Learn How to Manage Your Debt: The Difference Between Debt Management, Debt Consolidation, and Debt Settlement

These are similar terms but mean different things.  Many people get them confused.  Here is a short description of what each term means and you can always call us for more clarification.

Debt Management

A Debt Management Plan from American Financial Solutions will:

• Consolidate all of your debt payments into one convenient monthly payment
• Help you get the following benefits from most of your creditors
• Lower payments
• Waived fees
• Low interest rates
• No more collection calls
• And you will be debt free in 5 years or less and have support from AFS professional counselors all along the way.

Debt Consolidation

Debt Consolidation normally refers to a loan that consolidates debt payments, however, many people confuse this term with Debt Payment Consolidation which is what we can offer through our Debt Management Plan.  Debt consolidation loans generally come with high interest rates and are not available to people who are falling behind on their payments or have poor credit and a very high debt load.

Debt Settlement

Debt Settlement involves making an agreement with a creditor to pay back less than the full balance of the debt.  Many companies offer debt settlement but beware.  Their fees are high and they the consequences can have a severe impact on your credit.  Also creditors can sue you before you have time to build up enough payments to offer a settlement.  There are also tax implications. Many companies use provocative advertising to lure consumers into this process without disclosing all the pitfalls.