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What are Bad Credit Loans?

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

<p>Whenever people are unable to finance a certain project, they refer to the banks and online lenders for a credit loan. Online lenders are more famous for handing out smaller amounts of personal loans, while the banks deal with much bigger numbers. People often apply for these loans when they buy an apartment, car, or when they send their kid to college. Whatever the reason may be, the bottom line is that they don’t have the finances required at the moment.Of course, not all credit loans are approved. The lenders do a background search on each client to see his or her credit score, their history with paying them off, and whether they caused any trouble. If a potential client has a low credit score, then the chances of being approved are low. Luckily, there is an alternative for those people and it goes by the name of bad credit loans. Although the name might not be the catchiest, it allows many to apply for a credit loan, even though they don’t have the best credit score.

We wanted to introduce you to this type of credit and that’s why we are willing to dig a bit deeper and give you an overview.</p>::Pexels

Bad credit

Whenever people are unable to finance a certain project, they refer to the banks and online lenders for a credit loan. Online lenders are more famous for handing out smaller amounts of personal loans, while the banks deal with much bigger numbers. People often apply for these loans when they buy an apartment, car, or when they send their kid to college. Whatever the reason may be, the bottom line is that they don’t have the finances required at the moment.

Of course, not all credit loans are approved. The lenders do a background search on each client to see his or her credit score, their history with paying them off, and whether they caused any trouble. If a potential client has a low credit score, then the chances of being approved are low. Luckily, there is an alternative for those people and it goes by the name of bad credit loans. Although the name might not be the catchiest, it allows many to apply for a credit loan, even though they don’t have the best credit score.

We wanted to introduce you to this type of credit and that’s why we are willing to dig a bit deeper and give you an overview.

The Difference Between Bad and Regular Credit Loans

As you may have figured it out by now, people who apply for bad credit loans are seen as risky borrowers. That is why you may be faced with more interest rates and higher fees, which is not the case with regular loans. The only mutual thing that these two types of credit have is the application process.

The lenders check your credit history, your financial status, and with that information, they decide whether you’ll be eligible to repay them. If you are looking to read the tiniest details, like the credit score categories, best lenders, as well as guides to get a better loan, head over to bestloansforbadcredit.com – they have everything that you need to know.

Are Scams Possible?

The Internet opened up many possibilities for us. Unfortunately, not every outcome can be positive. Scams are happening much more often than they should since many people see the Internet as the best place to rob people of their money. So, to answer your question, yes – scams with bad credit loans are possible.

But, if you follow a couple of simple steps, you will be safe. First off, if the lender is asking you to register in a different state, rather than you home state, then the chances are that you are contacting a scammer. Guarantees without approval, lack of communication skills, and advertising methods are also some factors.

Extra precautions are always welcomed, especially if your financial status is not the best. On a side note, we wanted to mention that if you are struggling to pay off your debt, there are a few side jobs which can be helpful and provide you with a good income.

Types of Bad Credit Loans

Lastly, we wanted to cover some of the bad credit loans. There are 4 types in this section: instalment loans, payday loans, cash advances, and bank agreements. Payday loans and cash advances are the easiest to get, since they are considered short-term loans, but they have greater interest rates.

The bigger interest rates and more detailed background checks that we are witnessing today, especially when dealing with banks, are the result from the 2008 world crisis when the banks around the world were handing out loans without having a plan of action.

For more great articles, read these:

Yes, You Can Buy Someone Else’s Debt

The Best YouTube Channels

The Effects of Financial Stress On Marriage

Image Source: Cafe Credit.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Lifestyle Tagged With: bad credit, bad credit installment loans, bad credit loans

Setting Your Child Up For Financial Success

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

<p>Since we have announced that we are expecting our first child, we have been putting a lot of thought into how we can set our child up for success. We’ve discussed private school vs. public school, reading to them, and teaching them various things. But how do you go about setting your child up for financial success?</p>::Pexels

Since we have announced that we are expecting our first child, we have been putting a lot of thought into how we can set our child up for success. We’ve discussed private school vs. public school, reading to them, and teaching them various things. But how do you go about setting your child up for financial success?

