Knowing about how credit cards work, and a few credit card debt facts can go along way toward preventing financial disaster.
Here are a few things that are helpful to know.
Creditors want to help you Sounds crazy I know.
But if you are able to pay them anything, and hopefully everything you owe, they come out ahead.
Credit card companies will be more willing to deal with you if you deal with them in a professional manner.
If you get upset and out of control, so will they, and nobody will come out ahead.
Also, creditors do not want to see you file bankruptcy as they will probably end up receiving almost nothing.
And at the same time, your credit history will be trashed.
You can negotiate Related to the first point above, credit card companies are willing to negotiate things like late fees and penalties, and may even lower interest rates if you can threaten to take your business elsewhere.
You have to be able to back that up though! Deferments for financial hardship If you find yourself temporarily out of a job, contacting your creditor may get you a deferment.
You may be able to skip a payment or two.
Be aware however that the creditor will come out in the end; you'll have extra finance charges to deal with.
Even with bad credit, you may be able to secure a loan to pay off your debt.
Yes, you won't really be paying it off, but a loan will most likely eliminate the high interest a credit card company will charge you, and may make it easier to budget a set amount each month to apply to your debt.
These simple credit card debt facts may be of help in easing your mind somewhat when facing huge bills and debt.
Just knowing there may be ways to lessen the impact of big debt can help lower stress.