Tips and Advice About Credit Counseling Agencies

Many American families find themselves trapped under insurmountable debt with nowhere to turn. To make matters worse, it seems as though the only way to escape this black hole is to rely on excellent credit, which is difficult to attain after financial lapses. Unfortunately, many credit counseling and debt consolidation companies prey on individuals and families who are in need of a quick fix. It's difficult to weed out the good from the bad, but you have to start by understanding the different options that are available to you. There are two ways to begin to repair your financial situation.
Credit Counseling

Credit counseling is not easy. It won't provide you with a fast and hassle-free way of relieving yourself of debt. Generally, an individual goes to a credit counselor to get advice from an expert on legally and efficiently reducing their debt. A credit counselor will not make any underhanded deals with credit card companies, or pull any strings to help you out. They are merely trained professionals who have experience in aiding people like you.

Credit counselors can provide you with advice on how to effectively negotiate with creditors, and even step in to negotiate on your behalf. They come up with a personal debt management plan (DMP) that is tailored to your individual debts. A debt management plan usually consists of negotiating a repayment plan with your lenders, and sticking to their schedule. This can include an interest reduction or other special offers that are extended by your creditors.
Debt Consolidation Companies

You can actually perform debt consolidation on your own. By doing your own research, you can learn effective methods for reducing the dollar amount and number of your payments. You can go directly to your credit companies and ask for what you need. In fact, you can also check your credit scores for inaccuracies, and file free claims with the government agencies responsible for the information. But there are a whole slew of debt consolidation companies who claim to be able to do that for you, and in a shorter period of time. These companies vary from certified credit counselors because of their somewhat dubious nature. Some even claim to be able to eliminate your debt completely, which is never the case.

You may know the differences between legitimate credit counselors and shady services, but there's a more primary question that needs to be addressed
Do you need credit counseling at all?
Can You Do It On Your Own?

Essentially, credit counseling does not provide any services you couldn't theoretically do on your own. If you are willing to do your research, you can save a little bit of money by skipping the middleman.Do You Have the Discipline?You may know what you need to do, but you have trouble putting your knowledge to good use. A good credit counselor will give you a detailed plan and hold you accountable for re-payment. Also, you may feel obligated to stick to the plan because you're paying the additional fee for the counselor. Because you don't want to end up paying someone to consolidate your debts again, you will do it right the first time.

This concept is a lot like dieting. If you are good at restricting your diet to fruits, veggies and proteins, you can lose weight on your own. But if you always find yourself in line for donuts and a latte in the morning, it's best to join a support group or class.
Do You Trust the Company You're Working With?

If you're leaning towards debt consolidation or credit counseling, make sure you are 100 percent sure it is an honest company. It doesn't make sense to move forward with the process if you're not completely sure that your money is in good hands.

Say you're ready to take the plunge, you know you need to get your debt under control, and you need someone to hold your hand along the way. How do you know that the company you're working with will take good care of you? Here are some warning signs to look out for.
Don't pay up front: Any company that asks you to pay their fees before services are rendered is in direction violation of the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Such companies are operating illegally, and will probably not take good care of you or your money.
Don't get a new identity: Some shifty credit repair operations will ask you to file for a new "Employer Identification Number" in order to wipe your credit history clean. They will ask you to do so using false information. This is called "file segregation," and it is a felony.
Don't believe them when they promise to wipe your record clean: No debt consolidation company can remove negative information from your credit report. Bankruptcies stay on your record for 10 years, and most other transgressions such as lawsuits and judgments stay on your report for 7 years. No company can actually take these off your record until the statute of limitations expires.
Don't dispute everything: Companies may advise you to dispute every piece of negative information on your credit report. Don't waste your time. Most of these tidbits are easily verifiable and likely true. If there is a major mistake, you can spot it and file a report yourself.
Don't let them dance around the issue: Legitimate credit and debt consolidation companies will give you a contract that includes their company name and address, guarantees they offer, payment summary, and an estimated results timeframe. They will also provide you with a three-day grace period in which to cancel their services. Any company who refuses to provide any of that information is not operating honestly.

There's no easy way to climb out of debt. It's a difficult and lengthy process, but it is 100 percent achievable, as long as you commit to whichever plan you choose.

