The simplest way to do debt consolidation with credit and other cards is to transfer the combined balances onto another credit card with low interest rates and one low monthly payment. Most card companies do offer special introductions with low rates for this type of consolidation just for trying their card. However, though obvious, make sure the balance on your new card will cover the outstanding balances of your other cards.

Look for low interest transfers to allow for successful consolidation. Many cards offer these transfers at just 0% interest over an agreed to time period, making them perfect for consolidating your credit and store card balances. However, before taking the plunge you should understand your own situation and how much you can afford for monthly repayments. Never transfer any further balances onto a card when the introductory period is over and the transfer rates have risen to regular high levels. You could jeopardize your situation and ability to pay. What would you do at this point if your personal circumstances suddenly changed? Fact – you would be facing the same spiraling problem of accruing interest and no way of extending your time period.

Another way to consolidate your credit and store cards is simply to ask your family and friends for help. You will have to swallow your pride and embarrassment. However, family and friends have no service charges and don’t charge interest. They are much more likely to offer the lowest payment plans around. You are also definitely guaranteed to make your payments on time and talk to them if one month your finances are tighter than expected. They are much easier to negotiate with. but be wise and get everything in writing so that neither party can default on their agreement. Misunderstandings can happen. Hedge against them ahead of time.

Finally, you may wish to look into non-profit groups. They can renegotiate with your creditors to lower payments and help you avoid having to borrow money through loans or from other sources. Look at all the options now and decide what is best for you.

Before delving on what a debt management plan can do for you as an individual or as a business, it will be good to decide its scope. It is a misconception among many people that debt management plans can only be used for eliminating the existing mound of debts. Nevertheless, debt management plans have an extended scope. As the name suggests, debt management plans may be used with advantage to manage the debts to a particular level. It must be acknowledged that a proper management of debts makes debt consolidation and other methods employed to fight the menace of debts superfluous. Prevention is better than cure. Most of us repeat the adage incessantly. It will be through debt management plans that one can really develop the habits in ones life and dealings.

However, the role played by debt management plans in working with the debts already incurred may not be discounted. Many people owe their financial survival to the debt consolidation loans that helped them counter bankruptcy and other debt related problems.

The author has tried to illustrate the preventive as well as defensive uses of debt management plans through this article. Since the defensive part of the debt management plan is more widely used, we will first discuss the various plans to deal with debts that an individual or business has already incurred. The various debt management plans that come in this category are as follows:

Debt consolidation loans
The most conventional method of dealing with debts is debt consolidation loans. Debt consolidation loan is essentially meant to arrange easy finance for clearing the mound of debts. A single loan is drawn after consolidating the various debts. One aspect that distinguishes debt consolidation loan from other loans is that the borrower gets help and guidance from the debt consolidation loan provider in the settlement of debts. Expert negotiation skills and a proficiency in debt settlement recommend the services of the debt consolidation loan provider in this regard.

Debt consolidation mortgage
Debt consolidation mortgage constitutes a major part of the debt management plans. A debt consolidation mortgage is basically a second mortgage. In this method, the borrower requests the mortgagee who holds the first mortgage to the home to repay his debts. In exchange, the borrower includes the debts while making the monthly repayments. The advantage of the debt management plan is that finance is available for debt consolidation at rates equivalent to a mortgage, i.e. at cheap rate of interest.

Debt consolidation through remortgage
While debt consolidation mortgage entails dealing with the same mortgage lender, debt consolidation through remortgage involves shifting to a mortgage lender who offers a better rate of interest. In this debt management plan, the borrower or the mortgagor requests the new mortgage lender to include several debts along with the unpaid amount on the original mortgage for disbursement. Again, this will help the borrower get cheaper finance for debt consolidation at the rates of a mortgage.

Debt consolidation through credit cards
Credit card as a debt management plan will be especially useful when the debtor wants a quicker settlement of debts. As in loans and mortgages, a credit card user need not wait for the debt management plan to be approved and sanctioned. Another advantage of credit cards as a debt management plan is that borrower is not required to pledge any of his/ her assets to back the loan. This can however be too expensive for the credit card user.

Debt consolidation through home equity loans
Home equity loan is a secured loan taken against the equity in ones home. Home equity loans put a convenient method of debt settlement. A home equity loan is a multi-purpose loan that can be used with equal advantage whether in a debt management plan or for making home improvements. Since home equity loan is secured, it provides cheaper finance. However, the borrower needs to be regular in making repayments to protect his house from repossession.

Debt consolidation through debt settlement
This form of debt management plan involves associating with a debt settlement company. The debt settlement company undertakes to repay the debts while the debtor repays the amount through small monthly instalments to the debt settlement company.

As discussed above, the preventive methods are equally important tactics employed to avert the occurrence of debts. Debt counselling aims to impart debt management training to individuals as well as businesses. People are taught the manner in which to manage their revenues. Many of the tips provided as a part of the debt counselling techniques are time worn. The aim of debt counselling is not to recall these techniques, but to help people through innovative ways and means to employ these techniques in their life.

The defensive debt management plans having repaid the debts, do not give sufficient guarantee of the menace of debts not raising its head again. There is a need to end the cycle of the debts, and the preventive part of debt management plans will be especially helpful on this count.