How to protect yourself from the bailiffs or debt collectors, is an added concern you may have to deal with when you are already worried enough about how to get out of debt. Without a doubt, the stress of living with the fear of those unwarranted phone calls during the day and night adds to your stress.  But what are your rights?

Following is some information from Debtline …

“Lynne Jones, at National Debtline, replies: Depending on the type of debt they are collecting, different bailiffs have different powers relating to entry rights, fees they can charge, and sometimes even what goods they can remove.

However bailiffs have guidelines relating to their actions and conduct that they should be following and a complaint can be made if the guidelines are not being adhered to.

The lenders themselves should also follow various guidelines and codes of practice in relation to debt collection.

For most types of debts, there will need to have been some form of court action before bailiff action can take place.

Although you almost certainly have a bailiff collecting on your council tax, you should also be aware that sometimes a person calling regarding a debt can give the impression they are a bailiff, but are in fact what is known as a debt collection agent. Debt Collection Agents do not have any rights to enter your property or to remove goods you may own.

If a bailiff has not already gained entry into your property, it is really important not to let them in and also to remove any goods from directly outside your property, including any vehicles you may own.

It is also vital to obtain detailed advice on your situation as soon as possible. Council tax is a priority debt and you must pay this, and any other priority debts you may have, before you pay any of your non-priority debts such as credit cards or unsecured loans. “

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/experts/article-2305842/Im-debt-bailiffs-allowed-do.html#ixzz2PzcK2Cw9

It is important that you know your rights and how to protect yourself against aggressive or condescending debt collectors.

Check out how some people get rid of debt collectors in the video below.

Other news on debt collectors comes from Ireland.  It is incredulous to believe that debt collectors have been hunting students in universities to clear their student debts.   Added to that is the fact that these debt collectors are not even vetted by the police.  So anyone can become a debt collector?  No qualifications?  No police vetting?

Read more about this in the following paragraphs where a voluntary code of conduct was recommended by the Law Reform Commission as best practice for debt collection agencies.  Most of the debt collection agencies had not signed up yet.  This was produced by Stubbs Gazette, one of the leading business information and credit reporting agencies in Ireland.

“Creditors who decide to pass overdue accounts on to third parties would be well advised to consider the decision as meticulously as they would a decision to outsource any other aspect of their business, James Treacy, managing director of Stubbs Gazette said.

He added that creditors needed to be sure they appoint a debt collection agency that will operate within the law, that won’t cause them any reputational damage and that will hand over all funds recovered.

Sadly, not all collection agencies operate within the law and some unscrupulous agencies don’t even return collection proceeds to the client. A good starting point is to select an agency that has signed up to the code of practice, he said.

It was reported last week that some universities had hired debt collectors to track down students for outstanding fees. Since the recession began, debt collectors have seen an unprecedented increase in demand for their services. They were also being used by local authorities.”

• Debt collectors are not vetted by Garda (independent.ie)

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dionne Warwick is not the first celebrity to travel that route and certainly, won’t be the last.   However, sadly,  later in life, this can be a difficult place to be financially.

What opportunities have the majority at this age in their lives, of recouping a decent financial status?

That is the concern of many in their retiring years.

With that said and with the amazing technology we have today, it is possible to earn money at any time in life.  Stretching our brains to learn new skills can only bring benefits.  Knowledge learned over the years can be translated into kindle books for instance, whether they be information products or childrens stories, it’s possible.

There are ways that writing Kindle books can be done and without you having to actually write the content yourselves.  If you would like more information, contact me via http://www.annemariecallan.com as this is a route I have taken in the last year, creating a childrens book series, called Skellee.  You can check Skellee kindle books on Amazon.

With regard to Dionne, after all the pleasure she has given millions over the years,  she still has a lot to share with us from the gift that “God has given to her”. (her words ).  I for one, cannot image her sitting back for the next twenty or thirty years,( God willing) not following her dreams.  I think she is going to be back with great surprises for us all.

