Dealing with Debt in Retirement

Planning the future can be exciting, especially if you have big goals ahead for when you can finally retire. Some people envision a large home and plenty of cars, while others see themselves on a quaint property so they can travel around the world for months on end. Regardless of where you see yourself in 10, 25, or maybe even in 50 years, those large goals come with significant planning and work.

These days, putting money to the side every month is simply not enough to eliminate any debt in retirement and create the financial padding most people need for a laidback future of luxury. In order to create a bound, set, and determined retirement, you have to manage your debt as efficiently as possible. Even if you save thousands of dollars, that money means nothing if you owe that same amount or more to credit card companies, private loan institutions, or other entities that loaned money to you years ago.

If you are one of the thousands looking to make sure your debt doesn’t ruin your future in retirement, consider the following steps to debt settlement:

  1. Tally up Your Financials
    The first step in securing a positive financial future is by making sure you will not have any retirement debt. To do this, make a list of all the money you have and what you owe for bills, loans, credit cards, or other matters. Knowing your income to debt ratio is the only way to see and understand how you can move on to step two and prioritize your spending until you can come out on top.
  2. Prioritize
    Everyone has different responsibilities and priorities, but the process to preventing debt in retirement is essentially the same for all — prioritize your spending. After writing down your expected income every month, list out your common expenses in order of most to least important. Typically, this should usually begin with monthly bills and payments and end with leisure expenses, such as entertainment, dining out, or other activities that aren’t absolutely necessary from month to month. The items listed at the top of your expenses are an absolute must, and the items toward the bottom should be expenses you can easily reduce or eliminate in order to get out of debt so you can fund your retirement.
  3. Make a Plan
    Preventing debt in retirement takes work and perseverance, and the best way to make sure you’re successful is by writing out a set plan. Let’s say, for example, you make roughly $4,000 a month, have approximately $2,000 in essential bills, and are $50,000 in debt from credit cards and student loans. If you were to put $1,200 every month toward paying off that debt, you could essentially accomplish this in three-and-a-half to four years, depending on your interest rates and any other income you could put toward them.Considering the hundreds of thousands of people who spend decades paying off their debts, four years is nothing in financial terms. Even if your specific situation varies from this example, go about configuring your plan the same way — determine the maximum about of money you can allocate toward your debt every month without diminishing your bank account and just stick to it. Write it out, set reminders, and post it around your house, if necessary, to stay motivated to succeed. If you need help planning, contact Liberty Debt Relief to see what our experts can advise.
  4. Ask for Help
    Sometimes, getting out of debt means asking for help when you feel like you are out of options. For example, a debt settlement, spearheaded by the financial experts at Liberty Debt Relief, may help you get out of debt a bit faster. We have spent years building relationships with various creditors, so we can work with your lenders on your behalf. Our experts will speak to you about your unique situation, determine your goals, and then negotiate with creditors to possibly reduce the amount you owe. This could save you thousands, and the smaller debt should be more manageable for you to pay off much sooner.
  5. Stay on Track
    Out of all the steps in lowering your debt, the most important one needed to diminish your debt in retirement is simply to stay on track. Your financial health is as equally as important as your mental, emotional, and physical health and should always be treated as such. For some people, staying on track means writing their goals down every day, some people need to inform their closest friends and family members, and others need a professional financial advisor. How you go about meeting your goals is irrelevant as long as you complete them and establish the financial security you need for as little retirement debt as possible.

Whether you are a recent college graduate or an established Wall Street executive, it is never too late to demolish your debt and plan for the retirement of your dreams. Having debt in your retirement doesn’t have to be a terrifying realization, and eliminating such a thing does not have to be a far-fetched idea. All it takes is a few hours of planning and a few years of hard work for you to bid a final adieu to your debt and welcome a life free of all financial worries. To work with the experts at Liberty Debt Relief and get their support during your debt settlement negotiations, please contact us soon.

Getting a Handle on Debt Relief Strategies

Debt is, without question, one of the biggest issues facing people in the United States today. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, America’s overall debt reached a record $13 trillion in 2017—up from $280 billion in 2018.

As a result, knowing how to prioritize debt repayment is an essential skill. Indeed, effective debt relief strategies can build financial security, increase your future earnings, and give you the peace of mind you deserve.