Why It Is Important

Neither one of our families had great financial success when we were younger. In fact, there were a lot of moments we remember our parents struggling. Because of this, setting our little ones up with what they need to be financially stable is important to us. It should be important to you, too.

When you are able to display good money habits for your kids, it makes it easier for them to be a financially stable individual as an adult. Beyond that, providing a financially sound environment for your children will also help reduce their own anxiety and tensions in the home all around. So, how do you go about setting your child up for financial success?

Setting Your Child Up For Financial Success

At an early age, you begin doing things with your child to help boost their development. For many families, this takes the form of a nighttime reading session, socializing your child with others, and teaching them some level of responsibility. As they grow older, it is important to also teach them some financial lessons.

  • Encourage saving. Large purchases in life typically take some kind of planning and usually saving. Try and encourage your child to save up for big items they want or things that are important to them.
  • Open a checking account. When your kid reached high school age, it is a good time to open a checking account for them. It will help them learn responsible spending practices. Additionally, when they start working, they will be able to receive a direct deposit.
  • Add your child as an authorized user. Once they have gotten used to using a checking account, consider adding them on as an authorized user on your credit card. This can help teach them more responsibility and kickstart their credit score.
  • Talk to them about their credit. Many young adults enter their lives without knowing anything about their credit score or how to improve it. Be sure you talk to your child about their credit and educate them on secured credit cards. They can be a great way to help them at the beginning of their financial journey.

Bottomline

There are a lot of things that go hand-in-hand with parenting a child that many people don’t often think about. Educating them about finances starting at a young age with saving and through their teenage years will help set them up for financial success later in life.

Readers, when you had your children how did you teach them about money, saving, and debt?

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Filed Under: Budgeting Tagged With: financial education, setting your child up for financial success

Beware of Bad Credit Installment Loans With Guaranteed Approval

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

<p>It is difficult to be in a squeeze where you feel like you need extra cash right now. We’ve all been there. Predatory lending companies know it too. It is important you don’t fall for bad credit installment loans or guaranteed approval loans. Both of these are dangerous and will rope you into a cycle of debt.</p>::Pexels

It is difficult to be in a squeeze where you feel like you need extra cash right now. We’ve all been there. Predatory lending companies know it too. It is important you don’t fall for bad credit installment loans or guaranteed approval loans. Both of these are dangerous and will rope you into a cycle of debt.

Bad Credit Installment Loans

When you hear the words installment loan you should immediately think of high interest. Typically, high-interest loans will take you longer to pay off and subsequently put off becoming debt-free. Many of these types of loans can take years to pay off.

However, if you’re struggling with your credit, paying off debt, and have no emergency savings in place, an installment loan may be necessary if something comes up. If that is the case, leaning on your credit could be nerve-wracking. Knowing that you can get guaranteed approval may provide peace-of-mind.

Many lenders boast being able to guarantee approval for your loan. That doesn’t mean it is at an interest rate you can afford or even the amount of money you need.

Can You Get Guaranteed Approval?

If you’re asking yourself, “do guaranteed approval loans exist for people with bad credit,” the answer is no. There are certain loans designed for individuals with bad credit. However, there is no such thing as guaranteed approval.

In all reality, guaranteed approval is a myth. It suggests that no matter how bad your credit is, you will be approved for a loan with the lender. More often than not, these lenders offering a payday loan and taking a post-dated check as a promise of your payment. This type of lending also typically leads to an unending cycle of debt.

Why You Should Probably Think Twice

Bad credit installment loans, guaranteed approval, and payday loans are all things you should walk a wide circle around. For someone with bad credit or a desire for an immediate fix to their personal financial problems, these terms are just baiting you to borrow from them. It is also important to note that guaranteed approval basically tells you the lender has zero interest in whether you are actually able to pay the loan back or not.

