How to Find the Right Credit Counseling

If you or someone you know has been struggling with debt, a credit counselor could be the answer you are looking for.  Finding the right credit counselor now could mean avoiding having to find a bankruptcy attorney later on down the road.

3 Steps to Finding Credit Counseling

1. Check with the listings on the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s website.  The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) and the U.S. Department Of Trustees also offes a reliable list of credit counseling services on their websites..
2. Pick a credit counseling service that can work with your needs.  Also, you shouldn’t ever feel like you are paying too much for the service.  While you should expect some fee, the cost should not be overwhelming
3. Consider adding some kind of debt management program or budgeting course to your credit counseling.  Many credit counseling services will offer either in-house or third party debt management programs that they are connected with for clients.
4. Always get a second opinion.  The right credit counselor can get you back on your feet.  Bad credit counselors can be a waste of time and money.

When preparing for credit counseling, keep in mind that your actions are all voluntary.  Any agreement or contract you sign is based on how you want to tackle your debt and bad credit.  While credit counselors can make suggestions, oftentimes helpful and educated ones, you are ultimately in control, and you are the one who has to live with the outcome of the counseling.