Unfortunately, there is no one right way to climb out of debt. Every person’s situation is unique; as such, each case needs to be handled in a specific way.

Many financial advisors tout the effectiveness of paying off big debts first, but many others say it is best to tackle small bills before the rest. Which approach is right for you? Here are six questions you should answer as you form your plan:

How Organized Am I?

First, those learning how to prioritize debt repayment need to get organized. Proper debt relief plans cannot be made if you don’t have a firm grasp of your overall finances. So if you have not done so already, you should make a spreadsheet listing out each debt, the type of debt, the interest rate, the term, and the credit limit, if it applies. That way, you can gain a strong sense of what you are up against.

What Kind of Debt Do I Owe?

American debt

Everyone building debt relief strategies needs to understand that not all debt is inherently bad. Believe it or not, there is a such thing as “good debt.” In essence, a financial obligation is considered good debt if can help you make money and boost your net worth.

Student debt is one example. According to the New York Times, student loan debt makes up over 11 percent of the total debt in America. While paying off school loans can be an arduous task, receiving quality education can have a substantial, long-term effect on the quality of your life. When schooling is effective, it opens you up to new jobs and, by qualifying you for higher salaries, can give you a high return on investment. Real estate, business ownership, and investments can be considered good debt, as well.

Conversely, bad debt is any form of debt that does not have the ability to enhance your life. Credit card debt fits the bill, and, 41.2% of American households have this type of debt. This liability is created when one spends too much money with credit cards and cannot make their monthly payments. As time wears on, interest rates and late fees make the debt more expensive. When someone uses a credit card to buy a giant television and is unable to pay the necessary installments on time, that person has accrued bad debt.

Conventional wisdom states that you should pay off your bad debt first. This is the case for a number of reasons.

First of all, bad debt from credit cards, unsecured loans, and car title loans tend to have high interest rates. Additionally, many forms of good debt, like student loans and mortgages, have lower interest rates and are tax deductible. If you make regular payments on your good debt, and go out of your way to eliminate your bad debt, odds are you will be off to a good start.

Which Debts Have the Highest Interest Rate?

While it often makes sense to eliminate bad debt first, not all debt relief strategies can be so black and white. Many people wind up with awful student loans that have high interest rates and short repayment terms. Conversely, there are lots of decent automobile loans to be had.

Once you have made your spreadsheet, you should determine which obligations have the highest interest rates. These, by definition, will become more expensive to pay off over time. So it makes sense to get rid of them as fast as possible.

Also known as the “avalanche” method, targeting high interest rates first will save you money in the long run. Many people efficiently get out of debt by paying as much as possible toward their loan with the highest interest rate and making the minimum payments to the rest of their bills every month. Once they have finished paying for the loan with the highest interest rate, they move onto the second-highest, then the third-highest, etc.

Some avoid this approach because it does not provide constant rewards. This is understandable, as it can be demoralizing to make lots of payments and not see the number of obligations dwindle. It can feel great to knock out the smaller debts in short order, but, ultimately, extinguishing your highest interest rates first will save you money.

What is My Credit Score?

Understanding your credit score is critical any time you are working on debt relief strategies and learning how to prioritize debt repayment. In short, your credit score is a number that sums up your financial life. It is updated every month by three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Your score is important because it shows lenders how likely you are to repay your debts.

Generally speaking, here is how the different scores break down, courtesy of Equifax.

  • 300 to 579 is considered new or bad credit
  • 580-669 is considered fair credit
  • 670-749 is considered good credit
  • 750 and higher is considered excellent credit

If your score is low, you need to ask yourself the following question…

Do I Plan on Making a Big Purchase in the Near Future?

If the answer is yes, then it is important to raise your credit score quickly.

Low credit scores can make it difficult to buy a house, purchase a car, or get a new line of credit. Moreover, when someone with a low score does receive one of those things, they almost certainly have to pay higher fees and interest rates. This is because they are dubbed “high-risk borrowers.”

One of the best ways to boost your score is to pay off your big credit card debts first. So if you need to get your score up fast, that is a method you should apply to your debt relief strategies.

Should I Consult with Professionals?