If you’re in a crunch and feel as though you need an installment loan or you’re tempted by the words guaranteed approval, here are a few alternatives to consider.

  1. Assistance Ministries and Nonprofit Organizations: Research nonprofit organizations and crisis assistance ministries in your area. Some organizations have the ability to give you financial help and counseling if needed. This can greatly help you avoid these predatory lenders.
  2. Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): This is a federally-run program that will help low-income families pay their electric or other utility costs. Sometimes just having one less bill to pay can make all the difference. LIEAP programs vary from state to state. Research your local program and be sure to apply as soon as possible to receive these benefits.
  3. Borrow from a friend or family member: Although it can be uncomfortable, asking your friends and family for a loan is sometimes the best option. Many times, they will understand and help you out, especially if you are willing to open up about your financial situation and why you need the money. Even if they can’t give you all the cash you need, they may be able to pay for something like groceries or gas to ease your finances.
  4. Payday alternative loans: Also known as PALs, payday alternative loans are an option for members of federal credit unions. These allow bank members to borrow small amounts of money at a lower cost than a traditional payday loan and you’re able to repay it over a longer period. You will have to have been a member of the credit union for at least one month with proof of consistent income to apply for this type of loan.
  5. Credit cards: Although wracking up credit card debt isn’t something I’d recommend to anyone if you can take care of your emergency with a 0% interest credit card, it is better than getting an installment loan or falling for a “guaranteed approval” loan. Just be sure you read the fine print on your card to be sure you know when the interest will kick in.
  6. Personal loans: Most people with bad credit won’t be able to get a personal loan. However, if you are able to apply and get approved for the amount you need, they are a much option than a payday loan.

Every year, payday loans entrap millions of Americans in a cycle of debt. Don’t get yourself tied up with payday loan companies! Consider the information and alternatives detailed above.

Lastly, remember your debt does not define you. If you are feeling depressed or in need, you can always call the Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. They have experience providing support for individuals in any type of crisis, including a financial crisis, and may be able to help provide you with resources that will help.

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Filed Under: Budgeting

What are the Features of Good Day Trading Software

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

 

The emergence of advanced computer applications has eased the automation of forex trading in Hong Kong and other parts of the world. As a result, the use of trading software is fast becoming popular for various activities such as day trading. Many traders, however, are yet to find out the amount of profit they can gain from using trading platforms to execute day trading.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Budgeting

10 Frugal Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

frugal date ideas

Part of being on a debt-free journey means finding ways to cut costs and spend less. With Valentine’s Day coming up, my hubby and I are brainstorming ways to celebrate. Here are a few frugal date ideas we’ve come up with.

Frugal Date Ideas for Every Couple

We both have trouble not spending money on each other. When we have extra cash, we love buying one another gifts and treating each other to something special. However, this can cause serious budgeting issues. Because of this, we’ve had to get a little creative to save money.

1. Make Pizzas at Home

Something my husband and I love to do is make pizza at home for date night. It only takes about 25 minutes and keeps you from spending too much eating out or ordering in. Plus, we have a great recipe that keeps costs low too.

For the dough: 

  • 1/2 cup of greek yogurt
  • 2/3 cup of self-rising flour

Mix these together to form pizza dough (it makes a single-serve pizza). Roll the dough out on a floured pan and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Take the baked dough out of the oven, add sauce and your desired toppings. Put the pizza back in for an additional 15 minutes.

2. Pillow Fort Movie Night

Because we are kids at heart, we still enjoy a good pillow fort. The best thing about that is it literally costs nothing. We also have Amazon Prime and other subscriptions that don’t cost us anything extra. So, we can pitch our pillow fort, curl up and watch a new movie or binge a TV series. Super cheap and so much fun!

3. Play Games

Both my husband and I love to play cards. We also own several video games we can play together. Find a game you both enjoy, buy it (and some snacks) and just play around for the evening. If you’re competitive with each other, like we are, you can even hold small tournaments. It can be great fun.