The following video is a recent inverview Dionne Warwick had with Andy Peebles

On another positive and encouraging note, the following article shows that it can be done.  Bankruptcy is not the answer for everybody …

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/your-money/for-older-americans-a-deepening-debt-problem.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

“If that is the case, then last year, Ms. Bostick gave her children an enormous gift. The Bosticks were named “2012 Client of the Year” by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling for pulling themselves out of six figures of credit card debt in five years with the help of a local affiliate, Housing and Credit Counseling of Topeka, Kan.

“The first thing we were told was that we qualify for bankruptcy,” she said, “But if I had filed bankruptcy, who’s to say I wouldn’t be in debt again? I would not have learned a lesson.”

They cut household expenses and spending and took on second jobs — Ms. Bostick working 12-hour days into her 60s — to not only break even every month but to put $2,496 every month into paying off their debt. Five years later, they even have a saving account.

Her only regret is that with advancing dementia, her husband cannot fully comprehend their accomplishment. When the final credit card bill was paid, she said, “I was jumping up and down. He just looked at me and said, ‘Yay.’ ”

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On a finishing note, I hope this article inspired you enough to take matters into your own hands and get the bankruptcy advice you need, whatever country you live in – i.e. Chapter 7, Chapter 11 or in the UK,  receivership advice or filing for bankruptcy free advice, as soon as possible.

There comes a point when finding the correct debt solutions to your financial troubles is the only answer to living the life you want to live, debt free.  Researching through the minefield of remortgage companies and debt settlement services, only leaves you feeling in despair.

Yes, some are like wolves waiting to draw you in with the guise of helping you, only to be waiting to release you of further funds, which you can ill afford whilst portraying a falseness of  sensitivity.

It is always best to look at the worst scenario, so that you can protect yourself and create your own debt solution plan.

I was annoyed to read in an article this week of how companies, supposedly there to help and support people with debts, had in fact gone into bankruptcy themselves taking all their clients money with them.  Worst still was the fact that this information was supplied by yet another debt management agency, trying, no doubt, to entice people to their company.

You don’t need a debt management company to get out of debt, you just need a plan and work it step by step.  Check out the first post on this site to get started.

Are debt solution companies a scam? – Yahoo! Canada Finance – Insight (blog)

news.google.com

Yahoo! Canada Finance – Insight (blog)Are debt solution companies a scam?Yahoo! Canada Finance – Insight (blog)Ontario recently announced its intention to regulate debt settlement companies, which would see such consumer protections as a ban on up-fr …

Shot-Clock Economics: A Solution To The Financial Crisis!

Website: www.toosmarttofail.com The economy needs a shot clock! Former BANKRUPTCY PARALEGAL Ray Gordon knows how to solve debt problems! With his revolutionary ‘shot clock economics” and “4×4″ solutions, he can solve America’s debt problems, and get …

Authors@Google: David Graeber, DEBT: The First 5000 Years

DEBT: The First 5000 Years While the “national debt” has been the concern du jour of many economists, commentators and politicians, little attention is ever paid to the historical significance of debt. For thousands of years, the struggle between ric…

Not many people can say that they have not been touched by debt at some point in their lives.  Perhaps not personally but most likely within their family.  There is no doubt about it, that there is not a stigma to be in debt with the recessions we have had to contend with alone and it’s possible, with the right guidance and debt solutions plan, anyone can get out of debt too.

Looking through the news this morning, I came across the following which may bring to light some help for individuals with debt problems.

Top Affordable Debt Relief Companies Revealed by TopConsumerReviews.com. – PR Web (press release)

news.google.com

PR Web (press release)Top Affordable Debt Relief Companies Revealed by TopConsumerReviews.com.PR Web (press release)With millions of Americans deep in debt, many people are on edge. Making only the minimum payment each month means most of us are stuc …

Videos on Debt Solutions and Issues

The Global Debt / Financial Crisis Explained… CAUSE AND SOLUTION!

