|
|
Best debt help - Austin and beyond!
|
|
|
|
|
Facing a Stack of Bills
The bills are piling up, and you don't want to look at them. You know the balances
are high, but you don't want to know what they are. You are trying to figure out
how you can make even the minimum payments and hold the creditors off just one more
month. Maybe you'll win the lottery by then. You, my friend, are in debt trouble.
It's not the end of the world, and you have company. If Austin is typical of the
rest of the country, 70% of its citizens have too much debt.
Finding a Solution
You can explore your own solutions, contacting all of your creditors, trying to
put them off or trying to get them to give concessions so your situation will not
be so bad. Unfortunately, these tasks consume time, energy, and negotiating skills
which you may or may not have. If you work fulltime, when will you do this? Chances
are, this will not be a successful resolution. Your other option is to use the services
of a debt relief firm in order to get the best debt help possible. The right firm
will provide a wealth of services, to include complete analysis of your financial
situation, the development of a solid budget, education and training for future
successful financial management, and they will do all of this for free. If you decide
that a debt management plan is appropriate, you will give them the responsibility
for all of the negotiations with your creditors, and their experience will usually
result in lower interest, elimination of fees, and a reduction of total debt amount.
You will then make one monthly payment to the firm, and they will distribute payments
to your creditors. There will be a fee for these services, and that will be included
in your payment.
In your search for a good debt help firm, be certain that the services mentioned
above are offered for free, except for the debt management plan. As well, compare
fees. You should not be paying any more than 8% of the monthly payment, and there
should be a cap between $35 - $50. Nonprofit firms are usually the best bet, and
they can be found through the Yellow Pages or on the Internet. A couple of firms
in the Austin, Texas area are as follows:
- Budget and Credit Solutions has been in business for a number of years. (www.debt.org).
The firm is a member of two national associations of credit counselors and employs
only certified counselors.
- Franklin Debt Relief (www.franklindebtrelief.com)
is another nationally associated firm that offers all of the recommended services
listed above.
Some Texas Budget Tips
Living in Austin does not have to be terribly expensive. If you get away from the
University of Texas, less expensive neighborhoods can be found that are stable and
reasonable. As well, because of the University, Austin's mass transit system is
highly sophisticated and should be considered for travel to and from work.
Tourists in Austin
What a great place to visit. Austin does not look like much of the rest of Texas,
with its rolling hills and lush vegetation. Visiting on a budget is not hard, for
there are a number of reasonably-priced attractions. Some of these include the Aquarena
Center, the Austin Galleries, the Museum of Arts, a zoo, the University of Texas
with its famous tower, and the Inner Space Cavern, not to mention the Lyndon Johnson
Library and Museum. The Highland Lakes Hotel and the Hostelly International are
two very reasonable and comfortable sleeping spots. Restaurants abound throughout
Austin and cater to university students who are generally on tight budgets. Hoover's
Cookery, the Central Market and the Kerby Lane are good examples.
|
|