4. Go Hiking

I love going for a good hike or a nice walk. Grab your significant other and head outside. Walk around your neighborhood, drive to the park, or find a nearby trail to hike. It is a great way to spend time together and chat.

5. Get Ice Cream

Ice cream is personally a favorite treat of mine. If you live close to a creamery, set out on a walk for some ice cream. You can also hop in the car and grab a sundae to split. Either way, ice cream is a delicious and frugal date.

6. Find a View and Enjoy it Together

This is one of my favorite frugal date ideas and something we do on a regular basis. Normally, we grab food at a drive-thru (usually super cheap) and drive somewhere with a great view. We eat together in the car, listen to a podcast or show, talk, and enjoy our surroundings.

7. Head to the Dog Park

frugal date ideas

You all know we have a pup who loves going on walks and being social with other dogs. If you’re a dog lover too, consider heading to the dog park for a date. You and your partner can enjoy the company of all the dogs, get your pet some exercise, and meet other people. It is a fun date that you can do completely for free.

8. Have a Nerf Gun War

Nerf guns are fairly cheap and something you can keep around. Grab a pair of guns (and ammo) and stage a war in your home or outside. This is unbelievably fun and relatively cheap as far as dates go.

9. Scope Out Free Things in Your Area

Chances are, there is something free going on nearby. Look for festivals, fairs, museums, and free events to visit. You and your partner will be able to walk around the event, have fun, and spend little-to-no money.

10. Treat Each Other to Massages

Massage oil can be purchased fairly cheaply. All you need is that and a couple of candles to set the mood. Treating one another to massages can be romantic and give you a chance to talk to your spouse or significant other about their day.

Readers, do you have any fun frugal date ideas you enjoy on a regular basis? Share them with me in the comments. 

Read More

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Filed Under: Budgeting Tagged With: date ideas, frugal date ideas, frugal dates, Valentine's date ideas, Valentine's Day

What are the Penalties for Not Paying My Taxes?

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

pexels andrea piacquadio 941555

 

Taxes are a part and parcel of our employed lives, and we must pay them one way or the other. If you delay or fail to pay your taxes or file your tax returns on time, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will levy penalties on you. This article will help you understand the types of penalties, exemptions, and tips for quashing your tax debt for good.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Budgeting

Using the RSI indicators to trade the daily time frame

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

The daily time frame trading technique is often considered to be the most boring trading strategy. In fact, the novice traders always try to find quality trades in the lower time frame. In a nutshell, they want to scalp the market to secure a quick profit. But do you really thinking scalping the market is a good way to develop your trading career? The simple answer is no. It’s true that many professionals are using a scalping strategy to live their life but being a new trader it will be really hard. In fact, you will be under extreme pressure most of the time. So it’s better to trade the higher time frame since it will help you to execute a trade with an extreme level of confidence.

About RSI indicators

Before you learn to trade the daily time frame, you need to understand about the RSI indicators. RSI refers to relative strength index and it’s a very popular indicator. Starting from the novice end with the professional traders, everyone uses it to find the overbought and oversold condition of a certain asset. It acts more like a trade filter tool. For instance, if you spot any bullish reversal signal in the daily time frame, you can easily look at the RSI indicators reading to assess the quality of a trade.

Understanding the reading of the RSI

There are two basic things you need to consider when you analyze the RSI indicators reading. If the value of the RSI reading stays near or below the 30 marks, you need to consider the reading as a buy signal. It’s more like the market is in an oversold condition. On the contrary, if the value of the RSI reading stays near the 80 mark consider it as an overbought condition. You need to look for sell signals. Reading the RSI value is fairly easy. Some of the novice traders often make things worse by using in the lower time frame. Always make sure you use the indicator reading in the daily or weekly time frame to get the very best trade setups.

Though Forex trading Singapore is a very popular profession, every few traders actually understand the proper way to use the RSI indicators. This is not a big problem since you can use the Saxo demo account to learn to trade. Try to trade in a different time frame in the demo account and see how the indicators react to the price movement of a certain asset.

