The percentage of shoppers using credit cards is expected to fall 10.2% from last year, with 28.3% of consumers using credit this year, down from 31.5% a year earlier. Debit-card use is expected to rise, but these cards are less profitable for banks. (Wall Street Journal)

That poll was taken before the infamous Black Friday holiday. In another poll, conducted by Reuters, Back Friday shoppers did indeed use more cash this year. Only 26 percent of all shoppers interviewed actually used their credit card to make purchases.

Things are definitely turning around for the American consumer. It may be a slow turn-around, but consumers are becoming smarter and more financially responsible. The credit card numbers above only prove that point, and with that small number comes more fears for the credit card industry.

Credit card companies have taken some huge hits in the past year, and this is just another to add to the pile. With the Credit Card Act of 2009 about to take effect and limit credit card companies’ abilities to raise rates and charge ridiculous fees, that small percentage above means less revenue as well. With less people making purchases on their credit cards, that’s less money going to the credit card companies in way of usage fees.

Even the Fed has taken its stance against credit card companies by running ads to help consumers avoid any credit penalty fees. These ads are currently running ahead of movie trailers in metropolitan areas to remind consumers to be smart and financially responsible with their spending habits.

Hopefully you were able to avoid that plastic habit and use only cash or your debit card this year, but, as always, if you fear you might have gone too far on Black Friday, visit give us a call anytime and we’ll try to help you out!

Are you saving your holiday shopping for the big sales? Maybe waiting for Black Friday before you open that wallet up for friends and family? Well, you’re not alone. Everyone is saving, searching for the best deals, and being more financially responsible with the little budget they might have for holiday shopping.

While a steady decline in sales since last October has slightly leveled off, amazingly sales of electronics have gone up, as well as online sales. It’s no surprise that online sales are increasing, now that consumers have become both more financially responsible as well as more internet savvy.

Another big seller, if you can say ‘big seller’, this Black Friday will be ‘gifts of lasting value’, as the Wall Street Journal says. Besides shopping for bargain, consumers will also be looking for practical gifts that will last. With unemployment rates at 10 to 15 percent in some places, it’s not really a surprise that consumers are looking for quality items that can withstand the test of time. Who knows what will happen in the future with this economy?

“Retailers have to dig deep and pull out their A-game right now, because it is a very competitive environment,” Mr. Snyder said. “Whereas you might have given something more trendy in the past, a down comforter is relevant to what is happening right now.” (WSJ)

So, how do you keep your holiday spending within reason this holiday season? It’s all about how you pay.  Cash is always best, and while many more consumers will be using cash this year because they’ve learned financial responsibility, many will still use their credit cards. If you must use credit, chose the card with the lowest APR. If you have the funds coming in to pay off your credit spending within a reasonable amount of time, put all your holiday purchases on one credit card, preferably the one with the lowest APR and highest available balance.

But, you say you want those amazing deals that you can only get with a store credit card? Well, then get it, but make all of your holiday purchases with that card at that store. Don’t use another credit card for another family member at another store. This is how the domino effect takes over your credit debt.

This store may have a great deal for Uncle Buck, but that store has a better deal for Aunt Petunia. How can you possibly pick one relative over the other, one store credit card over the other? You’re going to have to if you’re working to keep your credit balance and debt low. Chose one store that you want to get the best deals from, and do all of your holiday shopping at that single store. This will help you stay out of debt.

Sure, you can use your credit card during the holidays, if your financially responsible and completely able to pay off what you spend within a short period of time. If you do get yourself into trouble, give us a call at 1-877-386-3603

Record Breaking Bankruptcy Numbers Accompany Economic Growth

Is the economy turning around? Well, we’ve heard all the experts say that it’s finally on the right track, but what does that really mean to American consumers struggling with credit card debt and facing a 10% unemployment rate?

Strictly looking at the numbers, it does seem like some things are getting better, while some, like the job market, are continuing to struggle. According to Time, consumer spending went up 6.6% over the summer, and Gross Domestic Product grew 7.2%. These are amazing numbers, taken completely alone. However, American’s lost over 165,000 jobs during that same time and the unemployment rate isn’t improving.

While the national numbers like spending and domestic product are on the rise, it’s the local numbers that matter to consumers. I read a quote today from Vice President Biden, which he got from his grandfather, that summed it all up:

“When the guy in Minooka’s out of work, it’s an economic slowdown. When your brother-in-law’s out of work, it’s a recession. When you’re out of work, it’s a depression.”

