Debt Settlement vs. Credit Counseling

One of the toughest decisions when considering a debt solution program is choosing between debt settlement and credit counseling. As there are few similarities between them, depending on the individual financial situation, there is much to consider before deciding on the right solution.
 
     
 
 
 

 

Comparing Settling Your Debt To A Credit Counseling Program

 

The average American carries about $9000 of credit card debt alone. This doesn’t include mortgages, car payments and monthly bills. It is no wonder that people are checking into debt solution options in droves. There are dozens of debt relief opportunities to choose from and no mater the reason for your debt, there is an option to fit your specific needs. Many have turned to credit counseling to help alleviate their debt but as we will see this is not always the most effective or reasonable course of action to take. By looking into the advantages that debt settlement has to offer many thousands of consumers have discovered what has become one of the most widely used debt assistance programs.

 

Credit Counseling Flaws

As with most debt relief programs, credit counseling can help ward off bankruptcy, but it has certain disadvantages that tend to make it a less attractive alternative for debt relief. Credit counseling organizations offer to arrange a debt management plan to help pay your arrears, but if you had trouble making payments on your bills before counseling than there is the possibility that unless your circumstances have improved you may not be able to make all the payments necessary keep abreast of your new monthly payments. In theory, you pay the credit counseling service a sum of money that they then distribute to your creditors. While these services may cut down on interest rates, they do not reduce debt with the effectiveness of debt settlement.

 

If opting for credit counseling, you must have all your credit accounts closed so that you cannot use them. The credit counseling  process will undoubtedly leave bad information on your credit report. If you are someone who is good at saving money than the counseling option may be for you, but one of the major reasons why debt is incurred is because the populace is not very good at saving money. With debt settlement, qualified personnel negotiate with all of your creditors a payment plan that is not only acceptable to both parties but also at a radically reduced rate. Debt settlement companies ensure that your creditors receive some payment, even if it is a reduced amount, before bankruptcy is declared.

 

Debt Settlement Solutions

Debt settlement is quickly becoming the option of choice for consumers nationwide that are strapped with debt and foresee financial adversity on the horizon. Not only are you getting your past balances due paid off but they are normally negotiated down to 40-80% of the original sum. Debt settlement plans are considerably more flexible than credit counseling and in the long run winds up being less expensive because you have to pay so much less of the total that was originally amassed. Choose a well respected settlement company, one with verifiable references and a favorable BBB listing to ensure your aligning yourself with a reputable organization. While any type of debt relief will show up on your credit report in some form or other, unlike with other methods, after your debt settlement has been satisfied you can once again begin to build a solid and favorable credit history.