Credit cards
Multiple balances, different APRs and promotional rates that expire. We map the real cost and the payoff order.
Consumer debt management
A consumer debt plan that starts with real numbers.
Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, collections and buy-now-pay-later balances. We help you see the whole picture, compare the honest options and choose a path you can keep.
What we help with
The balances that keep you up.
We are useful when the minimums are manageable on paper but impossible in real life — and when you are tired of guessing which account to pay first.
Medical bills
Statements, payment plans and collections. We help you organize what is owed and ask the right questions before you pay.
Personal loans
Fixed payments that no longer fit. We compare restructuring, consolidation and a negotiated plan.
Collections
Calls and letters are stressful. We help you document the debt, understand your rights and respond without escalating.
Buy now, pay later
Small balances that add up. We include them in the real budget instead of treating them as invisible.
Student loans
Federal loans have their own rules and repayment plans. We help you separate federal from private and find the right resource.
Compare the options
There is no single “right” debt solution.
Each option trades one kind of pressure for another. The useful question is which trade-off fits your income, your timeline and your credit goals.
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Debt management plan (DMP) | Multiple unsecured debts, a stable income and a desire for one payment | Creditors must agree; accounts may be closed; fees and reporting vary |
| Consolidation loan | Good credit, enough income and a lower blended rate | A new hard inquiry; a longer term can cost more overall; secured loans risk assets |
| Balance transfer | A manageable balance and discipline to repay before the promo ends | Transfer fees; the rate jumps after the promo; new spending can undo progress |
| Negotiated settlement | A lump sum, a genuine hardship and a creditor willing to talk | Lump sum required; forgiven debt may be taxable; credit damage is possible |
| Bankruptcy | Overwhelming debt with no realistic path to repay | Legal process with long-lasting credit impact; requires a licensed attorney’s advice |
Not a loanThe debt management plan
One payment. A negotiated timeline. A plan you can see.
A DMP is not a loan and it is not a quick fix. It is a structured repayment plan, usually 36 to 60 months, where a debt management company works with creditors on rates and terms and you make one monthly payment.
- We build a realistic household budget before proposing a payment
- We contact creditors and explain what is available and when
- You see every fee, every creditor response and every payment
- If a creditor will not negotiate, we tell you and adjust the plan
Budget first
A payment plan only works if the grocery money survives.
We start with a zero-based budget: every dollar gets a job before the debt payment gets a number. Then we stress-test it against a bad month.
Needs
Housing, food, utilities, insurance, transport and minimum debt payments. These come first, and they are not negotiable with a spreadsheet.
Life
A small, deliberate amount for the things that keep you sane. A plan with no room for life is a plan that breaks in month two.
Future
Savings, debt above the minimums and the buffer that stops a car repair from becoming a new card balance.
The 50/30/20 rule is a starting point
It is a useful sanity check, not a law. If housing is 45% of your income, the plan has to reflect that. We build from your actual numbers.
FAQ
Consumer debt, answered plainly.
How long does a debt management plan take?
Most plans run 36 to 60 months, depending on the balances and the payment you can sustain. We show you the projected timeline before you enroll.
Will my accounts be closed?
Some creditors close accounts as a condition of a reduced rate. Others do not. We explain what each creditor has indicated before you decide.
Can I keep one credit card?
Sometimes, but it depends on the creditor and the plan. We will not promise an account will stay open.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Contact us before the due date. A missed payment can undo a negotiated arrangement. We would rather adjust the plan than let it fail silently.
Is this the same as credit repair?
No. Credit repair typically disputes report items. Debt management addresses the underlying balances and repayment. We do both education and debt planning, not guaranteed score repair.
Next step
Bring the balances. We will bring the map.
A free review, a written snapshot and a clear recommendation — including when the best move is not a debt management plan.