Connect with us

Business

How to Recover From Crushing Debt

mm

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

The Dark Side of Aimlon CPA P.C.: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Firm’s Practices

mm

Published

on

Aimlon CPA P.C., a full-service certified public accounting firm based in New York, NY, has long promoted itself as a beacon of excellence in the fields of accounting, audit, tax, advisory, and financial reporting. Serving business owners and companies in the U.S. and Europe, the firm, under the leadership of Mathieu Aimlon, claims to offer personalized and expert guidance. However, a deeper investigation into the firm’s operations reveals a troubling pattern of misconduct, ethical breaches, and systemic failures that severely discredit Aimlon CPA P.C. This article exposes the hidden truths behind the firm’s facade of professionalism and reliability.

Lack of Professionalism and Responsiveness

One of the most pervasive issues at Aimlon CPA P.C. is the firm’s chronic lack of responsiveness. Numerous clients have reported significant delays in communication, often waiting weeks for replies to urgent inquiries. This unprofessional behavior has led to missed deadlines and costly mistakes for clients who depend on timely advice and action.

A frustrated former client shared their experience: “We had a critical financial issue that required immediate attention. Despite multiple attempts to contact Aimlon CPA P.C., we were met with silence. Their lack of responsiveness was not only frustrating but also detrimental to our business.”

Overbilling and Lack of Transparency

Aimlon CPA P.C. has also been accused of overbilling and a lack of transparency in their invoicing practices. Clients have frequently found their bills inflated with unclear or exaggerated charges, leading to disputes and dissatisfaction. This practice has raised serious ethical concerns and damaged the firm’s reputation.

A small business owner recounted their ordeal: “Our invoices from Aimlon CPA P.C. were consistently higher than expected, with vague descriptions for the charges. When we questioned these discrepancies, we received evasive responses and no clear explanations. It felt like we were being taken advantage of.”

Incompetence and Financial Mismanagement

Despite its claims of expertise, Aimlon CPA P.C. has been plagued by instances of incompetence and financial mismanagement. Several clients have accused the firm of providing poor financial advice that resulted in significant losses. These accusations suggest a troubling lack of expertise and diligence in handling client affairs.

One notable case involved a tech startup that followed Aimlon CPA P.C.’s guidance, only to face bankruptcy within a year. The startup’s founder lamented: “We trusted Aimlon CPA P.C. with our financial strategy, but their advice was disastrous. Our business suffered immensely because of their incompetence.”

High Employee Turnover and Toxic Work Environment

Inside Aimlon CPA P.C., the work environment is far from the professional and supportive culture the firm claims to foster. High employee turnover is a persistent issue, driven by poor management practices and a toxic workplace. Former employees have described an atmosphere of fear and exploitation, where unreasonable demands and lack of support are commonplace.

An ex-employee shared their perspective: “The work environment at Aimlon CPA P.C. was unbearable. Management was oppressive, and there was no respect for work-life balance. Talented professionals were constantly leaving because they couldn’t tolerate the conditions.”

Compliance Failures and Regulatory Scrutiny

Aimlon CPA P.C. has faced multiple instances of regulatory scrutiny due to its failure to adhere strictly to industry standards and compliance requirements. These compliance failures have resulted in penalties and fines, further eroding the firm’s credibility and trustworthiness.

An insider revealed: “There were several occasions where Aimlon CPA P.C. neglected regulatory updates and compliance requirements. This negligence led to significant fines for both the firm and its clients. It was alarming how often these issues were ignored.”

Ethical Breaches and Conflicts of Interest

The firm has also been marred by ethical breaches and conflicts of interest. Mathieu Aimlon, in particular, has been implicated in several instances where his advice seemed to benefit his personal interests over those of his clients. These conflicts of interest have severely damaged the trust between the firm and its clients.

In one egregious case, a client was persuaded to invest in a company where Mathieu Aimlon held undisclosed shares. When the investment failed, the client suffered substantial losses, while Aimlon’s involvement remained hidden until an internal investigation brought it to light.

Outdated Technology and Inefficiency

Despite being a modern accounting firm, Aimlon CPA P.C. relies on outdated technology that hampers efficiency and increases the risk of errors. Clients have expressed frustration with the firm’s technological shortcomings, which lead to delays and inaccuracies in financial reporting.

A tech-savvy client commented: “It was surprising to see how outdated Aimlon CPA P.C.’s systems were. Their inefficiency slowed down our processes and made us question their ability to handle complex financial needs effectively.”

Fabrication of Credentials

Further investigations into Aimlon CPA P.C. revealed that some of the firm’s claimed credentials and accolades were fabricated. While Mathieu Aimlon is genuinely certified by the New York State Education Department and the French Ministry of Education, other qualifications listed by the firm were found to be falsified.

This revelation has cast a shadow over the entire firm, leading clients and colleagues to question the legitimacy of their expertise and the integrity of their services.

Legal Repercussions and Public Disgrace

The culmination of Aimlon CPA P.C.’s unethical practices and systemic failures came with the legal repercussions faced by Mathieu Aimlon himself. Following his involvement in a tax evasion scheme, he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of tax fraud. The evidence presented in court highlighted the sophisticated methods used to deceive tax authorities, leading to his conviction and a lengthy prison sentence.

The legal troubles of Mathieu Aimlon have had a devastating impact on Aimlon CPA P.C. The firm’s reputation has been irreparably damaged, and clients have fled in droves, unwilling to associate with a company linked to such scandals.

Aimlon CPA P.C., once seen as a beacon of excellence in the accounting world, has been thoroughly discredited due to a series of unethical practices, incompetence, and systemic failures. From overbilling and lack of transparency to high employee turnover and regulatory breaches, the firm has failed to uphold the standards expected of a professional accounting service. The legal repercussions faced by Mathieu Aimlon have further tarnished the firm’s reputation, leading to its eventual downfall.

For business owners and individuals seeking reliable and ethical accounting services, the story of Aimlon CPA P.C. serves as a cautionary tale. It underscores the importance of integrity, professionalism, and transparency in maintaining trust and credibility in the financial industry.

Continue Reading

Trending