| Make a success of your commitment to become debt | | | | 4. Use budgeting tools to manage your finances |
| free. Choosing free debt consolidation requires financial | | | | What Are The Various Budgeting Tools? |
| discipline, proper guidance and making a choice of the | | | | Some of the budgeting tools that can prove handy to |
| right debt consolidation company. | | | | you are: |
| How To Get Started? | | | | 1. Price comparison calculator (Compare prices of |
| Start by seeking free debt consolidation help. Some | | | | various products and services) |
| non-profit organizations and debt consolidation | | | | 2. Savings calculator (Allows you to calculate how |
| companies provide you this help. | | | | much you can save) |
| What Constitutes A Good Debt Consolidation | | | | 3. Work sheet planner (A good way to assess how |
| Program? | | | | much you can spend) |
| Look out whether the free debt consolidation program | | | | 4. Debt to income calculator (An important ratio that |
| provides you the following: | | | | measures what you owe against your income) |
| A simple and workable payment schedule. | | | | You will come across many advertisements that claim |
| A lower interest rate than what you are currently | | | | offering free debt consolidation programs. The |
| paying | | | | newspapers and the internet are flooded with scores |
| A consolidation of all your debts including credit card | | | | of such ads. The benefits these ads claim are |
| debt consolidation | | | | sometimes too good to be true. Remember when |
| Effective coordination by the debt consolidation | | | | companies advertise debt consolidation, it generally |
| company with your creditors. | | | | means free counseling or advice at the first instance. |
| It is also worthwhile to check out the credentials of | | | | All subsequent services will have to be paid for. Many |
| your credit counseling agency. Find out whether they: | | | | payments will be cloaked under various heads such as |
| Provide customized solution to your debt problems | | | | voluntary contributions, application fees, hidden |
| Guarantee confidentiality of their services | | | | percentages, one time fees, etc. So look out and tread |
| Are having certified counselors | | | | carefully before you hook on to any company for debt |
| Are accredited by a well known agency | | | | consolidation. |
| Educate you on various loan options | | | | Opt for free debt consolidation to avoid falling into a |
| Handle and protect your funds properly | | | | debt trap. However, if you are already in a debt trap |
| Other Handy Tips | | | | for any reason, take help from a debt consolidation |
| 1. Free debt consolidation may require that you do not | | | | company and make a disciplined commitment to |
| take out any additional credit. This is generally an | | | | become debt free. Some companies even offer free |
| essential part of any debt consolidation program. | | | | debt consolidation help although such genuine |
| 2. Converge on your final debt consolidation company | | | | companies are one in a dozen. But nothing is |
| by careful research and homework. Analyze several | | | | impossible if you put your heart and soul into it; find a |
| companies thoroughly. | | | | reliable company for yourself via the internet to get |
| 3. Provide accurate information to protect your credit | | | | credit card debt consolidation loans and become debt |
| rating | | | | free. |