At Liberty Debt Relief, we have the experience needed to help you generate a sound plan. We take pride in our ability to take the confusion out of debt relief, debt consolidation, and debt settlement.

Our team of experts can construct debt relief strategies for people of all ages and circumstances. If you want to learn more about how to prioritize debt repayment, contact us soon.

The Value Getting Relief From Debt

Every day, millions of Americans grapple with financial woes. Households in this country owe more than $13 trillion in overall debt, per a 2017 study, and, as of March 2018, the average home that carries debt owes more than $130,000. The latest information from the U.S. Census Bureau states that the median household income is only $59,039. Put all these numbers together, and it is clear many Americans are living beyond their means, especially when it comes to their unsecured debt.

If you are trying to get a grip on your finances and receive relief from debt situations, you may be presented with some difficult questions. Should you consider a settlement? What kind of relief is possible? How bad does debt consolidation hurt your credit score?

Certainly, there are a lot of different strategies worth exploring. Before you do so, however, you need to understand a few key concepts. One is the difference between good debt and bad debt.

Good Debt (Yes, It Does Exist)

The term “good debt” may seem like an oxymoron, but it does make sense. In essence, a good debt is any financial obligation that can improve your life. A mortgage can be considered a good debt because it gives you a place to live and, with some luck and shrewd management, can appreciate in value.

Student loans fit the bill, as well. Although adults throughout the country are struggling to make these payments—Americans owe nearly $1.5 trillion in student loan debt—a good education can lead to many professional opportunities and a higher income. Additionally, if you take on a loan to start your own business, that qualifies as good debt, because, if all goes according to plan, it will pay for itself—and then some.

The Fact About Bad Debt

Bad debt, on the other hand, comes from any kind of item that becomes less valuable the second you buy it. Credit cards, for example, are a common cause of bad debt. The vast majority of credit card purchases are paid off with interest rates included. That means, over time, you will pay above and beyond the original price. Payday loans, car loans, and furniture loans fit into this category, too. All this makes getting relief from debt a complex process.

wallet full of credit cards on a table

Your Credit Score

As it turns out, good debt tends to affect your credit score in a different way than bad debt. Before getting to that distinction, though, let’s take a look at how important debt is to your credit score in general.

Whether you are getting your credit score from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—the United States’ three credit bureaus—debt will play a big factor. Overall, debt accounts for 30 percent of your credit score. It is understandable why that figure is so high: Debt level helps lenders understand how risky a consumer is compared to the rest of the population.

Revolving and Installment Debts

It would be nice if all relief from debt immediately affected your credit score positively, especially if it’s relief from bad debt. Truth is, when it comes to your credit score, the more important distinction to make is not one between good or bad debt but is instead the one between revolving debt and installment debts. Credit bureaus like to see a mix of the two, but they are different in many ways.

Revolving Debt: This is easy to obtain, and it is easy to misuse. It is composed of open-ended accounts and usually has variable interest rates and predetermined credit limits. Credit cards and credit lines are common types of revolving debt.

When you are dealing with a revolving debt, you do not have to pay a certain amount each month. Specific loan terms are not required, either, and you can borrow money as you feel the need, provided you do not reach your credit limit. Typically, these loans do not have an end date; if you make the minimum payments each month, along with the necessary fees, it can remain open.

Installment Debt: Conversely, installment debts are paid in fixed amounts over a rigid period of time. Ordinarily, these obligations come with a fixed interest rate, too, so when the loan is agreed upon, the borrower will know exactly how much he or she will have to pay, and exactly when the loan will end.

Usually, but not always, good debts come in the form of installment credit, as mortgages, student loans, and private personal loans tend to fall into this category. Given how expensive these obligations can be, borrowers want to pay fixed interest rates on them. It is not advisable to take out a mortgage or a five-figure university loan if the interest rate can increase over time.

Debt and Credit Score

Being responsible with an installment loan is a great way to improve your credit. While your score may dip right after the loan begins, that should quickly change as long as you send in the compulsory payments when they are due. Indeed, people who make all of their payments over a years-long span show they are reliable borrowers, and, as a result, see their scores move in the right direction.

