy in order to get out from under your debt.

Consolidate Your Debt

In many cases, you can make it easier to repay your debt I you consolidate the debt you currently have. Consolidation can help you reduce the amount you have to pay each month and you can potentially get a lower interest rate than what you are currently paying on your debt. In order to get the best interest rate, however, you should look into consolidating your debt before you have started to fall behind on your bill payments. This way, you will still have a good credit rating and you will qualify for a better interest rate.

Talk to a Credit Counselor

If you are struggling with making arrangements with your creditors or if you are unable to consolidate your debt, you might want to consider obtaining the services o a credit counselor. A credit counselor can help you take a closer look at your current financial situation and find ways for you to overcome your debt. In addition, a credit counselor may be able to work with your creditors and find ways to reduce your interest rate or your payment amounts. This way, you will be able to get your finances back on track.

Filing bankruptcy is a decision that can cause you problems for years to come. It can make it difficult or even impossible to obtain a loan or a credit card. In addition, it can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in extra finance charges because of the higher interest rates you will pay when you do get a loan. Follow these simple steps and prevent bankruptcy from happening to you.

About the Author: Shannon Kietzman is a well known author and trusted resource. Shannon regularly writes for www.reliacredit.com . For more info and to order your credit report with FREE credit score please visit www.reliacredit.com