Credit Counseling And Debt Management Programs
Not all credit counseling services require that consumers participate in a debt management program, and not all consumers who need credit counseling also require a debt management program.
A debt management program is a program that helps consumers with their existing debt. Qualified credit counselors will take a look at your debt and income levels, discuss options for getting out of debt, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a debt management program with you.
If it is determined that a debt management program is the appropriate plan of action for your situation, the credit counselor will develop a payment schedule with each of your unsecured creditors, in an attempt to lower the total amount of money owed, decrease your interest rates, and have over the limit and late fees removed from accounts while you are participating in the credit counseling debt management program.
How Debt Management Programs Work
When you join a debt management program, you will begin making a monthly payment to the credit counseling agency. The agency then takes those deposits and uses them to make payments on your behalf to your student loans, credit cards, medical bills and other unsecured debts- using the payment schedule that the credit counselor has worked out with your creditors.
It's always a good idea to get the debt management program terms in writing- and then ask each creditor if they actually do offer the concessions that the credit counselor has indicated.
Successful debt management programs may take 2 years or more to pay off your debt. Your credit counselor should be able to estimate how long it will take you to completely pay off each of your existing debt, and chances are you will be required not to apply for or use any other credit while you are part of the program.
Questions to Ask before Enrolling in a Debt Management Program
Before signing a contract or making a commitment to use a debt management program, there are more questions you should ask in order to determine if the debt management program is the best option for your situation.
If a credit counseling agency only offers debt management programs as their service, you should probably consider using a different credit counseling program that can also provide assistance with budgeting and money management.
Ask how the monthly payment is determined. If the debt management payment is higher than what you can afford each month- you're not going to make any progress by using the program. Make sure the monthly payment is reasonable enough that you can make the payment as required each month before the due date.
Find out how the debt management program makes payments to creditors. Will it be within the billing cycle and before the due date? Do they make monthly payments to creditors or are they on some other schedule? How does their payment schedule affect your debt?
Are there any debts that you currently have that cannot be included in the debt management program? Find out why, and make sure that you can afford to pay that bill on your own while still paying the proposed debt management monthly payment.
Ask the credit counselor how the debt management program will affect your credit. If they tell you they can remove negative marks on your credit report, they're wrong. Legally, only incorrect negative marks on your credit history can be removed before the seven year period is over.
Make sure the program you are considering is a debt management program and not a debt negotiation plan as they are two very different methods, and a debt negotiation plan can have long lasting negative results for your credit report.
Related Tags: debt, credit card debt, debt relief, get out of debt, credit debt, debt-free life, living debt-free
Destroy Debt has the advice and resources you need on debt consolidation and other financial topics. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Secrets to Getting Low Down Payment Car Insurance
Upon purchase of a new car, there is almost always a requirement to buy an auto insurance policy as - The Wisdom Behind Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes
No one in his right mind would not go for a good deal. In fact, everyone is out on their feet and ru - The Benefits of Auto Insurance Comparisons Florida
Insurance can be expensive. This is something everyone knows about especially in the sunny state of - Auto Insurance Florida: The No-Fault Policy
There are different kinds of car insurance offered by a wide range of providers today. Different sta - Finding the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies
Everyone is asking and searching for the cheapest auto insurance companies available today. Consider - How do You Compare Private Health Insurance Cover in Australia?
Deciding what is the best and most affordable private health insurance cover can be easy if you take - How Payment Protection Insurance Was Mis-Sold
For over six years the issue of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) and how it was mis-sold to custom - Finding Quotes For Auto Insurance Online
One of the many concerns when you are shopping for auto insurance is being able to get access to quo - How You Can Find the Best Auto Insurance Online
When it comes to renewing your car insurance you are going to quickly discover that there are a numb - Guidelines For Searching For Auto Insurance Online
The internet can be a great source of discounts and values related to auto insurance. However, many
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Trading Forex With Pivot Points
Forex Pivot Point Trading are used today by Forex Traders and are calculated on the previous days mo - Where To Search For Free Grants
Where do you look for free grants? The search must be thorough or it could be an exercise in futilit - The Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Salt
We are a society of Salt Addicts. It cannot be denied. When you look at the things we do and the pla - Tips For Avoiding HYIP Scams
Before knowing about HYIP Scams, refer to the functioning of HYIP or "High Yield Investment Programs - Getting Credit After Bankruptcy
Consumers do not have to live sans credit following a bankruptcy. By following certain steps consume - Tips For Choosing A Credit Card
Are you looking for that perfect credit card? If so, you may be confused about what exactly to look - Cheap Car Insurance For Teens Online
Many elements determine a car insurance policy. Car insurance companies look at the person's age, hi - What Exactly Is Free Grant Money?
You can apply for free grant money from various government agencies. But where exactly does this mon - Small Business Owners Marketing and Customer Service
Marketing can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be hugely expensive now, thanks to the Inter - Apply Online For A Credit Card - How To Choose A Card?
The best type of credit card for you will be dependant on how you intend to use the credit card. Are