If you are worried about your finances, you may lie awake at night wondering how to fix the situation. And you may wake up and worry more throughout the day. While one of the most common suggestions for fixing money problems and mounting debt is to get out there and earn more, it just isn’t always that simple. Many Americans are juggling families and work already—and far past the normal nine to five lifestyle. Often, finances haven’t gone south due to willy-nilly spending, but rather because of unexpected and often tragic events like an accident or a serious illness. Family problems and divorces often put incredible strain on the bank accounts, along with typical debts that must be paid—to include student loans.
While free time for pursuing another job may be out of the question for you, there are other ways to take control of your finances—and your life. First, take all those bills that are stressing you out, and add them up. Then examine how much pay is coming in. Like many others in the US today, you may find that you are looking at negative numbers. In consulting with an experienced debt settlement firm like Fitzgerald & Campbell, APLC, you may discover great relief just in realizing that you have options. Fitzgerald & Campbell can set up a settlement plan specific to your needs, setting up a wall between you and debt collectors while creating a strategy for getting out of debt that works in your best interest—allowing you to keep as much of your hard-earned cash as possible.
There are other options available such as debt consolidation, meaning that your debts are rolled into one new loan which you pay monthly, instead of struggling to pay a melee of bills at different times. Bankruptcy is an option as well, with either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 available to debtors in the US, allowing your debts to be discharged after three to six months, or three to five years, respectively. No matter which route you choose, keep in mind that along with taking control of your debts, you can also begin to save money other ways.
A recent article in Forbes points out how to make some way in your budget just by making a few phone calls:
- Ask your cell phone provider for a more economical plan. If they can’t offer one, call their competitor and explain your situation. Often, they can give better rates and will buy you out of existing contracts.
- Cut out every extra bill you can—and especially the services you aren’t using. Cable and landlines are often the first, and the easiest to go. Streaming TV and movies is much cheaper—and most people are fine with just a cell phone today.
- Examine all your insurance bills. Car insurance is a very competitive business today and you might be shocked at how much you can save by calling other companies; not only that, the insurance company you are currently with may offer discounts you never even thought of; for example, they may offer alumni discounts for graduates of certain schools.
- See if your withholding rate is currently too high. Adjusting your W-4 could add significantly to your monthly paycheck.
The most important thing you can do is to realize there is a problem with your finances—and that it can be fixed. It will take effort on your part, but you can certainly take some solace in knowing that you are not alone. Millions of others in the US are or have struggled at some point economically. In acknowledging your struggles and setting new goals, you are that much closer to paving a new financial path for yourself.
If you are finding it difficult to pay your bills and need an experienced debt settlement attorney, contact Fitzgerald & Campbell, APLC. We can review your current situation and discuss your options with you. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing clients in all types of consumer rights matters, and we are here to help you!
Call us today for a free consultation at (844) 431-3851, or email us at info@debtorprotectors.com.