Can a debt collector call you during holidays?

The holiday season is something that you want to enjoy with your family and friends without worrying about anything. That includes calls from debt recovery agencies like Cedar Financial too. But sometimes a collector calls you during the holiday season to recover the debt. If you are one of those debtors who faced this issue, you may have a lot of questions, like is it legal to call you during the holiday season, and so on?

In this blog, we will try our best to answer your question.

Is it legal for a debt collector to call during the holiday season?

No country has any specific guidelines when it comes to holiday seasons like New Year, Christmas, Diwali, and so on. So, yeah technically a collector is not breaking any laws if they call you during the holiday season.

But if it makes you uncomfortable or takes away your time with family, you can ask the debtor to stop. They should oblige, and if they don’t, you can raise a complaint. The guidelines state that a collector cannot call you at times when it is inconvenient like early morning or late nights, or in-office if you ask them not to. So, asking them to not call you during the holidays should work.

Here are some things you can do when a collector calls you during holidays

1. Tell them to stop calling you

If a collector calls you during the holiday season, you can ask them to stop calling at that time. You can tell them a time which is good for you, and they will call you at that time.

If you want the collector to stop calling you completely, you have to send them a written notice.

Keep in mind, this won’t make the debt or the ramifications of not paying the debt go away. You still need to deal with it, and the best way is to talk to the collector at a later time. Otherwise, your credit report will get updated with collections.

2. Validate the debt and ask for a negotiation plan

If you want the collector to call at another time to sort out the debt issues so that it doesn’t escalate, that is best. When they call you again, make sure to ask them to validate the debt. Once you are sure that the debt belongs to you, you can either pay the whole sum, if you can. Or you can negotiate with the collector. They can negotiate or come up with a payment plan.

Whatever terms you agree upon, make sure that you get it in writing which is signed by all parties involved.

3. Take help from a lawyer

If you think that the collector has made a mistake calling you about a debt which you don’t owe. You can take help from a lawyer that is well-versed in this area. They can advise you on how to move forward.

Reputable debt collectors never call you again at a time which is not right for you. But if you come across a collector who does, ask your lawyer for advice.

Don’t ignore a debt collector’s call just because its holidays. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Talk to them, explain your situation and ask them to call at a convenient call to talk more about the debt.

Debt gone to collection? Here's what you can expect

The most common type of debt in the world is credit card debt, and the second most common debt is a student loan. Having debt is no one’s choice. But sometimes you are not able to pay your bills on time, and you have a debt.

For a debtor, it is important to understand what happens to your debt when you are unable to pay. That is why, in this blog, we will read all about your debt going to the collection and what to expect when it happens.

When a debt does go to collection?

First, let’s understand what a collection is. When a creditor sells your debt to a debt buyer or hires a collection agency to recover the debt, they report it to the credit bureau. The bureau shows that debt under the tab of collection, and it stays on the report till seven years whether you pay the debt or not. It affects your credit score negatively, and paying it off, even in installments helps improve your score.

The reasons why your debt went for collection is because:

1. You didn’t respond to the letters or calls or demand letter of the creditor
2. You refused to pay your debt or you are not able to reach a settlement to pay the outstanding amount.
3. You agreed to pay the debt on a given gate, but you failed to honor your word.
4. All these scenarios compel a creditor to either sell your debt or hire a collector.

Here what happens when your debt goes to collection?

It is important to understand what happens when your debt goes to collection. It is because it helps you to figure out a plan to pay the debt or handle a collector.

In case the debt is assigned to a collection agency, here’s what happens

If the creditor has hired a collection agency to recover the outstanding amount, the collection agency has to follow their instructions. They can and will update your credit report with collection, but they cannot sue a debtor without the say so of the original lender.

Moreover, they cannot negotiate the amount or provide a settlement plan without the consent of the creditor. But they certainly can influence them, and since, they are experienced, a creditor usually listens to them. You can read customer review of Cedar financial to know what process of debt collection they follow.

A collection agency works fast

A collection agency works on commission, and they usually get around 25% to 60% of the total debt that they collect. It provides them with a higher incentive to collect debt fast.