Here are 5 simple questions we should all be asking: 1. Why are virtually all nations (both their public and private sectors) in HUGE amounts of debt? 2. Why is inflation a constant in the economy? 3. Why do economic recessions / depressions occur pe…

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Debt Settlement Video | Bills.com

www.bills.com Debt settlement is an extreme solution suitable for serious debt issues. Learn how it works in this debt settlement video with Brad Stroh of Bills.com. Debt settlement is the process of negotiating with creditors to accept about half of…

After reading the above and watching the video, first of all you will be aware that you have to take control for your own peace of mind and with that in mind, please check out my 3 part step-by-step instructions on how to get of of debt fast.  It is broken down into easy managable steps, and with each step I have created there is no doubt in my mind that your debt solutions issue will be addressed.

“I warn you, Sir! The discourtesy of this bank is beyond all limits. One word more and I — I withdraw my overdraft!” —- Cartoon from Punch Magazine Vol. 152, June 27, 1917 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2013 can be the year that you cut your Bank Fees or bank overdraft to a zero cost. But first of all you have to decide if this your best money option?  Lets look at the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage 1  –  It’s quick and easy to arrange a bank overdraft. This can be done via your internet bank account, a telephone call or by calling into your local bank.

Disadvantage 1  –   Because an overdraft is such an easy way of getting a loan of sorts, it can also mean that you can easily go overdrawn through neglect. You would then incur heavy bank fees.

Advantage 2  –   If you only need a small amount of money to tie you over for a short period of time, this is an excellent option.  Added to this is the fact that some banks will even give you an interest free period.

Disadvantage 2  –   There may be hidden costs involved which could leave you with a heavy interest bill to pay.  You would really need to shop around to make sure you are getting the best bargain and even consider switching banks, for the bank with the the least amount of bank fees.

Video on Bank Fees

Advantage 3  –   There would be no payment schedule, leaving you in control of the repayment of the overdraft for as and when you can afford to repay it.

Disadvantage 3  –   Running your account on a overdraft position can result in using your overdraft as a permanent status and as a result you never get to pay it back causing higher bank fees.

Advantage 4  –   The security of knowing that your direct debits will be paid for because of the bank overdraft facility.

Disadvantage 4  –   Not keeping abreast of your overdraft facility dates and perhaps missing a communication from your bank telling you that the overdraft will cease on a certain date, thus incurring late payments from your direct debit payees.

A bank overdraft would also be an advantage to anyone who wanted to clear a credit card debt and something to consider.

Banks will not generally allow an overdraft over a certain amount of money required, in which case you would need to apply for a bank loan.  It would be cheaper in the long run.  Either way, to keep your bank fees as low as possible, it is important to keep track of your overdraft facility and make sure that you do not step outside of the agreed amount.

I am delighted to tell you that I have found a great free book to show you exactly how to attract money which in turn will help you to clear debt from your life.  Yes, it’s free and if you like it and want a hardback copy, then you can buy it but you don’t need to, it’s your choice.

Right this minute, I am in the process of reading the downloaded book and one of the questions which really gave me food for thought was …

Why does one brother make just enough to live on and not have the confidence in himself to attract money, whilst the other brother goes on to make millions?  They both had the same upbringing, so what makes their thinking different?

The book will give you the answer and a 7-step formula which works, providing you take the action suggested.  Within no time, you will find peace, prosperity and contentment, feelings which I am sure have alluded you for a long time, with the constant worry of how to clear debt from your life!

To bring a smile and put the worry of money into perspective, I hope

Obviously you will have previously found many suggestions on how to make money but in the main they require money for you to start, which is ridiculous!  It amazes me how everyone wants to make money first instead of showing you how to, when you have so little to spare in the first place.

The author of the book went from sheer desperation and poverty entirely because he trusted someone with his savings in his teens, to now owning whatever he wants in life, from classic cars to any house in the world that he wanted.   He is also in the position to help many people who need support, which he does.