Executing the trades

Trade executions based on RSI reading is fairly easy. To do so, you must have a balanced trading strategy. Consider the RSI indicator as trade filter tools. Never think you can make a huge profit just executing the trades based on the indicators reading. You need to use other important parameters like support and resistance level. As a novice trader, use the demo account to create a balanced trading strategy. The starting of your trading career will be a little bit boring since you will have to lose many trades. Losing doesn’t really matter since you will be learning in the demo account. Once you feel confident with your trading strategy switch back to the real account.

Developing your mental stability

Mental stability plays a great role when it comes to the trading business. You can’t make the best division by executing the trades under stress. You need to control your greed and minimize your risk exposure at any cost. At times you might feel frustrated with your trading result but this is absolutely normal. Take a small break and try to rephrase your mindset so that you can find the best trades. Since you will be trading the market with an indicator based trading system, make sure you keep your trading chart clean. Never use more than two indicators because it will make things worse. Most importantly, you will get confused by seeing the different readings of the indicators.

Filed Under: Budgeting

Celebrating Our First Valentine’s Day Married

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

<p>So, first, we splurged on one another a bit. Altogether, we spent $300 on each other for the holiday, but we don’t get to do that very often and we’ve both been hustling to be able to afford it. On Valentine’s, I’ll be headed to the spa for a couple of hours, thanks to my hubby. His gift from me was his first flying lesson (yay).

On the 14th, unlike many other couples, we won’t be headed out for a fancy dinner or anything extravagant. Instead, we will be hanging out at home. I’m going to make one of Drew’s favorite meals and we are going to watch movies (see my list of frugal date ideas here). I also have his favorite dessert planned. Otherwise, it’ll be a nice, quiet night at home.</p>::Pexels

Recently, it seems more people are boycotting Valentine’s Day. In fact, businesses have begun to capitalize on it by offering “Galentine’s Day” events or “anti-Valentine’s” activities. Even though it appears many of the people in our generation aren’t a huge fan of the holiday, my husband and I are. This year, we are celebrating our fourth Valentine’s Day together and our first Valentine’s married. Here’s how we are celebrating…

Celebrating Our First Valentine’s Day Married

So, first, we splurged on one another a bit. Altogether, we spent $300 on each other for the holiday, but we don’t get to do that very often and we’ve both been hustling to be able to afford it. On Valentine’s, I’ll be headed to the spa for a couple of hours, thanks to my hubby. His gift from me was his first flying lesson (yay).

On the 14th, unlike many other couples, we won’t be headed out for a fancy dinner or anything extravagant. Instead, we will be hanging out at home. I’m going to make one of Drew’s favorite meals and we are going to watch movies (see my list of frugal date ideas here). I also have his favorite dessert planned. Otherwise, it’ll be a nice, quiet night at home.

Why Celebrating Your Relationship is Important

I know some of you are probably reading this like, “Amanda, $300 on Valentine’s Day, really?” It is definitely a splurge for us both, but something we haven’t gotten to do recently with financial struggles we’ve faced. Also, as I mentioned, we both took on a little side work to be able to afford a little splurge for the holiday.

This is because we both believe celebrating our relationship is important to maintain it. Also, being able to celebrate each other and milestones in our relationship helps us look at the big picture. Instead of focusing on whatever else is going on in our lives, we stop and take a second to just enjoy one another and celebrating us.

So, even if you don’t have much of a budget for Valentine’s (or no budget at all), be sure you take a moment to really appreciate and celebrate those you love. Doing so can strengthen your relationships and help you remember what’s important to you.

Readers, what are your plans for the romantic holiday? 

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Filed Under: Budgeting Tagged With: Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day expenses

How to Save Big Bucks when Car Shopping

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

<p>Car dealerships have professional salespeople on board to sell you a vehicle. Professional salespeople know that there is an emotional aspect to any big purchase and they can play into that. A good way to ward off the risk of buying more vehicles than you can afford is to have a good idea of what you can afford and stick to that parameter.