Credit Repair Advice: Things to Know about Credit Repair Services

Having a low credit score can be extremely detrimental to your day-to-day life. Whether you're financing a car, renting an apartment or signing up for a new checking account, your credit score matters. Don't let yourself get dragged down by your bad credit score. The best thing you can do to help yourself is do your research. Understand where you stand, what resources you have at your disposal and which would be the best for you. Before you do anything, you need to properly asses your own credit.
How Bad is My Credit Score?

A lot of things can affect a credit score: late payments, total accrued debt, public records and several other factors. It is a good idea to monitor your credit using online resources. Many sites allow you to track your credit report for free, if you sign up for their online services. Make sure that if you do sign up for these sites, you cancel your account before they charge you for their services. Before you let a third party run your credit score, check and see where you measure up.
Bad credit: Anything below 600 can be viewed as a bad credit score.
Moderate credit: Most people have a credit score between 600 and 750.
Good credit: In general a good credit score is anything over 700.
When Should I ask for Help?

If you're finding it hard to start new accounts, and you find yourself relying on cosigners for things you should be handling on your own, it might be time to look into credit management. There are several places to start when you're looking into legitimate credit management programs. The Credit Repair Organizations Act must provide you with your "consumer credit rights" before you consent to sign up for their program. This act was created to weed out the fraudulent companies that aim to take advantage of individuals suffering from bad credit. There are resources that can help you fish out the good from the bad.
Federal Trade Commission: independent government agency that aims to advocate consumer rights.
Equifax: one of the three major credit agencies that maintains public credit holder records.
Experian: another one of the three major credit agencies and is a large advocate of public financial education.
Trans Union Corporation: the last of the three agencies that helps consumers monitor their credit reports.
What are My Options?

Enrolling in a credit counseling program may be your best bet for improving your personal finances. Since credit counseling is so common, it is becoming easier and more affordable to get in touch with a credit counselor in a variety of ways
In-person: This is the most reliable form of credit counseling. Military, university and financial institutions offer in-person crediting services that are both reputable and trustworthy. If you already have a relationship with the institution, you will feel more at ease with allowing them access to your personal finances. They will often weigh your debt against your salary and personal bank accounts to forge a plan to repair your credit.
Online: You can download software to help manage and repair your finances from the comfort of your home office. These services often include 24 hour live-chat services so that someone can field your inquiries. Although they are more affordable, online credit services can only be beneficial if you have the time and patience to sit in front of your computer screen weeding through numbers. They are also much more likely to prove fraudulent, so you need to make sure these companies have been accredited.
Over the phone: Chances are, both in-person and online services will include a telephone help line. Much like the online services, phone credit repair allows you to have a much more flexible schedule.

Just remember, if you're not looking your credit counselor in the eyes, it is much easier to be taken on a fraudulent ride. Personal finances are prime territory for fraud.
How do I Avoid Credit Scams?

There are several fraudulent companies that prey on individuals who struggle with poor credit management. However, there are common red flags to look for when considering credit management. No company can guarantee an improvement in your credit score or a decrease in debt, that's up to you. There is also no legal way to clear bad credit from your account without going throw the legal motions to do so. To avoid these companies, look out for scam catch phrases and taglines like this:
Bad credit? No problem!
We can lower your debt and raise your credit score in 30 days!
We can get rid of your bad credit - guaranteed!
We can wipe your credit report clean!
Can I Fix My Own Credit?

There are ways to fix your own credit without enlisting the help of a credit management company.
Clip your credit cards: If you can't stop yourself from maxing out every bit of plastic in your wallet, it may be time to break out the kitchen shears. If you're not an advocate of credit violence, you can lock your credit cards in a filing cabinet in your home to prevent yourself from using them when you're out.
Stop paying the minimum monthly payment: Tack on a bit more money to your monthly credit card payoff. If you've been only paying the minimum payment, you definitely can be doing more to lower your debt, and raise your credit score. Try doubling your monthly payment and watch the debt slowly trickle off.
Sign up for a free online finance management program: There are several websites that allow you to track your daily, weekly and monthly finances for free online. You can track your spending from both your debit and credit accounts, as well as receive monthly alerts when your accounts near the red.

