When you owe a lot of money to a lot of creditors and feel like you’ll never be able to pay it all off, the first step on the path to financial freedom is to say “I need help with my debt.” Being in debt feels horrible and for many people it’s an embarrassment. But once you raise your hand and admit “I need help with my debt,” you’ll find there are plenty of resources for people in your position — and plenty of people who need the same kind of help.
At American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC), we offer free credit counseling and low-cost services to consumers who are ready to say “I need help with my debt.” Our highly trained and certified credit counselors can clear up any confusion around your finances, help you evaluate your financial situation, and go over all of the options for paying down your debt — from debt relief loans to debt settlement programs and debt management plans. We’ll help you choose the avenue that will work best for your situation and goals, and provide you with ample educational materials to help you manage your money more effectively.
I need help with my debt consolidation plan.
Often, one of the first things that people ask when they come to us is “what are my credit card debt options?” Typically, consumers want help consolidating debt, which means taking out a new loan to pay off a number of other debts. The hope is that with a lower interest rate on a new loan they’ll save money, and with just one loan payment to make, they’ll stay current with their creditors more easily.
But debt consolidation is not for everyone. If you have a lot of debt, you may not be able to secure the low debt consolidation rates that this approach depends on. And consolidating debt doesn’t necessarily help you reduce it — consumers taking out consolidation loans often find their debt remains the same or actually increases over a period of a couple years. Your ACCC credit counselor can help you decide if debt consolidation makes sense for you.
I need help with my debt forgiveness efforts.
Debt forgiveness is another potential strategy for anyone ready to admit “I need help with my debt.” This involves paying your creditors a lump sum payment that is less than what you owe and ask them to wipe out your debt. While this is sometimes effective, it can also backfire and add even more debt to your totals. While ACCC does not get involved in debt forgiveness plans, we can help you understand the benefits or potential risks this approach may pose.
I need help with my debt management program.
For many consumers who realize “I need help with my debt” and who come to us with questions like “How do I manage credit card debt more effectively,” we often suggest a debt management program. Under this approach, you’ll make one payment each month to us and we’ll pay all your creditors for you. This ensures timely payments, simplifies your finances and lets us work with your creditors to reduce interest rates and finance charges.
When you’re ready to say “I need help with my debt,” contact ACCC for a free credit counseling session where you can also get answers to questions like “What is a unsecured credit card?” and “How do I pay off credit card bills?”
