How a debt counselor may save your financial life
When you’re deeply in debt, it can be hard to see a way out. Every month, your credit card balances get a little higher despite making regular payments. Unpaid bills began to pile up. If you have unexpected expenses – a medical emergency or car that breaks down – it can begin to feel like a life without debt is an unattainable goal.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your financial situation, a debt counselor can help. Debt counselors are certified financial professionals who are trained to identify solutions for people just like you. Counselors with a nonprofit credit counseling service will offer free credit counseling and debt advice, so you won’t have to spend more money to solve your financial troubles. And when you work with a debt or credit counselor, you’ll realize you don’t have to manage your debt alone.
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit agency with debt counselors available nationwide. When you’re ready to finally put an end to your financial issues, we can help you make a plan to achieve your goals and enjoy a debt-free future.
What to expect from a debt counselor
Meeting with a debt counselor from ACCC in a free credit counseling session is the first step on your journey out of debt. At this first meeting, your counselor will work with you to get a clear picture of your financial situation, as well as the events and actions that led you into debt in the first place. Your counselor will develop a detailed review of your expenses, income, assets, and liabilities, and then walk you through all the options for paying down your debt. You can discuss the pros and cons of each approach and choose the strategy that seems best for you.
If, like many consumers, you choose to enroll in ACCC’s debt management program, your debt counselor will show you how the program works and get you started on your journey out of debt.
After that first session, your counselor can continue to offer expertise and support as you work to take control of your financial life again. You’ll feel confident knowing there is a team of financial experts on your side and that you’re taking action to finally achieve your financial goals.
ACCC: debt counselors, education and more
At ACCC, we’ve been providing consumer credit counseling to individuals and families since 1991. Our team is dedicated to helping you regain control of your finances and plan for a debt-free future. Our professionally trained and certified debt counselors can assist with all your financial needs and help you develop a plan to address every financial situation.
Our services include:
- Free credit counseling to evaluate your situation, create a budget, and make a plan to get out of debt
- Low-cost debt management programs to consolidate your payments, simplify your finances, and work toward a debt-free future
- Student loan counseling to explore all your options regardless of how much you owe or the status of your loans
- Bankruptcy counseling, including the mandated pre-filing bankruptcy counseling session required by the courts
- Housing counseling, including counseling about reverse mortgages, foreclosures, homebuyer education, and certification
When your debt counselor recommends debt management
At your credit counseling session, your ACCC credit counselor may recommend a debt management plan. This approach is designed to let you pay down your debt on a budget you can live with without making unsustainable sacrifices. You won’t be required take out an additional loan to eliminate your credit card debt, or to stop making payments to creditors which could jeopardize your credit rating.
In a debt management plan, you’ll combine all of your monthly payments into a single payment to a fund at ACCC. Our team will disburse funds to your creditors on your behalf, making sure the payments arrive on time. We’ll also talk with your creditors about possibly reducing interest rates, finance charges, late fees, and over-limit fees. Additionally, we may seek to re-age your accounts to give you more time to pay off debt and lower the amount of your monthly payment.
With a debt management plan with ACCC, you’ll have just one payment, creating less financial stress and making it easier to pay your bill each month. You may also be able to pay off your debt faster. And you’ll rest easy knowing our team is available to help and support you at any time.
Why seek counseling from ACCC?
Choosing the right nonprofit credit counseling agency is the first step in your path out of debt. When you come to ACCC, we will provide you with:
- Expert help provided by certified and professionally trained counselors backed by a 30-year track record of success in the credit counseling industry
- Free and low-cost services, including free credit card counseling and affordable debt management programs with fees that are among the lowest in the industry
- Educational materials and financial tools that can improve your knowledge of money management, build sound financial habits, and help you plan to reach your financial goals
- Exceptional customer service provided by counselors who care about you and who will work with you until your problems are solved
- Convenient services provided in person and over the phone, in English and Spanish
When you come to ACCC, you’ll be working with a highly reputable leader in the credit counseling industry. We are a member of the National Foundation of Credit Counseling (NFCC) and we are accredited through the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
FAQs: What is a debt counselor?
What is a debt counselor?
A debt counselor is a financial professional who is certified to provide information and assistance to consumers who are seeking to get out of debt. Debt counselors typically work with non-profit credit counseling organizations that provide free or low-cost services to individuals and families. Debt counselors are trained to help you review your finances and understand the options available to you for getting out of debt. They may also provide access to financial tools and educational materials that can help you learn more about sound money management practices.
How do I find a reputable debt counselor?
When looking for a debt counselor, it’s wise to seek out non-profit credit counseling companies. You’ll want to look for an organization that has been around for at least 7 to 10 years, and that has a strong track record with the Better Business Bureau. Reputable credit counseling agencies should be members of one of the national trade associations: either the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA) or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). And the counselors they employee should be certified by an independent organization.