Get in the mindset that you need to be in before you start shopping. Keeping to a budget is essential and budgets matter whether you are buying a car, truck, SUV, van, or bike (8% of households had a bike in 2018 according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the most ever reported.) Standing your ground when it comes to your budget is essential to a successful purchase.</p>::Pexels

Buying a new car does not have to break the bank. There are ways that you can save money on a new car or a used car. Why spend more money than you need to? These tips will help you to save a significant amount of money on your vehicle purchase.

Before You Get Started

Car dealerships have professional salespeople on board to sell you a vehicle. Professional salespeople know that there is an emotional aspect to any big purchase and they can play into that. A good way to ward off the risk of buying more vehicles than you can afford is to have a good idea of what you can afford and stick to that parameter.

Get in the mindset that you need to be in before you start shopping. Keeping to a budget is essential and budgets matter whether you are buying a car, truck, SUV, van, or bike (8% of households had a bike in 2018 according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the most ever reported.) Standing your ground when it comes to your budget is essential to a successful purchase.

It Matters When You Shop

One of the easiest ways to save money on a vehicle is to make sure that you shop at the right time of the year, month, and even the right day of the week. There are savings to be had just by shopping at the right time. For example, the best month of the year to buy a car is December if you are focused on saving money. The best time of the month to buy a car is at the end of the month, and the best day of the week to buy a car is Tuesday.

Auto dealerships are like any other business, they have busy seasons, and they have slow seasons. They have busier days of the week and they have slower days of the week. If you can arrange to shop during the auto dealership’s slow time, you can realize savings.

 

Where You Shop

Prices for vehicles will vary a great deal. You can realize some significant savings if you are willing to travel a bit out of the way. Sometimes, even crossing state lines is a solution for saving money on a car purchase. In other words, think carefully about where you shop for your vehicle. If you can save a couple of thousand dollars by driving a couple of hours, it is well worth the effort. Do not assume that the dealership around the corner has the best deal, do your research, using sites like INVOICE PRICING  to find the best quote for the car that you want, and the dealership in your area that stocks it. Dig a little deeper and look a little further, it can be well worth your while!

 

Due Diligence

Car prices can range greatly from one dealership to the next. One of the best ways to ensure you are getting the best deal is to do a comparison of the deals. About 60% of the car buying process for most car buyers happens online. Researching your options online is a convenient way to gather the information you need to make an informed decision.

Today, you do not even need a laptop or a desktop to get your research done. You can use your smartphone. A recent survey revealed that about 59% of respondents report that they prefer to shop on their mobile device and that the ability to shop on their mobile device helps them to decide what retailer or brand to buy. You can take the same route when you are deciding which vehicle to buy and where to find the best saving opportunity.

 

Ask About Discounts

Oddly enough, many people go into an auto dealership and never haggle about prices. Asking for a discount is a great way to save some money. Not all discounts are advertised. No matter what type of vehicle you are buying, you should always inquire about savings. Buying a vehicle is a big investment, asking for discounts is a great way to reduce the amount of investment you must make.

There are plenty of ways to save money on a new or used vehicle purchase. You do have to put a little effort into the process, but it is well worth the effort. Don’t pay more than you have to.

Filed Under: Budgeting

I’ve Gotten a Call About Student Loan Forgiveness – Is It Real?

February 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment

student loan forgiveness

Most commercials, calls, or advertisements you’ve seen about student loan forgiveness seem spammy. I’ve been dodging calls like that recently, and I’ve written them off as scams. However, there’s a chance you’re ignoring legitimate chances to reduce or eliminate your student loan payments.

Calls I’ve Received

Recently, I’ve received a number of calls regarding my student loans. I have right around $20,000 to pay back and recently was sent an email to not pay anything until August (this was back in June). The email, which was verified to be Navient, stated there may be some changes to my account and they wanted to extend my deferment by two months. It also noted I may have other repayment options available.

