Is a debt consolidation plan right for you?
When finding themselves deeply in debt, many consumers begin thinking about a debt consolidation plan. This usually involves taking out a new loan at a low interest rate in order to pay off loans and balances that have higher interest rates. In theory, a debt consolidation program can help you save money on interest while also simplifying your finances and reducing your stress. A debt consolidation plan may also be used to restructure the terms of your debt, reducing your monthly payments by paying the loan off over a longer period of time.
A debt consolidation plan is not necessarily the right choice for every consumer. If your credit is poor, you’ll have a hard time finding a lender who will offer you the low rates that makes debt consolidation work. And not all debt consolidators are reputable agencies – some charge high fees and are more interested in making a profit than helping you deal with your debt.
Before signing onto a debt consolidation plan, it’s wise to seek objective advice from a debt consultant or a nonprofit credit card counseling service like American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC).
Evaluating a debt consolidation plan with ACCC.
ACCC has been helping consumers to manage and eliminate debt since 1991. As a nonprofit organization, we’re dedicated to helping people just like you regain control of their finances, find the best way to pay off debt, and learn to live debt-free in the future.
We offer a free credit counseling service where you can meet with a highly trained, certified credit counselor to discuss your situation. Our counselors will help you take a clear look at your finances and discuss a variety of options for paying down your debt, including a debt consolidation plan if that makes the most sense for you. We’ll also provide you with a wealth of free educational materials that can help you learn to budget and manage finances to reach your goals.
Debt management: a debt consolidation plan alternative.
As one of the nation’s leading credit counseling agencies, we also provide low-costs services for bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and debt management.
Debt management is a highly effective alternative to a debt consolidation plan. Rather than taking out a new loan to consolidate your debts, you’ll consolidate payments to creditors by writing one check each month to ACCC. We’ll use that money to pay your bills for you, on time, while also seeking reductions in interest rates and monthly payments that can help to pay your debt off faster.
By choosing a debt management plan rather than a debt consolidation plan, you’ll develop the financial discipline you need to pay your debt off more quickly – usually within 60 months. You’ll simplify your financial life and reduce your stress. And you’ll develop the habits that will enable you to live a debt-free life in the future.