Unsurprisingly, revolving debts are the source of most efforts to gain relief from debt. That is because a big part of your credit score is determined by how much you owe compared to your available credit. This is known as the credit utilization ratio. If you are using more than 30 percent of your available credit, you should expect to be penalized in the form of a lowered score.

With installment debts, credit utilization ratio is not a big concern, as you know all of the specifics involved. But when it comes to credit cards, you need to monitor how much available credit you are using. You should avoid going above the 30 percent threshold whenever possible.

Receive Debt Relief Today

In most instances, relief from debt can reduce your credit score. As Americans try to accomplish this, they often ask how bad does debt consolidation hurt your credit score, and while the answer varies from case to case, it is usually substantial.

stamping checkbook

There are better ways to deal with unsecured debt than consolidation. At Liberty Debt Relief, we can provide the answers you seek, and we can provide a clear path forward.

If you are ready to receive a free consultation and learn how we can offer effective relief from debt, reach out to us today.

The Need for a Debt Relief Plan

One of the biggest concerns facing Americans today is financial debt. According to LendingTree, a website that provides loan comparisons, the total amount of consumer debt in the United States could reach $4 trillion by the end of 2018. That would be a new record.

In fact, Americans owe greater than 26 of their annual income to debt, per LendingTree—a worrisome rise from 22 percent in 2010. Indeed, credit card debt is escalating, as are debts on auto loans. Luckily, Liberty Debt Relief can help you build a strategy to get out of debt faster.

Designing a Sound Strategy

If you are one of the many Americans wondering how to get out of debt faster, there are some important steps you can begin today that will help.

1.  Crunch the Numbers

The first step in your debt relief plan should be to figure out exactly what you are up against. Start by opening up Microsoft Excel or Google Drive and create a spreadsheet. Then, you can write down what you owe, who you owe that money to, and include the various interest rates. Doing so will allow you to wrap your head around what needs to be done.

2.  Set Clear, Achievable Goals

People looking to get in shape see better results when they craft workout and nutrition plans. Musicians are more likely to improve when they stick to stringent practice routines. Likewise, those attempting to get out of debt will enjoy more success when they incorporate explicit goals into their debt relief plan.

Laying out your financial objectives can make the journey seem less daunting. For example, say you owe $6,000. That is a significant amount of money, but it is more manageable when you decide to pay back $250 each month for two years.

Additionally, reaching intermittent goals, even if they are small, can feel incredibly gratifying. And when you feel that kind of pride, you will be more likely to stay on course in the future.

3.  Evaluate Your Spending Habits
Do you spend a lot of money on goods or experiences that are not necessities? If so, you need to alter your spending habits. Make coffee at home instead of going to a cafe each morning. Cook at home more often. Skip the movie theater and watch a film on Netflix. Don’t add to your wardrobe when you don’t have to buy new clothes.

Each of these steps may feel small individually. Together, however, they can have a large, positive impact on your debt relief plan.

4.  Find Extra Work on the Side

You may have heard the term “gig economy” in recent years. In essence, it an environment where people can take on extra work on the side as a way to supplement their earnings. Freelance, part-time, and temporary opportunities are not new, but in the last decade, technology has led to far more of them than ever before.

couple holding a piggy bank with money falling out

Here are some ways you can improve your debt relief plan with extra income:

  • Drive for a ride-sharing service
  • Deliver for an on-demand food service
  • Rent out a home or room through online lodging services
  • Perform on-demand labor jobs
  • Find skilled positions—writing, proofreading, translating, graphic design, web development, etc.—through online freelancing job boards.
  • Take online surveys that pay by the hour
  • Tutor or teach

5.  Wisely Allocate Funds When a Debt is Paid Off

Let’s say you dedicate $300 per month to pay off Debt #1 and $200 per month to pay off Debt #2. After a year, you finish paying off the first debt but have a ways to go with the second. You could hold onto that extra $300 each month—or, you could allocate it to Debt #2. Making this adjustment to your debt relief plan would help you reach your financial goals at a quicker pace.

6.  Sell Things You Don’t Need

A lot of people have valuable goods sitting around the house that they no longer use. Instruments, jewelry, electronics, art, sports memorabilia, furniture, children’s toys, books, clothing, fashion accessories—as long as they are in good condition, all of these items can bring you valuable cash.

