Debt relief is a wide concept which includes different programs for reducing overall debt and debt exposure. It is important to understand the differences between the several programs as not all of them are available for everyone and even if available not all of them might be to your advantage.
In order to fully understand debt relief there are some concepts that need clarification: debt management, debt counseling, debt settlement, debt negotiation and debt consolidation. And, the difference between debt and debt exposure is also important to fully understand and manage your finances.
Debt Counseling
A Debt Counseling agency will instruct you on how to improve your debt situation by teaching you how to budget, how to stick to a budget, how to spend efficiently, how to use different credit sources to finance yourself cost-effectively and many other tips and tricks necessary to keep a healthy financial life.
Debt Management
In this case, instead of explaining you how to do it, or while you are explained how to do it, an agent will take care of your finances and control your spending, budget, credit cards payments, loan payments, bills, etc. You'll loose a lot of freedom but you can be sure that your finances will be taken care of in the most efficient way by professional accountants and agents.
Debt Negotiation
Debt Negotiation is a step forward. Not only will the agent manage your payments but he will also get in touch with your creditors and agree with them new repayment programs to suit your budget. By negotiating your debt you may obtain up to a 60% debt reduction eliminating excessive interest rates, administrative fees and other costs.
Debt Settlement
Debt Settlement involves legal counseling, and the aid of professional lawyers to reach an in-court settlement or out-of-court settlement with your creditors. If your debt has been handed over to collection agencies, chances are that this solution will have to be implemented. Sometimes debt settlement is used as a synonym of debt negotiation. However, to be precise, the term settlement is best used when some legal action has been taken or a threat of using legal action has been issued.
Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation refers to the replacement of all outstanding debt payments with a single monthly payment. This can be obtained either by the use of a loan (debt consolidation loan) or by making a single payment to a debt consolidation agency that will take care of negotiating with your creditors and repaying your debt on your behalf.
Difference Between Debt and Debt Exposure
Debt exposure is the incidence that debt payments have in your overall expenses compared to your income. Short term debt, even if the interest rate is low will increase your debt exposure considerably while long term debt even if the interest rate is higher, due to being spread over longer period of times, will not affect your income/spending ratio significantly. Thus, debt refinancing and debt consolidation, even if they increase your overall debt, can reduce your debt exposure by spreading your debt over longer repayment programs.
