Find A Credit Counselor
Losing a job, getting hit with unexpected emergency medical expenses, getting a divorce, or simply not managing your money well can all result in credit difficulties. Are you facing any of these situations?
- Inability to pay your bills on time and paying late fees.
- Difficulty deciding which bills to pay each month.
- Using credit for purchases you used to make with cash.
- Borrowing money to make loan payments.
- Close to or maxing out your credit cards.
- Making only minimum payments on your credit cards.
- Putting off necessary things like visits to the doctor because you don't have enough money.
- Thinking your financial condition is beyond help.
If so, you should talk to a credit counselor. Credit counselors offer confidential budget and debt counseling. They can also teach you about debt repayment programs and money management.
Beware of organizations that promote "easy" debt consolidation programs or offer to "repair" your credit report for a fee. No one can fix your credit but you - over time, with smart financial decisions.
Resources
National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a network of consumer counseling agencies. Check the Yellow Pages or visit www.nfcc.org for the office closest to you. You can also call NFCC directly for a referral in Spanish at 1-800-682-9832.
NeighborWorks® America is a national network of nonprofit organizations who support affordable housing and homeownership initiatives in local communities. Check the Yellow Pages or visit www.nw.org for the office closest to you.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services offer free and low-cost debt management programs across the country.
Local nonprofit homeownership education groups offer classes. Check under "credit counseling" in your local phone book.