You might have more options than you think when it comes to getting your finances back on track. But which one is right for you? Tell one of our representatives about your situation today and learn about your options.
Debt Management Plans, also known as Credit Counseling, can be an effective way to lower your interest rates and combine your monthly unsecured debts into one lower payment. Managing your finances is the first step toward financial security. Before you can start saving, you need to pay off the money you owe, so developing a debt management plan that can help you tackle your consumer debt is an important first step.
A debt management plan, or DMP, is a payment plan that is created and managed by a consumer credit counseling agency. The agency works with the individual’s creditors to negotiate lower monthly payments and possibly reduce interest rates. In a DMP, you will make one monthly payment to the credit counseling agency, which distributes the funds to your creditors. This plan typically lasts 3-5 years, during which time you are not allowed to take on any new debt. Debt management plans can help you eliminate consumer-related debts faster and cheaper than you otherwise would be able to.
A credit counselor is a professional trained in financial education and budgeting skills. Credit Counselors provide guidance on managing debt, creating a budget, and improving credit scores. A credit counselor may also work with individuals or creditors to create a debt management plan. Additionally, some credit counseling agencies offer services such as bankruptcy counseling and housing counseling. Remember, it is important to carefully research a reputable credit counseling agency before seeking its services.
The most obvious advantage of adopting a debt management plan is that it allows you to lower your interest rate while combining several bills into one. Other benefits of debt management plans include:
It’s worth calling out that a credit counseling debt management plan is not the best choice for everyone, and should be thoroughly researched before enrolling in one. It is important to ensure that the credit counseling agency you choose is reputable, as fraudulent companies do exist and those companies may charge excessive fees or encourage the individual to make payments directly to them rather than their creditors. Additionally, a DMP may have negative impacts on credit scores and not all creditors may agree to participate. Other cons of choosing a debt management plan include:
Despite these disadvantages, working with a debt relief company can help you regain your financial footing in the face of steep credit card debt.
Every day, more and more people find themselves in financial hardship. We’ve helped our clients overcome it. And we’re ready to help you too!
“I had just gotten divorced, debt was piling up and I didn’t know what to do. It’s an amazing feeling to see ZERO balances on all my credit cards and loans.”
My spouse passed away… and I was trying to do everything by myself. I was $78,000 in debt when I came to American Consumer Solutions™. It was the greatest thing I’ve ever done for myself.”
“My wife fell ill, resulting in a loss of income. We started paying our bills on credit cards leading to high credit card debt. American Consumer Solutions™ programs are very good and I highly recommend it.”
“I had six credit card bills and wasn’t finding a relief point… but I got mail from American Consumer Solutions™ and they reduced my payments to just one. Thank you ACS. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me!”
“I had like 14 credit cards and owed over $70,000 in debt. I got a card in the mail from American Consumer Solutions™ and they saved me a lot of time and stress from having to do this on my own.”
Credit Counseling, also referred to as a Debt Management Plan, is a program that is best suited for consumers with a moderate debt load that may be having difficulty making their full monthly payments or timely monthly payment on their credit card accounts. A Credit Counseling program may be a good solution for anyone who has experienced a short term financial event, and needs relief from high interest rates in order to get back on track paying their credit card bills.
In a certified credit counseling program, you will work with a financial counselor to establish a budget and monthly payment plan and then make one single monthly payment to the credit counseling company who in turn will disburse your payment to your credit card companies.
Credit counseling companies work directly with your creditors to adjust your interest rate and establish a new monthly payment plan to repay the full outstanding balance on your credit card accounts over a period of 5-7 years depending on how much you may owe to your creditors. In a credit counseling program, fees are paid to the credit counseling agency by the credit card companies, and consumers typically pay a small monthly program management fee of $50 or less for administering the program.
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Examine your expenses, evaluate your income flow, and consider ways to better manage your finances. A debt counselor can illuminate a path that better prioritizes your debt. Some considerations:
“When you fail to plan you plan to fail.” That old adage is particularly apt when it comes to your financial health. The first thing to do when planning for your financial future is to make a budget. For many people however, that’s easier said than done. They struggle with numbers and finances, and they can’t create a plan without help. Fortunately, such help is available in the form of a personal budgeting planner.
Sometimes it takes outside assistance to get clarity regarding our total debt picture. Working with a budgeting counselor can give you that clarity. They will work with you to thoroughly understand your total financial picture to include:
As with everything in life, follow through is critical when formulating and sticking to a personal budget. Looking at your spending critically allows you the opportunity to assess your expenses before apportioning your income to maintaining your debts. Budgeting for savings means that you will be able to absorb any unexpected expenses without busting your budget.
In the same manner that bankruptcy petitioners must verify their eligibility to file for protection, debtors looking at entering into a debt management plan must also prove eligibility.
Once you have decided that you need to get a hold of your outstanding debt, you’ll want to sit down and determine your eligibility to participate. Specifically, we will look at your total debt and income picture to discover whether you have the ability to repay your debts. Towards that end, a credit counselor will analyze:
If you are sincere in your desire to pay down your debt, and you have a steady income that will allow you to meet the plan’s obligations, then you should be eligible to participate in a DMP.
Once enrolled, you will make your monthly payment to your credit counseling agency, and they will then distribute these funds upwards to your creditors. For many consumers however, they worry about worsening their credit rating by participating in a Debt Management Plan (DMP).
If your question is, “Will a DMP affect my credit”, you should first realize that ongoing credit collection efforts already having a negative effect on your credit. Most Debt Management Plans are scheduled to last three to four years. While in the program, your credit report will note any obligation that is being paid down under the program. While it is impossible to completely assess how a DMP will impact your credit score, the following is information to keep in mind:
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American Consumer Solutions is a debt relief agency that assists consumers with eliminating the burden of high interest consumer debts and getting back on the road to financial freedom. Prosperity for all!
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American Consumer Solutions™ provides debt resolution services. Our clients who make all monthly program payments save approximately 40 – 50% of their enrolled debt (average of 43%) upon successful program completion, before program fees. Fees are based on a percentage of your enrolled debt at the time of starting the program and range from 14%-25% of your enrolled debt. Programs range from 20-48 months. Clients must save at least 25% of each debt due to an enrolled creditor before a bona fide settlement offer will be made. On average, clients receive their first settlement within 4-7 months of enrollment and approximately every 3-6 months thereafter from when the prior debt was settled. Not all clients complete the program. Estimates are based on prior results and may not match your results. We cannot guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific timeframe. We do not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting, legal advice or credit repair services. Our program is not available in all states; fees may vary by state. Some programs may be offered through The Law Firm of Higbee & Associates d/b/a Advantage Law. The use of debt resolution services will likely adversely affect your credit. You may be subject to collections or lawsuits by creditors or collectors. Your outstanding debt may increase from the accrual of fees and interest. Any amount of debt forgiven by your creditors may be subject to income tax. Clients may withdraw from the program at any time without penalty and receive all funds from their dedicated account, other than funds earned by the company or fees paid to third-party service providers, as may be applicable. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrolling. Certain types of debts are not eligible for enrollment. Some creditors are not eligible for enrollment because they do not negotiate with debt relief companies. To determine the offers you may be eligible for, American Consumer Solutions™ conducts a “soft credit pull.” This credit pull does not impact your credit score, creditworthiness, or ability to obtain credit from other sources. The soft pull is not a tradeline entry, does not report against your score and will only take a few minutes.
American Consumer Solutions™ Funding, LLC (1201 W 15th St. Suite 210 Plano TX 75075) is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC), and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA). CA Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) License # 603K913.
