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Eight Most Common Credit Card Myths

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:11:54 +0000

Credit card debt seems to be the gripe of so many. The recent credit crunch only makes things worse. Are people doing so many things wrong when it comes to credit cards, then? If they are, credit card debt myths are partly to blame. There are so many of them out there, lining up on both extremes: some debts make the situation appear to be totally hopeless, while others make people just a little more complacent. Either way, a credit card debt myth is a financial troublemaker that needs to be completely debunked. Here are eight of the most common myths on credit card debts and the truth behind them:

Myth #1: Credit card companies send applications to those who can afford it

Think about it logically: how can credit card companies research each and every household they plan to send an application to?(1) The time they could spend on doing just that they’d rather spend on making mailing lists and sending as many applications as they can. It is just like a more personal take on advertising. The credit card companies just want you to be aware of the services that they are offering. So when you get a handful of credit card applications from various banks, it does not mean that you can afford any of the deals they are offering. Maybe you are even better off without a credit card at all.

Myth #2: Pay the minimum balance and you will be fine

If you are so confident about your credit card debt because you tend to zero in on how much the minimum payment is, you will end up in deep financial trouble. Think about the balance that you left last month and then add up the balance you will leave this month because you are paying only the minimum. Calculate the interest that will result in all those left-over balances and you know that you have gotten yourself deep under a pile of debt. Not only that, think about the state your credit score will be in after all this: terrible, just terrible.(2)

Myth #3: Using a debt consolidation company is easy

You probably think that since you are deep in debt, there is no other way for you to pay everything off but by hiring the services of a debt consolidation company. It won’t be easy, however. There are many things that you should consider about a consolidation company. Can you afford its service? Remember that you are already deep in debt. Is it a reliable company? There are debt consolidation companies that operate under the radar; they cannot be trusted with your money. Is it superior to your ability to pay off all your debts yourself? Maybe, it is. However, if you have enough discipline to pay the company a certain amount, you can have enough discipline to consolidate your own debts.(3)

Myth #4: You only have one credit score

Having one credit score may be neat, especially for those with nice scores. It may be a disaster if your score is a mess. You actually have three credit scores from three main credit agencies. Pray that your best-looking record will be referred to when your credit history gets checked out.(4)

Myth #5: You only need to cancel a credit card to improve your credit score

When you close a credit card account, you only give yourself a little bit more control over your finances. You have fewer or no credit cards left after the cancellation. However, closing the account will not improve your credit card score at all. You also shorten your credit age, which is an important factor in your credit score.(4)

Myth #6: Your negative record remains in your credit score for seven years

Bad credit record does not have to stick around for seven years or for any other period of time.(5) In fact, you can actually negotiate to have a record removed.(4) One way to negotiate with creditors is, of course, by paying the debt. You will just ask for the creditors to eliminate the record that states that you have been awfully late with your payments. You do not even have to be completely paid to negotiate with your creditors; you can actually promise to pay them within a certain period of time.(6)

Myth #7: All three major credit bureaus will have identical reports

Refer to the debunking of the myth that says you have only one credit score. The three companies do not have the same records. The reason for this? Not all of your creditors get to report to every company.(7) So, the more creditors you have, then the more likely your three reports are completely different from each other.

Myth #8: Credit cards are your little helpers

Credit cards may seem like free cash, especially at first. However, they are also very expensive to maintain.(8) Instead of paying for the retail price of a product, you end up paying not only the retail price but also the interest. If you have not been able to pay all your balances every month, you will end up paying so much more. To put things to the extreme end, credit cards cannot really offer a lot of positive things, except letting you buy things that you should not buy anyway.(9) Most people have become so dependent on credit cards that one of the popular myths has arisen: credit card makes you afford things and without it you cannot afford anything. The truth is that you should not use your credit card to buy extremely expensive items in the first place: it would take a long time and heavy interest fees for them to get paid.

