Are you swimming in a pool of debt? You are not alone, foreclosures, bankruptcies, lawsuits are at an all time high in America, debt is eating away at the American dream, nowadays more Americans are living in standards comparable to third world countries.

There is help, there are ways to become debt free. The decision must be taken, take a step back and assess our own financial situation, to stare at ourselves in the mirror and come face to face with a disease we have all been living with for a long time, overspending or living beyond our means. Living beyond our means is making America poorer and poorer everyday coupled with an economic recession no one wants to face. It is easy to turn our attention away from the matter and make believe our country is not going through one of the toughest financial periods of its glorious existence. It is only fitting that today July the 4th our independence day I have sat down and written this article, it is time to regain our financial freedom back!

Many are tired and battered and see no light at the end of the tunnel, for some this is true, it is too late. For the vast majority of us it is not true and there is still hope. How do we become debt free again? First by educating and informing ourselves and then by acting on that education and information. We live in a world where information is abundant and information regarding debt relief is plenty. Debt relief may come in the form of loans to help us pay off our debt, in the form of debt consolidation which allows us to lump all of our bills together and make one monthly payment at a reduced rate or in the form of debt settlement which allows us to enjoy large amounts of savings on our total debt. Which one of these forms of debt relief is for us? Education and information which is largely available to all of us will be followed by the action to choose any one of the debt relief forms that will best suit us.

Request loans against home equity, pension plans, friends and family, cash in stocks and bonds, etc... Most important is our present financial stability, if there are ways to stop the bleeding, take action. Assets are a great way to pay off debt.

Consider debt consolidation if none of the above is available and all accounts are in a current status. Our current situation may not allow us to stay on top of all our bills, explore the possibility of lumping all debts into one monthly payment at a reduced interest rate. Once a consolidation program is in place no payments can be missed or it is back to square one. Contact state and local officials for the names of local not for profit agencies.

Debt settlement should possibly be our last option. If there are no assets and accounts have become delinquent debt settlement may be the only way out. This process will allow us to negotiate a reduced pay out on our individual credit accounts. Debt settlement can be done personally or with the help of an agency. Stay away from agencies that charge fees, try signing on with a company that will only charge fees if they perform, meaning settle accounts. Try settling accounts by yourself if you are sure you have enough education and information regarding the subject matter, there are packets available on the internet that will cost far less than joining a debt settlement program. this option may be best if money is an issue.

Whichever direction we choose to head in, the most important decision is to take action, remember action creates a reaction. Good luck.


Dan Delgado is an active unsecured debt negotiator, he has experience negotiating personal as well as business debt. For more information please visit http://www.pemperandgartle.com