Several companies offer debt relief services. These companies usually instruct debtors to cease making their debt payments and make agreed-upon monthly payments into a savings account. They arrange for this saving account and negotiate with creditors on behalf of the debtor. Debt settlement companies argue that partial repayment is better than none at all, as the creditors may be unable to collect on their debt. Hence, these companies are beneficial to many. Nevertheless, the associated costs of debt relief services should not be overlooked.

Debt relief programs help you eliminate your unsecured debt faster and more affordably. While these services are costly, they are worth considering if you are able to afford them. In addition to reducing your debt, they can also help you avoid bankruptcy, which can have detrimental effects on your credit score. The IRS will also tax any forgiven amounts, so you should seek the advice of a tax professional before using any of these services. But the advantages far outweigh the risks.

Debt settlement companies negotiate with creditors on your behalf and try to reduce or cancel your debt. The most common risks associated with this method are high fees and risk of lawsuit. Be sure to look for a legit debt relief company. Legitimate debt settlement companies are accredited by the American Fair Credit Council or the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. Also, be sure to check with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if a debt relief company is banned.

The type of debt you have may have a bearing on the amount of contact you have with creditors and how willing they are to settle. If you purchased an expensive item with a credit card, the creditor may be more lenient and agree to a modest settlement than if you bought it with cash. If you made a small, inexpensive purchase, however, the credit card company will pursue the balance and may not accept a settlement at all.

Debt consolidation involves taking out a large loan with a low interest rate and using this loan to pay off several smaller unsecured loans. This way, you will only have one predictable monthly payment that will not hurt your credit score. This option is recommended for those with several sources of debt but good credit. Debt settlement is also known as debt negotiation. Debt consolidation is one of the best ways to reduce your debt. You can also avoid the long-term consequences of bankruptcy by using this option.

Under the HIPCI program, heavily indebted low income countries will receive debt relief. The IMF and World Bank will calculate the proportionate reduction in the external debt of the country. The amount of external debt is typically 150% of the country’s annual export value. All creditors are expected to provide a proportionate reduction. To date, it has helped Ivory Coast reduce its external debt by $7.7bn, reducing the stock of public debt from 69 percent of GDP in 2011 to 40 percent of GDP in 2012.

Debt consolidation loans are another common method. With this method, your high interest debt will be shifted from high interest debt to lower interest debt. In turn, your interest rate will go down, which will lower your long-term borrowing costs. In addition to lowering your interest rate, this option can also improve your credit score. The first step to getting rid of your debt is creating a strict budget. However, there is no one right way to get out of debt.