He’s so right, and with the unemployment rate still so high, consumer confidence is going to continue to be low until neighbors and family members find work. The problem there, most experts are saying, is that the job gains will not come as quickly and dramatically as the job losses came, which basically means that we still have a long way to go.

With consumer spending going up slightly, so is the amount consumers are putting on their credit cards. Consumer debt is still extremely high, and, while consumers are learning to budget and pay bills on time better than ever, with the holiday season quickly approaching it’ll be interesting to see where the credit debt numbers go.

As for consumer bankruptcies, while the economy ‘is turning around,’ bankruptcy numbers are sky-rocketing. The latest numbers show that in October bankruptcy numbers rose to 9%, right on target for the highest annual rate in four years.

Experts are saying that the unemployment rate is really starting to take a toll in consumers, causing many of them to go through their savings and retirement funds just to get by. In the end, they’re left with their credit cards, which leads to inevitable credit card debt and eventually bankruptcy. That cycle has hit hard in the past month, and will continue to hit hard through the holiday season.

Need some help with your credit card debt? We’ve got your debt solutions! Give us a call at 1-877-386-3603!

Farmers, Ranchers, and Credit Card Debt

The plight that farmers and ranchers in our country face is a devastating one, especially during a recession. Hard work and family land just doesn’t pay off like it used to, and farmers are plummeting into debt. While congress argues over health reform and the ‘economy turning around,’ our farmers and ranchers are delving deeper into debt.

According to HealthReform.gov, which has recently taken on the issue of rural America’s healthcare disparities, one in five hard-working farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans have medical debt that they cannot afford to pay-off. The problem with that statement is that all of these families took out second mortgages on their homes, perhaps lost their homes and land, and maxed out their credit cards to stay out of debt.

While certain illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes are more common among rural Americans, they are not making enough to even afford a routine doctor’s check-up, and are using their credit cards more and more just to get by.

Farmers and ranchers are falling under the radar, and it’s about time that something was done about it. With My Debt Solutions, America’s hardest working families can get a break from credit card debt. We offer The Simple Plan, which requires absolutely no upfront fees. In this economy, a debt settlement program like this just doesn’t exist. We will work to get you out of debt for less.

Whether  you have maxed out your credit cards due to medical debt, or just to keep your family land and food on the tables, we understand and can offer you some simple debt solutions. Don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-386-3603

As a consumer focused site, we like to help you out with some money saving tips for the holidays to keep you away from using those credit cards. This is the time of the year when putting the “holiday” credit cards in a box in the closet is probably your best option.

1. Hide your credit card. If you can’t afford to pay cash for it, then you probably can’t afford it at all. Do whatever you can do to avoid using your credit card to pay for holiday gifts. It’s extremely difficult, we know, but if you’re already on the road to debt relief why dig out some deep potholes and valleys in that road? If you don’t have the money, now is not the best economical time to be spending what you don’t have.
2. Look for deals. Buying the Sunday paper might seem like a waste of money to some people, however that $1.50 could save you hundreds in coupons and sales. The coupons will be mostly for you, but the advertisements for sales in your neighborhood could save you hundreds on your holiday shopping. Be patient, but also ready to pounce when you see a good deal. And remember to always, always take the advertisement with you to the store. By taking the advertisement with you into the store you can be sure to get the right price.
   1. Keep in mind that you can always take the advertisement to another store and ask them to beat the price. This might take some patience, but it will save you money. Most retail stores will beat competitor advertised prices, so do your homework before you go out for your holiday shopping and get the best price.
   2. Don’t forget the advertisement.
3. Black Friday shopping. Most people avoid Black Sunday at all costs. The crowds and aggressive shoppers can be a bit too much for many; however the deals that you can accrue on Black Friday might make the battle worth it. If you have the courage to face the masses and get up before the sun the day after Thanksgiving, you might actually walk away with some great deals. But, like everything else, DO YOUR HOMEWORK, and read all the advertisements to be sure that you hit the right stores and get the best deals.
4. Don’t be afraid of thrift stores. If I’ve said this once, I’ve said it a million times. Thrift stores are a great find. Stores like Goodwill are great resources for amazing deals. While everything is already marked down considerable, hit these stores on their discount days to pick up holiday gifts for next to nothing! Sure, these items are used and might not be brand new, but what better way to find something with a bit of character? Looking for some new outdoor furniture, wall décor, or kids’ toys? These stores are a great place to pick up inexpensive items that are still in great condition.
5. Avoid store credit cards! This holiday season there will be hundreds of stores advertising no payments, no interest, no fees, no worries on their store cards. This is a great way to buy as much as you want for nothing, feel great about the presents that you get your family and friends, and then end up in massive debt only a few months later when the ‘no interest’ months race by. This is also a great way to end up getting nothing for anyone next holiday because you’re strapped in debt paying for last year’s gifts.
   1. Store cards are never a good idea; unless you already have the cash set aside to pay them off and are looking to build up your credit. I would never suggest getting a store card simply for holiday purchases.

