Credit Counseling Education

Latest Guides

  • Debt Consolidation Scams
    While there are some reputable companies who can help you reduce or eliminate your debt, there are many more who only offer misleading statements and outright scams. Learn how to tell the difference between the two.
  • Bankruptcy vs. Credit Counseling: What's The Difference?
    People treading the heavy waters of financial distress, are often confused by the options available and just what they mean. One of the biggest misunderstandings is that credit counseling is equal to bankruptcy. This is not true, at all. The only similarity between the two is that Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a repayment plan. We explain the important details of each form of debt relief.
  • Your Credit Counselor
    Credit counselors are trained professionals who appreciate how easy it is to get into a financial pinch, and how hard it can be to get out of it on your own. They have the knowledge and compassion to give you debt help and work to solve your debt problems, and the skills to teach you how to avoid those same problems in the future. They can show you how consolidate debt without a loan.
  • The Right Credit Counseling Services
    If you’re finding that due to your credit obligations you can’t make ends meet, it may be time to seek the services of a credit counseling agency. They can help you become debt free. Many such credit counseling services are non-profit and may not charge for helping you become debt free. We describe a debt repayment plan, and give you 25 questions to ask credit counselors. Do what's best for you.
  • Credit Counseling: Is Credit Counseling For You?
    Credit counseling is offered when a consumer is faced with an overwhelming debt load they can’t keep up with, or pay off. You can declare personal bankruptcy, but it will stay on your credit record for ten years. Instead, a credit counseling agent will go to your creditors and negotiate a consolidation of all your debts into one low monthly payment that you can handle, giving you peace of mind.

Latest Blog Posts

  • Debt Relief Scams: How to Protect Yourself
    Get the real debt relief that you deserve. Here are some key tips to help you navigate the debt management maze.
  • What Can a Credit Counselor Really Do?
    If you’re like most Americans, there are probably a lot of things you wish you knew before our current recession hit. Perhaps you had too much debt, or not enough savings, and as a result found the economic downturn especially difficult to navigate. Don't worry - you're not alone.
  • Credit Recipes: Cooking up Credit Score Greatness
    Like a slow-simmering chicken cacciatore, your credit score requires certain ingredients and ample time to bring out its full potential. The credit score recipes we show here will make the most out of the ingredients you already have in your “pantry” at home.
  • Round-Up of FTC Consumer Resources
    The Federal Trade Commission is the government agency designed to "protect America's consumers." It was created in 1914, and has gained greater and greater authority through the years. Here's a round-up of the key online resources the FTC offers you.
  • Obscure Credit Score Facts from Liz Pulliam Weston
    In this week's Personal Finance Hour, Liz Pulliam Weston shares some interesting tidbits, personal anecdotes, and FICO facts that you might not know about credit scoring.
  • Credit Card Delinquencies Way Up in the First Quarter of 2009
    Credit card delinquencies (defined as accounts that haven’t been paid in 90 or more days) increased by 11% in the first quarter of 2009. What are the reasons behind this sharp increase, and is there a solution?
  • Debt Settlement Scams, Legit Credit Counseling, and Repayment Plans
    We've all heard horror stories of debt settlement scams: Fraudsters claim to greatly reduce or erase your debt, for a fee, but then do nothing to actually help your situation. Are there any legitimate options out there for those who are struggling? Learn which credit counselors can actually help, and what a repayment plan might look like in your situation.