#debt advice

[galadriel1010]

Another day, another debt help advert on Tumblr. Don't do it.

If you're in the UK, you can go to StepChange or Money Advice Trust for free debt advice online or over the phone, Citizens Advice Bureau if you have other challenges piling on top of your debt, or Christians Against Poverty if you are comfortable going to them.

Some debt relief options have a fee, many do not. What you need to do is go through your finances and work out your income and expenditure. Track it over the last few months if you can and then do a debt advice session online, over the phone or in-person, depending on your needs. Set yourself aside as much time to do it as you can so you aren't rushed as well as stressed. Do not be afraid to pick up the phone or use the text chat if you need support, the staff are there to help.

Don't leave it to the last minute. Do it now, even if you don't think you need it. People often don't reach out for support until they are in crisis, by which point they have fewer options. The earlier you ask for help, the more you can be helped.

Do a benefits check on Policy on Practice or Turn2Us to make sure you're claiming all benefits you're entitled to, too.

[mokeonn]

"But if college was free, then people would abuse that and get useless degrees" hell yeah I would! If I could go to college without debt I would make it my job to get a degree in every little thing that interested me. I'd get a doctorate in film studies. I'd have a bachelor's degree for every science I like. I'd try to learn at least 5 languages with varying results. I would learn something "useful" like coding and then follow it up with a ""useless"" degree like art history. I'd be the world record speed run holder for getting every degree possible.

But I can't afford college without going into massive debt, so instead I spent the last 5 years trying to figure out what I am passionate enough about to consider going into debt over, because unfortunately being passionate about everything is extremely expensive to pursue.

[acmecredit]

How to Choose the Right Debt Relief Option in the UK

Debt can be a major burden, and it can be difficult to know what to do if you’re struggling to make your payments. There are a number of different debt relief options available in the UK, and it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of debt relief options available in the UK, and we’ll help you to choose the one that’s best for your situation. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get started with debt relief, and we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option.

Types of Debt Relief Options in the UK

There are a number of different debt relief options available in the UK, including:

Debt consolidation: This involves combining all of your debts into one loan with a lower interest rate. This can make it easier to manage your payments, and it can save you money on interest over time.

Debt management plans (DMPs): This is a formal agreement with your creditors to reduce your monthly payments. DMPs are usually managed by a debt management company, and they can help you to get out of debt over time.

Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs): This is a legal process that allows you to pay back a portion of your debt. IVAs are usually managed by an insolvency practitioner, and they can help you to get out of debt over time.

Bankruptcy: This is a legal process that allows you to discharge your debts. Bankruptcy can have a negative impact on your credit score for several years, but it can be a good option if you’re struggling to make your payments and you have no other options.

How to Choose the Right Debt Relief Option in the UK

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a debt relief option in the UK, including:

Your financial situation: How much debt do you owe? What is your income? What are your monthly expenses?

Your goals: What do you hope to achieve with debt relief? Do you want to reduce your monthly payments? Improve your credit score? Get out of debt altogether?

Your risk tolerance: How comfortable are you with taking risks? Some debt relief options, such as debt settlement, can be risky.

Tips for Getting Started with Debt Relief in the UK

Once you’ve chosen a debt relief option, there are a few things you can do to get started:

Do your research: Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the debt relief option you’ve chosen.

Get help from a qualified professional: If you’re not sure which debt relief option is right for you, or if you need help getting started, consider working with a qualified professional.

Be patient: Debt relief takes time. Don’t expect to be debt-free overnight.

Pros and Cons of Each Option

Here is a brief overview of the pros and cons of each debt relief option available in the UK:

Debt consolidation:

Pros: Can make it easier to manage your payments, and can save you money on interest over time.

Cons: Can be expensive, and may not lower your monthly payments as much as you’d like.

Debt management plans (DMPs):

Pros: Can help you to get out of debt over time, and can protect your assets from creditors.

Cons: Can take a long time to complete, and can damage your credit score.

Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs):

Pros: Can help you to get out of debt over time, and can protect your assets from creditors.

Cons: Can be expensive, and can damage your credit score.

Bankruptcy:

Pros: Can discharge your debts, and can give you a fresh start.