Since they work on commission, they move fast. As soon as they get the account from the creditor, they start contacting the debtor. It can be through mails or phone call, if they can’t reach you through normal methods, they use skip tracing technique to contact you.

Once they make contact with you, you have thirty days to validate the debt. Once you do that, you need to pay the debt or they can provide you with a lawsuit.

A collector knows all the laws-national and international, thus making them a perfect partner for a creditor. They also follow a code of ethics and rules, and reputable collection companies never harass or abuse a debtor.

As a debtor, you should work with a collector to pay off the debt quickly. Also, if you don’t understand the terms or process, you can hire an attorney.

Steps to follow while repaying a debt

When an international debt collection service agency is contacting you, it can be quite unnerving. But you have to stop panicking, and start thinking with a clear mind. If you do owe a certain debt, you need to start figuring out how you will pay the debt. Also, you need to figure out how you can negotiate with the debt collector to give you more time to pay the amount or negotiate the amount itself.

Sometimes, you can negotiate the amount, and the time with the creditor itself, if a third-party collector is not involved yet. Anyhow, you do need to pay the debt otherwise; you can face serious consequences, like a lawsuit or decrease in your credit score or both.

Here are some steps to keep in mind, while trying to come up with payment options for the debt.

First step: Debt verification

Don’t owe the debt or start making payments before you verify that the specific debt, for which the collector has contacted you, actually belongs to you. Also, verify the debt collection agency and its legitimacy, whether the debt is within the statute of limitations or not, and so on.

You can ask the process of verification, which is usually simple, like sending a written request to the creditor. Once they verify your debt, you can figure out a payment plan.

Second step: Make a budget which can help you determine what you can pay

Now that you know that the debt is yours, you have to come up with a plan to repay the debt. For that asses all your finances, and determine how much you can pay at the given time. If it is the full amount, it is great. Otherwise, you should ask for more time or some installment plans.

Also, you have to start cutting your expenses, so that you can pay the debt by making a budget. It can help you pay for the debt, and can also help you save money for emergencies.

Third step: Get to know your rights

As a debtor, you should know your rights. A collector won’t abuse you or threaten you, but you still should be aware. Here are some important laws that you should keep in mind:

A collector has to give a written letter with details like debt amount, creditor’s name, a debtor’s right to dispute the debt, and so on.

1. They don’t have the right to harass or abuse you.
2. They can call you at work, but if you ask them not to, they have to oblige.
3. A collector cannot disclose about your debt to anyone except your attorney or spouse.

Fourth step: Negotiation

You can draft an application explaining your current situation and they have to consider it. Make sure your proposal is balanced so that they cannot refuse it.

1. Start with a lower amount than what you can actually pay, and lead from that.
2. After you both agree, get it in writing.
3. Also, you can ask the collector to provide you with a payment plan if negotiation doesn’t work. In  this, you pay some amount every month, till the debt is paid fully.

Last step: Payment

You can pay a certified check in the name of the creditor or cash. Make sure you document everything.

Knowing all this can help you pay your debt on time.

Running hot? 5 home remedies to try when suffering from fever

Come winters and most people suffer from low-grade or high-grade fever. Fever is quite discomforting and with muscle pains, it makes it hard for people to work and do even normal chores. Especially, children suffer from a lot of fever during winter times.

Fever is not an illness though, it is a defense mechanism of your body. When your body suffers from an infection- viral, bacterial, or fungal, your body tries to fight it off and fever is one of the symptom of the same. Fevers are of two types- one is low grade fever which home tips can cure, other is high-grade fever like typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, and so on, which needs antibiotics and professional diagnosis.

In any case, some home or natural remedies can help you feel more comfortable and even bring down the fever a little.

Warm bath to bring down the fever

When you are running a fever, you should never take a cold bath as it rushes blood to your internal organs. The internal organs are trying to keep you cool, so this is a bad idea. Instead, fill your bath with lukewarm water and take a bath. It will help bring the fever down.

If you don’t feel like taking a bath, sponge bath yourself with a damp warm washcloth. Also, if the fever is too high, you can try putting a cold washcloth to your forehead, it can bring down the fever a bit.