There are still a lot of credit-related myths out there. Educate yourself about credit cards in general. This way, you can debunk the remaining myths and keep away from credit mistakes that can drive you towards bankruptcy. If you can manage your finances with cash, try to stick with it. Remember the time when you applied for a credit card for emergency purposes? Try to steer yourself back in time.

SOURCES:
(1)    http://myvesta.org.uk/pubs/20-greatest-myths-about-credit-debt
(2)    http://www.directlendingsolutions.com/myths_about_credit_debt.htm
(3)    http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/8-myths-about-settling-credit-card-debt-1265.php
(4)    http://bettercreditblog.org/2008/09/10/6-most-common-credit-myths/
(5)    http://ratebox.com/tl/10-great-credit-myths-exposed/
(6)    http://bettercreditblog.org/2007/11/16/negotiating-with-creditors-to-get-negative-records-removed/
(7)    http://www.zeromillion.com/financial-services/common-credit-score-myths-by-gary-gresham.html
(8)    http://www.debteliminator101.com/credit-myths.php
(9)    http://www.daveramsey.com/the_truth_about/credit_card_debt_3478.html.cfm

The Five Most Common Bankruptcy Misconceptions

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:00:32 +0000

In these tough times, it’s hard to be unconcerned about how you or I would fare amidst the economic downturn we’re all in. The global financial recession has made even long-standing institutions feel the impact that even private individuals need to scrape very hard for a living. It is also during these tough economic times that people dread saying that one word that sends chills down everybody’s spine – bankruptcy. We’ve all seen it happen even to the best and most stable companies. We’ve also seen how some institutions are resorting to desperate measures just to prevent their companies from going bankrupt. From big companies to your next door neighbor, the threat of bankruptcy looms close especially in these times. We learn about companies going bankrupt in the news. We also read about bankruptcies in the Internet.

However, despite the scary stories about bankruptcy, we also hear some good things about it. Some say that those who file bankruptcies can get away without paying their taxes and even the purchases that they have made.(1) Though there may be some truth behind this assumption, there is still a lot to learn as to how bankruptcy can actually be helpful to the financially challenged.

Declaring bankruptcy is actually a right afforded to people who are in dire financial situations and who can no longer fulfill their financial obligations to the state, to financial institutions, and to their lenders. In the US, there are two kinds of bankruptcies that people can file for — liquidation bankruptcies (Chapter 7) and reorganization bankruptcies (Chapter 13). Each type of bankruptcy helps a person or an entity in a state of financial trouble. To set the record straight, here are some myths and misconceptions that will be clarified and explained in order to give a clearer definition of bankruptcy.(2)

Bankruptcy Myth #1: Declaring bankruptcy is embarassing

A lot of people think that declaring bankruptcy is embarrassing, once word gets out that you can no longer pay for your mortgage or even for a purchase at the grocery. Friends and family may take pity on you, but at the back of everyone’s minds is a persistent sense of distrust. Being in this situation is unsettling; however, embarrassment can be avoided by keeping your bankruptcy status to yourself or just to the select people you want to inform. Financial institutions and your creditors are also bound by law to keep this information discreet and confidential. Unless you’re someone prominent enough to consider the attention of the media, you shouldn’t have any problems in keeping your financial status a secret.(3)

Bankruptcy Myth #2: You have zero chances of applying for a new loan or credit once you’ve declared bankruptcy

Credit hounds are the most thorough background investigators because the nature of their business entails that they put a lot of their trust and their money on people. A bankruptcy is certainly not something that would slip past their noses, but it certainly won’t cut your chances of getting a credit card or a loan.(4) A bankruptcy, however, can affect the terms and the cost of interest that a credit company or a lender will offer to you. Bankruptcies stay on your records for, at most, ten years; however in these troubled times, if credit companies chose to forego anybody with a bankruptcy in their records, they themselves would go bankrupt. As a precaution instead, credit companies and lenders will offer different terms and rates in order to ensure their financial safety as well as yours.

