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Credit counseling sessions are convenient and easy. On average, the session takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Most of these conversations with a counselor can take place over the phone but some NFCC Member agencies offer online and in-person counseling. Regardless of the format of your session, here’s what you can expect.
late fees and over limit charges.
collection calls.
interest rates regardless of credit score.
bills into one smaller monthly payment.
your debt faster.
your money habits.
First, you will share some basic information that let’s your counselor get to know you better.
Next, you and your counselor will review your financial challenges and goals.
You’ll complete the session with an actionable plan to conquer your debt and more manageable monthly payments!
During your counseling session, a counselor will go over your current financial circumstances. To get a clear understanding your counselor will ask questions like these below:
What is your household income?
What are your monthly expenses?
Do you have a budget?
What credit cards, loans, or other debts do you have?
After covering income and expenses, the counselor may review your credit report and will discuss the options available to you based on your income, expenses and debt load.
List of your current expenses. This should include housing, food, utilities, any phone bills, loans, credit cards, anything you pay for regularly and bills that may be late. Recent paystubs for you and/or your spouse, so you are able to provide information about your monthly household income. Recent credit card statements are helpful so you can provide minimum payment information, due dates, etc.
The first step to a financially stable tomorrow is facing your situation today. Take a proactive approach. Recognize the warning signs that a financial hardship may be in your future. If you’ve fallen behind in your credit card payments, are receiving calls from collection agencies, or financial issues are affecting your home life, financial counseling may provide you the answers to help take control of your finances. To learn more about what to expect in a financial counseling session with an NFCC Certified Financial Counselor click here.
Owning a home can be a dream come true, but unfortunately in these tough economic times it can also be quite a challenge. If you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage payments, anticipate financial problems, or are afraid of foreclosure, housing counseling may provide a solution for you. To learn more about what to expect in a housing counseling session with an NFCC Certified Financial Counselor click here.