Today (October 9th, 2023) was once known as a day celebrated as Columbus day, how the Americas had been discovered by a man who came from Europe. Which is not true. There were many Indigenous peoples here for many years long before the arrival of Columbus. The discovery of America is built on social unjust, the loss of the indigenous way of life, mass genocide and colonization of our peoples.
The arrival of Columbus pushed indigenous peoples off of their lands and onto reservations with poor living conditions which are still here today. Many children were separated from their family and forced to go to boarding school in an attempt to erase our culture. Many horrible things have happened after Columbus stepped foot on these grounds bringing people from Europe to this country.
Today is now known as Indigenous Peoples Day. A day of remembrance to those we have lost in the past and even now. Those we have lost in boarding schools, the mistreatment our peoples have endured and those who have gone missing.
Today is also a day to celebrate the resilience of our people along with our heritage. We should be proud of who we are. Grateful for the beauty that is so embedded into our culture and our lands. This is a day to honor our people. A day of recognition and to be proud of who we are. I would like to end this speech with a moment of silence before our walk. Thank you all for listening.
Anigar Arianna Samson
Bethel, AK
Should you use a debt consolidation app?
If you are considering debt consolidation, you are not alone. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, household debt in the US increased by more than $7,000 from 2020 to 2022. Many individuals have since started turning to debt consolidation apps and other credit relief options for help.
Better Business Bureau recently released an investigative report on debt consolidation and credit repair companies. At the time of the report’s publication, BBB had received more than 11,000 complaints and nearly 900 negative reviews about debt and credit assistance. The filings revealed a pattern of misleading and fraudulent claims made by companies operating in the debt consolidation industry.
As we approach the holiday season, a time when debt can quickly pile up, the thought of using a debt consolidation app may seem especially appealing. Before you make that call, it’s important to determine if debt consolidation services are a good fit for you. In most cases though, you can get the job done yourself with a little time, commitment, and organization.
Most debt consolidation apps can help you track and manage what you owe, but their approaches vary. Before investing any time or money, learn more about how debt consolidation apps work to find out which options may help you.
Tips for picking the right debt consolidation app
Research the app’s debt payoff strategy.
Some debt consolidation apps focus on taking a snowball approach (i.e., paying off your smallest debts first). In contrast, others use the avalanche approach (i.e., paying off debt with the higher interest rate first). Other apps allow you to choose which one to use or create a personalized payoff plan. Before you pick an app, consider which debt strategy will most motivate you to stay on track.
Determine if the app supports your financial goals.
Some apps automate payments, while others are more about motivating to get debt-free. Some help you to budget, while others help you calculate early payoff savings. Others help you pay down debt quicker by rounding up your purchases and putting the extra few cents towards your debts. Consider how you expect a debt consolidation app to help you and what tools you need to achieve your financial goals.
Consider connecting your financial accounts.
Many debt consolidation apps allow you to connect your financial accounts. If this feature appeals to you, choose an app that offers it. However, remember that some apps limit how many accounts you can connect.
Find out if the app is trustworthy.
Once you know how you want to get rid of your debt, comparing apps and their functions will be easier. Choose a few that work with your situation and compare. Research each service on BBB.org to see what others are reporting about them. Do they have complaints? If they do, how are they responding to and addressing those complaints? That’s one of the most important things to look for when doing your research.
Compare interest rates.
Some apps offer lines of credit with interest rates that may be lower than what your credit cards offer. You will need a reasonable credit score to take advantage of this service, but depending on what you owe and how much interest you pay each month, it might help save you money.
Think about the cost.
Some debt consolidation apps are free, but others require a monthly or yearly subscription fee. Be sure the app will save you more money than you’ll spend. Otherwise, you’ll be working against your financial goals.
Know when it’s time for credit counseling.
Apps can be a convenient and effective way to consolidate and pay off debt. However, consider credit counseling if you don’t qualify for debt consolidation or are struggling to make even the minimum payments on what you owe. Remember that a trustworthy credit counseling agency should give you information about services and the agency itself without asking for any of your personal or financial details upfront.
Be careful with your personal information.
Debt consolidation apps will ask you for sensitive financial information, especially if you decide to connect your financial accounts. Double and triple-check that you are dealing with a reputable app before handing over this information.
Visit the BBB Money HQ to gain more insight into achieving your financial goals.
Logan Hickle
PR & Communications Manager
BBB Great West + Pacific
