Here’s our credit counseling perspective – to achieve financial health is key to a stress-free successful life. A life with minimum credit card debt is a luxury to have. However, this is an achievable task with a little bit of planning with your financials. American Consumer Credit Counseling provides 20 steps that will help you achieve good financial health. Let’s break it down! Paying off debt improves financial health. . 20 Steps To Financial Health The most basic financial organizing comprises of three things: Assessing your past money moves Set SMART goals and a plan to achieve those g ..read more

Individuals facing financial difficulties experience very different situations. For example, your credit card debt may reach a level at which consolidating credit card debt is your best option. So, when should someone seek credit counseling? First and foremost it is important that we understand what credit counseling really is. Here are some signs you should seek credit counseling. What is Credit Counseling? This is when a certified credit counselor from a reputable credit counseling agency, such as ACCC, will help you determine the best way to approach your financial situation. They will al ..read more

Living paycheck to paycheck? Worried about how to get out of debt? Can’t seem to develop a workable budget, let alone save money for retirement? If this sounds familiar, you may want to consider the services of a credit counselor. Many credit counseling organizations are nonprofit and work with you to solve your financial problems. However, it is important that you know how to choose a credit counseling service. If you’re looking for debt help, here’s how to choose a credit counseling agency. Tips on How to Choose a Credit Counseling Agency First of all, when it comes to credit counseli ..read more

Credit is a crucial component of an individual’s personal finances. So, what should you know about credit? It is important that you know certain things about credit no matter what your financial priority is. It can vary from rebuilding credit to working on a debt management plan. A debt management plan can help those who are struggling to pay off credit card debt. A debt management plan can help those who are struggling to pay off credit card debt. What Should You Know About Credit? What Is Credit? Credit is more than just a plastic card you use to make purchases. It is your financial trustw ..read more

Your credit report is a crucial part of your financial performance as an individual. If you’ve ever applied for a credit card, a personal loan, or insurance, there’s a file about you. This file is your credit report. It is chock full of information on where you live, how you pay your bills, settling credit card debt, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. They use the information to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, or a lease. Therefore in the case of a dent in your credit report, it is important that you know methods of fixing up you ..read more

Avoiding paying off debt can have numerous negative impacts on your financial situation. Dealing with the situation head-on when you know you will have late payments can help you in the long run. Our debt counselors always recommend taking action sooner rather than later. Creditors will be more willing to work with you to figure out payment options for credit card debt settlement. So what else happens when you are late on your payments? Follow ACCC’s advice if you have late payments. Late Payments – What Really Happens If I Have One? The biggest mistake a consumer can make when it comes to d ..read more

Debt consolidation can be a good option for consumers who are overwhelmed by high interest credit card debt. However, in order to get a better interest rate through consolidation, you need good credit. But what happens to consumers with bad credit? Should they seek alternative options? ACCC explains the pros and cons of consolidating debt with bad credit.  Consolidating debt with bad credit isn’t your only option. Should you consider consolidating debt with bad credit? Debt consolidation involves taking out one loan to pay off multiple unsecured debts. This loan usually has a better int ..read more

With all the financial stresses that come our way, we can always use some help with debt problems. However, identifying what kind of help you need is as big as actually solving the problem. If you head in the wrong direction for debt settlement advice, you are bound to get in deeper trouble than you were originally in. So, what is the best way to consolidate debt? The answer to that question is, that there is no right or wrong answer. The best way to consolidate credit card debt varies by individual. It largely depends on your financial circumstances and preferences. Credit cou ..read more

Living your life debt-free is surely a stress-free way to live your life. However, it is easier said than done. When you are drowning deep in debt you need to search for a responsible way out of it. It can be the debt avalanche method or the snowball method or any other method you think is best. However, you need to find the correct approach to pay off debt and live life debt-free. You need to find the right type of debt relief assistance to help you pay off debt quickly. Essentially, every consumer with a large amount of debt or high credit card balances wants to know just one thing: “Ho ..read more

Debt consolidation is one method some consumers use to pay off their debt. There is no “right” way to pay off debt, and what each consumer chooses depends on their own individual financial  situation. The most important part of decision-making for consumers who are choosing the best method for paying off debt is determining the advantages and disadvantage of each option. ACCC outlines the advantages and disadvantages of debt consolidation: Be fully educated about debt consolidation before choosing it. What is debt consolidation? First things first, what exactly is debt consolidation? De ..read more