Debt Pain
Life is not enjoyable if your paycheck is completely used for necessities and minimum
credit card debt payments. You pay down the balances just a bit and then some emergency
expense puts you back at the high limit. You are looking at years and years of debt,
and this prospect is pretty painful. You need to develop strategies to reduce and
eliminate your debt, and you may need professional help. You need to find out what
you need to know about Tucson nonprofit debt consolidation as you look for your
solutions.
Finding Professional Nonprofit Help
There is no lack of debt consolidation firms willing to help you. Your job is to
find the one that best meets your needs, provides lots of free services, and charges
moderate fees for the more complex services. You will want to look first for nonprofit
organizations, because usually they will have national affiliations which regulate
fees and employ only certified counselors. Look for firms that will give you one
counselor to see you through from beginning to end and provide important follow-up
services for free. Other factors you should consider are the following:
- How long has the organization been around?
- Are there any complaints from the Tucson Better Business Bureau or the state's attorney's
office?
- Will they provide complete analysis of your financial picture and give you options
for solutions?
- Will they provide education and training for future personal financial management?
- Are their fees in line with what national associations recommend?
If you enter a debt management plan with a firm, you will be charged fees. This
is because they will be completing the negotiating with your creditors and administering
your single lower payment. If your option is bankruptcy, there is required pre-bankruptcy
counseling, and there is a fee for this as well. You need to understand that these
fees are normal, so long as they are moderate. Anyone charging over 8% for debt
management is too high.
A couple of organizations in the Tucson area that you might research: CCCS Southwest
( www.cccsintl.org) and MMI ( www.moneymanagement.org).
Additional Budget Tips
Look at your car use. Are you being as economically responsible as possible? The
Sun Tran is a nationally recognized, award-winning public transportation system,
and you can easily use it to get to and from work. Save the car for errands and
outings, planning them to use the minimum amount of gas.
Don't go shopping without a list, and never buy anything not on that list unless
it is a true bargain for something you would normally use anyway. Take your lunch
at least a few days a week. You will be amazed how much you can save by doing this.
Bring your own drinks from home instead of using those expensive machines. Get some
coffee cups with lids from the grocery store and use you own coffee rather than
buying on the way to work.
Some Tourist Tips
Tucson is a great vacation spot because of its year-round weather and its great
heritage of the southwest. Finding low-cost ways to tour the area are not difficult
with appropriate research. There are great hostels for all age groups, to include
the Roadrunner Hostel and Inn. More traditional tastes can find a good pillow at
the Arizona Inn Hotel. Lots of low-cost attractions throughout Tucson allow tourists
to get a real feel for the flavor of this area. The Desert Museum, Saguaro National
Park, Botanical Gardens, and the Museum of Art are just a few. Cheap eats are all
over - look for La Salsa Fresh Mex, Sweet Tomatoes, Luke's Italian Beef and St.
Mary's for great food at low cost.
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