Cons: Can have a negative impact on your credit score for several years, and can be expensive.

Conclusion

Choosing the right debt relief option in the UK can be a difficult decision. However, by considering your financial situation, your goals, and your risk tolerance, you can choose the option that’s best for you.

If you’re struggling with debt, don’t hesitate to get help. Acme Credit Consultants is one the best debt management companies in the UK that has qualified debt advisors or professionals who can help you choose the right debt relief option and get started on your journey to financial freedom. Call at for Free debt advice at +44 7779648018

[petrichara]

Ohhhhh my god it’s not that big a deal. The world will keep turning, the sun is gonna rise. You’ve not stopped breathing, no one has died. Keep it moving. You’re here to be alive

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Do you have any advice for someone who has most of an archaeology degree, but following some health problems during covid foricng me to withdraw from some classes, I didn't meet pace of progress and lost my financial aid and now owe my university $13k for the semester i didn't complete. I'm a 3.8gpa student and was deans list, but I have an enrolment and transcript hold until I pay them back. I will never have $13k at my disposal to pay that off without haivng my degree to make me employable, so I'm not sure how I can ever go back and finish my degree.

Do you have any advice for how someone in my position should proceed? I thought about merit based financial aid/scholarships with my high gpa, but I've never had any success finding those.

This is a tough one, since I don't really have any direct experience with a similar situation. If anyone has specific advice, please let me know.

Education loans/debt are special legal creatures, and perhaps the most important thing you can do is educate yourself on the legalities of your particular situation and what options are available to you. Here's a page I found that talks about the legal precedents for certain types of education loans. From what little I understand, the school is not looking for you to pay the $13k back all at once. There may be payment plans or settlements available to you.

The first thing that comes to mind is to contact your school's ombudsman. This is an office whose single purpose is to help students navigate institutional bureaucracy and pursue grievances against the institution. They are probably the best bet for finding ways to mitigate this debt, set up options for payment, etc.

Similarly, I would recommend making an appointment to talk with someone in the financial aid department if you haven't already. It might be painful and embarrassing, but I can guarantee you that you aren't the first person who has had this exact issue, and you won't be the last. They might also be able to help you navigate ways to deal with this debt.

Some schools have policies that if you have to withdraw for health reasons before X point in the semester, you can get your tuition refunded. This is what my family was able to do when I had to drop out during my sophomore year. Whether that would be an option for you depends 1) on your school, and 2) on if you have to apply for that forgiveness within a certain window. Still worth a shot though—this is something you can ask the ombudsman about.

If you were registered with your school's disability services (provided that you're in the US, which is where my experience comes from) before you had to withdraw, they may also be able to help you advocate for yourself based on having a disability. If this is something that applies to you, it's possible that you have some protections based on the ADA, although this will depend on the nature of your financial aid, and whether you were registered beforehand. Accommodations are not retroactive.

Finally, I hate to say it, but working in archaeology—with or without a college degree—is going to make it difficult to pay off these loans. Entry level archaeology jobs pay notoriously poorly, and other positions generally require some sort of postgraduate degree. You are employable without a degree, but it may not be in your chosen field. That's shitty news, I know, but it's something you need to consider in order to start dealing with this.

Best of luck, -Reid

[bitchesgetriches]

The Financial Order of Operations: 10 Great Money Choices for Every Stage of Life

If you found this helpful, consider joining our Patreon.

[brother-emperors]

how long do you typically spend drawing a comic page? I'm a perfectionist and I have a hard time keeping a reasonable working pace for comics

so I’m actually going to not answer this one (the answer is both less and more time than people think, and it depends) but instead I’m going to give you some advice on how to deal with perfectionism when it comes to making comics

the first thing is to see if you can kill your inner perfectionist, which basically means, can you get comfortable with imperfections? this is something that can be difficult to do, but it can also really take some weight off your shoulders if you can look at a line that’s a little squiggly instead of perfectly smooth and move on from it. there’s a whole page, a single wonky line, is like. fine, especially if you’re doing more than one page.

