If you’re really struggling with your debt, you may want to consider debt consolidation. However, paying your debt off takes time and effort. This process takes careful consideration and planning. This article and the tips found here will help you begin this journey.

One sign that a debt consolidation company is reputable is whether or not they are a member of an organization, like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Even if the company verbally confirms to you that they are a member, make sure you still research it to make sure what they are saying is true. A member of an organization like the NFCC has to follow certain rules, like only employing certified credit counselors.

Never scoff at negotiating your debt. While you may wish for all the debt to go away, it will not. Bankruptcy is your only option for a clean wipe, and most people do not want to go that route. If you can reduce your debt by any amount of money through negotiation, do so. Dropping some of the debt is better than nothing.

A lot of people find that their monthly payments are able to get lowered if they just call the creditors they owe money to. In general, creditors are often willing to be flexible. If you are unable to pay for your monthly credit card bill, call the company and tell them about your situation. Most companies will help reduce your payment, but may not allow you to continue to use the card.

Find out whether a debt consolidation company is a “home equity loan” provider in disguise. Some debt consolidation companies really just want you to take out a home equity loan. Don’t let this be you. After all, your home is the most important thing you have. If you find out a company wants you to take out a loan on your home, move on.

When trying to pay debt off, you have two options. Option one is to pay off the smallest debts first. The second option is to pay the highest interest rates off first. Both options have their own set of benefits, so choose the option that works for you and begin getting out of debt today.

If you have student loans that are from federal programs, consider consolidating them only after your grace period on those loans has ended. If you consolidation sooner, you can lose your grace period, making it necessary for you to start repayment immediately. Timing is everything with federal loans, so make sure you understand the terms of your original agreement before signing on for consolidation.

If you are going through debt consolidation, you need to go through interest rate arbitration before you consolidate your debt. In this arbitration you could receive a reduction in your interest rate. This translates into lower monthly payments for your total debt. Gradually your credit score will also increase with on time payments as well.

Pay attention to both privacy and security practices when choosing a debt consolidation company. Read over the terms and conditions as well. If there is something you’re not comfortable with, ask questions, and move on if need be to find a better company for your needs. There is no reason to settle.

Find out what type of educational materials or workshops the debt consolidation company has available. Are they offered at no cost to you? Are the materials found on the Internet or will they be shipped to your house? A debt management plan should not be your only option, and if a company claims it is, work with someone else.

Beware of debt consolidation companies that ask for any sort of fees upfront. This is typically a tell-tale sign of a scam. If you are placed in this situation, leave the situation immediately. This is not the way a debt consolidation company should be doing business, and chances are that your finances are not in good hands.

You may just find that debt consolidation will let you manage your debt, as long as you know exactly what it can do for you. While making a phone call is the starting point, you also need to know the basics and understand what you might be up against. What you just read was informative about all the ways rid yourself of debt, but in the end it’s up to the individual to take hold of the process.