The big way to stay out of debt this holiday season is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Seriously, take your time, be patient, and start early. The best way to avoid using your credit card on holiday purchases is to buy what you can afford. And the best way to buy what you can afford is to dig a little deeper into the newspaper, online, and thrift stores. The deals are out there, you just have to have the patience to find them. Good luck!

And don’t forget, if you do get into trouble this holiday season we are always here to help you out with no upfront fees and no hassle. Serioulsy, give us a call to find out. 1-877-386-3603

Bankruptcy, Medical Bills, and the “Emergency” Credit Card

Bankruptcy and medical bills; you could say the two terms literally go hand in hand these days. It’s amazing when you take a moment to stop and really look at the numbers. Take into account that we are heading for a record-breaking bankruptcy year, it’s extremely difficult to ignore the fact that “something’s gotta give.”

According to CreditCards.com, we are on a fast track to filing 1.4 million bankruptcies this year. We’re already at over 1.07 million, and the number is climbing very fast. Wrap this number around your head; 6,000 bankruptcies are being filled every month nationwide! With the Credit Card Act changing the game of the credit industry, and the unemployment rate at around 10% nationally, and health insurance companies taking advantage of everyone, it really shouldn’t be a surprise that bankruptcy numbers are through the roof.

Sure, consumers are learning how to budget more efficiently. We’re also learning how to keep food on the table and make more than the minimum on the credit card during these rough economic times, but it’s not enough to keep medical expenses down and avoid the inevitable illness and accidents. That’s why lobbyists, legislators, and politicians, as well as hard-working consumers, are taking up the charge and asking for a change in the bankruptcy system.

According to the Associated Press, the proposed changes would look like this:

• Waive the means test and credit counseling requirements.
• Allow debtors to protect their homes from creditors, with an exemption of $250,000.
• Give debtors the option of paying attorneys fees when they are on firmer financial ground after completing the bankruptcy.

People file for bankruptcy for many different reasons. The most common would be divorce, credit card debt, and medical bills. Recent numbers have shown that of the millions of bankruptcies filed in 2007, 62% of them were due to medical related issues. Of that number, over 70% of those consumers already had medical insurance, but it wasn’t enough to keep them above water.

Let’s stop and think about this for a moment. If we are on track to rack up 1.4 million bankruptcies this year alone, and 62% of them will be medically related, that’s almost 870,000 people who will be so devastated by medical debt that they will have to file for bankruptcy. If that doesn’t put things into perspective, I don’t know what else will.

Here’s where it gets interesting. If you have to get a transplant, and your insurance is only willing to cover $10,000 (which I overheard was in fact a reality for a local Arizona couple who had insurance) how much is coming out of your pocket? In reality, how much is coming out of your credit balance as well, and then your home, and then anything else that you can get money from to simply stay alive?

Most patients who are dealing with a medical emergency cannot work, thus they can’t pay their bills. In these situations, credit card debt piles up so quickly, and the creditors start harassing so aggressively, that any thought of staying relaxed and in a healthy state of mind is nearly impossible. When you’re stressing about your mortgage and credit card debt, and considering bankruptcy as an option, how are you going to get healthy? Tack onto that your medical expenses that your health insurance didn’t cover and you’ve got some serious problems.

Currently, bankruptcy is bankruptcy, and whether you are filing due to a divorce, credit card debt, foreclosure, or medical expenses, it’s all the same. The bankruptcy code “does not distinguish between debtors driven into bankruptcy by medical bills and those who become insolvent through poor planning or reckless spending.” (DelawareOnline.com) That is why a subcommittee was held this week to discuss the proposed changes. Hopefully a decision will be made soon.

If you’re considering bankruptcy, you might want to give us a call first, or one of our partners.  1-877-386-3603 We can discuss your options and how to get you out of debt without turning to bankruptcy.

