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While it is important to pay obligations, you are more valuable than your debt. You are not obligated to answer your phone to someone who is hostile to you over an overdue bill, unpaid taxes, car payment or mortgage, no matter how much. If you sincerely cannot pay a bill today, you will keep living, and pay it later.

Don’t get distracted by bill collectors; focus on possible solutions. Here are a few to consider.

§         KEEP PROPER PERSPECTIVE. In most cases, bill collectors are in more debt than you are, and that is the frustration they express to you on the phone; their performance in collecting someone else’s debt will determine their ability to pay their own bills. Even though, your bills are your personal responsibility, don’t take your current situation personal. In order to move forward, think of your debt as a business transaction that went bad. You will recover. Focus on problem solving, rather than irate bill collectors.

§         This is a perfect time to make sure you do not have waste in your budget. Sometimes, your money problem requires better money management. (See, “Think like the Wealthy” and “Saving Money.”)

§         KNOW YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. Does a debt collector have a right to harass you? Can a debt collector garnish your pay? Check your consumer rights at the Federal Trade Commission website. If a debt collector goes beyond their limit in trying to collect a bill, it is up to you to stop such action by knowing your rights.

§         Sell any material items you can (furniture, jewelry, lawn equipment, etc.) to generate money to pay off debt. You can replace these things later. If you need to sell your vehicle to avoid a car repo, then do so. Material items are not more important than your peace of mind.

§         If you can pay a portion of your overdue bill each month, do so. Do not obligate yourself to pay on a monthly basis, if you are not sure you can.

§         Do odd jobs specifically to pay your debt. The worst thing you can do is work odd jobs, or a second job, and accumulate more debt. Sit down and figure out how many weeks or months you need to work to pay off your debt, so that you have a real plan of action to accomplish your goal.

§         BE CREATIVE IN YOUR THINKING. Try to think of a way to earn money outside the box. There are always commission-based sales jobs, which allow you to work flexible hours and make good money. Determine what you would LOVE to sell (houses, cars, airplanes, etc.) and then research (Google.com) the possibility. “Sales” has gotten a bad reputation. Selling items that are of no interest to you is painful, but selling something you enjoy is usually exciting and fun.

§         If you cannot pay a debt because you are unemployed, ask the company you owe for a j-o-b. This will not work or be feasible for most people, but it might be the “out of the box” solution for someone. If you make this request, make sure you have done your research and be prepared to follow through.

§         LET YOUR DEBT MOTIVATE YOU INTO A NEW WAY OF THINKING AND INTO A BETTER WAY OF LIVING. Think bigger and better! Debt is often a motivation for people to start their own business; owning a company gives you a greater cut of the pie than working for someone else. (See, “Start a Business for under $500.”)

§         LOOK FOR GREATER PURPOSE IN LIFE. Debt can be the result of an underlying problem, such as a lack of fulfillment in life. Your talents and gifts are needed to make a difference in the world. The cure to your financial problem is to find your niche to help humanity, by which you can get paid.

§         By now, we all know, the world’s financial system (of credit and debt) does not work to the public’s advantage, so get on God’s system. Learn the ways of God for a more fulfilling life. Do not let money control or overpower you.

Whatever approach you choose to handle your credit card, IRS or mortgage debt, never pay your debt with your life. Suicide is never a viable option. Jesus Christ died for you to live, not die because of money issues. If you think you have no solution to your problem, God always knows something you do not know. People have had their debt completely wiped out. And when debt is not wiped out, there are opportunities to earn money and learn from your experience to go forward. Seek God for that one thing you do not know, to change your money situation. Even though, a company rightfully deserves their payment, they never have the right to harass you and you never need to give into harassment by taking your life.

For more info, read “How to Hear God to Prosper” by VC Edwards.

© Found Treasure Publishing 2010

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- A Gift for You

Relieve the headache of renting your property.

