To make an effective do-it-yourself debt settlement plan, you are required to consider many things. You must make a solid strategy that could lead your debt settlement plan to success and help you achieving a debt free life. Following are the useful tips that would help you to make an effective do-it-yourself debt settlement plan.

Find Out the Total Amount of Debt

You first step towards an effective DIY debt settlement plan should be finding out how much amount of debt you owe on all of your bills. You should also determine that what amount of debt is secured and what amount is unsecured debt. You should also examine your pending debts in terms of priority. Make a list of debts in order of priority and place those debts on the first number that are required to be paid immediately. Also find out what debts will take a longer period of time and what debts you want to pay by yourself and what you want to settle?

Credit Assessment

This should be your second step. Assess your credit ability and check your credit report. To do so, you should not rely on only one credit bureau; instead you are advised to contact all three credit bureaus to get your credit report.  If you find any errors in your credit report then correct them. Read the full story

The recent economic crisis may be the worst time for many of us, but it may be an opportunity for us to look back at history and learn how the previous generations have dealt with such situations and apply the same rules.

The current downfall may be exactly like the Great Depression that occurred long time back and thus taking some tips from the grandparents or great grandparents that went through it, we can gain perspective on our own situations and make things better. Here are some of the steps to help us fight in this time of crisis.

The 7 Golden Tips of Survival

1. Quit going on credit.

One of the first lessons learned by people who survived the Great Depression was to never borrow money unless you have a clear plan for how you’re going to pay it back. And when layoffs are a reality, expecting to pay for it with your Christmas bonus or your next paycheck is not a sound plan.

If you don’t have the cash to make a purchase, then don’t buy it. If you have credit cards, make sure to pay the balance off every month. If you can’t pay off the balance, then cut up the credit card(s) and work on paying down what you owe.

2. Build good relationships with family and friends.

Be honest with your family and friends about your financial difficulties. They will see you through difficult times. Try to find out ways to help each other and discover new ways to barter. Families that stick together in difficult times develop stronger bonding by cherishing the simple pleasures of life.

Having fun doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot. People still had fun during the Great Depression. Teenagers had dance competitions; people played monopoly, did puzzles, read books and listened to the radio. It did take some effort but they had fun without hanging out at the mall and so can you. Talk to you children about the financial crisis and get the adult kids to put in their share. This way the whole family will feel connected and the hard times won’t be so difficult to pass.

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