Regulators with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency began pressuring card issuers to raise minimum monthly payments. The new law for minimum payments went into effect at the end of 2005, and several credit card companies have already doubled their minimum monthly payments from 2% to 4%. If you are a homeowner, you may want to consider a debt consolidation loan through a mortgage refinance or home equity loan (second mortgage) because it will not only reduce your debt, but you also may get a 100% tax deduction on the interest you pay on your loan.

In parts one and two of this debt relief series we talked about the first two things you need to get taken care of when it comes to negotiating with your creditors. Now, we'll look at the third thing on that list, reviewing and creating a budget. Why do you need a budget when negotiating with your creditors?

Many individuals and families find themselves squeezed by debt. Today, it is easier than ever to fall into debt or lose control of your spending. If you find that you are having difficulty paying your monthly bills or notice that you have dug yourself in a deep hole and don't know how to climb out of it, one of the strategies that you might want to employ is to seek debt advice.