Bankruptcy Myth #3: Bankruptcy will take away everything you own

People often dread filing for bankruptcy under the assumption that their lenders and other financial institutions will close in on all of their properties. While this may prove true for properties such as real estate that have been mortgaged, there are limits as to what the banks and other institutions can take away from a bankrupt individual or entity. Bankruptcy laws differ from state to state and most laws offer protection to some assets and properties such as vehicles and real estate.(5) In order to get back any property that has been repossessed already, you should be able to pay off the loans for it before the government or a private lender sells it. Otherwise, if you haven’t paid off your loans, then there’s a bad chance you’ll lose property due to bankruptcy. A bankruptcy should allow you to regain your chances at financial responsibility, and it would be next to impossible if the banks and the government would take away everything that you own.

Bankruptcy Myth #4: You must be totally broke to declare bankruptcy

People often have a misconception that those who file for bankruptcy have already reached the end of their lines. This is definitely not true. In fact, you can declare bankruptcy even if you still have a few assets left to your name. You can even file for bankruptcy even if you have a spouse who has relatively a stable income. Bankruptcy claims are filed when the individual or entity can no longer fulfill his or her financial responsibilities to the state or to lenders. However, you don’t have to be jobless, homeless, or even penniless to file for bankruptcy.(6)

Bankruptcy Myth #5: If you file for bankruptcy, you can skip out on the taxes and other bills

This is where the two types of bankruptcy can help you and limit you when it comes to the financial aid that you can get. With a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you allow the government to repossess your assets and sell these off to pay your debts. However, this kind of bankruptcy will have you living within a certain kind of lifestyle for a period of years. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, on the other hand, is a type of bankruptcy that allows you to skip out on a few taxes. However, certain financial responsibilities such as child support and student loans among others must still be fulfilled on a timely basis.(7) A Chapter 13 bankruptcy doesn’t actually free you from paying debts, but rather helps you schedule a payment system that can go on from three to five years.

SOURCES:

(1) http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/bankruptcyguide/P77617.asp
(2) http://financialplan.about.com/cs/creditdebt/a/Bankruptcy.htm
(3) http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/bankruptcyguide/P77617.asp
(4) http://www.arizonadebtrelief.com/11%20Misconceptions.htm
(5) http://www.arizonadebtrelief.com/11%20Misconceptions.htm
(6) http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2005/505/perspectives/p18.htm
(7) http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bankruptcy/20051219a1.asp

The 8 Worst Bankruptcies in History

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 09:51:18 +0000

Throughout history, there have been a number of successful people who have built great fortunes. Many of these people were able to enjoy their riches, while leaving enough for future generations to enjoy. There have also been others who have earned vast amounts of money, only to be squandered away, ending in bankruptcy. Similarly, companies have been built into opulent empires that have been later reduced to rubble with a simple turn of tides. In this article are eight examples of some of the worst personal and corporate bankruptcies in history.

Historical personal bankruptcies

1. Jakob Fugger

Jakob Fugger is a 15th and 16th century merchant and banker who amassed such a fortune that he came to be known as Jacob The Rich. Throughout the Renaissance, Fugger played an important role in supporting major political and religious figures. He contributed over 540,000 (over 1,500 kilograms worth of gold) florins to help Charles V win the title of Holy Roman Emperor by paying off the electors.(1) Fugger also funded the construction of what is known today as Vatican City.(2) While Jakob was able to accrue enough riches to last for generations, many of his descendants would squander away the wealth and not much is left of it today.(3)

2. Henry Ford

Henry Ford is well-known as the founder and owner of Ford Motor Company. Many of Ford’s inventions reshaped and revolutionized the entire transportation industry and the history of America as a whole.(4) Before getting things right with the Ford Motor Company, however, Henry Ford had troubles with debt. Ford borrowed money from a few politicians and started the Detroit Automobile Company in 1899. Two years later, the company went bankrupt, almost forcing Ford himself into bankruptcy.(5) After leaving the Detroit Automobile Company, which would later develop into the Cadillac Automobile Company, Ford founded the Ford Motor Company and became one of the richest and most well-known people in the world.(4)

3. Mike Tyson

In more recent years, another sizable case of bankruptcy occurred when Michael Gerard Tyson filed for bankruptcy in 2003. Mike Tyson is one of the most popular, well-known and notorious figures in professional boxing. He fought his way to to the top of the boxing world, becoming the youngest person to win and hold the title of heavyweight champion.(6) Some of Tyson’s most lucrative boxing matches earned him over $30 million each. It is estimated that he earned between $300 million and $400 million throughout his career, but he ended up filing for bankruptcy in 2003 as a result of poor money management.

