Charles Phelan - EzineArticles Expert
EzineArticles.com is Trusted By Millions as The Source For Quality Original Articles

• Why Most Debt Elimination Programs Are a Waste of Money
  Credit card debt is paralyzing millions of Americans today and sadly, thousands fall prey annually to scammers promising they possess a "secret legal loophole" that forces creditors to forgive their debts without repayment.
• Debt Elimination Scams -- A Growing Problem for Consumers
  Discusses the debt elimination scam that has spread on the Internet via network (multi-level) marketing schemes. Advises consumers how to easily spot this scam, which is often confused with legitimate debt reduction solutions.
• Debt Settlement, Debt Management, Debt Termination - What's the Right Choice?
  Describes important differences between the three major approaches for debt reduction. Explains why debt termination is a scam, why non-profit debt management services are not always the best choice, and why do-it-yourself debt settlement is a superior alternative to bankruptcy.
• How to Quickly Improve Your Credit Score by Adding Positive Payment History to Your Credit Report
  Step-by-step instructions for improving your credit score. Easy to use tips that will pay off for years to come.
• Debt-to-Income Ratio -- It's Just as Important as Your Credit Score When Buying a New Home
  Explains in detail the formula lenders apply to each applicant when reviewing home loans. Discusses the potential problems associated with "creative financing" loans popular in today's inflated housing market.
• Commodity Futures Trading - Why It's Not For Average Investors
  Explains commodity and futures trading and the pitfalls you won't hear from the newsletter writers and "commodity trading gurus."
• Business Opportunities - Why Pre-Packaged BizOpps Are Not Worth The Money
  Explains why pre-packaged businesses offered via "opportunity" magazines are usually not worthwhile investments. Discusses the business of "windshield repair" as an example to illustrate the problem with such business opportunities.
• When Debt Collectors Cross the Line - Bogus Threats & Illegal Collection Tactics
  Discusses common threats and tactics used by debt collectors in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encourages consumers to take action against collection harassment by filing formal complaints with state Attorneys General or the Federal Trade Commission.
• Debt Settlement & Income Taxes -- What You Need to Know
  Discusses the tax consequences of using debt settlement to resolve problem debts. Explains the insolvency rule that permits most debtors to exclude canceled debts from income.
• Credit Card Charge-Off - What Does It Mean and What Should You Do About It?
  Explains what a credit card charge-off is in non-technical language. Provides tips on how to avoid a charge-off situation, or how to resolve one if it has already happened.
• The New Bankruptcy Law "Means Test" Explained in Plain English
  Discusses the means test as it will be applied under the new bankruptcy law, and why more people will be forced into Chapter 13 versus Chapter 7. Explains in simple language how the calculations will work, with examples for illustration.
• Credit Protection Insurance - Just Another Consumer Rip-Off
  Discusses credit protection insurance as offered by many major credit card banks. Explains why such policies are a bad deal for most consumers.
• Credit Cards for People With Bad Credit - How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off
  Discusses the "low-end" credit card market, where banks target consumers with negative credit histories. Shows consumers how to tell the difference between a poor credit card offer and a good one that will help rebuild credit.
• Budgeting -- The Critical Flaw That Causes Most Budgets to Fail
  Discusses the failure of most budgets to account for variable or irregular expenses. Explains the monthly averaging approach necessary to offset this problem.
• Debt Relief -- Why Most Programs Have A 75% Failure Rate
  Discusses the major flaw with most debt relief programs, namely their total lack of flexibility. Examines why the the fixed payment structure of most debt programs doesn't reflect the real-world budgets of most struggling debtors.
• The New Bankruptcy Law -- How Will It Affect Debt Negotiation?
  Discusses the effect of the new bankruptcy law on debt settlement or debt negotiation. Explains why it is still "business as usual" in the debt industry now that the new law is in effect, and why the strict new rules will make debt negotiation more popular than ever.
• Debt Settlement -- Why the Critics Are Wrong
  Explains why critics of debt settlement are wrong about this alternative to bankruptcy. DiscusseS the three main criticisms of debt settlement as well as the positives associated with this method of debt reduction.
• The "Credit Card Debt Termination" Scam
  Discusses the "debt termination" or "debt elimination" scam, where promoters claim that debt can be "erased" using obscure legal documentation. Explains the bogus theory behind a scam that has bilked millions from vulnerable consumers.
• Credit Counseling -- Why It Doesn't Work For Most Debtors
  Discusses why credit counseling has come under attack by consumer groups for failing to do the job it's advertised to do. Explains the main reasons for credit counseling's failure to provide debt relief for most enrollees.