Credit cards have revolutionized the purchasing experience since Diners Club released the first credit card in the year 1950.

The Dinners Club credit card gave consumers limited credit that, at times, even surpassed the personal savings of some participants. It allowed them to buy items they usually could not afford if they were to make a straight cash purchase. It also provided the convenience and safety of not having to carry large amounts of cash.

On average, American households possess 4 credit cards or a total of 13 payment cards if debit cards and store cards are included. There are, actually, 1.3 billion payment cards of assorted types in circulation in the United States.

But, if you think that credit cards have made the lives of modern American consumers easier, you may be wrong…

Statistics show that the average credit card debt for each household in the U.S. is $4,800 per month. Also, there were 1.3 million credit card holders declaring bankruptcy in the year 2003.

And if you still consider yourself unaffected by credit card debt, then consider this: upon retirement, most Americans can only expect to receive about 37% percent of their annual retirement income because of prior debt payment. This will leave many individuals depending on the government, family and charity for economic survival.

These are some scary facts. So before you find yourself in a position of economic uncertainty, it might be wise to evaluate your spending and current credit card debt.

If your credit card debt exceeds what seems to be a reasonable level, you may want to consider credit card debt consolidation.

So what is credit card debt consolidation?

In a nutshell, credit card debt consolidation is taking all your credit card payments and consolidating them into one monthly payment. This way, you don’t have to worry about managing the payments individually. Aside from this advantage, it may also provide you with the following additional benefits:

– Reduce interest payments
– Waive late and overtime fees
– Reduced monthly payments
– Debt relief in a shorter time
– Credit improvement
– Save more money in the long run

There are actually two major types of credit card debt consolidation…

You may want to consider a Credit Card Counseling firm. They assist consumers by consolidating all their monthly payments into one single payment and then dispersing this to the creditors on behalf of the consumers.

The other type is through a home equity loan or other secured loan. This is done by exchanging an unsecured debt (such as
credit card debt) for a secured debt (a debt backed by specific assets such as real estate).

Now, credit card debt consolidation isn’t  a magic balm that will drive all your credit card debt malaise away. But, it will make paying all your debt easier and might save you money in the long run. Definitely an alternative worth considering…

Automated tracking of spending habits, easy availability of credits and lavish lifestyle, all contribute to the merging debt scenario at individual levels, all across the globe, and especially in developed countries. Americans suffer the most from debt problems. At this scenario bankruptcy is not uncommon. Money owed by consumers amount to trillions. That’s why debt consolidation industries came to the scene. Debt consolidation firms are welcome, by creditors as they save them from getting bankruptcy reports, and by debtors as they improve their credit rating. Debt settlement agencies negotiate with the creditors and reduce your payment by 30% to 60%. The consolidation services minimize your payments below the minimum payments. Creditors feel better off doing the settlements by the help of a debt settlement company so as to get the best possible amount of their credit.

Taking help of a debt settlement/consolidation service is the most professional way of paying off the debts. A debt consolidation company helps you to:.

• Collate all your debts into a single payment eliminating your worries of multiple payments..
• Lower the interest rate on the collated payment plan and reduce your payments..
• Arrange you to deal with only one creditor.

How messy you debt problem may be, there is still a way out. But you have to address your problem to a reliable debt settlement company. Today, lots of individuals stretch themselves beyond the financial limits. Though bankruptcy seems to be an obvious answer, it brings many future repercussions. So, choose the most professional way to get rid of debt. Nobody wants to loose his/her possessions or damage the credit history. Once the debt is settled, one can kick back again with proper financial management. Plan a reasonable budget to make headway on your monthly bills. Avoid late fees, higher interest rates and consolidate the payments. Do not let your debt be written off as bad debt, you will have hard time getting any type of loan. Roads to financial recovery are many just make a start!

While researching consolidations, look at the payment amounts, the interest rates and the savings amount. If you have borrowed many unsecured loans, the debt consolidator working for you will make them only one. You monthly payments will also be reduced and the payment period will be extended. Though a debt consolidation/settlement company is not the cheapest way to get advice from, it is definitely the best way. A debt consolidation company is experienced enough to make you get rid of debt.  A professional debt management specialist can work with both you and your creditors to structure a best suitable arrangement. Make sure your debt amount is more than a few thousand dollars otherwise take the debt settlement on your own. Because the benefit you will get will go as a fee amount.

 Amy Cook