How To Settle Your Urgent Bills Before The Holidays  

No one wants urgent bills hanging over their heads during the holidays. Collector calls and struggling to make minimal payments don't make for seasonal cheer. It also prevents you from doing what you want during the holidays, like traveling to see relatives, cooking for friends and family, and buying gifts. 

You can make it through the season and keep bill collectors happy. All it takes is some negotiating and understanding what many offer. Keep reading to learn how to settle your urgent bills before the holidays. 

How To Face A Financial Emergency This Holiday Season

Pay Off Small Amounts

Bills can be overwhelming, but there may be some small ones, like a $15 co-payment for a doctor's visit that you can pay. That will reduce collection calls and improve your credit score. It will also help reduce stress and build confidence about tackling other bills. 

Negotiate Your Loans

Many loan companies, credit unions, and banks offer a month's loan deferment. Some are specific to the holiday season, while others provide one deferment as a standard practice for those paying on time previously. Skipping a month's payment without penalty or being required to catch up next month can go a long way to settling your urgent bills. 

Stand Your Ground 

People often make the mistake of thinking every bill is urgent and needs to be immediately paid. That is what bill collectors tell you to get you to pay them what they want. They may threaten you, coerce you, or make demands. This causes a lot of stress. 

Truthfully, they have no power. You have total control over what you pay and when. They will work with you if you stand your ground.

Woman reviews her urgent bills in front of a christmas tree

Decide Which Bills Are Urgent

Three types of bills should take top priority in paying. Your rent or mortgage, utilities, and any vehicle loan payments. All others can wait or be paid after the holidays. 

Fortunately, all three types usually have options to defer some payment until later or a program to help lower-income workers. Some utility companies have "pay-as-you-go programs" so you can keep your power on without having to pay the whole bill at once. There are no reconnection charges for that, either. 

Many people consider the internet and cell phones a high priority because they use them for work or entertainment. Those companies often work out payment arrangements with you to pay in divided payments after the holidays. The critical point is to settle all your worrisome, urgent bills before the season kicks in. 

What If I Have None Of Those Options?

Some people may be stuck in a hole where they have unexpected urgent bills or an event, like a water pipe burst, wipes out their budget. Don't worry. You still have fast funding options with alternative lending with Missouri Title Loans, Inc

This private lender offers title loans and installment loans.

Option #1: Title Loans

At Missouri Title Loans, Inc., we offer title loans with a maximum of $15,000. Those seeking this need a driver's license or state-issued ID, a clean or lien-free title to a vehicle they own entirely and freely, and the vehicle available for inspection. 

Option #2: Installment Loans

The maximum limit for an installment loan with at Missouri TItle Loans, Inc. is $1,000. These are loans similar to personal loans repaid over several months. You will need a driver's license or valid state ID, a checking account statement where you're the account holder, and your most recent pay stub to qualify for this loan. 

grandfather with grandchild hugging and wearing a Christmas hat.

Finding Out Which Loan Option Is Best

You can get more information about our loans by completing a simple online inquiry form. Someone from the nearest store will call, answer your questions, and tell you the next steps. 

A meeting with a loan representative will include validating your document and inspecting your car if you seek a title loan. They will check your credit if you are seeking an installment loan. Perfect credit isn't required, but a loan representative will review the score for those seeking installment loans.

You will get a decision before you leave the meeting. That can happen in as little as 30 minutes. You will have access to money either the same day or the next business day. It's a straightforward process open to many working people, even those with bad or no credit. 

Fill Out The Online Form Today!

Filling out the form doesn't obligate you to take out a loan but can give you some great information to help you decide. The holidays don't need to be a time of stress. You can settle your urgent bills with some extra cash flow that will help make your season brighter. 

Missouri Title Loans, Inc. can guide you through the process. You don't have to deal with urgent bills alone. Fill out the form today!

 

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Mason Roberts

Mason Roberts is a seasoned economics writer and blogger with a knack for breaking down and simply communicating the ever-changing world of finance. He is philosophically committed to the premise that financial knowledge equals financial freedom.