Since then, I’ve been receiving calls that I’d honestly written off as spam calls about student loan forgiveness. As it turns out, they may be totally legitimate.

Navient Lawsuit

Navient has been hit with a number of lawsuits from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB), as well as a number of teachers and state attorney generals. The lawsuits claim Navient failed to do a number of things to help its borrowers pay off their loans. Complaints include the following…

  • Navient has failed to apply payments to accounts on a number of occasions.
  • Private student loan borrowers claim to be deceived by Navient regarding cosigner requirements.
  • Navient officials have failed to inform borrowers of income-driven payment (IDR) plans and instead steered them towards forbearances (usually multiple).
  • When individuals were informed about IDR plans, Navient neglected to give them information about renewal dates for the plan.
  • Credit bureau reporting was done incorrectly.

Navient is accused of a number of other wrongdoings, including persuading borrowers to maintain their loans with Navient, even if they have a lower-interest option. Some borrowers were also wrongfully denied Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Each of these lawsuits is ongoing. However, there is no real Navient Student Loan Forgiveness.

How to Verify the Legitimacy of Calls

student loan forgiveness

More than likely, the calls I’ve been receiving are a scam. CNBC reported that student loan forgiveness scams were on the rise. Coincidentally, this is also right around the time I began getting the calls.

Oftentimes, these scams claim to be able to provide reduced payments (or forgiveness). During the call, you’ll be asked for your loan ID number. With that, the person on the other end can change your mailing address. This will make it difficult for your loan servicer to contact you about your missed payments.

After you’ve gone months without paying, your loans will fall into default. At that point, you’ve fallen victim to a scam that will be extremely difficult to dig yourself out of. Here are a few ways you can spot a student loan scam fast.

  1. It is a scam if the company offers immediate student loan forgiveness.
  2. If you’re asked for money upfront to reduce your payments, it is probably a scam.
  3. There should be no sale and no pressure to sign up.
  4. You’re probably speaking to a scammer if they ask you for personally-identifying information as well.
  5. You’ll probably be able to see advertisements for the company when you Google them. Always be wary of any student loan company that is paying for advertising.

Does Student Loan Forgiveness Exist?

With that said, there are some instances in which student loan forgiveness actually exists (though it probably doesn’t for me).  If you’re a Navient customer, you may still qualify for student loan forgiveness elsewhere, no matter how the lawsuits are settled.

Here are a few programs that may be able to help.

  • Borrower’s Defense to Repayment Discharge: This program can only help individuals with federal student loans. You also must prove the school you attended misled you in some way, performed an illegal activity, or otherwise committed fraud against you.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: You can get your student loans completely forgiven if you work within a qualifying public service job. If this is the route you want to go, you also must stay in the position for at least 10 years to have your loans forgiven. You will still need to make a number of payments before you can have your loans forgiven completely, but you’ll pay far less.
  • Non-Profit Student Loan Forgiveness Program: This program offers complete student loan forgiveness for individuals who work full-time for nonprofit agencies. Like the forgiveness program above, you’ll need to stay in nonprofit work for at least 10 years to qualify.
  • Government Employee Student Loan Discharge: Like the nonprofit and public service programs, you’ll need to be a government employee for at least 10 years to qualify. However, if you are, you can receive complete forgiveness.

Outside of these programs, you can also utilize outside sources to relieve the stress of paying back your loans. For federal student loans, you can call the Student Loan Relief Helpline at 1-888-906-3065. They can help look at your options and set you up with a plan to reduce your student loan debt as soon as possible.

 

Individuals with private student loans can seek out the help of an attorney to negotiate with lenders on their behalf. One company, McCarthy Law PLC, has a good reputation with helping borrowers settle their loans for less than they owe. They can be reached at 1-877-317-0455. If you have issues with your credit or old debt, they may also be able to help.

 

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Filed Under: Budgeting Tagged With: student loan forgiveness, student loans

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