Business

Patriot Funding is A Bad Choice To Get Out of Debt

Published

4 years ago

November 28, 2020

Why is Patriot Funding Accused of Being a Debt Consolidation Scam?

Patriot Funding has been reviewed by Crixeo, the popular news and reviews site, for being part of a long-running debt consolidation and credit card relief scam. According to Crixeo:

“The story is the same. They lure you in by sending you direct mail with a “personalized invitation code” and a low 3%-4% interest rate to consolidate your high-interest credit card debt. You will be directed to Patriot Funding Review or My Patriot Funding More than likely you will not qualify for one of their credit card consolidation loans and they will try and flip you into a more expensive debt settlement product.”

Ed Miles, crixeo.com

The COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm earlier this year. This led to the closure of businesses and workplaces, leaving thousands of people unemployed and without an income. One of the biggest struggles faced by workers as a result of losing their income was card debt payment. Credit card debt is becoming an increasingly rampant problem for everyone worldwide, especially after the adverse impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the economy, forcing many to need coronavirus credit card relief.

If you’re also struggling to tackle debt and pay your credit card bills on time, then we have strategies that will help you tackle this issue. Keep reading to learn how you can deal with debt during the pandemic!

Talk to your creditor.

Your first step should be to get in touch with your creditor. Many banks and credit card companies offer credit card refinancing programs, especially in the light of the global pandemic. In these programs, credit card companies offer lower interest rates and flexible payment deadlines, among other relief options.

Therefore, you should contact your creditor and inquire about any such program. These programs are often not advertised, and the companies only offer them when the customer asks for it exclusively. So, it would be best if you contact your creditor and explain your financial solution. If not a complete solution, the company will offer at least a short term relief so you can deal with your financial hardship.

Ask for a lower interest rate.

Another thing you can do to deal with the burden of debt is to request a lower interest rate. If your credit score has improved since the time you subscribed to the credit card, then you have a high chance of qualifying for a lower interest rate now.

Opt for a balance transfer card

If you have high-interest debt, then transferring it to a credit card that offers a 0% introductory interest rate could be a great idea for getting relief. A credit card with 0% interest will reduce the amount you have to pay on your debt bills each month.

However, it’s only feasible if you’re able to pay off your debt within the introductory period. If not, then you could have to pay a higher interest after the introductory period. If you want to avail this option, you’ll have to meet a good credit score to qualify for the transfer. Make sure you do your research and apply for a card that has the lowest balance transfer fees.

Pay off high-interest loans first.

When you have more than one credit card, then you’ll have to prioritize your debt payments or look for a credit card consolidation program. There are two approaches that you can take to pay your debt: the debt avalanche method or the debt snowball method. In the debt avalanche method, you begin by paying off debt with the highest interest rate first. On the other hand, the snowball method is to pay off your smallest balance first and then move to the ones with higher interest sequentially. We recommend adopting the avalanche method for paying off your debt because paying off high-interest loans will reduce the cost of your debts in the long run.

Consult with a credit counselor

If you aren’t sure which option to take to pay off your debt, then we recommend consulting with a debt counselor. There are several affordable options available. Consider contacting a non-profit credit counseling agency for a free consultation. The counselor will go over your financial standing thoroughly and will develop a debt payment plan that works for your specific situation.

Moreover, the credit counselor may also be able to negotiate with creditors on your behalf. In your situation, hiring a credit counselor may not be feasible, so you should contact a non-profit agency for assistance.

How to handle medical debt?

If you lost your job as a result of the pandemic, then you may also have lost your employer’s health insurance plan. Even if you do manage to keep the insurance by paying all the premiums on your own, it still won’t solve the problem of outstanding medical debt.

Without a health insurance plan, you’ll be vulnerable to financial turmoil in case of a medical emergency or illness. Here are a few options that you can consider:

Speak with your doctor/ primary healthcare provider: If you have an unpaid hospital bill that you are not in the position to pay, then we recommend talking to your doctor. You can request the doctor or the hospital’s billing supervisor to lower or forgive your debt. If none of that works, you would still be able to negotiate a sustainable payment plan to pay off your debt.

Some hospitals offer financial aid programs that offer to forgive or write off your debt partially or completely, depending on your situation. However, you will have to ask about such a program as they aren’t advertised or encouraged.

Seek consultation from a medical billing advocate: If your medical bill has already been sold to a debt collection agency, then consider consulting with a medical billing advocate. The advocate can help negotiate your debt with the agency and could potentially get your bill lowered. Most advocates charge a percentage of the saved money from the bill as their fees.

Other options

If you run out of all options and have a high-interest debt to pay, then you can consider tapping into your home equity. The prices of homes have spiked over the past year, and you can take a loan against your home equity to pay off your high-interest debt.

A home equity loan will provide you a lump sum amount that comes with a fixed repayment period and interest rate. The repayment period can range from 5 to 30 years. Normally, you can take a loan of up to 85% of your home’s value. However, this number may have been affected due to the situation created by the pandemic.

