Credit Information

What is Credit Counselling?


Ever wondered what is Credit Counselling? There are occasions when you might encounter a financial situation that is beyond your scope which is when a session with a credit counsellor could be beneficial.

If you're not disciplined enough to create a workable budget and stick to it, can't work out a repayment plan with your creditors, or can't keep track of mounting bills, consider contacting a credit counselling organisation. Many credit counselling organisations are non-profit and work with you to solve your financial problems. But be aware that, just because an organisation says it's "non-profit," there's no guarantee that its services are free, affordable, or even legitimate. In fact, some credit counselling organisations charge high fees, which may be hidden, or urge consumers to make "voluntary" contributions that can cause more debt.

Most credit counsellors offer services through local offices, the Internet, or on the telephone. If possible, find an organisation that offers person to-person counselling.

If you are not sure of how to contact a counselling service, check with your financial institution, local consumer protection agency, friends or family as they may be a good source of information and referral.

Reputable credit counselling organisations can advise you on managing your money and debts, help you develop a budget, and offer free educational materials and workshops. Their counsellors are certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting.

Counsellors discuss your entire financial situation with you, and help you develop a financial plan to solve your money problems. An initial counselling session typically lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions.

Be wary of credit counselling organisations that:

charge high up-front or monthly fees for enrolling in credit counselling.

pressure you to make "voluntary contributions," another name for fees.

won't send you free information about the services they provide without requiring you to provide personal financial information, such as credit card account numbers and balances.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.


MORE RESOURCES:

KIMA CBS 29

Is the era of easy credit over for the long haul?
The Associated Press - Oct 12, 2008
For Clark, and for a nation of consumers heavily dependent on credit, there are growing signs that those rough times could prove to be more than just a ...
Are Credit Cards The Next Credit Crunch? Consumer Affairs
CreditCardCity.com Launches Credit Card Blog to Keep Consumers ... PR Web (press release)
The Next Meltdown: Credit-Card Debt BusinessWeek
MiamiHerald.com - PR Web (press release)
all 184 news articles


Los Angeles Times

Auto sales about same as last two months: Ford
Reuters - 2 hours ago
"Obviously the situation that has gone on in the credit markets over the past week and in the stock market doesn't help matters," Fields said. ...
Video: Money Minute: GM, GE, Oil AssociatedPress
CREDIT WATCH HITS GM, FORD Globe and Mail
US automakers face worst crisis in their history Taipei Times
Minyanville.com - Reuters
all 631 news articles


China Daily

guarantee lifts confidence
NEWS.com.au, Australia - 7 hours ago
THE appetite for Australian corporate risk has soared as the Government's deposit guarantee prompted an easing in the gridlocked domestic credit market. ...
Stormy Weather In The Credit Default Swap Market Resource Investor
It's Wait and See for Bond Traders Wall Street Journal
$62 Trillion Credit Default Swaps Threaten US Government Bonds The Market Oracle
Structured Credit Investor (subscription) - Washington Post
all 254 news articles


The Associated Press

GM Likely to Seek Direct Loan From Fed
Barron's - 16 hours ago
Reserve Banks currently do not establish an interest rate for emergency credit, but Regulation A specifies that such a rate would be above the highest rate ...
Credit unions ready to lend: As banks tighten credit, credit ... Crain's Detroit Business
Banks must reveal full exposure to sub-prime Telegraph.co.uk
Credit markets see a few, tentative signs of thaw The Associated Press
RightSide Advisors - Center for Research on Globalization
all 1,383 news articles


Lucas Energy Secures Credit Facility With Amegy Bank
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
The revolving line of credit and letter of credit facility has a maximum note amount of $100000000, but is initially limited to a borrowing base of $3000000 ...


New York Times

Your Money Q & A: Credit Scores
New York Times, United States - 3 hours ago
John R. Ulzheimer, the author of “You’re Nothing But a Number" and an expert on credit scores, answered reader questions on credit and the importance of ...
Credit cards, credit crunch: consumers feel pinch as issuers `go ... Newsday
Your Money One Thing You Can Control: Your Credit Score New York Times
all 17 news articles


UPDATE 1-Conn's says hurricanes to affect credit portfolio
Reuters - 7 hours ago
O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said its credit portfolio performance will be hurt for a period due to the effects of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. ...
Conn’s, Inc. Reports Status of Business after Hurricanes Gustav ... Business Wire (press release)
Conn's readjusts in hurricane aftermath CNNMoney.com
all 18 news articles


Sector roundup: Credit cards; cable, satellite TV
Forbes, NY - 1 hour ago
AP 10.13.08, 3:15 PM ET CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) - Shares of credit-card companies rose Monday along with the broader market despite continuing fears that the ...


Dividend.com

ICE Adds Muscle to CCorp’s Central ClearingHouse for Credit ...
Advanced Trading, NY - 3 hours ago
By Ivy Schmerken Exchange rivals are vying to set up a central clearinghouse for credit default swaps (CDS), which have been linked to turmoil in financial ...
Eurex seeks partners for CDS clearing house Financial News
Credit swaps dragged out of shadows FinancialWeek (subscription)
CME Group Details On Future Credit Default Swaps Market istockAnalyst.com (press release)
California Progress Report - Wall Street Journal Blogs
all 99 news articles


Banking Leader to Address Houston CPA Society on Credit Crisis
MarketWatch - 5 hours ago
... of the Credit Crisis" at a luncheon during the Houston CPA Society's first CFO/Controller Conference, Oct. 21, at JW Marriott, 5150 Westheimer at Sage. ...

Credit - Google News

home | site map
© 2006