Debt consolidation is a financial strategy that involves combining multiple debts into a single, more manageable payment. Here’s a quick starter guide:

• Assess Your Debts: Identify all your existing debts, including credit cards, loans, and other outstanding balances. Take note of the total amount owed, interest rates, and monthly payments.
• Check Your Credit Score: Your credit score plays a crucial role in securing favorable terms for debt consolidation. Obtain your credit report to assess your current standing.
• Explore Debt Consolidation Options: There are several ways to consolidate debt:
  • Personal Loan: Borrow a lump sum to pay off your debts, then make fixed monthly payments on the loan.
  • Balance Transfer: Move high-interest credit card balances to a card with a lower interest rate. Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit: Use your home’s equity to secure a loan with lower interest rates.
  • Debt Management Plan: Offered by CCCS, we will bundle all of your debt into 1 amount, negotiate cheaper interest rates, enroll you in a 3-5 year payment plan where the debt will be paid off by the end of the term.
• Compare Interest Rates and Terms: Different consolidation methods come with varying interest rates and terms. Compare these to find the option that suits your financial situation best.
• Create a Budget: Develop a realistic budget to ensure you can comfortably make the consolidated payments. Consider cutting unnecessary expenses to free up more funds. If doing the debt management plan with CCCS we will ensure your budget is built for the payment and the rest of your expenses.
• Apply for the Chosen Option: Once you’ve decided on a consolidation method, apply for it. Be prepared to provide information about your income, debts, and credit history.
• Stick to the Plan: After consolidating your debts, commit to making timely payments. Avoid accumulating new debts and focus on reducing your overall financial burden.
• Seek Professional Advice if Needed: If you find the process overwhelming or need personalized advice, consider consulting with a financial advisor or credit counselor. The good news is that our counselors are available for you at free of charge.
• Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of your payments and monitor your progress. Over time, you should see a reduction in your overall debt and improvement in your financial situation.

Remember, debt consolidation is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and its success depends on your individual circumstances. It’s crucial to choose the option that aligns with your financial goals and capabilities. As always, our counselors can help you identify what solution fits your current situation along with building a budget that’s tailor- made based on your income, expenses, and household size.

As a reminder, we want you to start 2024 with a plan so you’re able to execute that plan.

Of course, I could not leave you without our monthly story!

After going through a divorce, one of our staff members was struggling to make ends meet and used credit cards to do this. As we know, this can happen to anyone whenever they go through a change in their life such as a divorce. This change is significant due to the reduction of income and increased expenses that come with a divorce. Once a household income is reduced due to any reason, death, divorce, or loss of employment, many people rely on credit cards to get through that difficult time. When
the individual’s financial situation is stabilized, it’s time to put a plan in effect to pay for all of that debt back.

Now, back to our story!

Once the divorce was finalized and our staff member was ready to set a plan in place they worked with a counselor. Our counselor helped create a budget, which included the setup of a Debt Management Plan. Our staff member stuck to this budget and is almost halfway through paying off their debt!

This is a perfect example of financial downfalls happening to anyone, even someone working at an organization with a mission to assist people with financial education. Also, this is a reminder to all that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it can be bright with a solid plan in place.

Let our staff of experts help you create this plan along with a budget to kickstart your
financial well-being for 2024!