So, let’s face it, if he could attract money into his life, why can’t you and why can’t I, at the level that I want?  He wants to share his experience and knowledge.  How foolish of us not to take advantage of this?

Please download the free book and follow the steps suggested because I want your financial freedom, just as I want it for myself.  I am going to follow through each section of the book and will be putting my feedback of it here.  I would also love to get your feedback, so we can share this with others.

Earlier today there was an image on my FB with the following words …

“Knowing You Need To Make A Change Isn’t Enough,
You’ve Got To Find The Guts To DO It”
… Robert Kiyosaki

No matter what you have been through, there is always an opportunity waiting for you to find, so grab this free book right now, on how to attract money and change your life from this moment on. 

7 Steps to Attract Money Now
http://www.attractmoneynow.com/

To your amazing success. 

Let this be a reminder to all of us who have worried ourselves sick about what we should do, to just follow our dreams and live the life we would want for ourselves during the years that we have the opportunities.

Life is so precious and Steve Jobs is an example to us all of what we can individually aspire to, with the right choice.

It’s quite frightening to see these costs rise at such a high level so quickly in 2012.  Now is the time for more of us to take responsibility of our driving costs and find ways to curtail them.

This morning, for instance, I was at a meeting and on the way back, my first thought on the price of petrol was should I stop and buy the weekend groceries now, rather than going out again and using more petrol.  As I was nearing towards my local shopping centre, I did stop and purchase the shopping there and then.   We are not all so fortunate though because many people have no alternative but to go out daily to visit family members who may be reliant on them getting their shopping or taking them to the doctors etc.

The following article does make some pertinent points on how you can save on the gas you use.

With gas prices once again on the rise, more and more people will be looking for ways to save money on gas. In their pursuit to achieve this goal, they very well …

http://www.pfadvice.com/2012/02/28/save-money-on-gas-avoid-these-12-gas-saving-myths/

Another alternative is to consider changing the fuel required to move your car in the first place and this could be in the form of converting your car to an electric car.  Click this link to find out how one couple actually did that.  They’ve had to set up their  website with the information because so many people contacted them and wanted to know if they could do it too.

The video below is of Tom Hanks endorsing the use of electric cars.  In fact he is driving one of his own cars which has been converted.

They have also pointed out that successful converstions have taken place all around the world.  You would have to enquire if they worked in your country, if you are outside of the US, UK , EU, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, Australia or South Africa, because they have confirmed on their site that readers of their guide have been successful in those locations.

Once you have been through the site, you may be asking yourself how soon you will be able to convert a car to electric, rather than, how much will gas cost in 2012 

Baby Boomers

Today baby boomers have a different mindset than that of their parents. They no longer feel it is important to ensure that they leave their offspring a financial inheritance. Instead, they believe that passing on their values in life and inspiring their grandchildren to follow their dreams, is more important in helping the next generations realise their worth as individuals.

Whorush: 8 sites by this AdSense ID

Whorush: 8 sites by this AdSense ID

Whorush: 8 sites by this AdSense ID

As a baby boomer, you could follow what others baby boomers are doing, which is to create a video and document your life to leave as a gift to your children and to be passed down through the generations, so that each person knows where their roots were generated from, what values their parents or grandparents had and why they possessed these values.

You may think that perhaps these videos and documented evidence will eventually be lost but with the new technology such as Dropbox where you can load your documents for free (up to a certain amount and certainly enough for you personal needs) onto the internet cloud, where you can access it from anywhere in the world, that thought becomes a thing of the past.

“Family fortunes potentially are not as great as they were six, seven years ago … Putting money in market and watching it go up is not the rule any longer,” said Stacy Francis, a personal-financial adviser in New York and founder of Savvy Ladies, an organization aimed at teaching women about money.

“It’s about being smart about where you put your money in the market,” she said.