4. Charles M. Schwab

Charles Michale Schwab was a powerful and extremely rich man who helped lead a large steel corporation to success. Schwab’s career began as a stake driver in a steelworks company, which he later became the president of. He negotiated the sale of the company and became the president of the newly formed corporation known as U.S. Steel. Later on, Schwab ended up leaving the company to become the president and chairman of the board for Bethlehem Steel Corporation.(7) The company became one of the largest steel producers in the world and Schwab became extremely rich.(8) Schwab had a hankering for excessive spending on extravagant parties, gambling and extramarital affairs, which would cause his fortune to dwindle. In 1929, the stock market crash forced Schwab into bankruptcy. His fortunes were estimated at around $25 million to $40 million, which would have been equivalent to around $500 million to $800 million today.(7)

Historical corporate bankruptcies

1. Lehman Brothers

One of the most recent corporate bankruptcies, which occurred in 2008, holds the title as the largest bankruptcy case in history.(9) Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. is a firm that offered financial and investment services worldwide.(10) Before filing for bankruptcy on September 15, 2008, the firm was worth over $600 billion in assets. Causes for the bankruptcy date back over seven years, during the 9/11 attack, but the biggest cause was the financial crisis of 2008.(11)

2. WorldCom

WorldCom Inc., known today as MCI, Inc., was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2002. The WorldCom Inc. bankruptcy stands as the second-largest bankruptcy case in the history of the United States. The company’s pre-filing assets amounted to over $100 billion.(12) The main cause for the fallout was the numerous fraud cases that the company and its executives had to face. Since declaring corporate bankruptcy bankruptcy, WorldCom Inc. has merged with MCI Communications to form MCI, Inc.(13)

3. Enron

Enron Corp. currently holds the record for the third-largest bankruptcy filing in US history.(14) The American energy company was founded in 1985, and quickly became a large tycoon worth revenues approximated at around $101 billion in 2000.(15) Enron Corp. filed for bankruptcy in 2001, with their total assets amounting to about $66 billion before filing.(14) Cases of accounting fraud and business fraud that became known as the “Enron scandal” were the main causes for the bankruptcy.(15)

4. Conseco, Inc.

Before filing for bankruptcy in late 2001, Conseco, Inc.’s assets were estimated at over $60 billion.(16) Conseco was an insurance organization that offered life insurance, supplemental health insurance, annuity and other financial products and services. The company’s debt amounted to $8 billion, forcing them to file for bankruptcy.(17) The company was not able to rebound until 2003.

These historical riches-to-rags stories can be seen as large, red, flashing warning signs of what to look out for in order to avoid bankruptcy. Sure, some bankruptcies are caused by bad and perhaps even uncontrollable circumstances, but there are a number of ways that your can safeguard yourself or your company from bankruptcy:(18)(19)

1.   Understand how personal bankruptcy and corporate bankruptcy works.
2.   Make sure to have good legal and financial advisors with great track records, especially for corporate dealings.
3.   Keep accurate and honest accounting records that will help you make accurate and honest decisions with regard to finance, legal, and bankruptcy matters.

One of the biggest lessons to be learned by these historical bankruptcies is that there can only be two bankruptcy fates: 1) stay bankrupt, or 2) earn back your fortune. Even if you fall and go bankrupt, it is not the end. With determination, hard work and clear goals anyone can rebound from a bankruptcy.

