The situation however is not as bleak as your debt collector would like you to believe and successfully negotiating credit card debt settlement with them is still possible. It is not going to be smooth sailing, but with the right method and enough persistence, it can be done.

A few important considerations:

Collection agencies usually pay only about 5 cents on the dollar for your debt from your credit card company!

The number can vary from 1-10 cents on the dollar depending on how old the debt is. At this point, your original creditor believes this is the best he can salvage (the creditor also receive tax benefit).

What does this mean to you? Well, you can expect to reach a better settlement when you negotiate credit card debt with them because they will still be making a profit.

Tips on how to negotiate credit card debt:

Start your first offer at about 15% to 20%. You can probably expect to settle somewhere around 25-40%, but each creditor is different and a good settlement for one company may not be a bad deal for another.

Remember, the collection agency still makes out on top for a 25% settlement because they only pay a couple cents on the dollar for it. You can also expect a to settle for lower the older the debt is.

Always remember your best leverage when you negotiate credit card debt settlement: bankruptcy. Take comfort in the fact that you are in the driver’s seat and have something they are after.

Don’t get flustered if faced with rejections, your creditor would be more than happy to settle and receive a portion of the balance than lose everything if you declare bankruptcy.

Demonstrate your financial problems by providing income, budgeting problems, and debt obligations. Show evidences. Never tell them you need the settlement to buy a new car or home, which probably isn’t a good idea anyways at this moment.

Late fees and additional interest are usually garbage. Look at your actual principal and analyze your balance and find out how much do you actually owe and how much are penalties.

Most penalties are made up by the collection agency to fatten their wallet and can easily be waived when negotiating.

Everything you agree upon should be in writing. I prefer to communicate everything through mail (registered) that way you easily have access to written records. Effectively keep track of everything and it could make a big difference on your settlement.

Your final arrangement in credit card debt negotiation is your credit rating.

Try to have the collection listing removed from your credit report if possible. Otherwise, try negotiate the listing, in descending order of preference, as: “paid” only, “settled” only, and “paid charge off” only, with no other negatives for each.

Remember, you want to limit the damage to your credit as much as possible otherwise your credit would be just as bad as if the debt remains unpaid.

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This will afford you getting the harder items off your plate and let you concentrate on getting your life back on course.

Restoring credit is essential in some many areas of a person’s life today, as you rely on your credit score to obtain financing, a job, homeowner’s insurance, and automotive insurance at reasonable prices. When you are thrust in a lower scoring credit rating, the aforementioned services will charge a premium to do business with you, as they see you as somewhat of a risk to do business with currently.

This may be the farthest from the truth, and being out of control temporarily of your financial situation caused this avalanche of pecuniary problems.

To restore your credit score start by prioritizing a list of companies that you own money to, and talk with your account manager with firm. Explain the situation that you have been traversing recently and ask them for help in a repayment plan that they find acceptable, and you can adhere to at the same time. Remember, they hold all the power over your credit rating, and in this case being professional, and not losing your temper when speaking to the various account managers is the only ways you will be able accomplish your goal of credit restoration.

Stay on top of this situation until every creditor is taken care of and take steps to prevent this monetary tragedy from occurring again.

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Since this is the case, many of those people try to find ways on how to solve the problems on their debt; mortgages are just fine, it can wait since it is a secured loan, but what about the credit card debt? It’s not secured and if one keeps on falling behind his debts, he will then be forced to file for bankruptcy. Before the same thing happen to you, start applying for a credit card debt relief.In this day and age, looking for a credit card debt relief agency is easy, just search the web and you will be able to find tons of credit card debt relief agencies offering the best kind of service you can get, or is it really the best service you can get?

Finding a firm that can be of service to you is really easy, but the challenge comes when you are trying to find a reputable and honest firm that is after your best interest and not only the fee that you are going to pay them.

The first thing that you have to be alert when it comes to finding the right credit card debt relief agency is how long they promise your debt will be. If they are telling you that you can settle your debts in 4 years or more, you’re better off looking somewhere else because creditors can only wait for at most 3 years when settling for debts that have been re-negotiated.

