A consumer can apply for debt review if they are unable to meet their debt commitments. However, in some cases, a consumer’s finances may improve and they wish to exit. Whether or not you are able to exit will be determined by where you are in the process. Financial journalist Maya Fisher-French explains the process. Courtesy DStv403.

Okay, everyone, we need to talk about debt consolidation! I received an awesome Q from Emily inside of the DFM Facebook Group, and she asks, “What is debt consolidation? Should I be considering it?” Here’s my quick explanation of debt consolidation and my opinion on it.

——–
? CHECK OUT THE FREEDOM PROJECT
My 4-Step Debt Free Plan in My Online Course: http://bit.ly/35ZCUk8

——–
I’M SOCIAL UP IN HURR:
? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debtfreemillennials
? Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/debtfreemillennials
? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debtfree_millennials
? Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/debtfreejustine
? Site: https://www.debtfreemillennials.com

DebtBusters, South Africa’s award winning and most TRUSTED debt management company offers Debt Counselling to over-indebted South African consumers struggling to manage their debt.

DebtBuster’s believes in giving South African consumers a second chance to build a brighter financial future. The stories we hear from our clients, about how they have been able to transform their lives through DebtBusters debt counselling, is at the core of what drives us.

Why is Debt Counselling with DebtBusters different?
We are South Africa’s most trusted Debt counsellor and have been since 2007
We pride ourselves in building lasting relationships with our clients
We are values driven; pride, growing people, service excellence, forward thinking, integrity, accountability and passion
We are the only Debt Counsellor offering a self-help customer portal – Smartcents (www.smartcents.co.za)
Our teams have bright dedicated and service oriented people who are passionate about helping our clients
Our people continually improve what we do so that we can deliver innovative and unique financial services

We spoke to Leon on how the debt review process was handled by Debt Review Centre and asked for his advice for people who are considering debt review.

How Does Debt Consolidation Work?

We often get the following scenarios that can have the result that debt counseling and debt review actually outs you off much worse than your current situation. What happens if consumers wait too long after they realize that they are in financial distress before they apply for debt counseling and debt review. The answer is very simple yet there is a complex reasoning behind the answer.
If you leave your accounts to get so far in arrears and then apply for debt counseling, Help with debt, debt counselors cannot guarantee that we will be able to lower that specific repayment. The reason being is that your creditors are forced to first bring your arrears amount up to date before they can start paying off your capital. Furthermore, the National Credit Act only allows consumers under debt counseling and debt review to extend certain agreements for a maximum period. This is also dependant on the age of the agreement. For instance, if you have only a few months left on your original contract term but you are in arrears with almost half the agreed amount, the period cannot be extended so much that you will benefit from debt counseling. I had a new client today that was more that 22 months in arrears with a finance agreement that only had 8 months (original) contract term left. The result was that the restructured payment for that account was almost R200 more than his original installment.
This brings me to my next example. Normally if I get clients that are not in arrears with accounts but foresee a difficult financial future, I am almost guaranteed to more than halve their payments.
Bottom line. The sooner you make a plan to sort out a dismal financial situation, the better. Banks and other credit providers respect clients that are precaution and make arrangements throughdebt counselling and debt review sooner than later. If the credit providers have to phone trace and keep on asking you for money they will view you as a risk.
If you feel that you need some more info please contact Help with Debt today