Sources:

A skeptical look at Affinity Credit Cards

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:53:09 +0000

Credit cards are practical necessities. Such a tiny piece of plastic can pay for your shopping. Through affinitiy programs, credit cards now have the added perk of being able to help your favorite organization or even your favorite sports team when you sign up. The org also gets a percentage of the bank’s profits every time you rack a debt.(1)(2) What a perfect arrangement, don’t you think? You get to balance your evil shopaholic tendencies with your benevolent, helpful side.

Despite the ultra-noble intentions of a genuinely helpful affinity credit card, there are some that also went on their strange ways. This does not mean these affinity cards are totally useless. This just means that they have not passed the weather-beaten paths of affinity credit card ideas. Here are some cards that may not be that strange for some but have come unexpected.

5. Amphibian Ark: Just a Bit Strange

You’ve heard of the usual environmentally friendly affinity credit card. There are cards that help save the whales or are up to the usual projects: tree planting and saving bodies of water from oil spillage. You may know more environmental orgs if you are practically a tree-hugger. The Amphibian Ark may be seen as simply just that: an affinity credit card that helps save a dying species.(3) And, why not? It may be a worthwhile cause to help save frogs and salamanders. However, there is something suspiciously geeky about saving animals that you normally find icky. Do not fret though if you have an Amphibian Ark affinity credit card; amphibians may not be as cute as whales and pandas but they are still living, breathing animals that need saving.

4. Labour Party Credit Card: Mixing Politics with Money, Money, Money

Should you even be shocked that money is involved in politics? You could be if the issue is about an affinity credit card. Because it is a credit card, it involves debt. What sort of political party would want to be associated with debt? Isn’t it a political party’s job to include erasing debts as part of its platform of government? Now, the Labour Party is probably thinking of the immediate benefits of the move: money for the party to go on with campaign activities. However, the party has been rightfully criticized for the huge 18.9 percent interest rate slammed on its credit card.(4)(5) This is especially a shameful deal when the issue has arisen smack in the middle of the world financial crisis.

3. Ducks Unlimited: Quack-y Lifestyle

Ducks Unlimited is part of this list not because it is particularly strange, suspicious, or off. It is just a little wacky in a serious way(6), if you can understand that. The organization is so bent on really helping out the environment, especially the wetlands that its whole website is dedicated to conservation. This is not an organization trying to help out part-time; everything about Ducks Unlimited is focused and patterned after fundraising for its cause. In its website(7), you will find several other ways in which you can help the cause: through sponsorships or direct donations, through buying its products and through becoming a volunteer. So the affinity credit card is not really your only chance to help out. Money need not be involved at all if you become a volunteer. Yeah, your choice to sign up for the credit card is entirely yours; nobody is pushing to get into debt just to help. In the end, maybe that is what is so weird about this affinity credit card deal.

2. Bank of America’s Brighter Planet Visa: A Little too Ironic

The Brighter Planet Visa affinity card offered by Bank of America aims to let cardholders do their share by converting every dollar spent into specific points, which can then equal to a ton of carbon dioxide offset.(8) Now isn’t it ironic that plastic is being used to combat plastic-induced environmental problems? The amount of carbon dioxide emitted by large factories manufacturing an assortment of plastic products from toys to computer chips has an undeniable effect on global warming.(9) If this is the case, why increase your consumption of plastic products by having a credit card that might trigger spur-of-the-moment shopping sprees? Plus, many credit cards today are manufactured using several layers of plastic(10), adding to the pollution caused by plastic production, consumption, and waste. The intention of Bank of America(11) to help the environment is indeed noble, but it’s a bit ironic to lessen global warming by purchasing more and more crappy plastic items you don’t really need.

