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Why credit card debt forgiveness is worth it even with more Fed rate cuts
Interest rates are coming down again. That was the big economic news on Thursday after the Federal Reserve issued another cut to its federal funds rate. Now at a range between 4.50% and 4.75%, Thursday’s 25 basis reduction wasn’t as big as September’s half a percentage point cut was. But it’s still a step in the right direction for borrowers, many of whom have contended with elevated rates on a variety of products for much of the last two and half years.
That’s been particularly true for credit card users and it’s been especially painful considering that the average American has around $8,000 in credit card debt right now. And while any reduction in rates is welcome against this backdrop, even in relatively small increments, it may not offer the major relief that many borrowers actually need right now.
In these circumstances, credit card debt forgiveness may be the better alternative. But is it worth for you? Below, we’ll break down three big reasons why credit card debt forgiveness makes sense even as the Fed continues to cut rates.
See how much credit card debt you could have forgiven here.
Why credit card debt forgiveness makes sense even with more Fed rate cuts
Do you think it’s worth waiting for rates to continue to come down instead of tackling your credit card debt now? Here are three reasons why you may be better served by utilizing the services of a credit card debt forgiveness program:
Rates are too high for cuts to help
The average credit card interest rate just hit a new high last week, coming in at just over 23%. What relief, then, will a 0.25% rate cut offer to borrowers stuck paying that rate? And that’s on the assumption that credit card rates will even fall by that minor amount when, in many cases, they won’t. That’s because credit card rates are influenced by a variety of factors, of which the federal funds rate is just one minor component. Understanding that rates are too high for cuts to offer material help, then, many would be better off by exploring their debt forgiveness options instead.
Get started with a credit card debt forgiveness program now.
Your debt is compounding
Making minimum payments toward your credit card debt could result in years and potentially decades’ worth of payments before your debt finally hits zero. That’s because your debt will compound with interest and potentially fees and penalties, depending on your current repayment approach. Use a credit card calculator online to determine what your realistic payoff timeline is. If it’s longer than you can reasonably afford — and you meet other credit card debt forgiveness eligibility requirements — you may ultimately be better off by stopping your current payments and working toward a forgiveness strategy instead.
It can dramatically reduce what you owe
Credit card debt forgiveness won’t wipe your debt entirely. But it could potentially reduce it by 30% to 50%, depending on your financial circumstances. And that could be all you need to regain your financial footing. Combine that reduction, then, with additional rate cuts in the future that will inevitably lighten your debt burden and you’ll be in a much more advantageous position than you currently are. It will require a combination of debt forgiveness and rate cuts, however — not just one — to help you improve your financial health.
The bottom line
A federal funds rate cut is welcome news for all borrowers but the affect it will have on those coping with high rate credit card debt will be muted and will remain so for the forseeable future. Understanding this dynamic, then, borrowers should strongly consider turning to credit card debt forgiveness for assistance. And with other debt relief options also available, there’s likely a way toward resolving your existing debt. Just don’t sit idle. With rates high, rate cuts unlikely to offer much immediate relief and your existing debt compounding, it makes sense to take action sooner than later.
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San Francisco Mayor London Breed concedes race, congratulates Daniel Lurie on victory
San Francisco Mayor London Breed conceded the mayoral race to Daniel Lurie Thursday afternoon with a social media post that congratulated her competitor.
The mayor also thanked the city and its residents for “the opportunity to serve the City that raised me” in the post on X just after 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
There had been rumblings that Breed might concede the race earlier Thursday having come in behind Lurie in the last vote count released Wednesday morning.
“Today, I called Daniel Lurie and congratulated him on his victory in this election,” the post read. “Over the coming weeks, my staff and I will work to ensure a smooth transition as he takes on the honor of serving as Mayor of San Francisco. I know we are both committed to improving this City we love.”
Breed spoke at a press conference less than an hour after the social media post to answer questions from reporters about her decision, reiterating some of what she said in her social media post.
“The city is on the rise. The office is bigger than just one person, and I called Daniel Lurie earlier today to congratulate him,” the mayor said. “And made it very clear my team and I stand ready to support him during his transition. We will always do everything we can to ensure the success of the city and that there is a smooth transition, so that the important work that has been done and needs to continue in San Francisco moves forward.”
When asked if this was the hardest speech she’d ever given, Breed quickly dismissed that idea.
“No, it’s not. There’s been other harder speeches. I mean I had to make a hard decision to close the city down during a global pandemic. I had to deal with…the racial reckoning that happened after the tragic death of George Floyd. I had to go out in the middle of the night and tell people that Mayor Ed Lee had passed away. There are numerous occasions.”
Six years ago, incumbent London Breed became the first Black woman to serve as mayor of San Francisco after the death of Mayor Ed Lee in late 2017. The then president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was automatically appointed as the city’s acting mayor early the morning after Lee’s death.
In June of 2018, Breed won the special election that was held to fill the office, defeating her main opponent, former state senator Mark Leno.
Breed faced a number of major challenges during her first term in office, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s ongoing issues with drug abuse and homelessness, rising housing costs and a spike in retail crime that some chains cited as the reason behind closing stores in San Francisco.
While Breed has touted progress in reducing the number of homeless encampments and pushed programs to fill vacant business spaces downtown, the mayor’s struggles have led to 11 other candidates entering the race to challenge her for the job.
“Over the coming weeks, I plan to reflect on all the progress we’ve made. But today, I am proud that we have truly accomplished so much and my heart is filled with gratitude,” Breed’s message said in closing. “During my final two months as your Mayor, I will continue to lead this City as I have from Day One – as San Francisco’s biggest champion.”
Daniel Lurie has announced that he will speak to the media about the latest developments Friday morning.
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