Not All Debt Companies Want to Help How to Spot Danger
When you are struggling with debt, it can seem like you have few options. It’s not an issue people talk openly about, which creates a smokescreen surrounding what should be a transparent issue. All of a sudden, you see a commercial for a debt settlement company that comes packed with promises. With those promises, though, comes a lot of fine print you need to read. Let me be perfectly frank. A lot of debt relief companies do not care about you. They care about profits. Of course, the more reputable companies make money from actually helping people. The worst companies, however, see you only as an avenue to line their pockets. If they make some money off of you, do you think they’ll care if you’re still tangled in debt a few years down the road? Furthermore, debt consolidation companies are not bound by the same regulations as lawyers. As an attorney, I have an ethical and legal responsibility to put my clients’ interest first. If my honest advice is using a method other than bankruptcy, I will advocate for it. A debt company has no such responsibility.
For the worst example of this, you just have to take a look at the payday loans industry. These companies operate more like mafia loan sharks than financial professionals. By offering you a little money when you’re in a pinch, they know they’ll have you stuck for interest down the line. Their goal is to put you on a treadmill you can never escape from. Honestly, I can’t believe some of their tactics are legal. There are a few tactics, however, that will signal that you’re dealing with a legitimate company that is invested in helping you. A company should take the time to get to know you and your situation. If not, they are probably applying a cookie-cutter approach to every client. Similarly, if a company is promising you the moon, odds are they’ll never deliver. You should also screen every company through the Better Business Bureau to avoid getting scammed. If debt settlement is right for you, you need to carefully choose the company your work with. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, and it can have ramifications for years. You might have more options than you think when it comes to resolving debt, but that doesn’t mean every option is a good one.
have a Laugh ON US!
Winning Ingredients
Apple Crisp
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup butter, softened
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup rolled oats
4 cups chopped, peeled apples
1 cup water
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract Vanilla ice cream, optional
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1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Cut in butter
2. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, water, and vanilla. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or
3. Bake 60–65 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm, with ice cream if desired.
until crumbly. Press half of mixture into a greased 2 ½ quart baking dish or a 9-inch square baking pan. Cover with apples.
until thick and clear. Pour over apples. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
(Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com.)
3.
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