A debt management company has the prime purpose to help debt laden individuals or business find their way out of debt. Rather than just extend more credit to the consumer; however, the company instead offers services that enables the consumer to consolidate all outstanding debts into a single, more comfortable payment amount that can be easily managed in installments.
Debt management and consolidation opportunities are well suited options for businesses that find themselves on the verge of filing bankruptcy. A common ratio that is seen as the warning point is when more than 40% of the after-tax income is being used to repay debts. Anything above the 40% mark is often seen as unmanageable.
Professional debt management companies have experienced counselors who are trained to take a good, hard look at your income, your expenses, and your spending habits and advise you as to what needs to be done. They are also able to negotiate with your creditors in order to arrange for additional items on your behalf such as lower interest rates, longer repayment periods, etc. Your credit counselor will even talk go the unpleasant and often rude representatives of any collection agents that may have been hassling you. This, in and of itself, is a blessing.
When selecting a debt management company, keep in mind that there are several different types. Some are for-profit and others are not-for-profit. The for-profit organizations charge a somewhat heft fee but almost always provide excellent, high quality services. Not-for-profit agencies often are paid through government funding and grants and therefore may be overworked and backlogged. Selecting a firm of either type should be a major decision for you and you should do some research to find the best possible alternative to assist you in your situation. One thing to look at when selecting an agency is how often they pay the creditors on your behalf. If they pay weekly or frequently you will get lower interest rates and no late fees. If they don’t pay out regularly, there may be some financial instability or a lack of reserve funds. These are big warning signs to you as a consumer and you should probably put your trust and monies elsewhere.
Beyond hiring an agency, however, there are some simple do it yourself debt management solutions you can try. Here are some suggestions:
- First of all find a way to manage credit card debt. For example, replace your credit card with a debit card. By limiting your spending to money you have in hand (or bank) you alleviate the interest rate which equates to money in your pocket. Most consumer debt is acquired through the use of credit cards. If you are uncertain about a debit card, trade the credit card in for the old fashioned and very hard earned cash. If you don’t see yourself losing the credit card or gaining the debit card, you should, at the very least, find the lowest interest rate card you can and transfer your balances over.
- Additionally, if you own a home, consider taking out a home equity loan to pay off the debts. Generally any interest rate a home equity loan would have would be much less than the interest rate on a credit card and thus it is again, a way to ultimately save money. Keep in mind, however, that if you continue with the wreckless spending habits, the home is now collateral on the loan and you could wind up losing it if you default on the loan.
- Consider whether or not you should consolidate debt. Taking out a debt consolidation loan to move all your debts into one loan and minimize your exposure and payments. The interest will be less on the consolidation loan than the cumulative amount it would be between the other debts which would result in a significant savings to you over time.
- Consider selling items you no longer use or need. Extra income generated through any types of sales could be placed toward your outstanding debts.
Any of these debt management solutions will help make a difference in a personal or small business financial plan and will assist in making you debt free and worry free before you know it.
Johnathan Bakers
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/consolidate-debt-to-create-financial-solutions-114973.html
#1 by Brooklyn2005 on November 3rd, 2009
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Lucent Technologies: evaluate the asset, debt, and equity structure?
Executive Summary We design and deliver the systems, software and services that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, we use our strengths in mobility, optical, access, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for our customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Our customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. We have three segments organized around the products and services we sell. The reportable segments are Integrated Network Solutions (“INS”), Mobility Solutions (“Mobility”) and Lucent Worldwide Services (“Services”). INS provides a broad range of software and wireline equipment related to voice networking (primarily consisting of switching products, which we sometimes refer to as convergence solutions, and voice messaging products), data and network management (primarily consisting of access and related data networking equipment and operating support software) and optical networking. Mobility provides software and wireless equipment to support radio access and core networks. Services provides deployment, maintenance, professional and managed services in support of both our product offerings as well as multi-vendor networks. Beginning in fiscal 2001, the global telecommunications market deteriorated, resulting from a decrease in the competitive local exchange carrier market and a significant reduction in capital spending by established service providers.This trend intensified during fiscal 2002 and continued into fiscal 2003. Reasons for the market deterioration included general economic slowdown, network overcapacity, customer bankruptcies, network build-out delays and limited availability of capital. We believe that the market for telecommunications equipment has stabilized and is starting to grow in certain areas. The growing demands of enterprises and consumers for additional services tailored to their needs is creating the need for a new convergence of networks, technologies and applications. Required 1. Using the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Lucent Technologies for September 30, 2004 and 2003, prepare a common-size balance sheet. 2. Evaluate the asset, debt, and equity structure of Lucent Technologies, as well as trends and changes found on the common-size balance sheet. 3. What concerns would investors and creditors have based on only this information? 4. What additional financial and nonfinancial information would investors and creditors need to make investing and lending decisions for Lucent Technologies? LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in Millions, Except per Share Amounts) September 30, September 30, 2004 2003 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,379 $ 3,821 Marketable securities 858 686 Receivables 1,359 1,511 Inventories 822 632 Other current assets 1,813 1,213 Total current assets 8,231 7,863 Marketable securities 636 — Property, plant, and equipment, net 1,376 1,593 Prepaid pension costs 5,358 4,659 Goodwill and other acquired intangibles, net 434 188 Other assets 928 1,608 Total assets $ 16,963 $ 15,911 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 872 $ 1,072 Payroll and benefit-related liabilities 1,232 1,080 Debt maturing within one year 1 389 Other current liabilities 2,361 2,393 Total current liabilities 4,466 4,934 Postretirement and postemployment benefit liabilities 4,881 4,669 Pension liabilities 1,874 2,494 Long-term debt 4,837 4,439 Liability to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities 1,152 1,152 Other liabilities 1,132 1,594 Total liabilities 18,342 19,282 Commitments and contingencies 8.00% redeemable convertible preferred stock — 868 Shareowners’ Deficit Preferred stock—par value $1.00 per share; authorized shares: 250; issued and outstanding: none — — Common stock—par value $.01 per share;Authorized shares: 10,000; 4,396 issued and 4,395 outstanding shares as of September 30, 2004,and 4,170 issued and 4,169 outstanding shares as of September 30, 2003 44 42 Additional paid-in capital 23,005 22,252 Accumulated deficit (20,793) (22,795) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,635) (3,738) Total shareowners’ deficit (1,379) (4,239) Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and shareowners’ deficit $ 16,963 $ 15911
#2 by Sandy on November 3rd, 2009
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I’ve sent the file to that address you gave me.
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#3 by A J on November 3rd, 2009
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the answer to your queston is none, your holding are redeemble if you are not happy with the way this company is run. there is no more information the shock holder would need at this point, but you can request more informatiom from the broad of the company .
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#4 by Vertie Jury on February 7th, 2010
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