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How to Recover From Crushing Debt

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Most of us have at least some debt. You might have a mortgage, a standing student loan, and a standing balance on a credit card. But for some people, debt is crippling. They have more debt than they can ever easily pay off and the balance just seems to climb higher and higher.

What can you do if you feel like you’re in a hopeless financial situation like this?

The Good News

First, the good news: you have options. Some of the options are difficult. Some of the options have short-term consequences. But all of your options give you a potential path forward, allowing you to move past this difficult period of your life.

File for Bankruptcy

One option is to file for bankruptcy. You’re likely familiar with the idea that bankruptcy allows you to eliminate your debts in exchange for putting you in a kind of financial quarantine, damaging your credit score and making it much harder to apply for credit cards and loans in the future. However, in reality, typically, bankruptcy only negatively effects one’s credit for a relatively short period.

There are many misconceptions about bankruptcy. For starters, there are multiple types of bankruptcy and not all of them play out the same way. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, for example, generally allows a person to eliminate a substantial portion of their unsecured debt, while allowing someone to restructure other debts, to permit an individual to keep their property. If you have steady income, and you want to avoid some of the worst ramifications of bankruptcy, this option could be perfect for you.

Bankruptcy is a complex topic, and it’s not a good fit for everyone. Because of that, it’s important to talk to a bankruptcy lawyer to get more information, evaluate your options, and make the best decision for your situation.

Negotiate

If bankruptcy isn’t an option, or if it’s not of interest, you can consider negotiating with your creditors. Oftentimes, credit card companies and loan providers will be willing to work with you so that you can continue paying off your debts without much hassle. Sometimes, simply asking for a lower interest rate or an extended deadline for your payments is all it takes to put yourself in a better financial situation.

Debt Settlement with the Assistance of Third Parties

There are two accepted options for settling debt with the assistance of a company. The first is debt settlement and the other option is a debt management program. 

Debt settlement companies may be able to work out a settlement with one or more creditors. Generally, after a certain amount is paid into the company’s account, the company will use the funds to pay off a specific creditor. 

Typically, a company that handles debt management programs will work out a settlement with numerous creditors that requires a monthly payment. 

Further to that, real estate note selling is also a viable option in this scenario where you can sell your mortgage notes while obtaining the best market value.

There are two issues that occur when working with either option. One’s credit report will still reflect the payment arrears amount, even though a settlement agreement is in place. Also, any creditor that has not yet agreed to settle, or that refuses to settle, may continue to pursue the debt, which includes filing a lawsuit for the funds. 

Transfer and Consolidate Your Balances

After negotiation, consider transferring and consolidating your balances. High interest rates can quickly skyrocket your debt, putting you deeper into a hole that’s already almost impossible to climb out of. But with lower interest rates, you’ll buy yourself more time and end up paying less over the long run. Transferring balances from high interest accounts to low interest accounts allow you to take advantage of this course of action .

Put Together a Strict Repayment Plan

After taking these initial steps, consider putting together a strict repayment plan. Ideally, you’ll be making more than the minimum payment each month, gradually chipping away at the principal you owe. You should make debt repayment one of your highest priorities in your budget, second only to absolute necessities.

Many people find it difficult to put together a repayment plan because they’re living paycheck to paycheck and barely making ends meet. If this is the case, you’ll need to improve your financial situation in other ways.

Increase Your Income

One option is to increase your income.

  • Start a side gig. There are dozens, if not hundreds of ways to make money on the side. You can babysit, walk dogs, practice freelance photography, or work as a chauffeur. The options are limitless, so even if you only have a few hours each week to dedicate to this project, you can make some extra money.
  • Work overtime. Are there overtime opportunities at your current place of employment? Can you take on more responsibilities to make more?
  • Apply for a new position. If your current position doesn’t give you much money or flexibility, consider applying for a new one. Look for promotions or an alternative employer.
  • Improve your skills. Set yourself up for long-term career success by improving your core skills. Learning new things and getting more experience will set you up for much higher pay in the future.