I came across this quote this morning and thought that it sums up perfectly the American Consumer’s situation, how we got here, why we got here, and how we’re going to get out of this financial mess. Credit card debt has always been the root of the problem, along with fraudulent companies lending thousands to consumers who shouldn’t have qualified in the first place. Credit card debt has gotten us to where we are, and, unfortunately, it is the spending on ‘goods and services’ that will get us out of this mess, spending that consumers are still not able to do.

While credit card debt has helped to plummet us into this mess that we’re in, it has also taught us to be more responsible. We are learning how to budget our money, control our debt, and make more than the minimum payments towards our credit card debt. According to the Federal Reserve, consumers are paying down their credit card debt successfully for the 11^th month in a row! That’s amazing news. So, why is it so important to pay more than just the minimum payment on your credit card? Simple put; you will never get out of debt if you continue to only pay the minimum.

For an example let’s take a look at a credit card with a balance of $1,000 that has an APR of 18%. When you break the APR down to twelve monthly periods you end up with a 1.5% finance charge per month. For this example we will also use the assumption that the card calculates the minimum payment by 2.5% of the balance.

This means your minimum payment in the first month is $25, or $1,000 x 2.5%. With the card’s APR of 18% or 1.5% per month that means of that $25 payment only $10 is being applied to the balance while the other $15 is paying that month’s finance charge. During the next month your remaining balance is now $990 so your next minimum payment would be calculated as $24.75 ($990 x 2.5%). For this payment $14.85 covers that month’s finance charge while $9.90 is applied to the balance.

As you can see above, you have made almost $50 in payments yet only reduced your balance by $19.90. If you were to continue paying only the minimum and the features of this card remained unchanged it would take 153 months or almost 13 years to pay off a $1,000 initial balance. This would result in paying $1,115.41 on just interest alone, more than the amount of the original balance! (About.com)

What you need to do is come up with a plan of action to attack your credit card debt. Paying down the balance is your ultimate goal. You don’t have to pay off your entire credit card in a few months, but you should focus on paying down your overall debt.

If you have more than one credit card, it’s best to take a look at the one with the highest APR first. These are the ones you’ll want to attack before any others, simply because they are eating away at your pocket. With a high APR, you are literally throwing your money way every month. I have a credit card with a balance of about $10,000 on it. (Used it to pay for my wedding.) The interest rate bloats my payment by an incredible $77.00 each month! That’s almost $100.00 that I would literally be throwing away. It’s ridiculous.

So, take your highest APR cards and figure out what your minimum monthly payment on those is. All you have to do is work out what you can afford to pay. If it’s only $10 more a month, than that’s great! That $10 will add up over time and help to lower your balance quicker than simply paying the minimum. If this means that you have to take your lunch with you to work every day and put that $20 a week to the credit card, than it’s a sacrifice that you’ll just have to make. You’ll be happier for it in the long run when you are out from under your credit card debt.

Something important to remember when making those minimum monthly payments is that most of that money is not going to your credit card debt, it’s going directly to the credit card company. That alone should be some sound motivation for paying more than the minimum. On top of the yearly and sometimes monthly fees that your credit card company is charging you, if you are only making the minimum monthly payments, you are doing nothing more than paying the credit card company their interest fees.

A complimentary tactic that many experts suggest is to take a look at your lowest balances. If you have more than one credit card, aim to tackle the ones with the highest APR, and the ones with the lowest balance. The quicker you get those paid off, the quicker you can focus on the next ones. Remember; do not close it once it’s paid off. This might adversely affect your credit score. Simply hide it, or even cut it up, but do not close it.

Paying more than the minimum will greatly increase your chance of paying off your credit card debt, even if you only increase your payments by $10 to $50 a month. Make the necessary changes to make it happen, and the sacrifice will be well worth the payoff. Financial freedom is truly an amazing feeling.

Don’t forget, if you need help with your credit card debt check out our services or give us a call at 1-877-386-3603

Chicago has seen its share of disappointments in the past few days, with losing the Olympic bid and with the recent needless murder of a young man in the streets. Things have been rough for the Windy City, but at least someone is stepping up and making some changes.

The debt settlement industry has always been scrutinized for not upholding promises made to consumers who are already struggling. They have always been harassed by the Federal Trade Commission for taking advantage of those in financial strain. And for good reason. Many of these companies are extremely shady and want nothing more than to take your money and run. It seems to be common theme among debt settlement companies.

