Debt Management Plans - How They Can Help You Get Out Of Debt
Debt management plans (DMP) consolidate your short term debts
into one monthly payment. They also negotiate lower interest
rates, enabling you to pay off your accounts usually in less
than five years. Before you sign up with one of these companies,
you want to investigate them to be sure they are legitimate.
Services Offered
A DMP company, also called debt consolidation, handles the
accounting side of your bills. They work with your lenders to
lower interest rates, pay your accounts, and then close accounts
when appropriate.
DMP are for short term debt, like credit cards and bills. They
cannot reduce student or mortgage rates. However, you can reduce
rates on these types of loans by refinancing them on your own.
With a DBP company, all you do is make one payment to them and
provide your financial information. Part of your monthly payment
will include a small fee for each account handled by the debt
consolidation company.
Questions To Ask
Before you submit your financial information to a DMP,
investigate the company. One important question to ask is how
long will it take to pay off your accounts. A reputable company
will ask for lenders' names and account balances, but not
account numbers to make an estimate.
They will then give you a specific date for each account. Since
you have varying account balances, each account will have a
different date. You should also know that rates are
predetermined by creditors, so all DMP companies will get you
the same low rate.
You should also ask about fees. Most companies charge a small
fee for each account handled. Companies that require a large fee
up front that is refundable in part are banking on the fact that
most people do not follow through with these plans.
Other Credit Services
If you are not sure debt consolidation is for you, sign up for
credit counseling. Through an appointment over the phone,
internet, or in-person, you can work with a counselor to come up
with a financial plan for debt payment. They may suggest a DMP
or consolidation your credit into one loan, usually a second
mortgage.