Keeping track of your credit takes both time and dedication. You have to remain both confident and vigilant to lower and maintain your credit score. Fortunately, there are plenty of free and affordable resources to help you monitor your credit, as long as you make sure to weed out all of the scams. Your credit is in your hands, you're the best resource you've got.

Debt Consolidation

Today's financial state has made people more aware of their financial situation, but not many are informed of their financial options. If you are drowning in debt from school, your credit cards and life in general, then debt consolidation may be a viable financial option.What Is Debt Consolidation?

Debt consolidation is the process of taking out a new loan to pay off a group of other outstanding balances. In essence, it simplifies your debt by forming all your balance accounts into one big account. Debt consolidators will provide you with lower monthly payments than what you were paying before, and they will lower your interest rates so that you can pay everything off over a longer period of time.
How It Works

Debt consolidators will work on your behalf with your other debt companies to pay off your existing balances, relieving you of creditors and collection agencies. If you are in danger of bankruptcy, consolidators can sometimes purchase your credit balances at discounted costs, because the crediting companies want to be rid of the accounts before they lose money in a bankruptcy claim. The consolidators then subsidize or completely remove your existing interest rates, permitting you to start paying off your principal loan, as opposed to paying off your previous interest. In addition, any interest that you do pay to the firms for their consolidation loan will be tax deductible.

However, debt consolidation has rules and restrictions, and all consolidation firms work differently. Before signing any paperwork, read all the fine print of your contract. Some firms are notorious for charging you an additional percentage of your debt amount, up to 20 percent, without ever informing you verbally. Also, many consolidation loans will charge you extra if you choose to pay off your loan sooner than expected. The long-period payoff plan is a consolidation firm's way of making money -- they profit off interest that builds over time -- so weigh your options carefully. If you can afford to pay off your loans separately without consolidating, then you will save money in the long run by doing just that. Consolidation loans tend to rack up balances in interest rates.

Also, if you are in extremely large amounts of debt, to the point where bankruptcy is likely, weigh your decision to consolidate carefully. Consolidated loans are not always eligible for discharge upon bankruptcy, and this negatively affects your ability to actually get out of debt, should you eventually file for bankruptcy. Debt counseling is widely available, so seek an outside professional opinion if you're unsure of how to proceed. However, be wary of counselors who work for large banks or financial firms, as they will likely be conflicted by their interest for their company. Seek independent counseling if possible. You can also look for companies who offer free debt consolidation information and who encourage you to avoid late payment fees, bankruptcy and sometimes even consolidation itself.
Types of Debt Consolidation

Unsecured consolidation loan: Unsecured consolidation loans have higher interest rates than others, but if your existing debt is mostly with credit card companies and other high-interest industries, an unsecured loan may be a risk-free way of consolidating. Also, you have to qualify for an unsecured loan, so if your credit is already bad, you may have difficulty consolidating this way.

Secured consolidation loan: Secured consolidation loans have much lower interest rates than unsecured loans, but they require some sort of collateral on behalf of the debtor. This collateral is usually a high-value item, such as a car or a house. For this reason, debtors with secured loans risk losing their large assets, should they be unable to pay off the consolidation payments at any time. However, secured loans do not require good credit history.
So It's Time To Consolidate

Consolidation is smartest at the beginning signs of debt problems. It is better to get out of financial difficulty as early as possible, instead of struggling to barely stay above water. The cost of debt consolidation varies from firm to firm, so shop around before settling. Again, many fraudulent or conniving companies exist today, particularly in the current economic climate, when people are most vulnerable. Ensure that your consolidation company is reliable and certified. If you're unsure, look for seasoned debt counselors, who are often more experienced with one-on-one customer interactions and who can work with you on a personal basis. In the end, it's all about accommodating you, so know your needs and stick to them.

Bill Consolidation

Bills can easily get out of hand. With utilities, medical bills and credit card balances piling up before your eyes, it can get hard to see straight. Before panicking too much, though, consider bill consolidation, which can make your vision somewhat clearer.What Is Bill Consolidation?

