Debt Reduction- Advice On Credit Card Debt Reduction, Debt Reduction Services, And Debt Reduction Plans

Katie asked:


Here are the questions:
2. Evaluate the asset, debt, and equity structure of Lucent Technologies, as well as trends and changes found on the common-size balance sheet.
3. What concerns would investors and creditors have based on only this information?
4. What additional finanacial and non-financial information would investors and creditors need to make investing and lending decisions for Lucent Technologies?

The info:
Executive Summary We design and deliver the systems, software and services that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, we use our strengths in mobility, optical, access, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for our customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Our customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. We have three segments organized around the products and services we sell. The reportable segments are Integrated Network Solutions (“INS”), Mobility Solutions (“Mobility”) and Lucent Worldwide Services (“Services”). INS provides a broad range of software and wireline equipment related to voice networking (primarily consisting of switching products, which we sometimes refer to as convergence solutions, and voice messaging products), data and network management (primarily consisting of access and related data networking equipment and operating support software) and optical networking. Mobility provides software and wireless equipment to support radio access and core networks. Services provides deployment, maintenance, professional and managed services in support of both our product offerings as well as multi-vendor networks. Beginning in fiscal 2001, the global telecommunications market deteriorated, resulting from a decrease in the competitive local exchange carrier market and a significant reduction in capital spending by established service providers.This trend intensified during fiscal 2002 and continued into fiscal 2003. Reasons for the market deterioration included general economic slowdown, network overcapacity, customer bankruptcies, network build-out delays and limited availability of capital. We believe that the market for telecommunications equipment has stabilized and is starting to grow in certain areas. The growing demands of enterprises and consumers for additional services tailored to their needs is creating the need for a new convergence of networks, technologies and applications. Required 1. Using the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Lucent Technologies for September 30, 2004 and 2003, prepare a common-size balance sheet. 2. Evaluate the asset, debt, and equity structure of Lucent Technologies, as well as trends and changes found on the common-size balance sheet. 3. What concerns would investors and creditors have based on only this information? 4. What additional financial and nonfinancial information would investors and creditors need to make investing and lending decisions for Lucent Technologies? LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in Millions, Except per Share Amounts) September 30, September 30, 2004 2003 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,379 $ 3,821 Marketable securities 858 686 Receivables 1,359 1,511 Inventories 822 632 Other current assets 1,813 1,213 Total current assets 8,231 7,863 Marketable securities 636 — Property, plant, and equipment, net 1,376 1,593 Prepaid pension costs 5,358 4,659 Goodwill and other acquired intangibles, net 434 188 Other assets 928 1,608 Total assets $ 16,963 $ 15,911 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 872 $ 1,072 Payroll and benefit-related liabilities 1,232 1,080 Debt maturing within one year 1 389 Other current liabilities 2,361 2,393 Total current liabilities 4,466 4,934 Postretirement and postemployment benefit liabilities 4,881 4,669 Pension liabilities 1,874 2,494 Long-term debt 4,837 4,439 Liability to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities 1,152 1,152 Other liabilities 1,132 1,594 Total liabilities 18,342 19,282 Commitments and contingencies 8.00% redeemable convertible preferred stock — 868 Shareowners’ Deficit Preferred stock—par value $1.00 per share; authorized shares: 250; issued and outstanding: none — — Common stock—par value $.01 per share;Authorized shares: 10,000; 4,396 issued and 4,395 outstanding shares as of September 30, 2004,and 4,170 issued and 4,169 outstanding shares as of September 30, 2003 44 42 Additional paid-in capital 23,005 22,252 Accumulated deficit (20,793) (22,795) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,635) (3,738) Total shareowners’ deficit (1,379) (4,239) Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and shareowners’ deficit $ 16,963 $ 15911

Joseph Hatchet

Gavin’s_Mommy asked:


Executive Summary
We design and deliver the systems, software
and services that drive next-generation communications
networks. Backed by Bell Labs
research and development, we use our
strengths in mobility, optical, access, data and
voice networking technologies, as well as
services, to create new revenue-generating
opportunities for our customers, while
enabling them to quickly deploy and better
manage their networks. Our customer base
includes communications service providers,
governments and enterprises worldwide.
We have three segments organized
around the products and services we sell.
The reportable segments are Integrated Network
Solutions (“INS”), Mobility Solutions
(“Mobility”) and Lucent Worldwide Services
(“Services”). INS provides a broad range
of software and wireline equipment related
to voice networking (primarily consisting
of switching products, which we sometimes
refer to as convergence solutions, and voice
messaging products), data and network
management (primarily consisting of access
and related data networking equipment
and operating support software) and optical
networking. Mobility provides software and
wireless equipment to support radio access
and core networks. Services provides deployment,
maintenance, professional and managed
services in support of both our product
offerings as well as multi-vendor networks.
Beginning in fiscal 2001, the global
telecommunications market deteriorated,
resulting from a decrease in the competitive
local exchange carrier market and a significant
reduction in capital spending by established
service providers.This trend intensified
during fiscal 2002 and continued into fiscal
2003. Reasons for the market deterioration
included general economic slowdown, network
overcapacity, customer bankruptcies,
network build-out delays and limited availability
of capital.
We believe that the market for telecommunications
equipment has stabilized
and is starting to grow in certain areas. The
growing demands of enterprises and consumers
for additional services tailored to
their needs is creating the need for a new
convergence of networks, technologies and
applications.
Required
1. Using the Consolidated Balance
Sheets for Lucent Technologies for
September 30, 2004 and 2003, prepare
a common-size balance sheet.
2. Evaluate the asset, debt, and equity
structure of Lucent Technologies, as
well as trends and changes found on
the common-size balance sheet.
3. What concerns would investors and
creditors have based on only this
information?
4. What additional financial and nonfinancial
information would investors
and creditors need to make investing
and lending decisions for Lucent
Technologies?

LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in Millions, Except per Share Amounts)
September 30, September 30,
2004 2003
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,379 $ 3,821
Marketable securities 858 686
Receivables 1,359 1,511
Inventories 822 632
Other current assets 1,813 1,213
Total current assets 8,231 7,863
Marketable securities 636 —
Property, plant, and equipment, net 1,376 1,593
Prepaid pension costs 5,358 4,659
Goodwill and other acquired intangibles, net 434 188
Other assets 928 1,608
Total assets $ 16,963 $ 15,911
Liabilities
Accounts payable $ 872 $ 1,072
Payroll and benefit-related liabilities 1,232 1,080
Debt maturing within one year 1 389
Other current liabilities 2,361 2,393
Total current liabilities 4,466 4,934
Postretirement and postemployment benefit liabilities 4,881 4,669
Pension liabilities 1,874 2,494
Long-term debt 4,837 4,439
Liability to subsidiary trust issuing preferred securities 1,152 1,152
Other liabilities 1,132 1,594
Total liabilities 18,342 19,282
Commitments and contingencies
8.00% redeemable convertible preferred stock — 868
Shareowners’ Deficit
Preferred stock—par value $1.00 per share; authorized shares:
250; issued and outstanding: none — —
Common stock—par value $.01 per share;Authorized shares:
10,000; 4,396 issued and 4,395 outstanding shares as of
September 30, 2004,and 4,170 issued and 4,169
outstanding shares as of September 30, 2003 44 42
Additional paid-in capital 23,005 22,252
Accumulated deficit (20,793) (22,795)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,635) (3,738)
Total shareowners’ deficit (1,379) (4,239)
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock
and shareowners’ deficit $ 16,963 $ 15911

Errol Roat

Gretchen W asked:


Bankruptcy or a Debt Reduction Program?

Vince Hofe

Inquiring Atheist asked:


Obama
First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. (Aug 2007)
Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on $52M for “21st century community learning centers”. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)

McCain
Unrestricted block grants–let states decide spending. (Feb 2000)
Voted NO on $52M for “21st century community learning centers”. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
Voted YES on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need. (Jul 2001)
Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions. (Jul 2001)
Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable. (Jul 2001)
Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)

What doy you think?
http://www.ontheissues.org source

Mark Edmeier

Karl L asked:


What I want to know is this,,,,With all the donore aid and money being pumped into Africa how effective is it? Are some of the policies realisitic and are african states beneffitig from this?

Should the current policy be improved in anyway. If so how. Please feel free to criticise other igo’s ngo’s such as the EU UN and WHO for example.

I personally dont see much improvement in Africa despite the increased aid from the USA/UN. Do poor African states really benefit from national debt reduction/debt removal? Bush is going to invest $50 billion in aid to Africa but I personally dont see how this is going to improve the lives of Africans.

Royce Redwood

iraqiheadbusta asked:


I have been going to Ufirst Financial meetings on Thursdays here in Roanoke, VA and am wondering if anyone else has used their debt reduction program. I understand how it works and have done research on their website www.u1stfinancial.net/roanokeva but would like some feedback from other people. According to the analisis they did for me I could pay off my mortgage in 10 years instead of the 29 years remaining if I just open a home equity line of credit and pay down my mortgage with it. This is a pretty neat concept but still would like to know if anyone esle has used it before I commit to anything. Anyway thanks for the input.

Rod

Sutashia asked:


I am looking for feedback. What was your experience? Was it good or bad? What kind of a program would you like to see out there, if different from Emilio’s program? Thank you for your time.
This is a law firm not just a debt reduction company.

Moira Marquart

Viperdude5064410 asked:


Suppose that the economy is in the midst of a recession. Which of the following policies would be consistent with the active fiscal policy?

A) A congressional proposal to incur a Federal surplus to be used for the retirement of public debt.
B)A reduction in agricultural subsidies and veterans benefits.
C) A postponement of a highway construction program
D) A reduction in Federal tax rates on personal and corporate income

Melodee Kapitula

debandjc asked:


I am looking for personal info from someone’s own experience or what you’ve heard. Other than credit damage, did you regret doing it? Also How long does it take, what does it cost and can you keep your car and IRA as that’s all I have of value. Feel free to answer if you know anything, just know I have checked out the different websites, so please don’t forward me a website address. I’m hoping to get an everyday person’s input..I’m confused and not sure which one (7 or 13) is the way to go, or to file at all. If I go 13, how much of a reduction in debt normall occurs and does it freeze the interest accruing? Thank you.

Charles Redus

RomanceNdreams asked:


Many Americans today wrongfully believe that the Federal Reserve is somehow part of the federal government, possibly even the Treasury Department. Many do not know that the Federal Reserve is actually a cartel of private banks that was given the power to be the sole issuer of U.S. money, with full control over its quantity and thus its value. Since this group of private bankers (the Fed) provides credit to the U.S. government when we spend money we don’t have, the Fed also is able to profit handsomely from the ever-increasing national debt. Because the Fed makes more money when the country goes deeper into debt, there is no incentive for the Fed to support any reductions in federal deficit spending. The more credit we need, the more money this cartel of private banks will make.
If you want to see for yourself, just Google….Federal Reserve is Privately Owned.

Eldridge Rodas