Has anyone done this themselves? Please help!

LOTS of people negotiate with their creditors themselves and settle their debt. I believe that creditors actually give a better settlement deal to individuals dealing with their own credit rather than a settlement company. There is a lot of info on this site that can help you. Another bit of advice: google the company name "zip debt". It is a debt settlement program designed for people that want to settle their debt themselves. I think they offer a lot of support through their website too if you buy the package. If I am not mistaken it is $300 total cost or close to that. I WISH I had done ALL of my settlement myself. It would have saved me thousands, which would mean I would be out of debt even sooner.

In the last year I have spent countless hours reading about the topic of debt settlement! This website is a great tool...there are a lot of people here that want to help. Use them and their info to get the most knowledge possible. Pull up as many posts as possible that have your creditors name in them, and try to get a feel for how they are handling their settlements. I would say that whatever your debt load is, you will need to be able to save 50% of that amount within a 12-18 month time frame in order to be successful at settling with your creditors without getting sued. Even if you do get sued that is not the end of the world, but if you play your cards right the probability of that happening is small. Know that your credit will take a hit, yes....BUT this is the fastest way to get out of debt short of winning the lottery. A low credit score for a couple of years is worth being free of the burden and stress of debt in my opinion.
For me, when this is all behind me, which I figure to be in another 9 or 10 months.....I will NEVER use credit cards again, period. If I can't pay for it with cash....then it will have to wait.

I agree with everything sunnymay said. I started this process last April with 8 accounts. I have settled 6, I am currently making settlements payments with one creditor and have 1 account left to settle. I also used and highly recomend zip debt.

you can absolutely do this yourself! I myself did not because of personal reasons, but you can! This site is a great tool if you decide to go solo. The only thing i dont agree with is that i dont really think it matters if you use a company or go on your own on how your settlements turn out.

but read up, know the facts, and know and be confident as to what you say. Be able to know when they are lying to you or use scare tactics. Some will be easy, some will be a pain in your behind. But stick with it settlement works and is a great tool when you need it.

It will not be easy, but if you stick to a plan, and stay focused, you will reach your goal! Good luck!

Thank you so much!! I am going to check out zip debt. And I am so thankful for this site and your replies! I was really making myself sick over my debt and not knowing what to do. Thank you! I now know that I am doing the right thing.