Credit Counseling

Credit Counseling can help if you’re not disciplined enough to create a workable budget and stick to it, can’t work out a repayment plan with your creditors, or can’t keep track of mounting bills, consider contacting a credit counseling organization.

Many credit counseling organizations work with you to solve your financial problems. If you are dealing with an organization that calls itself nonprofit, that’s not a guarantee that its services are free, affordable, or even legitimate.

In fact, some credit counseling organizations collect high fees, which may be hidden in their charges, or pressure consumers to make large “voluntary” contributions that can cause more debt.

Most credit counselors offer services through local offices, the Internet, or the telephone. If possible, find an organization that offers in-person counseling. Many universities, military bases, credit unions, housing authorities, and branches of the U.S. Cooperative Extension Service operate nonprofit credit counseling programs.

Your financial institution, local consumer protection agency, and friends and family also may be good sources of information and referrals. You may check the U.S. Trustee Program’s website at www.usdoj.gov, too. Type “approved credit counseling agencies” in the search field.

Reputable credit counseling organizations can advise you on managing your money and debts, help you develop a budget, and offer free educational materials and workshops. Their counselors are certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting.

Counselors discuss your entire financial situation with you, and help you develop a personal plan to solve your money problems. An initial counseling session typically lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions.

For more information, see “Choosing a Credit Counselor” at consumer.ftc.gov.

*As always, I am not a licensed credit repair company. The information included in this email is meant to be educational in nature. Most information was acquired from https://www.consumer.ftc.gov. However, if you'd like me to recommend a credit repair service just let me know. We have a couple repair companies that are very good and charge a nominal monthly fee.