For this reason, state and federal government agencies are taking back control of the debt settlement industry and placing consumer rights at the fore-front. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is currently taking charge of the effort in Chicago. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Attorney General Madigan has seen an increase in the amount of complaints that her office receives regarding fraudulent debt settlement companies.

In this case, Debt Solutions of America is under fire for taking their clients’ money and not fulfilling promises to reduce credit card debt by 50 percent! One of the first rules of the debt settlement industry is not to make promises that you cannot keep. To be completely transparent and honest with your client is the best thing that you can do, even if it means not being able to tell your client everything they want to hear.

According to the article, Debt Solutions basically promised to get clients out of debt. With this promise, clients were required to stop payment on any credit cards, and redirect payment to Debt Solutions on a monthly basis. While they were paying monthly debt settlement fees, Debt Solutions did nothing to settle their debt. Many clients were eventually sued by their creditors.

Madigan is not letting this one go, and is asking Debt Solutions to pay back all clients, as well as pay a $50,000 fine for violating the state’s Consumer Fraud Act and pay additional fines of $50,000 for each instance of fraud.

Debt Solutions seems to be taking it seriously, and yet claims that this suit is much like the recent one brought against them in New York, although the Tribune article doesn’t say how that one is going.

“These charges are outrageous and baseless,” the firm said, adding that it has a letter from the state of Illinois “confirming that we are a legitimate business” operating within the law. (Chicago Tribune)

According to ACCORD membership guidelines, a reliable source when it comes to setting debt settlement industry standards, Debt Solutions biggest mistake was its failure to be completely transparent. By telling clients to stop paying on their credit card debt, and not informing them of the possible consequences to their credit score and wallet, they were shuffling around the system. By not informing customers of an estimated time frame, and by not working to meet that time frame, they were changing the debt settlement game to meet their needs.

It’s a rough industry, whether you’re in Arizona or Chicago, and fraudulent debt settlement companies seem to outnumber the responsible ones. And there are responsible ones that charge no upfront fees and adhere to ACCORD and USOBA guidelines. That is why is it so crucial that every consumer do their research before enrolling into a debt settlement program.

A respectable debt settlement company will be a member of ACCORD or USOBA. They also will have a great track record and numerous client achievements. In most cases, they will not charge upfront fees. Since the FTC is beginning to really crack down on the industry, if your debt settlement company is still charging upfront fees it will probably have to change soon anyways as the FTC proposes legislation to stop that practice.

In Illinois, Attorney General Madigan isn’t the only one cracking down. Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has proposed new legislation of his own to help keep consumers safe from fraudulent debt settlement companies. According to Giannoulias, many debt settlement companies will tell clients to stop paying their credit cards and instead make that deposit monthly toward the debt settlement. In many of those cases, the debt settlement company promises a settlement worth pennies on the dollar, and yet does not deliver, while the client plunges further and further into credit card debt.

The proposed state legislation would require debt settlement companies to be licensed in the state and the fees they charge would be capped at $50 upfront and $30 per month. Additional fees could only be based on how much consumer the consumer actually saved. Other steps would also require the companies to provide monthly statements and would also bar them from the credit score damaging process of advising people to stop making their regular payments. (Credit.com)

ACCORD members who are a part of The Simple Plan charge absolutely no upfront fees and have no hidden costs. It is a great program that ACCORD is actually working with legislators, politicians, and lobbyists to give some traction to. With The Simple Plan, the fees are based on the amount saved on the debt settlement. This is a wonderful new debt settlement program because it forces the debt negotiators to work hard for their clients’ settlement. The greater savings the debt settlement company gets the client, the more they have to gain. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, and it is completely transparent.

For more information on reliable debt services in your area, check out our services page, or give us a call and maybe we can help you get out of debt responsibly! 1-877-386-3603

Overall, U.S. consumers have been finding ways to dig themselves out of credit card debt, even with the ridiculous unemployment numbers and foreclosure rates. Nationally, credit card debt has decreased a whopping 4%! That is an amazing number when you consider these rough economic times that we still find ourselves in.

What is also amazing is that overall national credit scores are improving as well. Nationally, U.S. consumers have brought up there credit score by 32%, while 32% have remained the same number and 29% have decreased. Today, the average credit score is 672, which is a pretty good number considering our situations.

While all news isn’t great on the credit card front, and in yesterdays posting we spoke about how tough credit card companies are being on Arizona residents, things are definitely turning around. Louisiana is one of the states that has continued to fall below the line. The latest numbers from Louisiana show a credit debt increase of 15%, although their state average credit card balance is almost a thousand lower than the national average.

