Tag Archives: Debt

FIRMS Goal for 2016

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    Today is the end of a year, 2015, and what a great year it was!  Tomorrow is a new beginning, a new start, a new opportunity for individuals and businesses to grow and to change and to reach the goals and accomplish those tasks that have been on the to-do list for awhile.

At FIRMS we take great pride in being one of the premier debt collection companies in the industry.  Our focus has always been and will continue to be helping doctors office, small businesses, and any other company stay open and profitable by helping to collect on outstanding debts.  FIRMS is very unique and vastly different from other debt collections agencies because we are not just focused on collecting money but on making sure we change the debt collection game in the process.

We have written before about some of the ways FIRMS is unique.  Whether it be our focus on making the account management fast and simple for office managers, or our dedication to helping those individuals we contact to collect from by writing their resume and helping them find work when they are unemployed, or it could be our wanting to change the debt collection industry by offering our clients complete transparency when it comes to the collection process and account updates.

FIRMS is making 2016 a year of growth and change.  We are more committed than ever to help our clients collect on those outstanding debts and to help local communities by collecting in a friendly, uplifting, and effective process.

If you have been reading and are curious as to how FIRMS can help your business, now is the time to contact our offices.  Don’t put off for tomorrow what you should be doing today.

We wish you a very happy New Year and look forward to working with you!
     – FIRMS

What we can learn from Steve Harvey

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    I would imagine most everyone in the universe has been reading about the mishap with Steve Harvey and the Miss Universe competition that happened last week where Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner in front of the entire world.   

Everyone has some experience in our lives where we can relate to Steve Harvey and the embarrassment that followed the broadcast.  Granted, most of us reading this have not made such a large mistake on national television but we have made embarrassing mistakes in our lives in the past.  Maybe we have made poor financial mistakes and now find ourselves living with an embarrassment because we are too far in debt and don’t know how to get out.

Living with debt can be embarrassing because it keeps us from living a life we would like to live, at least it can feel that way sometimes.  Maybe we are driving an old, beat-up car and cannot afford a newer, better looking model because of our debt and financial situation.  Maybe we cannot afford the new home because of our credit score.  Whatever the reason may be the fact remains that we can learn three vital lessons from Steve Harvey and the Miss Universe competition that will help us face our debt and work towards moving past our financial obstacles in life.

  1. Turn and walk away.  Once Steve Harvey had announced his mistake and corrected the error, he turned and walked off stage.  Now, FIRMS is not recommending that you walk away from your debt before you’ve had the chance to pay it off, more that you walk away from the embarrassment and the error.  Don’t linger in the mistakes but turn your back on the financial mishaps you have made and begin the journey to a better financial future.
  2. The next thing Steve Harvey did was issue an apology for the mistake.  Now, you don’t have to tweet out that you have made some financial mistakes.  But you need to acknowledge the mistakes you have made and move forward, don’t allow yourself to stay in the pain of being financially behind.
  3. Laugh it off.  Steve Harvey sent out a meme on his Facebook page where he was making fun of himself for the mistake.  It’s always important that we learn to laugh at ourselves and not let the weight of the situation drag us down further.  Get out in front of the issue and show yourself you can move on.

Not everyone understands the reality that being in debt is not just a financial situation but that it can affect us emotionally, physically, and financially.  You have to have a plan to move forward and get back on track with your finances and your life.  Being a premier debt collection agency, FIRMS is seeking to do just that, to help you find your way out of debt.

We understand it can seem contrary to the plan of a debt collection company to help people get out of and avoid going into debt.  But the truth is we are constantly seeking ways to help people better manage their finances, their careers, and help them live better and more financially stable lives.

FIRMS is here to help with any debt or financial question you might have.  Leave your comments below and we will address them in future blog posts.

 

  • FIRMS

Positive Tips To Getting Debt-Free

Debt Collection, Debt Collection Company, Personal Finance, , , , , , , , , , , ,

    At FIRMS we are aware that most you are probably still trying to get used to the fact that a premier debt collection agency, such as FIRMS, would actually want to help you get out of debt.  Well, trust us when we say that a major part of our pride is helping people just like you learn to better manage your finances and become financially healthy so you can avoid going into unnecessary debt.   While most debt collection companies might try to intimidate you and remain focused on simply collecting your money, FIRMS is dedicated to helping you learn to get out and stay out of debt.