You should also take note of how much fee they will be charging you. If they set their service fee to more than 17% of your total debt, then you should think again whether you are really going to afford their service or not.

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Never use a credit card that advertises “everyone is approved.” These credit cards loaded with fees and do not offer you the chance to increase your credit limit. Often, you will end up with paying $100 in fees for a $300 credit limit.

Consider Secured Credit Cards. To repair your credit you must exercise some financial responsibility. Secured credit cards have much lower rates and fees. But, you do have to make an initial deposit. This deposit will be your new credit balance.

Increase Your Credit Line With Additional Deposits. If you select a secured credit card as a means to rebuild your credit, begin with a $300 deposit and make additional small monthly deposits to the account. This will allow you to increase the credit limit and create a savings account for yourself. As your credit limit rises so will the influence and credibility the credit card makes on your overall credit report.

Do Not Use Your New Credit Card For Anything. When the card arrives, cut it up immediately after you activate it. Pay the annual fee each year and forget about it. The variables on the credit report that influence and help to establish credit are, length of time the account has been open, the credit limit, the balance vs. the credit limit ratio and of course the payment history. Using the card does not rebuild your credit faster. You are trying to repair your credit. Debt is what got you into this mess in the first place.

Do Not Let Your Balance Exceed 50% Of Your Credit Limit. OK, you did not take my advice. So, if you use the credit card, do not let the balance exceed one-half of the limit. The credit card company will report this fact “Maxed” out credit cards are viewed as a liability to your credit score.

Get A Second Secured Card And Repeat The Steps. If you get a second card, AND DO NOT USE IT, you will now have two credit references with zero balances. Use a different bank for the second account so that you have more than one company making positive credit reports to the credit bureau.

Remember these steps as you use your secured credit card to rebuild your revolving credit.

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When most people go car shopping, they believe that they will look, decide, arrange for financing, then purchase.  Unfortunately, a trip to a new car dealership can destroy the best laid plans.

Most people who obtain car loan make the mistake of plunging straight into the loan process. However, failure to research and plan can result in higher interest rates and fees, delayed payments and, ultimately, repossession of the vehicle.

All in all, that new car may turn out to be a money pit.

For people with a bad credit, trying to purchase a vehicle is even more difficult.  Lack of proper research and planning has a compounding effect on those with bad credit because their financing options are already limited and the costs are already high.  Any mistake only serves to significantly increase the cost of financing (and, thus, the cost of the new car) even though the car loan is a secured loan.

Let’s take a look at some tips that anyone can implement (bad credit or good credit) to limit the costs and risks associated with bad credit car loan.

Create Some Positive Credit Entries

Do not walk into a dealership expecting to get financed if you have not made all of your payments on time for the last six months.  You have to make all of your payments on time to establish a healthy pattern on your credit report of paying your bills on time.

Even if you have an otherwise bad credit score, the new FICO rules incorporate the payment of bills into the credit scoring process.  So, you continue to be current on your bills; and, when the lender conducts a credit check, he will see this as an improvement in your creditworthiness.

Get A Copy Of Your Credit Report And Contest Any Errors

Even if you know that your credit score is bad, you need to review it once again to make sure that there are not any errors.  After all, your credit is bad enough without having someone else’s adverse entries on the report as well.

Even if you can improve your credit report slightly, it may be the key to moving from bad credit loans into a more conventional auto financing arrangement.  At a minimum, it might reduce the amount of your down payment.

The review process is governed by federal law and is designed to be very user friendly.  Simply contact each of the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax).

You are entitled to a free credit report once per year from each entity.  Included, will be a form to dispute any entry on your credit report.  Even if the credit bureau does not ultimately remove the entry, you still have the right to place an explanatory statement in the file (such as “I dispute this debt and am currently suing the lender” etc).

Online Brokers Can Help Match You To The Right Loan

Brokers have the right tools and techniques to find bad credit lenders who will offer the best possible loans considering your cirumstances.

These brokers will evaluate your creditworthiness and find lenders that are willing to lend to you.  In the end, they may be the best option for finding the best terms and conditions on a car loan for bad credit, even if it turns out to be a bad credit loan.

