Solutions For Unsecured Debt

September 5th, 2010 | Posted in Credit Card Debt

The combined effects of the recent recession and the abundance of unsecured debt that Americans are now carrying have motivated millions to scramble for possible solutions to their financial problems. The recession has wreaked havoc throughout the jobs market, the housing market and the lending industry while the cost of essentials like food and energy have taken a steady rise. The run-up to the recession was characterized by easy credit and high levels of consumer spending, and the worst effects of this behavior are now being fully realized as many struggle just to make the minimum monthly payments on their excessively high interest rate accounts. With their resulting payoff prospects literally extending to decades, consumers need effective solutions to their debt predicaments.

People with small financial problems can start off by trying thrift and discipline. It is feasible that adequate relief can occur simply by cutting down expenses and using the money to pay down debt instead. Debt problems of a more serious nature would do well to combine thrift and discipline with one of the other debt solutions available.

Refinancing the high interest debt by using the equity in a home as security is a straightforward method of converting the debt to lower interest rates. But the combination of reduced equity levels and strict lending guidelines have made this option difficult to take advantage of. So-called debt consolidation loans for unsecured debt have all but disappeared from the marketplace for the time being.

Credit counseling is an attractive option for many with its combination of benefits such as expert financial counseling and a debt management plan (DMP), offering interest rate relief, credit score preservation and other forms of relief. Debt settlement holds the potential for even more substantial benefits, however credit damage and a relatively long, stressful program can cause many to drop out of the program before their accounts have been settled successfully. Even worse, consumers have been plagued by dishonest settlement companies that took their money and did very little else.

Those with the most serious debt problems should probably consider bankruptcy as a debt solution too. A Chapter 7 “fresh start” bankruptcy is more difficult to qualify for since the 2005 bankruptcy reforms, and many may end up in a court-ordered Chapter 13 repayment plan instead. Regardless of whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is the route taken, credit damage will be severe and will last for 7 to 10 years.

As you can see, there are options available for those seeking relief from their unsecured debt problems. Obviously the best solution is to simply do some belt-tightening and streamline your personal finances, however this will undoubtedly be inadequate for those struggling with bigger debt problems. If avoiding damage to the credit score is an absolute requirement for a viable solution, then credit counseling should be the first option to be investigated.

Author excerpt: Jackson Roberts is an experienced debt analyst and has been helping consumers eliminate credit card debt for over 12 years. He hopes to educate indebted consumers about the many credit card debt solutions available.