Debt Consolidation Community: 4 Ways to fight debt - Already helped 237900 members!

Debt consolidation program lowers rates and monthly payment

If you're finding it hard to manage your bills, a debt consolidation program (or bill consolidation) can work in your favor. The purpose of this program is to help you meet your monthly payments and get you out of debt. If you wish to know what a debt consolidation program is all about, have a look at the topics given below:


How do debt consolidation programs work?

Consolidation programs help you reduce your monthly payments and have any late fees/extra charges waived off or eliminated. Given below are the 6 steps in a consolidation program.

Step 1: Go for no-obligation free debt counseling

Contact a debt relief company and attend a free counseling session with their consultant. The consultant analyzes your financial situation and completes an income vs. expenditure review in order to find out how much you can pay towards your monthly bills.

Step 2: Enroll yourself in a debt consolidation program

If the consultant finds that a consolidation program is the best solution for you, he will send you the documents you need to sign. The consultant will also provide you with details on the fees required and a power of attorney form which will allow him to talk to your creditors on your behalf.

Step 3: Consultant starts handling creditor calls

When you receive the documents, the consultant contacts you in order to answer any questions before you sign the docs. Once you sign and return the documents to the consultant, you can start referring your creditors to the debt consolidation company.

Step 4: Consultant negotiates on your behalf

The consultant contacts your creditors/collection agency and proposes a payment plan you can afford. He also negotiates with them to reduce your interest rates and monthly payments. The consultant then requests your creditors to freeze or reduce extra charges and late fees on your accounts so that you don't have to pay more.

Step 5: You send in monthly payment to the company

Your monthly payment should be sent to the consolidation company which then distributes it amongst your creditors/collection agency. So, multiple bills are actually consolidated into a single monthly payment. Thus, you don't have to worry about handling several creditors at a time.

Step 6: Your creditors receive the payment

Within a few days of receiving your payment, the company forwards it to your creditors. You are likely to receive creditor statements as a confirmation of receipt of your payment.


Generally, the consultant takes an update of your financial situation after every 6 months or so. If in case your situation changes, you should inform the consultant about it immediately. The consultant will re-evaluate your situation and then request your creditors for a different payment plan if required. He will also help you with budgeting and money management tips so that you can organize your finances effectively.


For further information on "how do debt consolidation programs work", browse through the "Debt Consolidation" section in debt management FAQ page.

How does debt consolidation program help you?

The program offers the following benefits:

  1. Low monthly payment due to reduction in rates.
  2. You may not have to pay late fees/extra charges.
  3. You can avoid harassing collection calls.
  4. Different bills are consolidated into one easy payment.
  5. Get rid of bills in 4-6 years as compared to an average of 20-40 years.
  6. Positive impact on your credit.

How do you choose the best debt consolidation program?

In order to choose the best debt consolidation programs, you need to prepare a list of consolidation companies in your area. Then collect the following information about them:


  1. How long has the company been in business?
  2. Does the company have good reputation?
  3. Is it listed with the BBB?
  4. What are its accreditations?

After you've gathered the details, follow the steps given below:

  1. Research online and read reviews about the companies.
  2. Ask for client testimonials.
  3. Check the company records available on the BBB website.
  4. Ask for referrals from your friends and relatives.
  5. Go for a free consultation and look at the details about their programs, fees etc.
  6. See if they are interested in working with you on their fees and payment schedules.

Compare companies and programs on the basis of the details you've collected. Only then it is possible to find out a reliable company which can offer free debt consolidation programs or quick debt consolidation help to repay your bills.

What should you avoid in a consolidation program?

Check out the don'ts and avoid them when you're working with a company which provides you with fast debt consolidation help.

  • Don't miss a payment or make a late payment.
  • Avoid making major purchases while you're in the program.
  • Don't take out new loans/credit if you've enrolled in the program.
  • Avoid charging up credit cards close to or above the credit limit.
  • Don't make any balance transfer while you're in the program.

It gets easier to pay if you consolidate multiple bills into a single payment. This is what best debt consolidation programs do for you. So, if you're looking to reduce your monthly bills and combine them into one easy payment, enroll yourself in a consolidation program and get out of debt faster.



Latest Related Discussions

  • Prudential Group - Are they legit? By ashcrimson on 07 Feb, 2012
    Last week I received a call from a lady claiming she was an investigator for an unpaid payday loan. She neglected to name the company she was working for but did leave a number which was apparently for a company called "Prudential" according to the a...
  • garnishment question By marmos77 on 07 Feb, 2012
    My husband received a writ of garnishment today. he received a notice back in Dec about a suit against him for 241.00 medical debt. i sent the letter back stating that he agreed to pay the debt a few days ago but the firm handling the case said it ha...
  • Need help with useful info By CristianH on 07 Feb, 2012
    Hi, I was hoping somebody could help me out here with some useful info.

    I stopped paying student loan payments about 6 months ago because it just wasn't working. I couldn't get ahead. I needed to save to buy a semi-reliable car to keep my job. ...
  • Florida - AG & Office of Financial Regulation By mirojobmw on 07 Feb, 2012
    I have just filed 4 complaints w/ both of these entities and was curious re: some things:
    *typical timeframe for case to be started up?
    *willing to work w/ you -- as see some post re: other states that the AG or Financial Regulation is unwilling to w...
  • Debt question. By simonsquest on 07 Feb, 2012
    So I am pretty much in $2000 worth of debt in unpaid bills. While that originally is not much, I have recently had hours cut at work and am unable to keep up with the bills as the late fees outpace me.

    What are my options? I have no idea what to do....

Ask Nelly on this topic
Name (optional)

Subject (optional)

Message





* Disclosures:
  • By signing up for counseling session, your provided details (Name, Email ID and Phone No.) will be forwarded to the company advertising on the DebtCC. However, you have no obligation to use their services.
  • Some creditors and collection agencies refuse to lower the pay off amount, interest rate, and fees owed by the consumer.
  • Creditors/collection agencies can make collection calls and file lawsuits against the consumers represented by the debt relief companies.
  • Debt relief services may have a negative impact on the consumer's creditworthiness and his overall debt amount may increase due to the accumulation of extra fees.
  • The amount which the consumer saves with the use of debt relief services can be regarded as taxable income.
Page loaded in 0.085 seconds.