Dealing with Credit Card Debt in a Tough Economic Environment

Nearly every American has credit card debt. Some is excessive and some is not, but according to recent news, the average debt owed to credit card companies is ten thousand dollars. Of course, you could be one of the millions of Americans that owe more than that, or perhaps you are one of the lucky ones who owe less. However, with more and more jobs being lost daily during these tough economic times it does not matter if you owe one thousand dollars or one hundred thousand dollars to credit card companies, without a job, you are not going to be able to pay your debt. If you are one of those individuals, then perhaps it is time to get some debt consolidation information to determine if that is the way that you need to go.
To consolidate credit debt you have two options, you can get a loan, which is unlikely if you are out of a job, or you can use a credit counseling service to help you get your credit card debt under control. There are two kinds of credit counseling services, for profit and not for profit. There are reputable businesses in both forums, but there are those who are not reputable as well, so it is important that you get as much debt consolidation information as possible before you choose a company. You want to ensure that you trust the right company with your money.
To determine what company to choose you should use the Internet to find out what others are saying about the company. Most reputable companies are registered with the Better Business Bureau, which is available online, and you can see immediately any complaints and how they were resolved. Of course, you can also do a search for the company of your choice and get their debt consolidation information that way. People are not shy about talking about their experiences; just make sure that you are accessing a site that is not affiliated with credit counseling company.
Once you have determined that the debt consolidation information that you have received from a company fits what you need for you and your family, then the credit counseling company takes actions. They negotiate with your creditors to eliminate your interest rates and close your accounts. Then they make payment arrangements, usually at a lesser cost than what you are currently paying. You then pay the credit counseling company one lump sum and they disseminate it to your creditors. A fee for the company is usually included in your monthly fee, and this fee will vary depending on what company you choose to use.