One of the more serious factors in the life of someone stuck in the debt cycle is their mindset.  It is not just the mindset of finances and understanding money but the mindset of negativity that keeps us outside the place of growth and change.  One of the most important aspects to getting out of debt and making better financial decisions is staying positive in your thinking and your views about where you are going.

FIRMS has developed three changes you can make starting right now in your life to help you get out and stay out of debt.

  1. Stay Positive in your thinking.  NEVER allow your thoughts or feelings go to a negative place concerning your finances.  If you currently have some outstanding debts, don’t have negative thinking keep you in the debt cycle.  Change your thinking to be positive.  Tell yourself that yes, you do have some debt, but you are going to have everything paid off soon and you are making better financial decisions.  
  2. Set a goal and complete it.  Start with something simple like you are going to cook dinner at home more often rather than eating out.  Don’t start with your first goal being something along the lines of paying off your home.  Sure, you can pay off your home but that could take a long time.  We are looking for short term goals that you can complete soon and get some momentum going in your favor.
  3. Set a savings goal.  Set out to save $100 and then take that $100 and put it towards one of your outstanding bills or debts.  Write your goal down on a piece of paper and set it somewhere you’ll see it often.  Maybe tape it to your refrigerator or inside your car where you can see it.  Now work towards saving that $100.  Look in your house and car for spare change, maybe make your coffee at home instead of going to Starbucks. Once you have saved your $100 go and put it towards an outstanding debt.

These are three actions and changes you can make RIGHT NOW that will help you get out of debt and actions that will make you much better and managing your personal finances and having far better financial health.

    Leave your comments below and let us know some of the ways you work to become better at managing your finances.  And as always, leave any questions you have below and we will answer them in our upcoming blog posts.  FIRMS is dedicated to helping you get out of debt.

 

  • FIRMS

Saving Money During The Holiday’s

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    Christmas Day is only ONE WEEK away!  Where has 2015 gone?  While most of you are no doubt almost finished with your holiday and Christmas gift buying there is still time to avoid going into debt and save money and at FIRMS, the premiere debt collection company, we are hoping to help you do just that.

    According to an article written at Daily Mail, 1 in 3 people will go into debt during the holiday season!  We at FIRMS want to make sure we don’t see your name on one of our future contact lists and so we have created a few simple tips and tricks that you can use this holiday season to help you spend less, save more, and avoid going into debt.

    The easiest thing to do at Christmas time is spend money.  With all the Christmas and New Year’s parties to attend, the traveling during the holidays, and the gift buying, there is no doubt that December will be an expensive month for most people.  Follow some of these steps below and you’re guaranteed to save some money.

  1. Make sure and track your spending.  Keeping track of your spending by writing down every purchase you make at the end of the day will help you put into perspective how much money you have going out of your checking account and wallet.  Go out and buy a little notebook and start writing down every purchase you make.  It helps to cut down on those extra purchases that add up in the end.
  2. Pay with cash.  It is all too easy to charge everything on your credit card or your check card.  But studies show that we have a tendency to spend more when we pay with a card over cash.  Go online and do your shopping, then go to the store and buy your gifts suing cash and LEAVE YOUR CARD AT HOME!  If you bring just enough cash and leave your card at the house you will be less likely to buy those extra gifts you can’t afford.
  3. Budget! Budget! Budget!  If you haven’t already set a budget for your monthly expenses and bills GO DO IT NOW.  Seriously, you need to have a handle on the money you have coming in and going out.  Being aware of what you have available in your checking account will prevent you from overspending on gifts and then being cut short on your bills when they are due.
  4. Think outside the box.  When it comes to gifts remember that some of the best gifts you can give is your time and talent.  Maybe you can offer to help a friend clean up their computer?  Or you can offer to babysit for a date night for friends or family in lieu of buying a gift.  Invite friends over for a movie night or have them over for a dinner party.  These are little ways to share more of the spirit of the holiday season and save yourself some money at the same time.

    Remember, the holiday’s are mainly about having time to share love with your friends and family and less about spending exuberant amounts of money on gifts we won’t remember next year.  So this Christmas, leave your credit cards at home and spend some extra hours close to the one’s you love the most and you’ll have priceless memories for years to come.

Happy Holiday’s from the best debt collection agency in the business,

  • FIRMS.

FIRMS, helping people all year.

