It is easy to find yourself in over your head when it comes to your finances. Sometimes, it can be too much to handle and you may find yourself getting deeper in debt rather than climbing out of the hole. A debt management company can often help you get back on track and manage your finances and debt. Don’t wait until your finances are out of control to get help; if you are falling behind on payments and have had a few bills go to collections, get help before it gets out of hand.
The role of a debt management company is to work with you and your creditors to make your debt more manageable and keep you from bankruptcy. Types of debt that qualify are medical bills, student loans, credit card bills, utility bills, IRS debt, and various other kinds of unsecured debt. They can also provide “credit repair” services, or help fix mistakes on your credit report.
Debt management companies will normally provide two services. First, they will examine your finances and help you create a workable budget that provides a monthly amount that will go toward your debt. They will council you on how to manage your monthly income and bills and show you ways to cut back and control spending. They will work with you to develop a “debt management plan (DMP),” where you will be required to deposit a predetermined amount into a special account each month to go toward your debt.
Next, the debt management company will work with your creditors to negotiate a debt repayment plan. This can include reducing monthly payments, lowering interest rates, and possibly eliminating late fees. Your creditors are then paid from the account you set up with the debt management company.
When you work with a debt management company, creditors and collection agencies will stop calling you to get payments, as the debt management company is now your representative. By working with a debt management company, creditors are more likely to recover money owed to them.
Be careful when choosing a debt management company. Make sure they are accredited or listed with the Better Business Bureau in the company’s area, and examine their fee structure and service agreement. Shop around and ask for referrals. Keep in mind that Not-For-Profit doesn’t mean the company doesn’t make money from your business; it only means they don’t pay taxes. Finding the right company can make debt management a relief rather than a nightmare.