if not, that’s okay! we’re moving on to the 75%-80% rule, which is: figure out what giving 100% in art looks like for you, then find out what giving 70%-80% looks like. As a person, you can probably consistently give 80% to any given illustration, but doing 100% all the time is going to fuck you up in the long run. If you can get comfortable consistently giving a 80%, you can then decide when you want to crank it up for dramatic effect, or you can save going all in on something fun or a big project. if perfectionism is a hard habit to break, instead try it reframe it as giving a ‘perfect’ 80% instead of 100. it’s all about that overall visual consistency, baby!

comics can feel like doing seven or eight individual illustrations on a page (panels) and some people definitely tackle them this way, and that makes learning what you can consistently give without wanting to shove your hands into cement very important. If every panel is a solid 80%, the entire page looks Good (which means the entire page is working at 100% because you have visual consistency/coherency and that’s what matters)

ideally, you reach a point where you can gauge what a good 80% of what you can give looks like across an entire sequence. for me, Trikaranos is operating at 80% while Ex Voto is 70% (part of it is that Trikaranos is more demanding, while Ex Voto is more casual and vibes based, but for both I put a lot more work into formatting and lettering)

part of what can help with all of this is figuring out a good work pipeline that encourages finishing up a sequence to keep you from getting stuck agonizing on small details

a decent one is this

thumbnails > rough pencils > do tight pencils where you think you’ll need it (I do tight pencils on facial expressions, furniture if there are bodies on it, and perspective shots) > inks > colors > lettering

adjust it based on whatever your own needs are, etc.

what’s imperative to this is that you don’t do the pencils > inks > coloring stages in sequential order, but instead jump around so that you don’t burn your energy through it (in that there’s a drop in quality as you either get tired or start to rush). Jumping around lets you spread out your high energy points and it picks up the slack for when you want to just get it done, but also it forcibly keeps you from spending too much time on one specific thing. (which is why breaking it up into stages is important, instead something like finishing one whole page from pencils to colors and then doing the next one)

when I do single page comics, I usually alternate every other panel, when I do multi page comics, I’ll either alternate entire pages or I’ll do the first and last pages at the start, and then jump around the middle in whatever order I feel like.

whenever I find myself spending too much time on something, I will set a playlist that has either a 15 minute or half hour run time, and when I reach the last song, if I’m still fucking around focusing on one thing, I’ll make myself move in and return to it later. I do this the most with the inking stage so that I don’t over ink something (I find crosshatching relaxing, but it doesn’t often look good because I do too much in one place and it looks bad because it doesn’t work with the rest of the panels and then I have to start over), and then I can go back to a panel with fresh eyes later and decide whether or not more detail is necessary for the whole page to look good, or if it’s fine as is.

and ofc, the most important guideline of all: the Fuck It, We’re Done rule, which is at some point, you may look at a page and go ‘I don’t want to work on this any more, I’m tired, it’s not fun, I’ll be stuck here forever, etc’ and that’s when you put your pencil down, physically move back from the page, and figure out what the bare minimum amount of work you need to do in order for the whole page to be coherent is, do JUST THAT, and post it.

at the end of the day, it’s the whole page that’s important, not all the individual details, so try not to focus on too many small details early on, but instead go back and add them in closer to the end. You can clean up any line art mistakes that are bothering you here at this stage too.

finally, don’t zoom in too close on a digital canvas, especially if you’re doing pencils. there’s no reason for a reader to zoom in close like that unless you specifically want them too, spare your hands the agony of tiny details that won’t be seen when you upload it at viewer resolutions. I know artists who won’t go past 150% because those details won’t show up at print resolutions.

HEUGHGHHH this is so so long, but hopefully there is some helpful advice in there for you, anon

[rathockey]

fuckign. debt collector texted me this morning. going to start killing them with hammers.

[cookiefate]

Cookiefate for July 13th: "Pass the bill to the person of your left."

"Ah, the joys of communal debt."

Also because I forgot to post it yesterday:

Cookiefate for July 12th: "There's a good chance of a romantic encounter soon."

Have your therapist ready on speed dial.

[esotericdivinity]

I'm trying to figure out what my watermark will be so that I can post across multiple platforms with the same one. It's gotta be kinda cool, or somewhat recognizable. It's like trying to find one alias I like the most and sticking to it yknow?