About FIRMS, Debt Collection, Debt Collection Company, Personal Finance, , , , , , , , , , , ,

        As we come to the holiday season, with Thanksgiving having gone and Christmas being just around the corner, we approach a time of the year when everyone begins to place others ahead of themselves.  We think about the loved ones in our lives, friends and family, and we also consider those less fortunate than ourselves and how we can help them have a better holiday season.  From charitable donations and donating to the red cross, to paying it forward, we are surrounded by love and kindness this holiday season brings.

At FIRMS, we work to help those in need or in tight financial positions in life on an everyday basis.  Part of our mission at FIRMS is to help those who could benefit from a little assistance.  While most debt collection agencies in the debt collection business focus only on collecting the debt due and blurring the line between harassment and due diligence, FIRMS places our focus on collecting debt for our clients and also helping those who are in tight financial binds.

FIRMS realized that some people are simply in tight spots and need help wherever they can get it.  Our specialists at FIRMS will often contact individuals who have fallen behind on their bills due to a loss in employment.  While most debt collection companies may continue to call and send letters demanding immediate payment FIRMS has decided to take a very different approach.  FIRMS specialists will assist individuals in not only creating and improving their resume but also in sending their resume out to various job search websites to help them find employment and get back on their feet and on their way to financial freedom.

At FIRMS we are not only focused on collecting outstanding debts for our clients, that is our chief focus, but we are also very interested in helping people live a better life and building strong ties in the communities where we provide our top tier services of debt collection.

       At FIRMS we never just see dollars and cents but we see families and individuals and we see businesses thriving and communities strengthened and brought closer together.

We feel that FIRMS can make a positive and lasting impact not only for your business but for your customers who may have fallen behind on their bills and in the community where you do business.  Remember when it comes to debt collection companies and debt collection services, FIRMS stands above all the rest.

 

  • FIRMS.

Saving Money To Avoid Going Into Debt

Nobody wants to get a notification from a debt collection agency that they have an outstanding debt, even if it’s from an amazing debt collection company such as FIRMS (we’re a little bias).  Nonetheless, we at FIRMS have written a post to help you plan for your financial future and avoid falling into unnecessary debt.

Life can bring a variety of uncertain twists and turns and without being properly prepared for those funny little bumps in the road  we can find ourselves struggling to financially handle them.  When life brings those twists and turns and we are unable to financially pay for them, we can begin a life of debt in order to cover our unexpected bills.  However, establishing a proper savings account can help us avoid going into unnecessary debt and can keep us financially liquid and stable for the rest of our lives.

There are 4 main twists and turns that can cause us to go into debt if we are not prepared.

  1. Unexpected Medical Bills.
  2. Sudden loss in employment.
  3. Significant life changes.
  4. Divorce.

Most of these financial hiccups can be handled without being forced into debt if we are properly prepared and we can properly prepare by simply saving money.  Some experts suggest having three months of expenses in your checking account at any given time along with having a separate emergency fund in order to be adequately prepared.

If you don’t have any form of savings for those emergencies and unexpected financial burdens in life, we suggest starting with a basic emergency fund where you will save $1,000.  Saving an initial $1,000 is important because it will help you focus on putting money away and it won’t make the process of saving seem so daunting.

Once you have your initial $1,000 emergency fund saved you can begin setting more money aside to build your main fund of having two-three months of expenses saved and available, should you experience a sudden financial burden.

We have 5 top ways to start saving money today.

  1. Set a budget…AND STICK TO IT.  Don’t allow yourself to deviate from your budget once it’s set.
  2. Don’t stress spend.  Most of us tend to make little purchases whenever we want to or when things get stressful but those purchases can add up fast!
  3. Eat out less and cook more.  Going out to restaurants for your meals can get expensive, especially if you’re doing it more than once a day.  Start cooking your meals at home, it will save money and bring your family closer together too.
  4. Save anything and everything.  You found an extra $3 in the laundry?  Put in your savings account instead of spending it.  No matter how big or small the amount is, put it in your savings account, you’ll be amazed how fast your savings account can reach your goal.
  5. Wait 30 days before making a significant, non-essential purchase.  Thinking of buying that new $60 video game?  Wait 30-days.  You’re less likely to make those insignificant purchases after 30 days and those $60 video games can add up fast and keep you from reaching your savings goals.

Saving money for unexpected life events and bills can be fun and easy when you put your mind to it.  Don’t be intimidated by the number you need to save, start saving now and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you reach your goals.  Your future self will thank you for it.

 

  • FIRMS.