Bill consolidation can involve one of two things: 1) a bill consolidation program, which is like a debt management program and involves counseling and negotiations, and 2) a bill consolidation loan, which is like debt consolidation in that it involves taking out a loan to pay off a group of other outstanding balances. Either way, the bill consolidation companies aim to help you, as the debtor, to pay off your balances and move toward debt reduction.How It WorksBill Consolidation Programs: Through a debt counseling session, consolidators will go over your outstanding bills and monthly income to help determine what you will consolidate and how much you can afford to pay monthly. The financial counselors will also discuss the possible consolidation options to help you choose a plan that's best for you.

After determining your ability to contribute, consolidators will negotiate with your creditors or collection agencies to help reduce interest rates and even waive or reduce late fees. If you have credit card accounts with balances that are included in the consolidation program, the consolidators will pay off the balances and close the accounts. As a result, you cannot use them anymore.

Once negotiations have completed, the bill consolidation company will help you to prepare a budget, which will help you to monitor and care for your financial state. Depending on what you can afford, the company will then negotiate repayment plans with your creditors.

Bill Consolidation Loans: After consulting with consolidating specialists, you can take out a personal loan to consolidate your bills. Before doing so, however, you should watch out for loan and servicing costs, which companies can use to charge you more than you already owe.

The bills covered under your loan can include credit cards, medical expenses, utility charges, store cards and personal loans. Secured debts, such as mortgages and car loans, are not eligible for coverage under a debt consolidation loan. By taking out this one loan, you do, in essence, combine all your balances into one big sum, which is the only thing you will have to repay. In other words, instead of making multiple monthly payments, you only need to pay one monthly installment.

Like with debt consolidation, there are two types of bill consolidation loans: unsecured bill consolidation loans and secured bill consolidation loans. With unsecured loans, you will have higher interest payments. This is for the company to encourage payment for debtors who do not have collateral against which they can loan you the money. Secured loans require the debtor put up some form of collateral, like a car or house, to get lower interest rates on their loan. While this is tempting, it may not be worth the risk, particularly for debtors who are in greater financial distress.So It's Time for Bill ConsolidationConsolidation is most beneficial when it is done at the earliest signs of financial distress. This ensures that a debtor is more likely able to get out of their existing debt. The cost of debt consolidation varies, so shop around before making a decision. Many fraudulent companies will try to charge you extra fees for account management, monthly expenses and even early repayment of your loan. For this reason, you should read the fine print and, if necessary, involve a legal representative. Weigh all your options fully before choosing a path toward debt consolidation. In the end, it is about making your life easier, so make sure you can do just that.

Bankruptcy

It's a homeowner's worst nightmare -- someone coming to take away your house. The worst part of being in debt is the constant fear that one day you'll wake up and have nothing. When you've reached the point where your debt equals 50 percent or more of your income, bankruptcy may be your only way out of a sticky situation.
What Is Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is the legal declaration of an individual's or organization's inability to pay its creditors. Through either a process of debt reorganization or through asset liquidation, the governing Bankruptcy Court will oversee the debtor's path toward paying off their debts.
How It Works

The process of bankruptcy depends on the type of bankruptcy an individual files. While there are currently six types of bankruptcy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code -- Chapter 7, Chapter 9, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13 and Chapter 15 -- there are two that are most common.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the basic liquidation of assets to pay off a debtor's balances. Under Chapter 7, a debtor who qualifies under the "means test" of the Bankruptcy code will surrender all non-exempt property to a bankruptcy trustee, who then liquidates the property. The proceeds of this liquidation go toward paying the debtor's creditors, and in exchange, creditors will -- barring illegal concealment of assets -- grant a discharge. This discharge value varies by state, and creditors still have the ability to repossess any of the debtor's assets.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is only available to debtors who have the regular income means to pay off their debt over time. Chapter 13 allows qualifying debtors to go under financial reorganization, which is supervised by a federal bankruptcy court. This plan typically proposes that the debtor pay his/her creditors over a three- to five-year period. Under Chapter 13, creditors may not attempt to collect on any previously incurred debt without court approval.

No matter your chapter bankruptcy, attorneys are necessary. While a debtor is not required by law to have legal representation, the bankruptcy process is vigorous and complicated, so a court representative is a valuable tool. Not only can they better understand the terms and agreements of a debtor's bankruptcy contract, but they can also better argue a debtor's case in court, where many of these terms are decided. However, attorney's costs and court fees should be taken into account when calculating the budgetary implications of filing for bankruptcy.