Be comfortable

You need to wear clothes that make you comfortable and also keep you cool. So, wear loose clothes or clothes that don’t heat you. Also, it is best to have a low running fan in the room or have a window open, otherwise, the fever can increase. Moreover, don’t cover yourself with too many blankets.

Eat right

Don't eat foods that are not digestible easily like whole grain wheat. Instead, eat porridge, or khichdi or quinoa or egg, something that is high in protein and is digestible.
Also, drink lots of water, coconut water, soups, and so on. Don’t drink energy drinks or caffeine.
Drink orange juice as it is rich in Vitamin C, which helps strengthen your immunity.

Ginger tea

Grate ginger in water and let it boil, add lemon juice and a pinch of honey, and keep stirring it till all the contents mix. Strain it, and then drink the ginger tea. It is great for relieving sore throat, which can be the reason for your fever.

Basil tea

It is rich in antioxidants and can help you bring down your fever. Boil water with 15-20 basil leaves, add ginger or honey in it if you want. Drink this tea at least twice or thrice in a day to bring down the fever.

Please note, that in case a child is suffering from high fever- more than 100 degree, it is best to take the kid to the doctor. Take the complete course of antibiotic, while eating right and using home remedies if you want.

5 reason why you feel tired and low on energy

Feeling low on energy is the worst of all, but you are not alone. There are tons of people out there who feel tired and low on energy all the time.

It is a mystery why some people feel that they have so little energy, especially after having a good night’s sleep or eating the right food. There are other factors like stress that make you tired, and even though you are pumped to accomplish a task, it feels impossible to do so.

It is normal to have bad days. Most of the time, our lifestyle choices is the culprit, and you can boost your energy levels naturally by making some changes.

But if you feel constant fatigue, it is best to talk to a doctor so that they can rule out some serious health conditions. Still, negative lifestyle choices can be the reason for low energy.

Let's look at some reasons why you are always tired?

Not sleeping throughout the night

If you don’t take a full eight hours of sleep, you will feel tired and low on energy the next day. Other times, you do take a full night’s sleep, but yet you don’t feel energetic. The reason for this can be that you didn’t sleep well. You kept tossing and turning around the whole night, which will lower your energy levels.

Also, you may feel tensed while sleeping due to all the work that you have to do, disrupting your sleep.
If you nap during the daytime, it can also disrupt your sleeping cycle which leads to low energy.

Consuming too many energy drinks

Energy drinks have excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar, more than a single cup of coffee. It can give you energy for a little while, but during the rest of the day, your energy levels keep decreasing.

It is best to stop consuming energy drinks altogether as they are bad for your health. Switch it with coconut water or drink a cup of black coffee or green tea or so on. But if you can’t give up energy drinks instantly, don’t drink them late in the afternoon.

Stress

Stress is one of the biggest reasons, in my opinion, that can lead to a lot of problems. It can disrupt your sleep and mood. When you are stressed, it can cause mood swings and make you tired.

There are ways through which you can manage your stress, like yoga and meditation. Also, writing about your day will help you figure out what stresses you, and you can take steps to fix it.

Sedentary lifestyles

Many people have a job that requires them to sit for long. Others watch TV or play games, which again means that they have to sit for long. It means that your body is not getting the physical exercise that it is supposed to, and our bodies need to move.

Thus, no matter how tired you are after coming home, do a physical activity that makes you feel good and boost your energy.

Bad diet

If your diet has less protein and more carbs, especially carbs from junk food, you will feel tired and low on energy. Also, a diet like this is bad for your health.

Take care of your mental health and body to feel energetic.

Coconut oil in your coffee? 5 reason why it is a good idea

A good cup of coffee in the morning is like heaven for coffee-lovers. It makes them energetic and gives them a rush that nothing else can give them in the morning. A coffee lover is always looking out for different ways to make their coffee, although they are very strict about how you make it. If you like experimenting with your coffee, you must have tried flavored coffee, or various coffee pods brands, and methods of brewing it. And you must have a favorite, but have you ever tried of including coconut oil in your coffee? Sounds weird right? But don’t knock off the idea until you have tasted it.