“You can give a child a fish but you can also give a child a fish and teach them how to fish in the future,” Francis said. “We see it over and over again, the same story – individuals coming into a lot of wealth and not knowing how to manage it. That wealth being potentially squandered,” Francis said. “That’s what people don’t want to have happen in their family.”

http://www.cnbc.com/id/46313097/What_s_More_Important_to_Baby_Boomers_Than_Money

There are still many baby boomers who do want to leave some financial security for their off spring but may not have the money to do so. There is always the opportunity to turn that situation around in many ways and by creating an income online is one such way. With money being an issues and many of the programs online charging an inordinate amount of money, you could use a free online marketing course to create a web business.

Why a web business?

Because, if you focus on one web business and feed it daily, whether by using plugins or whatever new means arrive, then it will create a value which you can sell. That is an amazing way of creating a financial inheritance. If you don’t want to create a website, you can buy a website already to go and with tutorials.

More articles on Baby Boomers

http://debts-challenge.com/how-to-retire-and-clear-debt/

http://debts-challenge.com/baby-boomers-retiring-facts/

Conclusion on baby boomers leaving unusual inheritances

Maybe you are like me and wish that the technology we enjoy today was around in our grandparents time.  We would know so much more about our ancestors and could pass this onto our own children or grandchildren.  Yesterday for instance, I was walking and chatting with my granddaughter, when she mentioned that she ould like to go to university for Project Design.  Little did she know that her great grandfather was a commercial artist and probably today would be classified as a graphic designer/project designer.

As someone who is classified in the baby boomers category, I have to admit that reading the press, you would think there was nothing but doom and gloom in the world. But, it all depends on how we look at life, I personally think that we live in exciting times with opportunities for everyone and especially baby boomers.

You may think you have cut your outgoings to the bone. This is exactly what one family, as the following report states, felt but after scrutinising it with help, they were amazed to find that they could save £4000 a year.

Is it possible that you too could do this with your own household budget?

Translating this into dollars, can you imagine what you could do with the extra money?

With that figure in mind, surely it is worth concentrating on sticking to your family budget plan for at least one year. The following year you will find other ways to either generate more money or at least other ways of saving money.

“We rarely have any money left at the end of the month for family treats but with these savings we may even be able to afford a holiday this year, which would be brilliant.”

We’ve put more than £300 each month back into the Dudleys’ pockets by simplifying their bills, paying some by Direct Debit, switching to better deals for energy and mobile phones, bringing in a few energy saving measures and a bit of planning for family meals and lunches.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/money/2012/01/25/make-the-most-of-your-pennies-by-giving-your-budget-a-makeover-115875-23718868/#ixzz1kTFYGdok

Household budget and free holidays!

Yes, its possible. The family mentioned above, felt they could now afford a holiday but they have overlooked the fact that they may even be able to take advantage of any of the opportunities for free holidays which are available.

The fact that you can start saving money and also clear debt is very heartening, however, you also need to have some family treats along the way. The last thing you need to feel is miserable about saving and so as not to be discouraged with watching every cent or penny you spend why not look around at what is available to enjoy yet spending the minimum of money.

There are lots of ways that you can have great memorable times, or evenings out with the family, without spending a fortune and, in some cases, just transport costs.

Looking through the archives on household budget news, it almost makes me smile to see that this was a problem back in 1942 and no doubt way before that.

What does that tell us?

For me alone, it tells us that budgetting is just a way of life. Simple as that. People are going to be concerned about budgeting for many years to come, if they are responsible!  Teaching our children to budget can only benefit them in their own futures too.

I remember an older person telling me about the war rations and how people managed on next to nothing. Of course, it did’nt hurt them and it was a way that they quickly leaned to budget daily. Many have some wonderful stories of how they managed in that period. If you get the opportunity to speak to people who have been through the 2nd world war or the 1930′s recession, I am sure they would love to pass those stories on to you.

Related Household Budget articles

http://debts-challenge.com/budget-plans-with-free-special-treats/

http://debts-challenge.com/electricity-prices-spiral-upwards-5-ways-to-save/

Don’t think that because we are into another year and you have not started the year with a budget plan, that it is too late. It is never too late to start a household budget.