Comments on: Are Debt Counseling Services The Way To Debt Relief? http://thesmarterwallet.com/2010/debt-counseling-services-debt-relief/ Money Tips, Consumer News and Product Reviews To Improve Your Finances Mon, 21 May 2012 23:40:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tracy http://thesmarterwallet.com/2010/debt-counseling-services-debt-relief/#comment-14541 Tracy Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:09:10 +0000 http://thesmarterwallet.com/?p=11069#comment-14541 Danielle is right. Look for the certified non-profit programs. I spoke to a debt counselor when I first began my own financial reinvention and instead of talking me into spending more money on a service I didn't need in my particular circumstance, he told me I could probably negotiate with my creditors directly, which I did. My credit cards are all but paid off now and the rest of my debt is on a 2 year payoff plan, without using debt consolidation, at the advice of a credit counselor with integrity. Danielle is right. Look for the certified non-profit programs. I spoke to a debt counselor when I first began my own financial reinvention and instead of talking me into spending more money on a service I didn’t need in my particular circumstance, he told me I could probably negotiate with my creditors directly, which I did. My credit cards are all but paid off now and the rest of my debt is on a 2 year payoff plan, without using debt consolidation, at the advice of a credit counselor with integrity.

]]> By: LeanLifeCoach http://thesmarterwallet.com/2010/debt-counseling-services-debt-relief/#comment-14527 LeanLifeCoach Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:55:48 +0000 http://thesmarterwallet.com/?p=11069#comment-14527 Great information if you are looking for help. It will be interesting to see what your personal experiences are. Great information if you are looking for help. It will be interesting to see what your personal experiences are.

]]> By: Danielle http://thesmarterwallet.com/2010/debt-counseling-services-debt-relief/#comment-14357 Danielle Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:58:32 +0000 http://thesmarterwallet.com/?p=11069#comment-14357 Great article. I work with MMI for my debt management program. One of the easiest ways to tell if they are a good service or not is to ask if they are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. MMI was recommended to me by a friend and I love them. There is a $40 monthly fee, but I don't care at all. I wouldn't have been able to negotiate my interest rates to 2% with Chase without a huge impact on my credit score. Going on a DMP has actually improved my credit. It truly was the best decision I made. Bankruptcy was not an option for me due to my income level, but I had to do something with $38k in debt. I was on a 5-year plan. Now I expect to be paid off in 2.5 years, unless something unexpected happens. It is such a relief not to think about it anymore. Good luck with your personal situation. Great article. I work with MMI for my debt management program. One of the easiest ways to tell if they are a good service or not is to ask if they are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. MMI was recommended to me by a friend and I love them. There is a $40 monthly fee, but I don’t care at all. I wouldn’t have been able to negotiate my interest rates to 2% with Chase without a huge impact on my credit score. Going on a DMP has actually improved my credit. It truly was the best decision I made. Bankruptcy was not an option for me due to my income level, but I had to do something with $38k in debt.

I was on a 5-year plan. Now I expect to be paid off in 2.5 years, unless something unexpected happens. It is such a relief not to think about it anymore.

Good luck with your personal situation.

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