Holding a garage sale is an effective way to get rid of household goods and inexpensive objects. If you are trying to sell expensive things, however, you would be better off going to a pawn shop or listing the items online.

Before you start selling, make sure you do enough research to understand how much everything is worth.

7.  Reward Yourself When You Deserve It

A great way to lose weight is to reward yourself once a week with a “cheat day” or a “cheat meal.” This tactic helps those trying to get in shape take a mental break from strict regimens and gives them something to look forward to when they are struggling.

Climbing out of debt can be an emotionally taxing process, as well. To stay on course, it is important to treat yourself once in a while. If you slash your budget and stay committed to paying your bills, you should pat yourself on the back when you deserve it.

Get a nice bottle of wine. Go to a concert. Enjoy a spa day. As long as you don’t go overboard, these indulgences can keep you on track through difficult times.
8.  Allow Us to Help You Reach a Debt Settlement

At Liberty Debt Relief, we want to develop a unique debt relief plan that makes sense for you. Our debt relief services can help you reach a beneficial settlement with creditors, one that will lower your payments. To speak with one of our representatives and learn more about how to get out of debt faster, click here.

Why American Debt Relief Is Important

When dealing with debt, it can be easy to assume that you are the only person struggling. Millions of Americans today are struggling to make the required monthly payments. As the cost of living continues to increase, it is becoming more difficult to manage spending. Regardless of your financial situation, know that you are not alone in trying to relieve your debt. How, though, do you compare to other Americans when it comes to debt?

The Average Amount of American Debt

American Debt Breakdown infographic

In 2018, the average debt for Americans aged 35 to 54 was roughly $134,000, according to Time Magazine. Time also reported that the overall debt for Americans aged 55 to 64 is roughly $108,300, while the amount for those aged 65 to 74 is $66,000.

These numbers show that, while debt continues to decline with age, it is still a huge issue that many Americans are facing, even in retirement. The retirement age in the United States is 65 years old, which means that even some of these individuals struggle financially. This trend does not have to continue. It is possible to experience debt relief and work towards achieving financial freedom before you reach retirement.

Additionally, a 2018 article from the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) showed that debts, including credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, and student loans, are costing the average American 10% of their monthly income. Interestingly, however, the report from which CNBC is pulling its information also states that credit card debt in America has decreased by $8.1 billion. What this seems to mean is that more Americans are cutting up their credit cards and starting to make more aggressive payments on them.

Debt Solutions

In order to tackle this national debt issue, it is important to explore the various options available. At Liberty Debt Relief, we can speak to you about a range of solutions to meet your unique financial needs and goals. Here is a list of the top American debt relief options available today:

  • Debt Consolidation: This is the process of combining all of your unsecured debt into one single loan payment. Unsecured debt has no specific asset or property, like a house or car, that acts as collateral. Because it can be hard to manage medical bills, car payments, and credit card debt all at the same time, this approach is great if you are struggling to keep track of multiple debt obligations every month. Consolidating your debt could also help you to get a lower interest rate on your debt. This means that, over time, you will end up paying less for your overall debt because you will have a lower interest rate. This approach can help your credit score if you are able to keep up with the monthly payments. However, if you are not able to keep up with your payments, your credit score will suffer.
  • Debt Settlement: Debt settlement is a common American debt relief option that involves working with your creditors and coming to a debt settlement amount that is lower than your outstanding loan balance. While these negotiations are taking place, you are not making payments on your debt and instead saving your monthly payments to ultimately make a lump sum payment. Just keep in mind, your creditors are not required to come to an agreement and forgive part of your debt. If, however, you work with Liberty Debt Relief, we work with your creditors on your behalf, and we can use our experiences of working relationships to add leverage to your requested terms.

people negotiating at a table

  • Budgeting: Budgeting is often overlooked as a debt relief strategy, but it can be a great option if you do not currently keep track of your finances. Having a comprehensive budget that lays out exactly what you make in income every month and details all of your relevant expenses and debt payments can be incredibly useful in helping you come up with a debt relief solution. For example, if you create a budget for yourself and realize that you are spending over $50 a month on coffee, then that is money that could be redirected towards paying off your debt. Scheduling a free consultation with a Liberty Debt Relief expert will help you to determine which approach to debt relief is best for you.
  • Bankruptcy: Bankruptcy is considered the last resort, though it can give you a fresh start financially. You will no longer have to deal with debt collectors or overwhelming amounts of debt. This approach will, however, essentially ruin your credit and could cost you your assets, such as your home or car. Over time, you will also be able to rebuild your credit score, but filing for bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for at least seven years, depending on the type of bankruptcy.