As I’ve said time and time again, perhaps this crushing economy hasn’t been all bad for us. If you’ll allow me to get on my soap-box for a minute, we all know it’s been excruciatingly tough for families to keep dinner on the table, however it has also been inspiring to see families spending time together. How many families are sitting around the game table playing Monopoly again? Or talking a walk to the park with the dogs instead of sitting in front of a movie or going out of town? I know many families who spent more time relaxing in a campsite, together and happy, rather than going to an expensive resort and never spending any time together.

For information on how you can become one of these statistics above, and get out of debt, give us a call at 1-877-386-3603 or check out our services!

Accredited and reputable companies are out there in the debt settlement industry, but, we won’t lie, they are hard to find. You have to know where to research, what questions to ask, and how to trust your instincts. It’s your debt, your hard earned income, and your decision. Let no one, no matter how salesly or how many promises they make, take away that gut feeling you might have about a company. There’s always time and always more companies that are willing to work with you. Remember, they are hurting just as much as you are in this rough economy. You have the upper-hand.

The most important thing that you can do when beginning your debt settlement research is to be informed. Do your homework! I’ve written many, many articles on the debt settlement industry, and I can’t stress enough how crucial it is that you check out your company before you hire them. Remember, you’re hiring them. It’s not the other way around.

1. Two websites that I would recommend checking out when making your debt settlement decision are the United States Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives (USOBA), and the American Coalition of Companies Organized to Reduce Debt (ACCORD).  These two organizations have proven track records and allow only reliable and credible debt settlement companies to enroll.
   1. USOBA, the older of the two organizations dedicated to equally protecting both the consumer and the industry, and ACCORD have strict guidelines for enrollment. These guidelines include complete transparency when negotiating with consumers, avoiding the urge to make promises to consumers, and being completely realistic when estimating expected time until settlement. If the debt settlement company you’re investigating is not a member of either one of these organizations, it might be best to continue your search.
   2. The most important factor regarding membership with USOBA or ACCORD is that the debt company must be transparent. This means that they cannot make a promise about what your settlement balance will be and they cannot promise a time frame. In this industry, there is so much negotiation that needs to be done it is nearly impossible to promise exact settlements and time. If the company you’re talking to promises to save you 50% on your balance, run for the hills.
   3. Is the debt settlement company asking you the right questions? Does this debt company adequately pre-screen its potential clients before enrolling them? One of the most overlooked steps in the process is the qualification of potential clients. Many times a debt settlement company will quickly qualify, get you to sign the contract as they make the big promises, and then realize that they cannot help you after you have gone through the process. It can be the most heartbreaking thing to have to go through, because in many cases you won’t find out until you’ve made many payments.
   4. Ask what the charges are, and exactly where your money is going. A fraudulent debt company will give you some small percentages and tell you again and again that they will get you out of debt no matter what. If they charge large upfront fees for initiating the program, run for the hills. The FTC is beginning to consider demolishing all upfront fees for debt settlement services, so if your company is still charging you might want to consider looking for a company that does not.
   5. Are you comfortable with their customer service agents? In most cases, you will be assigned a debt negotiator and/or customer service agent. This person will be your go-to-guy, and you’ll probably talk to them as much as you talk to your husband or wife. Be sure that you are completely comfortable with this person, and that your gut feeling tells you to trust them. If they’re supportive, informative, blunt, and experienced, then you’ve got the right person. If they are aloof and simply tell you what you want to hear, as much as you want to hear the perfect answers, it will not help you in the long run.
      1. How often will they contact you? Will this debt company not only help you to get out of debt, but coach and counsel you on your spending habits. The best debt settlement companies will do more than just negotiate your debt; they will attempt to help you change your spending habits.
      2. A huge red flag to be aware of, which should be common sense, is if the debt settlement company enrolls you without a contract. You must sign a contract! That contract must lay out exactly what your enrollment entails.

Finding a debt settlement company that’s reliable and accredited is easier than you might think. Sure, there are hundreds out there who just want to take your money, but there still are the good guys who only want to help you get out of debt. I can assure you that there are still those negotiators and services out there that genuinely enjoy getting that final phone call from their client, that final phone call where the client is nearly in tears from happiness because they received their settlement letter. It just takes a little work to find those debt services. But it’s worth it in the end.

Don’t forget to check out our accredited services, or give us a call with any questions you might have. 1-877-386-3603