With respect to your credit score and application for credit, the broker can help you with tips and advice to put your negative credit report in the best possible light for the lender.  Even thought these brokers typically charge you a fee, the cost is well worth  it in terms of savings in time, interest, fees and down payment.

Get Multiple Quotes

A broker is a lending specialist that know how to secure loans with bad credit.  A broker will likely provide you with multiple quotes to choose from.  Get quotes from at least five lenders and compare the terms, rates and conditions of each offer.

If you have bad credit, none of the offers will be good and all will likely carry a high interest rate.  Consider, however, that while the rates might not differ by a wide margin, the customer service and other fees, terms and conditions might vary hugely from lender to lender, especially on loans for bad credit.

So, do not just evaluate the offer based upon the rate.  After all, this is not a short term loan; and, you need to have good customer service for the term of the loan.

Bad Credit Auto Loans Are Difficult, But Not Impossible, To Obtain

Understand that if you have bad credit, getting a bad credit auto loan is going to be more difficult.  But, you can take several steps to “put your best foot forward” before you go car shopping.

1. Review your credit report for errors even as you begin to judiciously pay all of  your bills on time.
2. Be prepared to place a down payment on the vehicle as an incentive for the lender to qualify you.
3. Lastly, spend the money to have a broker help you find multiple offers and select the one that best fits your credit score and your lifestyle.

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Many credit card companies are still offering offer 0 interest credit cards; and, receiving this type of loan easier if you have a good credit score.  But, with the recent FICO 08 changes, even those with minor credit blemishes still may qualify.

So what steps do you need to take to receive this interest free loan?

How to Obtain a 0 Credit Card

If you already have a low interest credit card, the bank may send you additional balance transfer offers in the mail.  Compare credit cards issued by your bank to others online.  There are several sites that offer credit card help comparing interest free credit card offers.

Your bank may not provide the best credit card deals for you.

If you currently have a credit card with a certain bank, look for 0 APR balance transfer checks or other 0 balance transfer offers. If you do not have a credit card with a specific bank, you might still receive a balance transfer offer as an incentive to get you to open an account.  If you receive one of these offers, be careful to apply for a credit card that offers the longest balance transfer period and the lowest balance transfer fees.

Note, that you may not receive offers like these in the mail if you have opted out on marketing materials. But, you can still search for an offer by visiting your bank’s website or by calling customer service. You can find attractive offers online.

How to Initiate a Balance Transfer

Once you have found the best credit card deals, you need to initiate the credit card balance transfer.

If you received an offer in the mail for a new credit card, fill out the provided form. You will need to provide the account number of the credit card you wish to pay off. Mail the form back to the bank in the provided envelope. Some banks provide an online form you may fill out instead.

If you receive a 0 APR balance transfer offer from a current credit card, checks will be attached. Use these checks to pay your other credit cards or merchandise.

How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

When you find interest free credit cards, use them as an opportunity to consolidate credit card debt and pay down (or off) a higher interest credit card.

If you do not have excessive balances, you may be able to pay off all your credit card debt using this one 0 interest credit card.  But, even if you’re only able to pay off part of your credit card debt, you will save money on interest and probably lower your monthly payments.  The savings can add up quickly.

Additional Considerations For Interest Free Credit Cards

Consolidating your credit card debt can save you money and can reduce your monthly payment, but be sure to read the balance transfer terms and conditions very carefully.

All offers expire; some sooner than others.

If your offer is good for 12 months, you may want to consider paying it off within the 12 months unless you can transfer the outstanding balance to other low interest credit cards at the expiration of the balance transfer period.

Once the offer expires, the credit card company will charge you the regular interest rate. Sometimes this interest may be more than the credit cards you transferred it from.

Plan ahead to avoid financial problems in the future.

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You need business credit cards to stay in a hotel or rent a car. You will usually need a minimum of one gasoline or charge card in order to establish revolving credit with the credit bureaus.  I call gasoline charge cards “credit cards for beginners” because they are an excellent way to help a student learn to use credit cards responsibly.

Perhaps you have accumulated too much credit debt and need to consolidate it onto one lower interest card. In any case, you may find it necessary in the near future to apply for a credit card.

