The Truth about Debt Management Plans
Creating a debt management plan helps consumers pay debt, reestablish credit and begin to regain control over their finances. However, many avoid doing so because of misconceptions about the way that debt management plans work. Some people have even been misled by debt counselors to believe myths about debt consolidation. For others, insecurities about being unable to pay debt obligations have convinced them that they are precluded from creating a debt management plan that works.
Debt management plans explained
A debt management plan (DMP) is created with a trained counselor who is willing and able to help consumers pay debt and rebuild credit profiles. To do so, a consumer agrees to regularly deposit money into an account, and allow the counselor to pay debt from those funds. An added bonus of a DMP is that many debt collectors are inclined to lower or eliminate fees that have accrued on the account due to previous non-payments. If a counselor is allowed to pay a debt on behalf of a client, creditors often realize the opportunity to get what they are owed and are willing to work it out.
Dispelling myths about debt management plans
While many creditors view a debt management plan positively, it is never guaranteed that they will do so. It should be understood that the creditor isn’t under an obligation to reduce any amounts owed, but it can be done as a courtesy at their discretion. Thus, existing fees should always get factored into budgets and used to pay debt.
People are also sometimes reticent to participate in a DMP because they have heard rumors that doing so will hurt their credit. This is mostly false. As often as not, the opposite is true. Many creditors view DMPs as a person being serious about regaining control of their finances and repairing their credit. While it is up to individual creditors as to whether or not they will grant future credit, many are inclined to do so as they see a person taking serious strides to pay debt. Also, creating a debt management plan does not adversely affect one’s FICO score at all and, in fact, the Fair Isaac Company does not give reference to debt counseling on one’s credit report.
A Word to the Wise on Debt Counseling
Many have also been afraid of creating a debt management plan because they have been in contact with unscrupulous debt counselors. Charlatans do exist in all industries, and financial planning isn’t exempt. In some cases, people have been told that the best way to repair their credit is to pay an exorbitant fee to a counselor, while ignoring past debts. In these scenarios, people have trusted supposed experts to do the right thing and, instead, their credit has been further ruined as their hard-earned money has been pocketed, while their debts have sometimes worsened.
Rebuild credit and a new financial future with a debt management plan
Overall, a debt management plan is a great way to pay debt while reestablishing one’s credit. Often, perks such as lower fees on existing debt and new credit is extended, though not guaranteed. As people become more aware of their options to pay debt and rebuild credit, a debt management plan becomes reasonable and realistically can give them control over their finances and future.