Some benefits of bankruptcy include the cease of any creditors or collectors bothering the filer. Any issues the creditors have must be directed to the courts and the debtor's legal representation. Bankruptcy also offers the opportunity for a debtor to retain certain property that they may find invaluable, such as a home or car.

Bankruptcy filings will always mar the debtor's credit report. Chapter 7 filings remain on a debtor's credit report for 10 years, and Chapter 13 filings remain on the credit report for seven. During these periods, any company who checks your credit will be able to see the bankruptcy filing, making receiving any further credit very difficult. In fact, under Chapter 13, a debtor may not incur any further debt without first receiving permission from the courts. Also, many employers will ask during the interview or review process whether you have ever filed for bankruptcy; any false denial of bankruptcy -- even outside the credit report period -- is illegal and can result in charges upon the debtor.

In 2005, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was passed, enacting many changes to the bankruptcy code in order to make fewer people eligible and therefore prevent any abuses of the program. Among these changes was the means test, requiring a debtor's monthly income be lower than the median income of their state. Also, a filer of bankruptcy must wait longer between filings, eight years. Perhaps the biggest change to the bankruptcy eligibility laws was that all bankruptcy filers must take place in an individual or group briefing from a nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency.
So It's Time for Bankruptcy

Many financial experts tell their employees to avoid bankruptcy at all costs, due to the lifelong challenges it presents. However, should you decide to file for bankruptcy, there are some steps to take in order to ensure the system's ease. First, enroll in credit counseling. Not only is credit counseling required now by law before filing for bankruptcy, but it also teaches the debtor many alternative methods to bankruptcy, including debt consolidation, debt management programs (DMPs) and much more.

When filing for bankruptcy, find a very reliable attorney. While the costs of an attorney and court fees may be high, their expertise and ability to fight for you in court make their services invaluable. Before going to an attorney, however, be sure to find any and all paperwork that exists regarding your debt, assets, credit payments, etc. to present. Much of it will be included in and important to the process. Even the smallest discrepancies can cause your bankruptcy filing to be denied.

Credit Counseling

When you're falling deeper into debt, it's not always clear what the best path is. Should you continue making your minimum payments and let interest compound? Put off one credit card to pay more for another? Consider debt consolidation or bankruptcy? Sometimes the smartest thing to do is pass the hard work on to someone else, and that is where credit counseling comes in.
What Is Credit Counseling?

Credit counseling is a service that works with you to determine the best way to handle your debt. Most often, credit counselors will negotiate a debt management plan (DMP) with your creditors to help you repay your debt by working out a repayment plan directly with the creditor. DMPs usually offer reduced payments, fees and interest rates to the debtor. Unlike debt consolidation -- where consolidators pay off your balances in exchange for a loan that you pay back directly to them -- credit counseling is a mediation process, where the counselors work with your creditors to help you pay off your debt directly to the original creditors.
How It Works

Through counseling, the educators will help debtors learn how to avoid incurring debts that they cannot repay through a DMP, such as HP car payments, rent, utilities and mortgages. DMPs are only used to eliminate unsecured debt, like personal loans, credit cards, bank overdrafts and store cards. Following a consultation, the counselors can determine which debt management plan is most effective for you.

Credit counselors do not always enroll you in a debt management plan. However, if you are in a substantial amount of debt, then they will likely encourage you to. Upon this encouragement from a professional, review the two main types of DMPs.

Fee-chargers: Fee-charging DMPs will usually have an upfront administrative charge to initiate services, and then an ongoing management fee for the duration of your account with them. While this may seem unsavory, fee-charging companies have been known to offer enhanced support and services to the debtor throughout the program.

Free or low-cost services: Non-fee or low-fee DMPs are usually offered by nonprofit government or charity organizations who offer credit counseling to consumers. Some of these organizations will claim charitable status to accept donations from the creditors with the promise to administer debt plans on their behalf.

Whichever credit counseling service you choose, the organization is required to inform and educate you, the debtor, with all other debt-resolving options before presenting a DMP. In the United States, these include re-mortgage, additional loan, debt management plan, full and final settlement, and bankruptcy.