There are tons of reasons why you should add coconut oil in your favorite beverage. It is good for health, and believe it or not it does taste better.

Let’s look at five reasons why you should use coconut oil in your coffee

It helps fight infection

Coconut oil is a good source of lauric acid, which is a fatty acid. It has an antimicrobial effect on tons of organisms. Studies show that coconut oil can help you fight tons of infections, like fungal infection and gram-positive bacteria to name a few.

It tastes good

Using a bit of coconut oil in your coffee makes it taste better. We know that it has various health benefits, but it is also good in taste. If you have heard of bulletproof coffee, you would know some people who make it use coconut oil in for a taste and also for providing energy for a long time.

It increases your metabolism

Everyone knows that coffee is one of the things that can increase your metabolism by 3-4%, which means you lose a few extra calories. Similarly, studies show that coconut oil also increases your metabolism and is said to help you lose 120 calories extra. That is mind-blowing, it is not much, but with a daily intake of these two items, you can push your metabolism to work hard to lose the extra pounds.

Helps you reduce overeating

Coconut oil has properties that control your appetite. Consuming a little coconut oil daily prevents your body from going into the mode of hunger which leads to overeating or snacking, Caffeine found in coffee is said to have the same properties, mixing these two can help you eat less or stop unnecessary snacking.

Improves digestion

Coconut oil and caffeine found in a coconut oil coffee are great for your gut. Coconut oil is a natural laxative, and caffeine is a natural stimulant. They both work together to keep your digestive system well.

How to make coconut oil coffee?

It is simple to make it:

Brew the coffee as you like, then add 1-2 tablespoon of coconut oil or as per your taste. Now blend it for 20-30 seconds or till the color becomes lighter. Your coffee is ready; you can also add other things like extracts or herbs or whipped cream and drink it hot or cold.

Try this and share your experience in the comments.

Planning to launch your website? Read this first

The digital domain has expanded exponentially in the last decade and around 3.4 billion people are on social media platforms. So, why shouldn’t your website be in the digital domain and have a social media presence? To leverage the benefits of the internet, you must create your business’s website. This website will become your face to the customer. Hence, it is even more important to build a proper website. Some of the points that help you in getting started are:

Website functionality: Once you have created your website, double-check the details and features in it. Ensure that all these elements like signups, comments, social media links, product details, etc. are functioning correctly. You can also check the internal and external links, to check if the redirects are working correctly. Checking for SEO compatibility is important so that your website can be accessed easily from all the smart devices. It is all about creating a good customer experience.

Website sitemap: The sitemap tells the search engine about the new pages that have been added to it. This is important to increase your website’s SEO ranking. The better the ranking, the higher your website will be displayed in the search results. Some plugins like Google XML Sitemaps automatically create your website’s sitemap and submit it to the search engines.

Website analytics: The performance of your website can be assessed by analytics. Google Analytics is one such portal where you can see trends of important KPIs of your website. this will give you an idea about what works best for your website. You can use this data to create marketing and business strategies to create maximum impact on your potential customers. Customize the dashboard on google analytics and learn more about customers and market trends to grow your business.

Social media presence: In today’s era, social media is a great platform to reach out to a wider audience. Interacting with potential customers is direct and dynamic. Through this medium, you can create strong customer relations. Moreover, you can promote your products, run new marketing campaigns, and take feedback also. Thus your website should be compatible will all the social media platforms where you are planning to create an account. If you are not taking the benefits of social media, then your business is at a great loss.

Website backups: The digital domain has some risks that can lead to loss of data from your website. These risks include website server crash, hacking, malware infection, etc. Your website can also lose the data accidentally due to human error as well. Thus, backups are important to protect the data on your website.  So, if god forbid you lose your website, you can use backups to get it back in working condition.

Additionally, archiving your website also helps. Many third-party web archiving vendors like Stillio offer website archiving services where your website’s snapshots are saved periodically. 

These are some of the points that you must take care while creating a website for your business. Also, think about website archiving as losing all the hard work you have put in to create your website shouldn’t go waste.