With so many different offers around in the new credit environment, you need to educate yourself in what to look for.

Credit Card Applications:  Credit Cards Offers Everywhere

You can easily find a credit card application anywhere.  Just look online or in your mailbox.

If you do not have bad credit, you can apply for credit card with your bank or any major credit card company.  Surprisingly, even if your rating is not so good, there are actually even more credit card deals out there. Your email inbox is probably flooded with sites claiming to have the best credit card for you.

Companies can charge a lot more in interest and fees of customers that have a lower credit score.

Know Your Credit Score When You Apply For Credit Cards

Your first step in applying for any type of credit should be to know your credit rating. When you know what type of credit risk you are, you will make a better decision about the card that is right for you. When you have a good credit history, you can stay away from credit cards that have large annual fees, monthly service fees and even internet payment fees. When you are educated about your own credit rating, you will know what you qualify for, so you can walk away from these credit cards.

Read The Terms Of Your Credit Card Applications

If you are more of a credit risk to a lender, you may have to pay the fees while you build up good payment history. There is a lot of fine print when it comes time to apply for these types of credit cards. There can be many clauses in the interest rate disclosures for these, so read them carefully. You may be quoted one low interest rate up front, but the fine print may say that should you make one payment late, your interest rate could double or even triple.

Beware Of Gimmicks And Fees When You Apply For A Credit Card

Many cards will sign you on for a 0% interest rate for a limited time on new cards or balance transfers, the accumulated interest will all be charged to your account. There are also those cards that will increase your credit limit every few months or so. In that fine print you will generally find that the increase in your credit limit may be $50.00-$100.00, but there will be a fee of $25.00-$75.00 to do so.

At the end of the day there are any number ways to apply for a credit card, but knowing your own rating is what will help you find the best credit cards for you. Let your credit card help build a solid credit score.  Using your new credit cards responsibly will build you a solid credit rating, and that is a must for a successful financial future.

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In fact, if you have bad credit, finding bad credit loans is even more difficult as conventional lenders are just nor going to lend to those with bad credit.  Fortunately, there are still a number of options to those in need of a loan but without an impressive FICO score to back it up.

Bad Credit:  Expect Fees, High Interest And Short Repayment Term

Those with bad credit are going to need to expect high interest rates, initiation fees, and short repayment terms.  In addition, the borrower may need to put up personal property as collateral for the loan.

Home loans for people with bad credit are just about non-existent at the time that this article goes to press.  Mortgage loans are currently only available to those with better than average credit using conservative appraisals of real property.

Normally, placing collateral serves to reduce the cost of borrowing.  Unfortunately, those with bad credit will enjoy no such luck.

But, getting secured loans might spell the difference between getting a bad credit loan or no loan at all.

Even in the tight credit market there are still loans for people with bad credit.

Pawn Shops As A Source Of Bad Credit Lending

The pawnbroker has been around since medieval times.

Even today, the borrower with bad credit can visit a pawn shop, post some personal possession as collateral, and walk out with a loan against the property.  Do not expect the pawnbroker to loan anywhere near the value of the collateral.

Furthermore, expect that the repayment will be much higher than the amount borrowed.  Remember, the pawnbroker will keep the possessions until you repay the loan.  If the borrower fails  to repay within the prescribed time period, then the pawnbroker will keep the collateral and sell it to recover the amount of the loan.

Car Title Loans: Secured Loans For Bad Credit

If the borrower owns a car, there are companies that specialize in making loans secured by a car title.

The lender will make the loan and the borrower retains possession of the car. Borrowers are advised to be wary of car title loans though.  The loan, with interest, will be much more than the amount borrowed.  So, the borrower should attempt to repay the loan as soon as possible.

But to the person that is in need of quick money, this is an available, if not costly, option.

Pay Day Loans:  A Controversial Form Of Bad Credit Loan

Payday loans (aka “cash advance loan”, “check advance loan” or “post-dated check loan.”) are essentially small (usually $50-$500) short-term loans that are repaid with high interest. The borrower writes a post dated check, which is held by the lender until the borrower is paid.  The check, which is much more than the loan, is then negotiated by the lender and the loan is repaid.

