Considering Debt Management Services Programany Advi

Q: Considering debt management Services program...any advice? I currently have a great deal of credit card debt and am considering entering into a debt management plan. So many credit counseling firms are out there, it's kind of mind-boggling to choose the right one. Does anyone have any advice?

A: -Consumer Credit Counseling Service is a nationwide NON-PROFIT organization which helps people with this problem. They are widely respected as far as I know. -Checkout Debt Counselors of America at http://www.getoutofdebt.org. (non-profit organization status) They have a great real audio broadcast and offer publications about paying down debt. I would talk to DCA before you make any decisions. You can call in on their radio show on Wednesdays or by eMail. -Up front, I have absolutely NO experience with this kind of

situation, but it seems to me you need to get some help from someone who will NOT charge you for their services. If you have to pay for somebody to handle your debt reorganization, you'll end up paying the same amount of money you presently owe over a longer period of time, which means you'll be paying more in interest, as well as the service fee you'll probably have to pay them up front for their assistance. There are agencies who do that kind of thing for you free of charge. You just have to locate one who is willing to help you. You might start by trying the loan officer in your local bank; if he can't help you himself, he might be able to refer you to someone who can. .