[cazort]

Piece of financial advice, because I've seen too many people make this mistake: never pay off medical debt on a credit card unless you are 100% sure you will be able to pay the credit card balance off in full as soon as you get the first bill. Why? It is ALWAYS better to have medical debt than credit card debt. There is a long list of reasons why.

State and federal laws severely restrict medical debt in ways that credit card debt is not restricted.

Credit card debt can charge much higher interest rates, and in general it IS much higher in rate. Medical debt sometimes charges no interest, at least for a certain period of time. When it does charge interest, the rate is lower, and in some states it is capped as low as 5%, always at 20% or lower. Credit card interest rates are almost never below 15% and are sometimes MUCH higher than 20%.

Medical debt is less damaging to your credit history than credit card debt. And it is easier to eliminate in bankruptcy.

Medical debt also does not affect your spending limits on a credit card. If you use a credit card for monthly expenses, adding medical debt to it can bring you closer to your credit limit which might make you unable to use the card for expenses (even ones you could afford to pay off immediately.) This negatively affects your credit rating through increasing your credit utilization, it can reduce your potential to earn rewards, and it can reduce your spending power in an emergency.

Also, the penalties and fees for deliquency on medical debt are much milder and those for credit card debt are more severe. Again, laws are more restrictive on medical debt. You will have far fewer fees or penalties going delinquent on medical debt.

Also it is often easier to get medical debt forgiven or negotiated down, than credit card debt,

If you ever end up with medical debt, keep it as medical debt and keep paying it as medical debt. Go delinquent on your medical debt before switching it to a credit card. Once you put it on a credit card, you can't go back.

By keeping your medical debt as medical debt, you save money, protect your credit history, and increase your chances of having the debt forgiven, negotiated down, or eliminated through bankruptcy.

NEVER CONVERT MEDICAL DEBT TO CREDIT CARD DEBT.

[rivertigo]

no one ever talks about how crazy of a song heart shaped box is

[painsandconfusion]

I'm in a 'writing about how to write well' series mood, so, out of these requests, which do yall want me to work on today?

I'm going to do a decent amount of research into each one and link books that will be helpful for practicing or learning more, so it'll be a min before it's done even if I'm starting now; just a warning <3

[lostlegendaerie]

thank you for always debunking those debt posts because holy FUCK is there some bad advice in those posts. I have very limited experience dealing with debt collectors but “don’t ever give out your SSN over the phone”???? you HAVE to do that in a number of legitimate interactions. it’s not some gotcha question, it’s identity verification. my god.

I do feel bad, because I did lose my temper in that second post (and I think I pissed off a few mutuals if I clocked their vague posts correctly, which oh my god please just say something to my face if I've upset you) and you do need to be careful when someone you don't know calls you and claims you owe them money! But their solution of complete inaction in the name of 'not playing their game' just. will not work! I'm sorry! I wish it did!

If someone contacts you in any way about money you don't think you owe:

1) get their info if it's a call (Business hours, name, call back number, etc.) and ask where the debt came from (name of the bank, whatever.) If they can't answer without you telling them personal info and you're uneasy, say you'll call them back and disconnect.

2) do your research (look up the company name, the phone number they called from, etc.) and back-reference with any debts you know you have. (You should probably keep track of those anyway). E.G. if you had a medical procedure done and you get a collection call, reach out to the hospital and ask if they're using any company for collection services.

3) if shit don't feel right, reach out to the BBB/CFPB/Attorney General and use them as a middleman to request a validation of debt or report your concerns as fraud. Those are vetted agencies who you can trust with your personal info (and they won't ask for your SSN usually) who can hold the company to task to answer your questions.

Back to our regularly scheduled fandom nonsense. Cheesus crust.