In a time when properties are difficult to sell in many areas, renting may be a good alternative. If you find yourself faced with the headache of renting a property, consider hiring a property manager. A property manager manages rental properties for homeowners, by handling everything from finding a tenant to collecting rent.

To find a property manager, you can check your local phone directory, ask friends who have rented a property, or check with a local real estate company. Many real estate companies offer property management services. It’s best to work with a well-known real estate franchise, if you do not have a personal referral from a friend, who has worked successfully with a property manager. You can ask for a free consultation to determine if the property manager can rent your property, based on market conditions. A property management company, generally, is not paid upfront and is only paid if they find you a renter, in which case, they are paid a percentage of the monthly rent. (They generally earn 10% of the monthly rental amount.) For example, if the rent is $500 a month, the property manager would earn $50 each month.

The general responsibilities of a property manager are:

§         The manager meets with you to examine the property and determine the rent amount.

§         The property manager, in general, advertises to attract renters.

§         The manager shows the property to potential renters. (You never have to meet with the renter, personally.)

§         The manager does credit checks and employment verifications of potential renters.

§         Once a qualified renter is found, the property manager rents the property, with your approval, and gives you copies of the lease and security deposit.

§         The tenant pays the property manager the rent every month, and the manager sends you the rent amount, minus the management fee (10% or whatever you both agree on). You want to contact the manager immediately if you do not receive your check by the agreed date, which may be, for example, the 10^th of each month.

§         If the tenant has to be evicted, the property manager would go to court on your behalf.

§         When a tenant moves out, the property manager examines the property and returns the deposit to the renter, provided the property is in good order.

Using a property manager to rent a property eliminates all kinds of potential problems. A property manager is a professional contact for the tenant. A manager generally gets better cooperation from the tenant than an owner. A manager also does a thorough job of verifying information of potential tenants, and therefore is more likely to get a good tenant. And, if something should go wrong, the manager knows the up-to-date legal steps to take to resolve the situation.

While you are still responsible for your property, if you find a reputable property manager, you can relinquish most of the headaches of renting your property to a professional.

© Found Treasure Publishing 2009

Christian-secrets.com

When faced with a possible foreclosure it is easy to overlook the importance of everything else—one being, valuables that cannot be replaced. Even though homeowners often are left uncertain as to when or if they must move in a foreclosure process, it is important to plan and organize as early as possible to avoid leaving valuables behind.

Prepare to move, when foreclosing, the same way you would prepare to move if you were selling your home. If you were selling your home, you would pack your valuables and remove all items from the property. Even when faced with foreclosure, always leave a place the way you want your next home to await you. When vacating a home, always remove all your belongings, including items you no longer want.

It is best to organize your belongings, whether you foreclose or not. If a foreclosure is inevitable, you want to be prepared, and if the foreclosure process is stopped, you can always unpack.

1.     Box all your cherished items—photo albums, heirlooms and important documents that you will need. Do not let go of your family history, to be thrown out like trash! You can get another house; you cannot replace family heirlooms once they are destroyed. If you don’t remove your possessions, the mortgage company will have someone throw your items out or swatters will rummage through your things.

While you may not want a reminder of the foreclosure, you will regret leaving your belongings behind. There are things you will want weeks after the process is behind you, once you can see your way to a new home. You don’t want to spend months and years purchasing the same items you trashed. Even though, you want a fresh start, you will want things that you are familiar from your past—they will give you comfort. Make sure children take favorite items to give them a sense of familiarity.

2.     To make your move as stress-free as possible, plan a garage sale or sell items on Ebay. Making extra money is always a good thing and selling as much as you can will give you less to move.

3.     Now is a great time to give to charity. Think of people and organizations, who you can give items to, which you no longer need that are in good condition. Don’t look at your possessions as a burden, but as a blessing that you enjoyed in the past and someone else may enjoy in the future.

4.      Throw out everything you do not want to take or give away.

Even though, you may be forced to leave a home against your wishes, don’t put your frustration out on your belongings or on the property. Plan your move in anticipation of purchasing again.

© Found Treasure Publishing 2009

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