By: Jeena Cho

As a society, there are two things we don’t talk about. Death & Debt. Frequently, when people are experiencing financial distress, they go into denial mode. Instead of assessing their situation and tacking the problem, they deny thinking something will change. Of course, debt problems do not get better without proactive action. It gets worse. Interest rates continue to rise, you borrow from Peter to pay Paul.

If you are experiencing financial trouble, you should seek help. Go see a financial advisor, reach out and ask a friend or a family member. You will soon find that you are not alone in your problems.

For those of you that do not see any hope of being able to reduce your debt, we are offering a free seminar. If you do not want to attend in person, you can attend on the Web. It’s totally confidential. We’ll discuss the Continue Reading »

The truth of the matter is that there is nothing that a debt settlement company will be able to do for you that you probably could not do yourself. In order to settle your debt, you need cash. I frequently meet with clients who does not have any disposable cash that insist on settling their debts. Before you spent what little cash reserve you have, or liquidate your assets, sit down and plan out an exit strategy. Ask yourself, “how much debt do I have?” and “how much can I possibly save to get out of debt?”

Posted: Friday, June 26 2009 at 05:00 am CT by Bob Sullivan

Like anyone with a radio or TV, Lorena Altamirano heard the ads promising quick and painless debt relief. If there was a way to settle her debt for 50 cents on the dollar, she sure needed it.  A recent divorce had led to a nasty financial surprise: Her ex-husband’s unpaid bills had pushed her almost overnight from having virtually no debt to being $17,000 in the hole.

“I was paying everything perfectly, no problem, until the divorce,” she said. “Then the skies fell on me. These were bills he never told me about.  We were married and I was responsible, but that put me totally out of balance.”

Altamirano still had a decent job as a benefits claims processor, but she was now living paycheck to paycheck.  With a son in college, and $1,600 a month rent for her San Mateo, Continue Reading »