1. WXHL Credit Card: When Religion Involves Money

As much as churches are way up there in the list of worthy causes to raise money for, you will not avoid raised eyebrows when it is time to raise money for such an establishment.(12) It is one thing to support a charitable cause but it seems like a very much different idea altogether to support your church, especially if it is through a credit card. While church fundraisers may still be under fire from criticisms, it is nothing compared to the reaction a church’s credit card may receive. Generally, people may accept the idea of an organization helping out a cause via credit card. How would you feel about being encouraged by your church to get right into debt so that you can help? That sounds very conflicted. And yet… other churches are joining the financial bandwagon.(13) What should we expect about the future of credit cards then? Who should we believe now? Our financial advisers are telling us to keep the plastic under wraps for now while our church is telling us to go ahead and slide that plastic in.(14)

In the end, it may seem a tad ridiculous to support a charity when your own finances are in shambles. Affinity credit cards do not seem to care for the benefactor as much.(15) Think about it: you can always help out a charity or two even if you do not have an affinity credit card. You only have to regularly set aside cash for your charities of choice. If you think you need a credit card anyway, you may go for an affinity credit card so that you get to help somehow. However, make sure you juggle your finances properly or else you will be the one needing charity soon.

Sources:
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affinity_credit_card_scheme
(2) http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/credit-loan/affinity-credit-cards-2-08/overview/affinity-credit-cards-ov.htm
(3) http://www.amphibianark.org/
(4) http://www.creditcards.co.uk/news/2008/Sep/labour-credit-card-controversial.html
(5) http://www.debtmanagementtoday.co.uk/newsstory?id=18796574&type=newsfeed&title=labour_party_slammed_over_18_9_credit_card
(6) http://www.canadiancreditcenter.com/cms/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=27
(7) http://www.ducks.ca/aboutduc/news/archives/2006/060526.html
(8) http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/global-warming/green-credit-cards-reward-cards-that-help-the-environment.htm
(9) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming#Emissions_reduction
(10) http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/credit-card
(11) http://www3.bankofamerica.com/creditcards/?context_id=marketing_detail&offer_id=ECOMM090QVXG00400800122974EN000&requestTimeout=120&router_flag=y
(12) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20070612045244AAFQmXu
(13) http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/non-profit-businesses/106304-1.html
(14) http://www.ehow.com/how_2197726_save-cash-feeling-pinch.html
(15) http://www.independent.co.uk/money/loans-credit/ask-sindie-i-want-to-spend-for-charity-but-not-at-this-rate-511088.html

Top 10 Celebrity Bankruptcies You Can Learn From

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:51:17 +0000

Celebrities from around the world are often admired for their fame and their fortune. Let’s face it, practically anyone would love to live in the lap of luxury, with millions to spend on some of the world’s most extravagant and opulent treats. Whether it’s John Travolta’s Boeing 707 private jet(1), Donald Trump’s high-end real estate ventures(2), or Ryan Seacrest’s magnificent home theater(3), celebrities certainly know how to spend a pretty penny. Every now and then, however, stories of celebrities gone bankrupt come about. Whether they make it back on top or not, celebrity bankruptcies are some interesting stories to follow. Here are 10 celebrity bankruptcies that you might want to learn from on your way to making your own fortune.

Mike Tyson(4)

Michael Gerard Tyson, otherwise known as “Iron Mike” Tyson, is one of the most popular and controversial figures in boxing history. As the youngest-ever winner of a heavyweight boxing title, Mike Tyson gained fame and a fortune amounting to an estimated $300-million. In August of 2003, after being convicted of rape and getting back into the ring again, Tyson filed for bankruptcy due to uncontrolled spending and bad financial advice.

Kim Basinger(5)

Kimila Ann “Kim” Basinger was a model turned film actress who became famous for her roles in “Never Say Never Again,” “The Natural,” “L.A. Confidential,” and “Batman.” Winner of a Golden Globe Award, Academy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, Basinger had a promising career. In 1989, Basinger and a few other investors put up $20 million dollars to buy a small town in Georgia called Braselton. After spending such a hefty amount, she was sued for $8-million for backing-out of the film “Boxing Helena,” ultimately leading to her filing for bankruptcy.

Burt Reynolds(6)

Burton Leon “Burt” Reynolds, Jr. is an actor who has become well-known for the hundreds of film appearances that he has made throughout his ongoing career. Reynolds had to file for bankruptcy in 1996, because of his lavish expenses, a failed business venture and a divorce from Loni Anderson. He rebounded from the bankruptcy within a couple of years.

