thinking about debt settlement

I don't think creditors will settle when you are current, because they feel you can pay the current bills. Some may lower their interest rates, etc., if they can be convinced you are going through a hardship, although that is even hard to get lately. I had only one of nine creditors do that for me last year when I first started having problems. I don't think they will offer settlements unless they feel it is their last resort for getting ANYthing out of you. Which unfortunately, means the account is way past due and into collections.