New Homes in Windsor Estates

New Homes +

Debt Settlement Companies

From the Washington Post Debt settlement is rarely a done deal By Michelle Singletary, Published: October 20 When I’m asked, “What do you think of debt settlement?,” I cringe. I gird myself for a frustrating discussion with desperate debtors looking for a quick fix to a problem they’ve spent years creating. They want to get rid of their debts as easily as baking a potato in the microwave. They want the phone calls to stop. They want the letters to stop. They need to get rid of the stress they are experiencing. And so they want to believe — need to trust — the advertising from debt-settlement companies that claim a significant reduction of debt for just pennies on the dollar. An online ad for one firm promises that “if you owe $30,000, you could resolve your debt in as little as 24 to 48 months.” The statement comes with a fine-print caveat saying that, including fees, clients still end up paying as much as 75 percent of what they owe. And there is no guarantee the program will work. There you have it. Nuking the majority of your debt away in short order is just a pipe dream for most people. Only about one in 10 consumers participating in debt-settlement programs actually ends up debt-free in the promised period of time, according to a consumer alert issued recently by the nonprofit National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Debt-settlement companies promise to act on your behalf to negotiate with your creditors to reduce your debts. Typically, customers are told to stop paying their bills and instead send money to the debt-relief firm, which holds on to the money with the intention of offering creditors a lump-sum offer for less than what’s owed. “Bombarded with slick radio and Web advertising falsely promising a smooth road to being debt-free in a short period of time, these companies prey on the most desperate victims of the economic downturn,” said Ed Boltz, a North Carolina bankruptcy lawyer and incoming president of the consumer bankruptcy association. “These particularly vulnerable consumers usually end up getting sued, stuck with outrageous fees, more deeply in debt, and far worse off in terms of their credit score.” One of the biggest problems with debt-settlement programs is that they encourage consumers to default on their debts, Boltz said. Let’s look at two cases of failed debt-settlement plans, provided by the association. The people: A Florida couple with about $60,000 in credit card debt and a California retiree with $79,000 in bills. The program: The debt-settlement company told the Florida couple that they needed to pay $31,200, including the firm’s fees, to free themselves from their debt — a savings of $28,800. The firm took an upfront fee of $6,900 and started collecting monthly payments of first $460 and then $230. The couple couldn’t afford to keep up the payments and never got any debt settlement. A 77-year-old Californian said he was watching television and saw a commercial for a debt-settlement company claiming it could reduce his debt by 50 percent. The company began taking $1,800 a month out of his bank account. “As I started reading the contract, I realized I would have to pay 15 percent of the gross [debt] amount or close to $12,000 upfront out of the $1,800 before settling any debt,” the retiree said during a teleconference. He ended up paying the company $25,200. Not one of his debts was settled. Federal rules put in place two years ago aimed at reining in bad players in the industry now make it illegal for debt-relief services to charge upfront fees. Companies that sell their services over the telephone can’t get paid until they successfully settle or reduce a customer’s credit card or other unsecured debt. The companies have to make specific disclosures to potential customers — how long it will take to get results, how much the service will cost and the potential negative consequences that could result from seeking debt relief. The firms are also prohibited from misrepresenting what they can do for debtors, in particular the percentage of debt that is typically erased. The Federal Trade Commission recently charged an Ohio company and its owner with fraudulently claiming on 17 Web sites that consumers could quickly get out of debt if they used several debt-settlement companies to which they referred people. The company’s owner agreed to a $390,000 settlement. If you’re thinking about debt settlement, go to www.ftc.gov and search for “Debt Relief Services.” Read the advisory by the consumer bankruptcy association at www.nacba.org. The consumer alert may seem self-serving coming from bankruptcy attorneys, but the message is nonetheless important. A quick fix to get out of debt could end up causing you more financial pain and stress. Readers can write to Michelle Singletary at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071, or singletarym@washpost.com. Personal responses may not be possible, and comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer’s name, unless otherwise requested. To read previous Color of Money columns, go to postbusiness.com.

How to get Free Stuff

From Yahoo: We've explored the world of freebies a couple times on Financially Fit from free vacations, to free yoga, to free cell phones. And yes, there's more! Here's another round up of totally free offerings that can potentially help you save you thousands of dollars a year.

Free Media, Language Classes & Children's Events
What magical place houses all of the aforementioned freebies? The library, of course! When was the last time you visited yours? These days, the library has become the best destination for free content, but also free classes, ebooks, family events and WiFi. Likewise, your local YMCA or college may offer a variety of free classes to members.

Online Courses
"You can learn anything in the world online for free from the frivolous to the serious," says Jody Rholena, senior editor at Consumer Report's ShopSmart Mag. She recommends AcademicEarth.org if you want to tap into lectures from Ivy League professors on anything from art to architecture. There, you can even take courses for free. Meantime, if you want to learn every day fun skills like how to play charades to juggle, check out HowCast.com.

Free Pantry and Medicine Cabinet Goods
Retailers often give away free samples of their latest products, hoping you'll try it, love and buy it. Online freebie directories include ThunderFap, TotallyFreeStuff and AbsurdlyCool offer things like free floss, vitamins, coupons and from fee samples of medicine cabinet items, coupons and even some groceries. The catch is that you have to register with these sites and, at the least, provide your email address. "Getting the freebie here does come with some strings. You get the product; [retailers] get your information," says Rholena. Her advice: If you're signing up for any of these free product giveaways, set up a special email account to help keep all that information separate from your personal account. Also read through the company's privacy policy. "I know they're long but take a quick scan through there and just make sure that you're giving your information to a legitimate organization," she says.