Toni Braxton(7)

Toni Mechelle Braxton has gained much of her popularity as a singer and songwriter of R&B music, as well as a few acting roles. In line with a $3.9-million debt, Braxton had to file for bankruptcy in 1998, forcing her to sell many of her posessions to pay-off creditors. After filing for bankruptcy, she was offered a Broadway role in “Beauty and the Beast”, which helped her get back on track. She soon released a chart-topping album that catapulted her back into fame and out of bankruptcy.

MC Hammer(8)

Stanley Kirk Burrell, best known by his stage name MC Hammer, became famous during the 1980s and 1990s as a rapper and dancer. In 1996, Hammer had to file for bankruptcy after acruing a debt of $13 million. His extravagant lifestyle and decreasing album sales led to the bankruptcy. Since declaring bankruptcy, Hammer has released a number of albums and, in 2008, became host and CEO of a television show.

Wayne Newton(9)

Carson Wayne Newton, also known as Mr. Las Vegas, is an actor and entertainer who has had over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas. Despite his success as an entertainer, Newton had to file for bankruptcy in 1992, with a debt of about $20 million. The debt was largely due to a libel case that he filed against NBC. It was not until 1999 that Newton would be able to build his fortunes once again.

Marvin Gaye(10)

Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr. is an iconic image in the soul and R&B music who became famous during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1979, Gaye had to file for bankruptcy due to tax problems, overdue alimony payments, and drug addiction. He moved to Hawaii and, later on, to Europe. Touring Europe and later returning to the US, Gaye began to regain fame until he was shot and killed by is father.

Meat Loaf(11)

Michael Lee Aday is a musician, stage actor and screen actor who is best known by his stage name Meat Loaf. Meat Loaf has been very successful as a rock musician, but he has had to endure two major bankruptcies during the 1980s. The first bankruptcy was caused when Meat Loaf found out that his managers, Dellentash and Sonenberg, were stealing money from him. Meat Loaf changed managers and was sued for breach of contract, leading him to file for bankruptcy. The second bankruptcy happened during 1986, when Meat Loaf’s new album failed to become a hit. Since filing for the 1986 bankruptcy, Meat Loaf has been able to rebound, touring and producing new albums.

Cyndi Lauper(12)

Cynthia Ann Stephanie “Cyndi” Lauper is an actress and singer-songwriter who has won an American Grammy and an Emmy award. Before becoming successful, Lauper was in a band called Blue Angel, which released an album that didn’t do well. The band broke up and fired their manager, who later sued them for breach of contract. The $80,000 lawsuit caused Lauper to declare bankruptcy in 1980. She later went on to success and fame in the mid-1980s. Lauper has released a total of 11 albums and more than 40 singles, with her total record sales amounting to over $25 million.

Gary Coleman(13)

Gary Wayne Coleman became popular during the late 1970s up to the mid-1980s as an actor in an American sitcom named “Diff’rent Strokes.” Coleman filed for bankruptcy in 1999, due to the mismanagement of his trust funds. Since declaring bankruptcy, Coleman has made a number of appearances on television and in movies, but he has never regained the fame that he had in the 80s.

While some of these celebrity bankruptcies may be inspiring “rags-to-riches” stories, others have not ended so well. It can be difficult to maintain one’s fortune after making it, which is why it’s important to learn from these stories of bankruptcies. Most of the celebrities who have filed for bankruptcy have been forced to do so due to uncontrolled spending, lavish lifestyles, legal matters, or mishandled fortunes. It is easy to get caught up trying to make money, but it’s essential to know how to manage money once you have it, to avoid bankruptcy.

Here are some simple things you can do to avoid bankruptcy:(14)

1. Try to negotiate with your creditors for extensions on debt payments.
2. Make sure you get sound advise from financial and legal experts who have a good track record.
3. Manage your resources well and keep track of your expenses and income.

No matter what you do, always hold on to the things in life that are more meaningful than money, like family, friends, laughter, and love.