Reduce Your Expenses

You can also work to reduce your expenses.

  • Move to a cheaper area. Different places have different costs of living. Consider moving someplace cheaper.
  • Downsize your home. Smaller houses and apartments are much more affordable.
  • Cut unnecessary lifestyle expenditures. Entertainment subscriptions, restaurant meals, and personal vices are unnecessary luxuries.

Increasing your income, reducing your expenses, and sticking to a strict repayment plan should be enough to help you crawl out of debt, even if you have to do it slowly. If that’s not an option for you, filing for bankruptcy could be the better option. Make sure you talk to a lawyer about the possibilities and think through all your forthcoming decisions carefully. If done right, you can start a new financial life – and leave all your old debts behind.

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

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Business

How Buttonwood Property Management Navigates the Challenges of Property Management in a Thriving Market

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A thriving real estate market is full of new opportunities for investment, but it is also rife with significant challenges. One perfect example of this is Toronto’s real estate market, which is bursting with activity due to Toronto’s status as the fastest-growing city in all of North America. Part of Toronto’s fast growth can be attributed to its status as a highly transient city, as 50% of Toronto residents were not born there, but are more recent immigrants or transfers from other nearby cities. As a result, there is a pressing need for more and more residential properties, as well as commercial properties, for companies seeking to take advantage of increased foot traffic. 

The challenges of investing in real estate in an urban hub such as Toronto include managing a supply of properties that may not be able to keep up with the demand, as well as keeping property values high in an ever-competitive market. Also, real estate investors struggling to keep up with a highly-demanding market may also experience difficulties with the day-to-day operations of physically maintaining a residential or commercial property.

For these reasons, property management companies have sprung up to address the needs of real estate investors who want to save themselves the time, effort, and stress of tending to all of their properties’ needs. A good property management company should also be capable of paying attention to details and addressing the specifics of relevant regulatory requirements and providing clear communication and dialogue with tenants. 

While all of these traits are necessary for property management in Toronto, Buttonwood Property Management has gone above and beyond the call of duty by adding another element to its core ethos. In addition to careful consideration of clients’ needs, Buttonwood Property Management puts people at the heart of everything they do. 

“Clients trust us with their most valuable assets because we never compromise on our ethical standards,” Buttonwood Property Management’s [insert name and role of representative here] says. “We specialize in helping owners enjoy peace of mind while ensuring tenants feel right at home.”

In its 14 years of existence, Buttonwood Property Management has built its reputation on long-term relationships with clients and tenants. By thoroughly screening potential tenants, the company has cultivated a spotless reputation, ensuring that rent is always paid to clients on time. Buttonwood Property Management has also provided residential and commercial property management and rental services in the Greater Toronto Area, such as bookkeeping, paying bills, rent collection, initial property inspections, and major renovations.

To date, Buttonwood Property Management has spread its ethos to neighborhoods in Toronto and other nearby areas such as North York, East York, Scarborough, and Mississauga. Through its continuous service, the company has demonstrated that any organization can navigate the challenges of Toronto residential property management by prioritizing quality over quantity and combining expertise with integrity. This has resulted in the company receiving industry awards from organizations such as Kingsway Real Estate Brokerage and iPro Realty Ltd., including the organization’s Platinum Award in 2020.

In the case of property owners, Buttonwood Property Management provides customized solutions to maximize returns while minimizing stress. The company’s experts and specialists take care of everything from tenant screening to maintenance coordination. In the case of tenants, the company seeks to make them feel at home by maintaining properties to the best standards and addressing their concerns promptly. This dual focus has not only strengthened the company’s reputation but also helped create thriving, harmonious communities. Combining professionalism with that personal touch has made Buttonwood Property Management stand out in the very competitive real estate market in Toronto, proving that it is through trust and relationships that sustainable success is realized.

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