Free Cosmetics
Walk into any Sephora store within 14 days of your birthday and receive a free gift - usually a sample size of the store's latest product -- when you show your Beauty Insider Card, which is Sephora's free rewards card.

Free Meals
Find free meal deals for the family at sites like HeyIt'sFree.net and if it's your birthday, check out EatFreeOnYourBirthday.com for a list of restaurants offering giveaways on your special day. For example, I learned that if I join the Birthday Club at Baskin Robbins, I can get a free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream on my birthday. Parents note: some participating Chili's restaurants offer a "Kids Eat Free" promotion on Tuesday evenings with the purchase of one adult entrée, birthday or not!

Free Odds and Ends
For free household items such as used paint, furniture, TVs and maybe even kayaks, check out the neighborhood giveaway site Freecycle.org, where you can also post for free things you want. Score even more free household stuff by hosting a party for a sponsor. Sign up at HouseParty.com to receive a hosting package full of products, cooking tools and party decorations.

Swap for Freebies
Bookmooch.com is a great place to trade old books for new ones and maybe score free college text books.Swapstyle.com is a free fashion site where you can swap clothes and accessories with its growing community of 47,000 members.

Fathers United and Women's Coalition Legal Clinic

Are you faced with a threatened divorce, child custody, parental kidnapping, child support, or frustration of visitation? GO to:
Fathers United for Equal Rights and Women's Coalition of VA and DC will hold its regular legal clinic meetings on (Th) at Messiah United Methodist Church (MUMC), 6215 Rolling Road, Room 212, West Springfield, VA from 7 to 9:30 pm. The lawyer for the meetings will be TBA. We meet every other Thursday in Springfield Call 703 347 6518 for more info on Legal Clinic

2012 Meeting Schedule for the Legal Clinic
Jan 2012
12,26
Feb
9,23
March 8,22
April 5,19
May 3,17,31
June 14,28
July 12,26
August 9,23
Sept 6,20
Oct 4.18
Nov 1,15,29
Dec 13,27
2013
Jan10,24

Fathers United for Equal Rights & Women's is now on Facebook and has a blog
Meetings are every other Thursday

Every attendee will be given a free copy of the Book The Best Parent is Both Parents, while supplies last, edited by David Levy

COST: Dues are $45/year for the first year payable at $15/meeting until dues are paid in full. At the present time renewal is only $40/year if membership is continuous.



DIRECTIONS: For full directions go to end of this e-mail, From Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road: Turn right (North) on Rolling Road. A McDonalds Restaurant will be visible about 0.1 mile ahead. Pass the McDonalds and the Embassy Auto Wash. The next driveway on the right is the church entrance, 6215 Rolling Road. Go up a hill then halfway down a hill. Note the side entrance on the right. Park. Enter the church. Go up one flight of stairs, turn left and go to the third door on the left, Room 212. If door is locked go to main entrance at the top of the hill. If you have specific questions for the meeting now, you may send them by e-mail or call me on 703-347-6518

New Delegate is Vivian Watts

If you would vote at Lane Elementary and you also have a new delegate. In that case your new Delegate is Vivian Watts and her website is ou would vote at Lane Elementary and you also have a new delegate. In that case your new Delegate is Vivian Watts and her website is http://www.vivianwatts.com/.

What to do with all our lovely feral cats!!!!!

Attend an Alley Cat Allies Helping Community Cats Workshop



Join us this month at one of our FREE workshops to learn the basics of how to help cats in your community.

We will use videos and in-class demonstration to address outdoor cat care, Trap-Neuter-Return, and how to safely deter cats from areas they are not wanted.

Take this opportunity to not only learn, but also to network and meet other concerned citizens who are helping cats in your area. Find localized support and combine efforts!

Helping Community Cats Workshops

Thursday, April 7, 2011
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter
4500 W. Ox Rd.
Fairfax, VA 22030
Get Directions
To sign up, contact: washdc@alleycat.org or (240) 482-1980 ex. 333

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
2560 S. Arlington Mill Rd.
Arlington, VA 22206
Get Directions
To sign up, contact: washdc@alleycat.org or (240) 482-1980 ex. 333

Alley Cat Allies offers these workshops as part of the Every Kitty – Every City program, in which we raise awareness and educate the community in targeted cities about outdoor cats, feral cat colony care, Trap-Neuter-Return, and the importance of accessible, affordable neuter services through workshops, outreach, and organizing. Learn more about activities in your city on its Every Kitty – Every City page at www.alleycat.org/WashDC.

We hope to see you there,
Alley Cat Allies

P.S. Want to hold your own workshops for your community? Learn about hosting workshops.

What to do you with a troubled child.?

Is your teenager running away, truant, abusing alcohol or drugs, or out of control at home, at school or in the community? Get Help from PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
THE group meets in the new Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courthouse Fairfax VA

MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT 7:30 PM
A WALK IN GROUP, WITH NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY, FOR PARENTS AND CUSTODIANS OF AN ADOLESCENTS(COURT INVOLVED OR NOT) SEEKING HELP FINDING INFORMATION, GAINING INSIGHT OR REGAINING CONTROL OF THEIR CHILD.

THIS GROUP IS FREE OF CHARGE AND IS SPONSORED BY THE FAIRFAX COUNTY JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT
CALL GROUP LEADER PAULA KING 703 246 -2495 BETWEEN 8 AM AND 11 PM