The Personal Finance Blog

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More and more Americans are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet or are buried in a pile of credit related debt. Many of them are turning to credit counseling agencies in order to learn how to manage their finances and to legally settle their outstanding debts.

Choosing a credit-counseling agency can be a little tricky. As always, it is important to make sure that the agency you choose is legitimate. There are certain characteristics to look for in a credit-counseling agency to insure that you aren’t being taken advantage of. A legitimate credit-counseling agency is typically non-profit and is there to help you without regard to what you can offer them. They will provide free information to you without any commitment or information from you. Their counselors are certified and trained professionals. They should look at your overall financial situation in order to develop a personalized plan. They should offer you advice and information based on your personal situation that will teach you how to handle your finances and debt. They should also help you develop and maintain a personalized, viable budget.

In some situations, a credit counselor may suggest a Debt Management Program (DMP) as part of your credit counseling. With a DMP your counselor will devise a payment plan that fits both your needs and your creditors needs. Many times creditors will agree to lower interest rates and fees if they know you are working with a credit counselor. A DMP is usually used for unsecured debt such as student loans, credit cards, and hospital bills. It does not cover debts such as car loans, mortgage payments, or taxes. You will be required to pay a set amount of money each month to the credit counseling agency, which in turn uses that money to pay the agreed amount to the creditors. A debt management plan will not make your debt burdens go away over night. Just as it takes time to create debt, it takes time to pay it off. It could take as long as 3 to 4 years to successfully complete a DMP.

If you are struggling to make ends meet, credit counseling can be a great way to help you solve your financial problems. However, credit counseling alone will not erase your debt. It will take some work on your part. Use the information and tools that are offered to you. They certainly can’t hurt you and if you use them correctly, you will be well on your way to freedom from your debt.

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