Budgeting for the Budget Impaired You probably hate budgets. You probably also don’t know how to do one or why you’d want to do one. Actually, a budget can help you figure out if and how <more>

Can Debt Consolidation Lead to Financial Freedom? Most people mired in debt got there by accident. It happens before they realized what was going on. In fact, they really can’t explain exactly how they got in <more>

Certified Credit Counselors If you are so deeply in debt that you can’t figure out how to dig your way out, you have got to admit one thing. You’re not a financial wizard. Admitting that is  <more> 

Christian Debt Counseling Believe it or not, there is a lot in the Bible about money and not just that it’s the root of all evil. (Actually, the Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil.) The <more>

Credit Addiction Most of us find credit very tempting. After all, who doesn’t want to get all the goodies right now and worry about paying them off on some distant tomorrow? <more>

Debt Consolidation Basics If you’re drowning in debt, you have no doubt thought of the b-word: bankruptcy. And don’t kid yourself. It happens. You may eventually get past the point <more>

Debt Consolidation Disasters Debt consolidation really can work for some people to help them get out of debt and stay out of debt. But debt consolidation can be a disaster for <more>

Debt Consolidation for Beginners You may be considering debt consolidation but, frankly, not know a whole lot about it. The fact is debt consolidation is a great way to help navigate yourself out <more>

Debt Consolidation Groundwork Debt consolidation is actually a sensible strategy for a lot of people who are in debt. But it’s also an area where people in debt can compound their problems by <more> 

Debt Consolidation Loan or Debt Negotiation? This is tricky stuff. A debt consolidation loan is a loan that you take out. You use that loan to pay off your debts. Now you only have one loan to pay off, <more>

Debt Myths Because debt consolidation has become so very popular in recent years, many companies that extend credit have opened debt consolidation companies. Some <more>

Debt Relief, Bankruptcy, And Other Scary Subjects As you start to look into debt consolidation, you may hear about debt relief. It can be confusing, because not everybody uses the term “debt relief.” You may hear <more>

DMPs and Negotiations A Debt Management Plan (DMP) is not credit counseling or debt consolidation. It is a plan in which your creditors agree (in advance) to special terms. In many cases,  <more>

Does Debt Consolidation Make Financial Sense for You? In order to figure this out for yourself, you’ll need to look at the numbers. That means you’re going to have to work up a chart or a spreadsheet and do a little <more> 

How Did This Happen To Me? A Different Way of Looking at Debt Debt happens. A lot of time it happens while we’re not paying attention, and by the time we notice what’s going on, it’s overwhelming. <more>

How To Find a Certified Credit Counselor A certified credit counselor is not a person who works for a debt relief company or a debt consolidation company. Credit counselors are sort of like lawyers except <more>

How to Work with Your Credit Counselor One of the best resources you have in debt consolidation is a credit counselor. However, not everyone who calls himself a credit counselor (or financial advisor or  <more>

Knowing the Score: Credit Scores, That Is Your credit score is an important part of your overall financial health. People with poor credit scores may have problems signing a lease, buying a car, or even getting <more>

Life After Debt: Small Strategies Okay, you’re seriously in debt. You’re probably thinking about debt consolidation or some other program to help out. But you may be able to do some small things right <more>

Lines of Credit There are many varieties of debt consolidation programs, one of which is frequently called the “line of credit." A line of credit is typically extended by a bank <more>

National Foundation for Credit Counseling The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is an umbrella organization that oversees credit counseling and debt consolidation in the United States. The foundation <more>

Preparing for Debt Consolidation Before you go through a debt consolidation, you should prepare. This will lower costs and help you make the most of your debt consolidation loan. Your first step should <more> 

Ready to Consolidate? Stop! You have a lot of debt. You’ve figured out that you’re spending more money every month than you need to because you have loans all over the place at different <more>

Refinancing and How It Works If you get a home mortgage debt consolidation refinancing plan (a "refinance") to help pay off your debt, you probably will have to pay some fees and costs in <more> 

Scam-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong Scams and money go together like fleas and puppy dogs. The best chance a scam artist has of conning you is to find something that you need but don't actually <more> 

Steps Before Debt Consolidation You have debt problems. You're in hot water, and you need to find a way out. You may be fighting the urge to panic or at least worry intensely. Take a deep breath. <more> 

What Debt Consolidation Is Not Most of us never plan to get in debt, and we aren’t really prepared to navigate the terrain once we get there. If you’re struggling with debt, you’ve probably heard <more> 

Will Debt Consolidation Hurt My Credit Score? Credit is so individual that it’s hard to give a simple answer to this question but the fact is, for many individuals, debt consolidation can actually help improve <more>