How to Avoid Debt This Holiday Season

How to avoid debt this holiday season in Salem OR - OlsenDaines bankruptcy attorneys

The reality of holiday debt usually doesn’t sink in until you get the bills or check accounts. Too much unpaid debt can cause your credit score to drop so we are sharing some tips to follow to avoid racking up holiday debt.

Pay in Cash When Possible

Statistics show 57% of Americans with credit card debt are willing to accrue more debt during the holidays. Gifts and décor commonly cause the most holiday debt, and since consumers rarely save for this, they charge for it.

Avoid this added debt by setting a little money aside each month to pay for gifts and holiday décor in cash. Leave your credit card at home to reduce the temptation to make spontaneous purchases, and use debit cards. Several studies have shown consumers spend less with cash, and it comes with less security risk.

Create a Budget and Make Lists

Decide how much you are going to spend, including travel, and ensure it doesn’t prevent you from making necessary payments. Make a list of things you need, a list for gifts, stick by it, and cross them off as you go.

Consider having some gifts be homemade, such as mixes in a jar, which you can often make for less than buying. If you are easily influenced by others, go shopping alone to avoid going over budget.

Use Credit Wisely

If you must use a credit card, try to stay within less than 20% of the limit, and don’t max them out. Set a budget the same as you would for cash, but check the remaining balance on the cards.

Use credit cards that give rewards for purchases and apply points you have already accumulated to gifts. Don’t be tempted to take out cash advances on your credit cards, because they often have high-interest rates.

Experts in Bankruptcy Law

With some careful planning, you can avoid falling into the holiday debt trap and you will enjoy the holidays better without the stress of debt.

We hope you have a great holiday season and if you need debt relief, consider OlsenDaines. We have offices all throughout Oregon and Washington with highly experienced bankruptcy attorneys ready to help! Just give us a call today to schedule a consultation. 

Am I Personally Responsible for My Business Debts?

Many people are in business for themselves, and being your own boss certainly has its advantages. Of course, there are certain responsibilities that go along with business ownership as well. The lay of the land can be a bit tricky when you are trying to determine whether you can be held personally responsible for debts that are incurred by your business. We will provide some insight in this blog post.

 

Business Formation

 

When you are starting your own business, you should be very discerning about the business entity that you choose, because it will have everything to do with personal responsibility for business debts. If you are a sole proprietor, there is no separation between you as an individual and the actions of your business. As a result, you would absolutely be responsible for debts incurred by the business. The same thing is true of a general partnership. Each partner is responsible for all of the partnership’s debts. It may not sound fair, but if you have personal assets, and your partner is insolvent, you would be responsible for all of the debts, not just your 50 percent share.

 

Things are different with limited liability companies and corporations. Generally speaking, you would not be personally responsible for business debts under these structures. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you personally guarantee a business-related debt in writing, it would be your personal responsibility. This is not uncommon, because some vendors, leaseholders, and others know that the business entity would not be liable, so they insist on personal guarantees.

 

Of course, if you put personal property up as collateral for a loan that you will use for business purposes, the lender could seek to attach the property if you don’t pay the debt. If you use a personal line of credit or a credit card to infuse your business with resources, the business structure would do nothing to limit your liability. When you digest all of the above information, you can see why you should think long and hard about the business structure that you should utilize when you are establishing your enterprise.

 

Schedule a Complimentary Case Evaluation

 

If your business debt is becoming unmanageable, there are steps that you can take to ease the burden. We are here for you if you would like to discuss them with a licensed Portland, Oregon bankruptcy attorney. Our firm offers free consultations to people in The City of Roses and many other communities throughout the Beaver State. To schedule an appointment, call us toll-free at 1-800-682-9568.

 

 

Is Bankruptcy My Only Option?

If your level of debt has become unmanageable, bankruptcy may be an option, but the ideal course of action will depend upon the circumstances. There are some situations that can be addressed without filing for bankruptcy, and you can always file at some future time if you find that there is really no viable alternative. Let’s look at a couple of basic scenarios that can potentially be resolved without a bankruptcy filing.

Stop Collection Agency Harassment

By law, debt collectors must adhere to certain statutory rules, but it is not entirely uncommon for them to step out of bounds. These guidelines are contained within The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that was enacted back in 1978. First and perhaps most importantly, if you choose to do so, you can send collectors a cease-and-desist letter, and they will be forced to discontinue the collection calls. Short of that, under provisions contained within the statute, debt collectors cannot contact you before eight a.m. or after nine p.m. Plus, they cannot contact you at work if they are aware of the fact that your employer does not allow you to take calls from collection agencies while you are on the job or if you have told them to not call you at work. If you have an attorney handling your debt relief efforts, the collectors will be required to speak with your lawyer and they will not be allowed to contact you personally.

There is also the matter of outright harassment. Debt collectors can be held liable if they threaten you with physical violence of any kind, and it is also illegal for them to threaten to mar your reputation. They are prohibited from using any foul or abusive language during their communications, and they must identify themselves as bill collectors when they contact you. If a bill collector violates any of these parameters, you can file a lawsuit to collect any damages that you may incur, and a successful judgment can include your legal fees and as much as $1000 in statutory damages.

Negotiate with Creditors

If credit card debt is the source of your financial difficulties, you can try to negotiate with the credit companies before the matter goes to a collection agency. Company policies vary, and the specifics of the situation will certainly be taken into account. You can ask if they will be willing to change your payment date, and you may be able to negotiate a lower interest rate. Under some circumstances, the company may be willing to provide a payment reduction on a temporary basis. These are a few possibilities, but there are others.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

There are a number of different debt relief strategies that can be implemented, and it can be difficult to make the right choice without the appropriate legal advice. Our service area includes Eugene, Portland, Salem, Roseburg, and a number of other cities in Oregon and Washington. If you will like to discuss your options with a local bankruptcy attorney, you can set up a free consultation if you call us right now at 1-800-682-9568.