By participating in a DMP, debtors risk hurting their credit score. While the credit counselors do not report your DMP to credit reference agencies, some creditors may choose to do so. This can leave a default notice on your credit report and affect your chances of being accepted for any further credit. However, if you already have a default on your credit record, then enrolling in a DMP is unlikely to further negatively affect your score.
So It's Time for Credit Counseling

After personally weighing the options of your debt situation, you may have decided to go with credit counseling. Always note this piece of information before seeking out a credit counseling agency. During the '60s, just a decade after credit counseling agencies were created, there were over 1,000 active agencies in the country. Today, there are fewer than 300. This is due to an investigation into the practice by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), which discovered malpractice in many of the large agencies.

For this reason, you should consult with several agencies before signing on with one. Read contracts carefully to ensure you are not paying the counseling service any more money than they deserve or than you are comfortable with paying them. Also, some fee-charging agencies are notorious for having ties with creditors. For this reason, you should research shareholders and company affiliations to ensure your credit counseling service does not present any major conflict of interest.

Debt Management

Whether done on your own or through a third-party constituent, debt management is the process through which a debtor works to repay their pending debts. When done through a company, debt management often involves negotiations directly with your creditors in the attempt to lower payments and/or interest rates. There are many paths to debt management, several of which are listed below.
Debt Reduction

Debt reduction is a process selected entirely by the debtor. While they may seek the consultation or assistance of a debt company, there are many ways in which individuals can reduce their own debt. For instance, specific strategic payment plans, like the debt-snowball method, can help a debtor come closer to achieving financial security. Debt settlement is another common option, in which a debtor communicates directly with their creditors to come to some sort of account-closing agreement in exchange for payment. Debt management plans (DMPs) are also popular, although they require the assistance of an outside source.
Debt Consolidation

In order to lower monthly payments and often receive lower interest rates, debtor’s can opt to consolidate their debt. In doing so, the debtor takes out either a secured (collateral-based) or unsecured (higher interest rate) consolidation loan, which immediately pays off creditors and allows the debtor to focus on paying off one loan, rather than several. Debt consolidators often work on the debtor’s behalf to negotiate lower balances and save the debtor money. However, many debt consolidators charge consultation and account management fees. In addition, interest accrued over a longer period of time often results in the debtor paying more money in the long run than originally owed. Still, this can prevent debtors from having to declare bankruptcy.
Bill Consolidation

Two difference processes are available when dealing with bill consolidation. First, there are bill consolidation programs, which involve credit counseling and negotiations, much like a debt management plan. Second, there are bill consolidation loans, which act much like debt consolidation loans but can include balances like medical bills and utilities, in addition to typical unsecured credit lines. Either way, bill consolidation consultants aim to help the debtor pay off their balances and move steadily toward debt reduction.BankruptcyWhen a debtor files for bankruptcy, they legally declare that they are unable to pay off their creditors. The two most common bankruptcy filings are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 involves the liquidation of a filer’s assets, the profits of which are put toward paying off the filer’s creditors. To quality for Chapter 7, filers must pass a means test to determine financial eligibility, and they must also declare all assets before a court. Chapter 13 is more typical of filers with a regular income that provides the ability to pay their debt over time. The filer’s financial reorganization is supervised by a federal bankruptcy court, which temporarily bars creditors from harassing filers and creates a three- to five-year repayment plan.
Credit Counseling

To determine the best way of handling debt, credit counselors meet with debtors to negotiate some sort of repayment plan or debt management plan. Under a DMP, credit counselors will work directly with the debtor’s creditors to negotiate lower payments, fees and interest rates, allowing the debtor to pay off their balances and stay on top of their finances. Certain debt, such as rent, utilities and mortgages, are considered secured debt, and are not eligible for negotiation under a DMP. However, unsecured debt like personal loans, credit cards and bank overdrafts are eligible. While some credit counselors will charge fees, others do not.
Budgeting

For a more in-house debt management technique, individual or company debtors can use budgeting to itemize and control their debt. Budgeting mainly involves the debtor’s keeping track of their own spending, noting where the money is going in order to better strategize how to save. For debtors unsure of how to budget on their own, accountants are very popular when budgeting is involved. They can take all a debtor’s spending statements and financial records to help organize their financial records. At that point, they can professionally determine how best to save the debtor money. Whether on one’s own or through an accountant, budgeting is a long-term process that requires patience and common sense.