Schools need substitute teachers,  or just work as
an assistant. Your knowledge of foreign languages, history,
math, sports or any other subject can be really helpful for
others, and bring in that extra income.

6. Don't miss an opportunity to learn something new.
Although time and money may be extremely restricted,
there are always different ways to learn new skills
through books, videos, Internet, tapes or spending
time with friends who are able to teach you how
to do things. Learning not only helps your brain by
developing new skills and providing new challenges
that develop its capacity (remember we only use
about 5% of our brain capacity and potential),  but
you never know when those skills can be useful
in helping you get out your financial problems.


----------------------------------------------------

If you have any personal finance related questions
that we can answer, please email them to education@curadebt.com
and we will answer them in future editions. Alternatively,
you can call to speak with an expert, toll-free,
at 877-850-3328.

----------------------------------------------------


2. Credit card offers, are they really good bargains?

How tempting!!! This morning you opened your mail and
received a letter that, although you knew it could be
just junk, you couldn't resist reading anyway. And there
it was, the amazing opportunity: the chance to get another
credit card, with a higher balance and a "very low interest
rate". You couldn't believe your eyes, and suddenly something in your head was telling you: take it, take it, you want it, you need it, just take it.

Most probably you receive those kind of offers on a regular
basis and you already have given up to temptation many times.
But are those offers something you should accept?

Have you ever thought about the offers in the supermarkets
or the famous "sales"? Most people end up buying something
they don't really need just because it has a reduced price,
so they think they are saving lots. They never think that buying and saving, most of the time go in opposite directions. This is the case as well with "fabulous offers" from the credit cards.

If you are already in the position of having difficulties
making your credit card's minimum payments, getting a new
credit card would be a major mistake. Let's analyze why.

1. Instead of finding ways to save and resolve your current
complicated financial situation, having another card could
make it too easy to get that very expensive leather
jacket, or that lovely holiday in the Caribbean. What is wrong
with that, you may think... But being realistic, you
know you will find yourself sooner or later in a critical
situation that has lead many people to a nervous breakdown.
If you are already facing difficult financial times, your
priority should be finding the way to get yourself out
of that situation, not making it worse.

2. Having more than 5 credit cards would make it very difficult
for you to have control over them. Some people don't even
know how many credit cards they have, how much they have spent
with each, and how long it will take them to get the debt
situation sorted out. Unfortunately some people end up
struggling all their lives making minimum payments, while
late fees and accrued interest keep accumulating.

3. You may end up in the hands of a nasty creditor. Even if
the "very low interest rate" part is true, some people's
experiences have shown that the easiest credit cards to get,
the apparently most popular ones, are those that, once you have
any hardship that impedes you from making the payments,
will end up in a nasty creditor calling you night and day
to make vicious threats about garnishing your wages and
putting a lien on your property. Those creditors who, at
the beginning appear to be so flexible and convenient in their
terms, are those that most easily could file a lawsuit against
you. Not a very attractive picture at all.

Before getting another credit card, just think: do you
really want to make your financial situation even more
difficult? Then make your decision ...

--------------------------------------------------------------

3. When divorce becomes a double nightmare

It is hard enough to handle the emotional trauma that
a divorce implies, but one of the often-unintended
consequences of divorce is the burdensome debt that was
formerly handled by two, now being handled by one.
Creditors hold both spouses liable for debt incurred
during the marriage.Any agreement between the spouses
regarding who is responsible to pay the debt may not be
recognized by the creditor.

To avoid bankruptcy, one must become acquainted with
bankruptcy law. You must determine you income/expenses
and your assets/liabilities. If you have the ability
to fund settlements with the creditors, you should
avoid bankruptcy.

Other than just paying you debts in full, one option
to avoid bankruptcy is to compare debt consolidation
with debt negotiation. Debt consolidation is a payment
plan in favor of your creditors to pay the debts in full
over time with interest. Debt negotiation, however,
provides for discounted cash settlements, which are
customized to your ability to fund.

Most people are unaware of the possibility of negotiating
with creditors to reduce the amount of money they owe them.
I recommend that you seek out a professional - one who is not emotionally involved - who has experience handling creditors
to give you a fair assessment of what the outcome of this
strategy might be for you.

In addition, arrangements can be made to minimize the
negatives on your credit report.


===========================================================


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