What Can Credit Counseling Do For Me?

As we've seen, there are many ways to resolve debt issues, and no single solution is right for everyone. At InCharge Debt Solutions, we use a solutions-based counseling approach to provide financial wellness resources to everyone who contacts us. As we evaluate each individual's needs, we determine if he or she would benefit from counseling, and we also determine if he or she would benefit from a Debt Management Program (DMP). A DMP is not the answer for everyone - some consumers in distress will benefit more from alternative programs or educational materials.

To ensure your receive the most thorough counseling available, we also access your credit report to verify and review it with you on the phone. In this convenient way, we can make sure your report is correct and know we have your most current credit information.

A personalized solution.

If it is determined that a DMP is the best solution, you are assigned a Personal Care Counselor who will assess your financial situation and work one-on-one with you to develop a payment plan designed to fit your unique needs. Plus, you'll be able to contact your Personal Care Counselor directly, meaning you'll talk with someone who already knows your account. This personalized approach is part of our commitment to your financial success that sets us apart from other credit counseling and debt management providers.

InCharge Debt Solutions is also committed to providing financial educational materials that teach sound money management principals and responsible use of credit. Upon enrollment, all clients receive our Education Kit, Mind Your Finances, which includes the first three books in the Mind Your Finances series, and the award-winning Credit Compass program. The Mind Your Finances series is a 12-book financial education tutorial designed to not only help clients while in partnership with InCharge Debt Solutions, but to also provide tools for long-term financial success.

Alternate resources.

For many consumers, finding a realistic way to pay down their debt on a structured schedule - and receiving creditor benefits like lower interest rates and waived fees - is the answer. It may be the right option for you. However, because we understand it is not the answer for everyone, we also provide alternate resources, like financial counseling, budgeting assistance, and, if applicable, referrals to social service agencies or partners that can help with particular issues. Plus, to those who aren't ready or who may not qualify for a DMP, and to those specifically requesting educational materials, we provide Your Money: A Guide To Managing Your Credit and Debt, our free six-issue series of educational newsletters.

It's important to understand that InCharge's DMP is not a loan - it is a manageable repayment plan. Your creditors want you to continue to make payments. That's why they're willing to work with InCharge to make your monthly payments affordable while you work toward paying off your debt.

Payments you can manage.

Once you and your Personal Care Counselor establish your repayment schedule, you will be responsible for one affordable monthly payment to InCharge. We distribute your payment to each of your creditors - on time, every time. As soon as you begin to make consistent payments and show your creditors you are serious about getting out of debt, you'll receive benefits like:

• Reduced interest rates
• Waived late fees and over the limit fees
• No more collection calls

Ongoing support & education.

All InCharge Debt Solutions clients receive our newsletter, Next Step: A Monthly Guide to Reaching Your Financial Goals. It provides money saving tips, DMP updates, budgeting advice, credit management information, and more. And at www.InCharge.org, consumers and clients can learn about ways to improve their financial lives, with helpful articles and financial calculators, plus they can login and view their account status, send emails to InCharge counselors, and receive additional money management tools.

Benefits that last a lifetime.

The benefits of InCharge Debt Solutions continue long after you enroll in our Debt Management Program. Our counseling and educational services help you develop a long-term plan for managing your finances. We address issues such as budgeting, managing cash flow, understanding credit reports, using credit effectively and avoiding bankruptcy. With our help, you won't just get out of debt - you'll have the tools you need to stay out of debt.

Professional. Personal. Private.

InCharge Institute is a national non-profit organization specializing in personal finance education and credit counseling. The InCharge family includes the InCharge Education Foundation, which provides award-winning products and materials that support the personal financial literacy needs of consumers worldwide and InCharge Debt Solutions, which provides professional credit counseling and education services.