Getting Around The Bankruptcy Option Word Count: 587 Summary: "Money, money, money. Must be funny in a rich man’s world". Very aptly put by ABBA, money is meant to be spent. It is the source of pleasure and gratification of many people . Indiscriminate spending may be the inclination of the Bill Gates of the world. But what if you don’t have the means to indulge in this penchant for spending? This could result to very serious financial problems. Money or the lack of it is the source of dilemma of many individuals. People who are experie... Keywords: Financial Problems, Debt, Bankruptcy, Individual Voluntary Arrangement, Money Article Body: "Money, money, money. Must be funny in a rich man’s world". Very aptly put by ABBA, money is meant to be spent. It is the source of pleasure and gratification of many people . Indiscriminate spending may be the inclination of the Bill Gates of the world. But what if you don’t have the means to indulge in this penchant for spending? This could result to very serious financial problems. Money or the lack of it is the source of dilemma of many individuals. People who are experiencing financial difficulties due to poor income, enormous debts, indiscriminate spending and other financial troubles would think of bankruptcy as a way out. True enough, the bankruptcy option will enable a distressed individual to be free of hounding creditors; to be able to have a clean slate and to start anew. Whatever the circumstances may be, the filing of personal bankruptcy should be last on the list of a financially unfortunate individual. It is more prudent to think of alternatives to evade the bankruptcy option. A call for a change in one’s attitude towards financial matters especially with regards to spending is needed. It is a fact that most huge debts are not due to poor income but rather due to indiscriminate spending. Even with bankruptcy, a reckless spender would find himself deep in debts time and time again. Therefore it is imperative to change one’s manner concerning financial matters. A possible way to realize cash is to sell properties. Selling your house or your car is a possible way to pay off the debts. It is better to dispose some properties rather than file for bankruptcy. The logic for this is that once you are free of your creditors, you can buy a used car or a smaller house. Debt consolidation is another way to circumvent the threat of bankruptcy. This is done by borrowing money from a single lender to pay off debts from several creditors. By paying off matured and demandable debts and debts with higher interests, the borrower is given a healthy financial footing. Also he is given more time to pay since the debt is now new. Debt consolidation can be accomplished more effectively if the borrower enlists the help of a debt consolidator and/or a debt counselor. These people are faced with different financial situations and financial problems daily. Being experts in the field of financial and debt management, the support and help they will provide will be invaluable. A debt consolidator will work up a plan to improve the borrower’s proposal and act as a go-between with the creditors. A debt counselor’s task is to give the borrower advice most suited to his financial situation. His experiences with different financial circumstances will enable him to give the best solution to the borrower’s financial problems. Discussing payment options with the creditors is more sensible rather than evading the issue. Debt problems won’t go away even if you try to hide from your creditors. What you need is action and you need to do it fast to avoid bankruptcy. With the help of credit counselors, a debtor can work out payment plans. With the credit counselor as a mediator, negotiations will be easily made since his presence would mean that the debtor is serious with his intention to pay. Bankruptcy option needs a lot of considerations because of the stigma it carries. A smart debtor would think of alternatives to avoid taking bankruptcy as his final choice.