Contact your creditors
Let them know about your financial situation and that you want to negotiate a settlement.
Be realistic
Offer a settlement amount or payment plan that’s based on your financial situation.
Be flexible
Creditors often make counteroffers, so be ready to negotiate.
Consider hiring a debt settlement company
You can hire a debt settlement company to negotiate on your behalf. However, there are many scam operations, so you should research the company before hiring them. You can check with your state attorney general’s office or local consumer protection agency to see if they have any complaints about the company.
Know what to expect
Typical debt settlement offers are between 10% and 50% of the amount you owe. Creditors aren’t required to accept any offer.
A debt settlement Is a last-resort agreement where you negotiate with your creditor to waive part of your debt in exchange for a lump sum payment
A personal loan settlement date is the date when the borrower pays the agreed-upon amount to settle their loan and receives confirmation from the lender that the loan is closed. The borrower should receive a No-Dues Certificate (NDC) from the lender to document the settlement. The NDC should include the loan account number, the amount paid, the settlement date, and a declaration that the loan is settled. The borrower should keep the NDC in a safe place and consider getting it notarized.
Target one debt at a time
Do you carry a balance on more than one credit card? If so, make sure you always pay at least the minimum on each card. Then focus on paying down the total balance on one card at a time. You can choose which card you target in one of two ways:
Focus on high-interest debt
Check the interest rate section of your statements to see which credit card charges the highest interest rate, and concentrate on paying off that debt first.
OR
Try the snowball method
With the snowball method, you pay off the card with the smallest balance first. Once you’ve repaid the balance in full, you take the money you were paying for that debt and use it to help pay down the next smallest balance.
Pay more than the minimum
Look at your credit card statement. If you pay the minimum balance on your credit card, it takes you much longer to pay off your bill. If you pay more than the minimum, you’ll pay less in interest overall. Your card company is required to chart this out on your statement, so you can see how it applies to your bill.
Consolidate debt
Consolidating your debt lets you combine several higher-interest balances into one with a lower rate, so you can pay down your debt faster without increasing payment amounts. Here are two common ways to consolidate debt:
Transfer balances
Take advantage of a low balance transfer rate to move debt off high-interest cards. Be aware that balance transfer fees are often 3 to 5 percent, but the savings from the lower interest rate may often be greater than the transfer fee. Always factor that in when considering this option.
Tap into your home equity
If you have equity in your home, you may be able to use it to pay down card debt. A home equity line of credit may offer a lower rate than what your cards charge. Be aware that closing costs often apply.
If you do consolidate, keep in mind that it’s important to control your spending to avoid racking up new debt on top of the debt you’ve just consolidated.
Review your spending
Start by categorizing your monthly spending, for example: groceries, transportation, housing and entertainment. Your credit card statement can be a helpful tool; many issuers categorize your spending. Look for areas where you can cut back. Then take the money you’ve freed up and apply it to paying down your debt.
Pay with cash
One way to manage your overall debt is to consider purchasing things with cash. Using cash or a debit card can help you avoid overspending or making impulse purchases—plus you eliminate any extra fees that may apply when paying with plastic. You’ll also have a clear understanding of how much is going out vs. coming in every week or month.
Use financial windfalls
Commit raises, bonuses or other financial windfalls to debt reduction rather than adding these funds to your monthly spending pool. Using this “extra” money to chip away at your debt can help you reach repayment goals faster.