Final Words

The current times are unprecedented and extremely challenging. Along with the health threat, the pandemic has also brought financial and economic havoc globally. If you’re struggling, then consider choosing one of the options that we have discussed above to tackle debt.

Business

Jellyfish Pictures Suspension Reveals Outsourcing Opportunity, Says BruntWork

Published

2 days ago

March 16, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Jellyfish Pictures, a well-known UK visual effects studio, has temporarily shut down due to financial struggles. The company, recognized for its work on major films and streaming projects, is searching for buyers or investors while halting all ongoing work. This situation has raised concerns across the visual effects industry, which is already dealing with economic pressures, labor disputes, and production changes. BruntWork, one of the top outsourcing companies, sees this as an opportunity for companies to reassess how they operate and how outsourcing can help VFX studios lower costs and stay financially stable.

A Leading Studio Brought to a Standstill

Jellyfish Pictures started as a small operation in 2001 and became a respected name in visual effects. With multiple offices in London and a portfolio of high-profile projects, the studio built a strong reputation. However, rising costs and growing competition from lower-cost studios made it harder to stay profitable. Financial pressure mounted, forcing the company to suspend operations.

Clients relying on Jellyfish Pictures are now left searching for alternative vendors to complete their projects. The suspension has also put hundreds of employees in a difficult position, leaving them uncertain about their future. Company leaders have stated they are looking into all possible options, including selling the business or bringing in outside investors.

Why VFX Studios Are Struggling

Visual effects companies have long worked with tight profit margins. The financial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made things even tougher. Many VFX studios kept projects moving remotely but struggled with delayed payments and cancellations. In 2023, the global VFX industry was valued at $11.3 billion, but continued production delays and tighter budgets are making it difficult for companies to grow.

The writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 added more complications. With productions on hold, many VFX studios found themselves with fewer projects in the pipeline. A recent industry survey found that 72% of VFX companies faced financial struggles due to the combined effects of the pandemic and the strikes. Mid-sized studios with high fixed costs, like Jellyfish Pictures, have been hit the hardest.

Winston Ong, CEO of BruntWork, believes this situation exposes weaknesses in traditional business models. “Studios operating in expensive cities like London face overwhelming costs that outsourcing could help reduce,” he says.

The Role of Outsourcing in Keeping VFX Studios Afloat

Some experts believe outsourcing can help visual effects companies manage financial risk. According to Ong, studios that rely entirely on in-house teams in high-cost cities struggle to keep expenses under control, while those that blend in-house work with outsourcing can operate more efficiently.

The shift to remote work during the pandemic showed that collaboration across different locations is possible. Data from outsourcing firms suggests that studios using a mix of in-house creative direction and outsourced production can lower expenses by 40-60% without sacrificing quality. Some companies have already moved in this direction, allowing them to stay competitive without driving up costs.

Beyond production outsourcing, some VFX studios are also exploring ways to streamline marketing efforts. Hiring a digital marketing virtual assistant allows companies to manage campaigns, social media, and client outreach more efficiently. This helps studios maintain a strong industry presence without the overhead costs of full-time marketing teams.

Still, outsourcing comes with potential risks. Some industry veterans warn that relying too much on external teams can lead to quality issues and production delays. Studios must find the right balance between saving money and maintaining the level of quality audiences expect from high-end visual effects.

What Comes Next for Visual Effects?

Jellyfish Pictures’ troubles have sparked discussions about how VFX studios can stay in business. More flexible production models, outsourcing, and smarter budgeting could become the standard technique. Advances in technology continue to make remote collaboration smoother, allowing studios to complete projects without keeping all operations in expensive locations.

“This reflects a larger problem across the industry,” says Ong. Studios that adjust their operations and use outsourcing effectively may be better prepared for economic swings. Companies that maintain strong creative leadership while using global production teams seem to have an advantage.

For many, this also extends to marketing. Some of the most successful VFX firms are those that recognize the benefits of outsourcing digital marketing to specialists who can handle branding, social media, and client engagement without the high costs of in-house teams. This allows studios to maintain visibility and credibility even in uncertain market conditions.

Larger firms may continue to acquire struggling studios, but smaller businesses that improve their financial strategies could stay independent. The challenge is finding a way to keep artistic vision intact while managing expenses.

Moving Toward Stability

Jellyfish Pictures’ shutdown is a warning for the visual effects industry. High operating costs and unpredictable changes in production schedules show why studios need flexible business strategies. Some will turn to outsourcing, while others may merge with larger firms or adopt hybrid models to stay competitive.

For mid-sized studios, financial stability must be a priority without sacrificing creativity. The next few years could bring more studio buyouts, with bigger companies taking over smaller ones. However, independent studios that adjust how they work could still succeed by reducing costs without lowering the quality of their output.

“Adaptability is what matters. Studios that adjust their structures and use global talent wisely will be the ones that remain strong in this industry, ” Ong concludes.