Hi finksbt,

If your debts have been sent to collections, you can still negotiate with the collection agency to settle the debt for an amount less than what you actually owe. If you cannot negotiate with the collection agency on your own, you can take help from a debt settlement company. They will work with your creditors and settle the debt on your behalf. You do not have to pay lump sum money towards the settlement. You can keep making affordable monthly payments to the settlement company and pay off your debts over a certain number of years.

However, since you've enrolled in a program with Freedom Financial, you ought to talk with them regarding your debts which are already sent to collections. Have you contacted them yet? Have they assured you of any help with these debts?