Eliminating Holiday Debt

By Jim Vrana

Have you visited the mall this month? Certainly you have. This is the time of year we all flock to the mall in droves to catch all the bargains that retailers have to offer. The reason of course is to find those perfect gifts. Many of us spent more this year than we can really afford … again. It is perfectly acceptable to do this. After all, we used our credit cards, and we just need to pay back a small amount every month for just a few more months.

We have been programmed to think this way. Buy it now, pay it back later. Yet when the credit card statements arrive over the next few months, many people will find that they once again over extended their budgets. Many still have not fully paid off their debts from last year’s shopping season.

It is easy to do, because credit is too easy to obtain. Then we are constantly bombarded with advertisements to make us believe our lives would be better off paying for everything using plastic. There is now a television commercial that makes a cash-paying customer look foolish. Admittedly, this commercial is for a debit card. But the message is there; use your card. When using plastic, we don’t feel as if we are actually spending money.

Credit card use can quickly turn into credit card abuse. This is especially true during the holiday shopping season. Reality sets in when the statements arrive. For too may people, the total balance reflects much more than the latest shopping spree. It reflects our purchases from the past six months or a year. The summer vacation is still not paid for, as well as last month’s trip to the grocery store.

When the credit card balances become out of control, the consumer begins to search for their best debt relief. Instead of a consolidation program or refinancing their house, once again, consumers are now turning to debt elimination. A true elimination program will allow people to legally walk away from 100% of that debt, without bankruptcy, consolidation, or refinancing.

Given the fact that bankruptcy may no longer be an option, consumers and small business owners are now finding this type of debt relief more suitable to their needs. They are also finding their credit scores are higher after completing this process. It is truly the alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debt consolidation. The program is applicable to all major credit cards and unsecured signature loans.