Today's consumers benefit drastically from the usefulness of credit. Credit cards are especially useful for large purchases, emergency situations, reservations, identification, and protection from fraud. Unfortunately, millions of consumers abuse credit cards beyond their financial earnings. The use of credit results in costly interest payments and late fees, impulse buying, overextended lifestyles, and the unnecessary stress from har***ing telephone calls from collectors.

Do You Think You Might Have a Problem with Debt?

Below is a list that will help determine whether you are a single mother debt problems.

Over the Limit Credit Card Spending

If all of your credit card balances are greater than 80 percent of your credit limits, you should consider this a danger signal to debt.

Too Many Cards/Too Much Debt

If you can't pay off your combined credit card debt within one year, you should consider this a serious issue.

Out of Money

Many people use credit for small purchases such as food and gas. If you previously paid cash for these or other small items, but are now using credit, not debit or cash, it could be a sign that there is a problem.

High Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your debt-to-income ratio measures the amount of debt you have against the amount of income you are making. You can calculate this ratio by dividing your total monthly debt payment (excluding mortgage/rent) by your total monthly gross income (before taxes). If your debt-to-income ratio is close to or over 20 percent, this is a sign that you may have a debt problem.

Emergencies

Crises and emergency situations do occur, and sometimes people are unable to afford such things such as emergency auto repairs or medical expenses because their credit cards are tapped or the majority of their earnings are put towards debt repayments. It's always important to keep an open line of credit available for such situations.

Minimum Payments

What many people don't realize about revolving credit card bills is that making only the minimum payment can take 12 to 15 years to repay. You are not applying any significant amount toward the principal if you are only making minimum payments concluding that you may be overextended and in need of putting together a spending plan.

Using Your Credit to Make Payments on Other Cards

Taking cash advances to pay bills is not a solution for paying off debts. If you are paying one credit card with another you are actually creating more debt. You will also be faced with any cash advance fees and interest from that new line of credit.

Balance Transfers

Many creditors offer new credit cards with balance transfers available at low interest rates for only a limited introductory period. It's important to remember, though, that after the introductory period the interest rate usually skyrockets up to 19 percent or more. As well, a growing number of credit cards are ***ociating fees with transferring balances.

Skipping Payments

If you are late with getting payments in such as your mortgage, rent, car loan, or utility bills more than once per year and are juggling bills and skipping payments, this is a definite sign that you have a debt problem.

Borrowing Money

If you are borrowing money from family and friends and unable to pay them back while struggling to pay your bills, credit counseling can teach you how to budget or advise you to go on a plan for paying off your debts.

Debt Consolidation Loans

Are you borrowing from a new source to pay off an old debt? Many people who do so obtain debt consolidation loans to pay off all their existing bills. However, once the bills are paid off, some people wind up charging on their credit cards again. This means having to pay back the loan plus the new credit card charges, which ends up driving people into further debt. Learn more about debt consolidation at Incharge.

Unsure of the Amount Owed

If you have no idea how much debt you owe on a monthly basis and keep using credit cards, your financial spending might be slipping out of your control. If you noticed that you were nodding your head up and down as you read through the list of debt problems you could be on your way to a serious problem with your finances. What to do about it as a single mother comes next.

Help for Single Mother if in Debt...


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Copyright 2005 Dean Shainin

Asking yourself, “Is a home equity loan right for me?” is the first and most important step to take.

Home equity loans have become so popular today because of increasing home values. A home owner can access money for consolidating debt, home improvements, a new car, education or starting a new business.

Emotions can take the place of logic when considering a home equity loan.

It’s a good idea to sit down and take your time before signing up. Educating yourself will benefit you in the long run.

A home equity loan is like having a second mortgage on your home. Suppose your home is worth $200,000, and you have a mortgage against it at $150,000, you will have $50,000 of equity available. Home equity loans allow you to borrow up to 80%, and sometimes more in certain situations, of your homes value. In this situation you could borrow $80,000 as a home equity loan and still have only borrowed 80%.

This is why it is so important to take a good look at your situation before making a decision. You can see how easy it could be to get carried away with a home equity loan.

The second step should be to get an idea of what your home is worth in today’s real estate market. You can look at what others in your area have sold their home for. A realtor can help you with getting an idea of your homes fair market value. Be sure to get a few quotes because some realtors may be interested in inflating your home value in hopes of earning your business.

When you have an approximate figure, you can get an idea of how much equity you have in your home. At this point you should have an estimate of how much money you need to borrow. It’s best if you can avoid borrowing up to the full 80% of your homes value.

This is where some home owners get carried away with their emotions and logic goes out the window. It can be so easy to say, I have $60,000 available and I really only need $40,000 for remodeling my kitchen and bathrooms. Why not borrow $50,000 so I can go on my dream vacation. It’s important to remember that the more you borrow, the higher your payments will be. This is simple logic. But, emotions can take over and you can end up having a tough time paying back the home equity loan, with the risk of losing your home.

The third step is to figure out what type of home equity loan you want. In today’s market, there are two popular types of home equity loans. A line of credit and a closed end loan.


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Betty and John, are in their mid-seventies and are currently weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage as a way of freeing up some cash. The couple purchased their home 45 years ago for about $14,000 since then home values have skyrocketed and recent single family homes in their neighborhood have been selling for a minimum of $160,000.

Like Betty and John, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage it’s important to do some research prior to making a decision. You not only need to understand the basic principles of this kind of mortgage but you also need to look at all the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage.

Essentially a reverse mortgage is a loan that permits homeowners 62 years of age and older to borrow against the equity in their homes without having to sell it. Further, you don’t have to give up the title or take on a new monthly mortgage payment.

A reverse mortgage loan is tax-free and needs only to be repaid when the borrower (or in the case of Betty and John, when the surviving spouse) dies or sells the home. At which time, the reverse mortgage loan must be repaid in full, including all interest and other charges.

When examining the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage it’s also important to consider both the process and the related costs of obtaining a reverse mortgage. Unlike a conventional mortgage, with a reverse mortgage, the homeowner (the potential borrower) must meet with a reverse mortgage counselor. References for counselors can be obtained from banks offering reverse mortgages or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The purpose of these meetings which may take place in person or on the telephone is for the homeowner to learn about reverse mortgages and discuss alternative options. It also helps you decide which kind of reverse mortgage may be best. As well as exploring the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage, it’s wise that the potential borrower, also compare costs between various lenders and request a Total Annual Loan Cost estimate for each.

Further to discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage with a counselor, you also need to understand that there are certain costs involved in the reverse mortgage process. Costs may include application fees, closing costs, insurance, appraisal fees, credit report fees, and quite possibly a monthly service fee. Remember too that since a reverse mortgage allows you to continue living in your home, you’re still responsible for property taxes, insurance and repairs. If these payments are not maintained, the loan could become due in full.

A reverse mortgage may also affect eligibility for federal or state ***istance as well as Medicaid. That said, any reverse mortgage money that is received is tax-free and does not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

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