If the borrower is unable to repay the loan, the loan is rolled over for another pay period where the balance grows.

Military Loans:  Assistance For Armed Forces Personnel

Military loans have evolved to assist current and previous employees of US armed forces during times of financial hardship.

These loans serve as short term sources of borrowing offered by various institutions. Military loans carry lower interest rates, favorable terms and easier repayment conditions.  They are available for as consolidation loans, or for any purpose, and are repaid through deductions from the serviceman’s paycheck.

Conclusion:  Bad Credit Beats No Credit At All

Unfortunately, bad credit decisions carry lasting consequences.

To the person with bad credit, the consequences include difficulty obtaining credit, increased interest and fees as well as short repayment terms.

Even so, in the United States, even those with bad credit can find loans for bad credit to cover unexpected expenses, emergencies and other obligations.

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Bad Credit Loans:  The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

From payday loans to bad credit mortgages, there are a number of institutions and companies that are in the business of making loans to people with bad credit.  The good news is that, if you make your payments on time, you can improve your FICO score.  The bad news is that, because you are a higher risk, you will pay a higher interest rate than a person with a good credit score.  You can expect to pay between 12% and 21% for an unsecured personal loan if you have a bad credit score.  The dollar amount of an unsecured personal loan is usually $2,000-$3,000 for most lenders.

Lenders that specialize in loans for people with bad credit look at a number of factors when determining if you are a credit-worthy risk for borrowing. The lender understands that you might have had problems repaying in the past.  The lender will determine whether or not you have the means to repay the loan (ie a job) and an acceptable debt to income ratio.

Home Loans For People With Bad Credit

The bad credit mortgages that were so common just two years ago, are no longer available.  After the collapse of the housing market, it has become very difficult for people with bad credit to obtain a bad credit home loan.  Lenders are requiring conservative appraisals of the property, good credit and a lot of money down.

In order for a person with bad credit to obtain a bad credit mortgage loan, he or she will have to qualify for one of the first time buyers plans through the veteran’s administration, FHA or other state agency.  As always, bad credit mortgage loans can be obtained if the borrower has a guarantor with a good FICO score or can put a substantial amount of money down in relation to the appraised value of the property.

Bad Credit Loans:  Make Your Future Count

If you have bad credit personal loan, work to improve your credit, keep up to date records on your payments and check your credit report at least once per year.

The law allows everyone to obtain a free credit report once per year. If you are serious about rebuilding your credit, you might consider joining a credit reporting service that will alert you to any changes to your credit report.  Not only is this helpful to rebuild credit, it also is useful to prevent unauthorized access to your credit report or identity theft.

It is legally and morally important to repay what you borrow.  Manage your finances, including borrowing only what you pay back. Everyone faces financial mishaps throughout their lives, but if you are careful to prepare ahead of time, you can recover from the negative consequences of having bad credit.

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History Of The FICO Scoring Method

FICO scores (or credit scores) were developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation to give lenders an effective way to measure the creditworthiness of an individual. Essentially, the credit score is made up of two elements: the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the borrower’s willingness to repay the loan. The range of the FICO is from 300 to 850. A score of 700 is considered excellent. The average FICO score currently is 690 and falling.

FICO 08: The New Method Of Calculating Creditworthiness

Early this year, FICO introduced the FICO 08. So, far only TransUnion has begun using it; but, it is expected to become industry standard over the next eighteen months. It will change the way that creditors evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness.

FICO 08: The Important Changes To Credit Scoring

Credit utilization is now more important

This is a measure of how much a credit card holder accesses his or her credit as compared to his total amount of credit. The traditional ratio was 30% of the old FICO score. Under FICO 08, people with high credit card debt in relation to their available credit are riskier than before. Consumers with balances close to their credit limit are likely to see their scores drop lower with FICO 08. Also, consumers with too few open accounts or people who close accounts (lowering total credit available) may see lower scores.

The Piggyback Ride Is Over

Credit card piggybacking is a credit building tool where a person will pay a fee to get listed as an authorized user on the credit card of someone with good credit history. While the “authorized user” doesn’t actually get to use the card, he gets the benefit of the credit history which will be found on his credit report and thereby increase his credit score.

