Monday, February 21st, 2011
There are a number of non-profit debt consolidation companies available to help counsel you about your finances. One mistake consumers often make about non-profits is that the services are free. Non-profit companies can charge you for their assistance. They do provide help with debt consolidation by negotiating with your creditors. These negotiations lead to a revised payment plan based on your income and financial needs in order to help eliminate credit cards debts reasonably.
What To Expect
Non-profit debt consolidation companies provide financial assistance by scheduling a free debt counseling appointment to discuss your financial status. They will also work with you to prepare an income and expense sheet to help you budget more efficiently. The debt counselor will then figure out what amount of money you can reasonably pay each month based on your financial figures. They will take that amount back to the creditors to negotiate a revised payment plan. Often the interest rates will also be reduced and fees may be waived if the creditor agrees.
Non-Profit Benefits
Non-profit debt consolidation companies have a mission to help you lower your monthly debt payments to make it more feasible to eliminate debts. They may be instrumental in reducing interest rates and removing fees for late payments. Non-profits also aim to ensure that each consumer receives a financial education and creates a budgeting plan to keep them out of future debt problems.
Non-profit agencies may also be set apart from for-profit companies because of there allowance to accept one monthly payment for several creditors. The non-profit agency then will divide up and distribute the money amongst creditors based on previous negotiations. When accounts have begun to fall into collections, debt consolidation counselors will also handle collection calls and all communication with creditors on your behalf.
Why Are They Non-Profit?
Non-profit debt consolidation companies are considered non-profit because they operate from consumer donations, creditors, and other business entities. Creditors typically also offer up a percentage of monthly payments on each debtor’s account that goes back into the non-profit’s funding. Consumers can check company websites and look for the status of the agency. Look for terminology such as ‘IRS 501(c) (3) non profit charitable organization status which is granted by the IRS for tax exemption purposes. Non-profit organizations will not always be totally free but those that impose a service charge will generally be lower than other debt counseling agencies.
Buyer Beware
There are still potential for non-profits to scam unsuspecting consumers. It is essential that you read all information before committing to any debt consolidation program, non-profit or otherwise. It is always best to ask friends and family for referrals and check company reviews with the Better Business Bureau. Debt consolidation companies can really be an asset to your financial situation but can also be a detriment if you are scammed out of your money.
By: Seamus McKenzie
Tags: Amount Of Money, Creditor, Creditors, Debt Consolidation Companies, Debt Consolidation Counselors, Debt Counseling, Debt Counselor, Debt Counselors, Debt Payments, Debt Problems, Debts, Expense Sheet, Financial Assistance, Financial Education, Free Debt, Late Payments, Non Profit Debt Consolidation, Profit Agencies, Profit Agency, Profit Companies
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
If debt is consuming your life and paying the bills each month is like pushing a rock uphill one solution may be a credit counseling service specializing in the consolidation of debt. These type of companies can offer advice to help you in establishing a budget, giving tips and instruction on using credit wisely, show you a plan to track your bills and manage money more efficiently. Face it most of us went through school without any financial education.
These consumer money specialist who are trained along with certified can review your financial condition, if appropriate they can help arrange a plan for repayment to your creditors that will help get back on track financially.
After reviewing several companies and make a selection be prepared to lay it all out on the table. You cannot get healthy financially unless you come clean! You’ll need to provide your financials, everything from income, debts and expenses. This can seem painful as you get a true picture of where you sit in the world of money and debt, but this is a great opportunity to learn about money.
Your credit counselor takes all the information you provide, crunches the numbers, evaluates the information then sits down to discuss your current financial condition. During the discussion you should receive some recommendations along with the most appropriate consolidation advice based on the information provided for your situation.
To help you get a better handle on your financial issues one piece of advice may be to take a class on money, you may not want to wait by checking with your local community college, a financial education will only benefit you long term. Another suggestion may include signing up for a debt-management/ debt repayment plan.
Be prepared, your debt adviser may refer you to another organization, like one specialized in relationship counseling. These debt counselors understand that very often there are other factors hiding below the surface, which lead to financial struggles, and these factors impact other areas of your life.
When selecting a debt consolidation company look for one that can provide you with a list of satisfied clients you can contact, gives personalized service with trained counselors, can help you become educated on how to make better financial decisions and can provide tools to assist you in your efforts to achieve financial security. For example if you are saddled with a pile of credit card debt the simplest solution could be a balance transfer card with 0% interest for 12 months like the Visa balance transfer card.
Do not fall for companies with advertising campaign as the best and only option. In fact, you should probably steer clear of telephone calls or e-mails arriving from nowhere offering their services. The best choice often comes from word of mouth and past clients. Take the time and choose wisely – your financial future is at stake.
By: Landon McGehee
Tags: Adviser, Budget, Consolidation Debt, Consolidation Of Debt, Credit Counseling Service, Credit Counselor, Creditors, Debt Advice, Debt Consolidation Advice, Debt Counselors, Debt Management, Debt Repayment Plan, Debts, Financial Education, Local Community College, Management Debt, Piece Of Advice, Relationship Counseling, Suggestion, World Money
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