How to Get Help With Debt

In order to truly experience debt relief and ultimately become debt free, it is important to have a debt relief strategy that works for you and is a true reflection of your financial goals. Liberty Debt Relief has a wide variety of American debt relief options and strategies to help you create the best approach to manage your debt. You do not have to tackle your debt alone. Millions of Americans today work with debt relief organizations in order to experience relief. Having a free consultation with one of our debt relief experts will give you the opportunity to ask important questions about your debt and learn what options you qualify for with your current debt.

Call Liberty Debt Relief today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about managing your debt!

Weighing the Options: Bankruptcy or Debt Relief

If you’re struggling with huge amounts of debt and don’t know which way to turn, debt relief can be an amazing tool to help you regain control of your life. Especially when medical bills are piling up and you have thousands of dollars of credit card debt, it can feel like you are suffocating t. Because of this, it can be difficult to determine which debt solution is best for you, particularly if you are considering filing for bankruptcy.

You may be wondering: should I claim bankruptcy or pursue an alternative debt relief option? At Liberty Debt Relief, we know what it’s like to struggle with debt and we pride ourselves on our industry expertise and knowledge. We have analyzed bankruptcy compared to other debt relief options in order to give you a comprehensive overview.

Bankruptcy vs. General Debt Relief

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal option that will completely remove all or most of your debt and give you a fresh start financially, but does it comes at a huge cost. This will severely impact your credit score and can stay on your report for several years, which will make it incredibly difficult to open a credit card, get a lease for an apartment, or do anything that involves a credit check. That also includes getting a car, buying a home, or getting a loan.

When deciding between bankruptcy or debt relief, remember that the former might mean you lose any assets you own, this includes your home or any property that you may have. It is also important to mention that all the personal financial information you file with the court, in regards to your bankruptcy, will become become available to the public.

But bankruptcy does provide relief if you do not have any other option. Once you file for bankruptcy your debt collectors and creditors will no longer be able to take action against you for not paying your debt. Dealing with the collection calls and overwhelming debt payments is a big concern for you then this may be a huge relief. It is a huge decision to file for bankruptcy, so it is extremely important to meet with a debt specialist or attorney in order to explore all of your various options before deciding to file.

Debt Relief

There are a variety of debt relief options available today that could be used as an alternative to bankruptcy. At Liberty Debt Relief, we have certified debt specialists who are trained in developing comprehensive plans to help you analyze how you can realistically pay off your debt over time.

When looking into bankruptcy or debt relief, debt settlement is really one of the better options. This is a process that would allow you to pay back a portion of your outstanding debt, while the remainder of the debt is forgiven. This approach does not work for all types of debt and may not be successful for everyone, but working with our experienced specialists can increase your chances.

Debt consolidation is also an option you could explore. It involves combining all of your unsecured debt into one single account so you only have to make one debt payment a month. Meeting with a Liberty Debt Relief expert will help you to explore all of the various debt relief options available to you. You will also be able to come up with a strategic plan to tackle your debt and gain control of your finances.

Impact on your Financial Health

Both bankruptcy and debt relief can have an impact on your overall financial health. It is very important to do your research and meet with the right professionals in order to determine if bankruptcy or debt relief is best for you. With Liberty Debt Relief, you can schedule a free consultation with one of our experts today to review your individual debt circumstances. We work with lenders everyday to negotiate for our clients and have extensive knowledge of the industry. This means we are able give you a comprehensive debt relief solution that have been tested and are successful.

Long Term Financial Success

Our goal is for you gain control of your finances and be set-up to achieve more financial freedom. Filing for bankruptcy or trying to figure out what debt relief option is best can be overwhelming and very stressful, but, with Liberty Debt Relief, you don’t have to face your debt alone. Contact us today to see which of our services is best for you.