This practice has become so popular that an entire niche industry has been built to match piggy back users with cardholders who are willing to sign them up as an authorized user.

While FICO 08 penalizes piggybacking, people who add a legitimate authorized user (husband, wife or child) will not be affected.

Go And Sin No More

Those of us who have been adversely affected because we failed to return a movie on time can now relax. Third-party collections under $100 will no longer have a significant impact on a consumer’s score. FICO 08 bypasses collections or public records with amounts that originally were less than $100. If the original amount was over $100 but has been paid down to less than $100, it still counts. If it was even a small amount from a credit card company, it still counts.

Miscellaneous Weight Changes

FICO 08 changes the factors considered in the current FICO score, including the length of credit history and the number of open lines of credit.

The FICO 08 system will have dramatic effects on current scores. In fact, it is predicted that several people with identical scores today will have significantly different credit scores under FICO 08. So, it pays to pay attention. Find  out how FICO 08 will affect you before you need additional credit.

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Do I Need A Credit Card Debt Consolidation Loan?

One of the main ways to begin get out of debt is to consolidate credit card debt in to a lower interest debt consolidation loan.  In order to determine whether or credit card debt consolidation would be right for you, consider these factors:

• Do you have multiple cards with long term outstanding balances?
• Do you frequently make the minimum payment on your cards?
• Is your credit debt increasing over time?
• Are you at or close to the limit on one, or more of your credit card accounts?

If any of these factors apply to your situation, you should consider a credit card debt consolidation loan.

How Do I Consolidate Credit Card Debt?

Consolidating credit card debt involves combining all of your outstanding credit card balances into one, lower interest loan.  Regardless of the type of credit card consolidation loan you use, your goal should be to lower your interest rate and monthly payment on the consolidated credit card loan balance.

The key to making a debt consolidation strategy work for you is to exercise the discipline to use the savings from the lower interest rate and monthly payment to pay more on the loan principal each month.  It also means looking for ways to decrease your other monthly expenses even where you are paying less to service your unsecured personal loan.  It is imperative that you live on a cash basis while repaying your credit debt  and avoid spending more money than you have.

Debt Consolidation Options For Those With Good Credit Scores

The best options for debt consolidation are available to those with excellent credit scores.  It is, therefore, imperative that, at the first sign of financial difficulty that you take steps to consolidate debt.  You cannot afford to wait until you have bad credit.

Here are some of the main options for consolidating your credit card debt:

• Transfer credit card balances to a lower interest credit card. These interest rates can run as low as 7.50% if you have very good credit.

• Use balance transfer checks to consolidate credit card balances. Even now, credit card issuers still mail out balance transfer checks offering a low interest rate for the life of the balance (some as low as 3.9 to 4.9 APR).  You will have to pay a balance transfer fee in the amount of 3-4%.  Even with the balance transfer fee, it still represents an excellent opportunity to consolidate credit card debt.

• Open a home equity line of credit (HELOC). If you own your home, you can take advantage of your home’s equity as a source of low interest lending.  Although it is not wise to make a habit of taking equity from an appreciating asset to pay for consumptive spending, you may have no choice but to do so.

• Negotiate with your credit card company. It is possible to use the current economic climate as leverage to negotiate balance transfers into one of your lower interest rate credit cards.

These credit card strategies are only available to consumers with good credit scores.  Consumers with bad debts or poor credit scores will have to explore other means to achieve their debt consolidation goals.  Even if you have bad credit, it makes no sense to procrastinate and do nothing.  As your credit debt begins to spiral out of control your efforts to consolidate your credit cards becomes more difficult.

What About A Non-Profit Debt Consolidation/Credit Counseling Company?

A good nonprofit credit counseling company can put together a debt consolidation program and can negotiate credit card debt relief plans for you.

To find a nonprofit credit counseling service, contact the National Foundation For Credit Counseling to find a list of reputable credit counseling and debt consolidation organizations available to you.  A good non-profit credit counseling company will often be able to get people out of debt easier than going it alone.

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