zarayray10 asked:


i am interested in having my monthly credit card payments put into one payment per month. i was very close to trying this but backed out at the last minute out of fear of being screwed over by a debt consolidation company. can someone explain how these companies work? has anyone ever used one? is it helpful?
do u pay the debt consolidation company a seperate fee? or do they include that within ur consolidated payment?

honhill asked:


Due to a family tragedy, my husband and I are currently in $26,000 of credit card debt. All of the payments are current and the cards are paid on time with the accounts still open (we are not still charging, though). We are looking to seriously pay this down before the interest eats us alive. My husband wants to take out a bank loan and pay the cards off that way, but I am wondering about the debt consolidation programs you hear about (I know some of those are scams and some are real). Any advice or experience?

Ruffus asked:


I have a few credit card that are past due and I’m not able to make the payments.

What is the best debt consolidation company to use?

Keep in mind, I’m not a home owner.
I’m not a student and actually I’m looking for a better answer than the obvious budget and make more money.

mrbearpro asked:


I would like to get a debt consolidation loan for my outstanding debt from closed credit cards, old utility bills, etc

I have student loans, but I would like to consolidate them separatley and not through another loan.

Also, I have an auto loan, would the loan be able to cover that as well?

Please, real answers, and no opinions/judgements.

Thank You.

Russ M asked:


How do you know which program is good and which one is right for you. I heard their is a way to check there beruo report or something, not sure what its called. How can you see the results and reputation of the debt settlement program or debt consolidation program.

ALEIII asked:


I unwittingly entered a debt consolidation program with cesi and wish to stop. I have medical reasons from Iraq and I sometimes am overly impulsive. Has anyone ever stopped participation in one of these programs?

Nik asked:


What is the benefit of using debt consolidation for credit card debt? I am trying to decide to either call the credit card companies myself and negotiate for a lower payoff/settlement amount, or to use a debt consolidation company? If I negotiate with the credit cards directly, will that be considered a charge off? I would want to settle myself if I can to avoid paying all the months of high interest. But if I use debt consolidation, then they will charge me a fee every month for so many years? What is their purpose? What would be the best route to go financially?