[pastel-charm-14]

∞ ₒ ˚ ° 𐐒 navigating financial wellness *:..｡o○

start by tracking your income and expenses to get a clear picture of your financial situation. then, set realistic spending limits for each category, prioritizing essentials like housing, food, and transportation while allocating funds for savings and debt repayment.

make saving a non-negotiable part of your budgeting strategy. aim to build an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months' worth of living expenses, providing a safety net for unexpected expenses or income disruptions.

consider investing your savings in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets to generate long-term growth and build wealth over time. educate yourself about investment options, risk tolerance, and investment strategies to make informed decisions aligned with your financial goals.

if you have debt, prioritize paying it off strategically by focusing on high-interest debts first while making minimum payments on other debts. explore options for debt consolidation, refinancing, or negotiating lower interest rates to reduce the burden of debt repayment.

resist the temptation to keep up with the Joneses and instead focus on living below your means. practice frugality, prioritize needs over wants, and avoid lifestyle inflation to free up more money for saving, investing, and building wealth.

streamline your financial management by setting up automatic transfers for saving, investing, and bill payments. take advantage of technology and financial apps to track your spending, monitor your accounts, and stay organized with minimal effort.

empower yourself with knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. educate yourself about personal finance topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, retirement planning, and estate planning to build a solid foundation for financial success.

here's to your financial wellness and prosperity!

- love, pastel

[talabib]

Mastering the Art of Investing: Practical Strategies for Insightful Decision-Making

Key Point:

Making smart and insightful investment decisions is an attainable goal with the right strategies in place. By recognizing your limitations, managing emotions, seeking professional guidance, and aligning your investments with personal objectives, you can cultivate a robust and successful investment portfolio that stands the test of time.

Sound investment decisions are the bedrock of financial success. However, navigating the complex world of investing can be challenging, even for the most seasoned investors. This post explores practical strategies for making smart and insightful investment decisions, empowering you to grow your wealth with confidence and finesse.

Recognize the Limits of your Abilities

In both life and investing, it is crucial to acknowledge the boundaries of our expertise. Overestimating our abilities can lead to ill-advised decisions and, ultimately, financial losses. By cultivating humility and seeking external guidance when necessary, we can minimize risks and make more informed investment choices.

Manage Emotional Influence on Decision-Making

Emotions can significantly impact our ability to make rational decisions. To circumvent the sway of emotions, adopt a disciplined approach to investing, relying on data-driven analysis and long-term strategies rather than succumbing to impulsive reactions.

Leverage the Expertise of an Advisor

Engaging a professional financial advisor is a prudent investment decision. Their wealth of knowledge and experience can help you navigate market complexities and identify opportunities tailored to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

Maintain Composure Amidst Market Volatility

Periods of market turbulence can incite panic among investors. However, it is essential to remain level-headed and maintain a long-term perspective during such times. Avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term fluctuations and focus on your overarching financial objectives.

Assess Company Management Actions Over Rhetoric

When evaluating potential investments, examine the actions of a company's management rather than relying solely on their statements. This approach ensures a more accurate understanding of the organization's performance, financial health, and growth prospects.

Prioritize Value Over Glamour in Investment Selection

The most expensive investment options are not always the wisest choices. Focus on identifying value rather than being swayed by glamorous or high-priced options. This strategy promotes long-term financial growth and mitigates the risk of overpaying for underperforming assets.

Exercise Caution with Novel and Exotic Investments

While unique and exotic investment opportunities may appear enticing, approach them with caution. Ensure thorough research and due diligence before committing to such investments, as they may carry higher risks and potential pitfalls.

Align Investments with Personal Goals

Invest according to your individual objectives rather than adhering to generic rules or mimicking the choices of others. Personalized investment strategies are more likely to yield favorable results, as they account for your unique financial circumstances, risk appetite, and long-term aspirations.

Making smart and insightful investment decisions is an attainable goal with the right strategies in place. By recognizing your limitations, managing emotions, seeking professional guidance, and aligning your investments with personal objectives, you can cultivate a robust and successful investment portfolio that stands the test of time.

Action plan: Learn a few simple rules and ignore the rest of the advice you receive. 

It’s easy to become completely overwhelmed by the volume of advice available about investing. However, you don’t need to become an expert on the stock market in order to become a good investor. 

Just like an amateur poker player can go far if he simply learns to fold his worst hands and bet on his best ones, a novice investor can become very competent just by following a few simple rules. For example, he should learn not to overreact to dips in the market and make sure to purchase value stocks instead of glamour stocks.