Budget Review & Credit Counseling Services

Today, with more obligations and an often overwhelming number of options, managing your personal finances may seem difficult and confusing.

Why should I participate in Credit Counseling? There are many reasons and personal benefits to utilizing credit counseling services, you can view a list of them by clicking here. What should I expect from Credit Counseling? It's important to understand what to expect from credit counseling and this section outlines what you can expect to experience.

FCF’s financial education services—including workshops and counseling—can help you take control of your finances and relieve the stress caused by debt, bills and planning for the future.

FCF’s Financial Education & Counseling programs work to provide the best information, resources and support available to help individuals gain the knowledge and confidence to make smart financial decisions. We have helped hundreds of people bounce back from debt, successfully manage credit and work to achieve financial well-being.

FCF's professional counselors offer confidential advice for developing budgets, managing money, using credit wisely and building a personalized savings plan that will work for you and your unique situation. Counselors will review a person's financial situation and help determine the best possible financial strategies. The counselor will offer solutions to a person's current financial problems, as well as personalized plans for preventing financial pitfalls in the years to come.

During a financial analysis FCF Counselors may present the following options to address financial concerns:

• Negotiate with creditors on payment or interest rate relief
• Mechanics and advantages of creating and maintaining a spending plan
• Changing buying habits or strategies for saving money
• Self-administered repayment plans
• Enroll in a Debt Management Services Plan (DMPs)
• Bankruptcy options
• Other tools and resources

Criteria for Recommendations

• Counselors analyze all information before making recommendations
• Counselors use objective criteria when recommending any options above that best meet the client’s individual needs, goals and circumstances.

Referrals
Counselors may provide specific and appropriate referrals to social service organizations for appropriate support services when they identify problems such as unemployment, lack of training, substance abuse, literacy or psychological issues.

Credit Counseling helps.......

Creditors... with fewer losses due to collection and to individual bankruptcies.

Employers... through improved performance and attitude of employees when personal money problems are under control and collection calls cease.

It’s amazing to see a person's facial expression before and after the initial counseling session. Even after their first financial counseling session they appear more confident and secure knowing there is a solution to solving their financial situation. One of the most common phrases we hear from people is, "Wow, I never thought it would be that easy." But only you can take the first step in making the change!

If you‘re experiencing financial problems we strongly encourage you to take control of your finances and speak with a Counselor immediately. We can help you avoid going further into debt by providing sound advice tailored to fit your circumstances. We have helped thousands of people learn to live debt free only because of practicing what the credit counselor advised them to do.

Extended Counseling Services
Fair Credit’s counseling services go beyond just the basics. We can provide detailed sessions on the following topics and more depending on what specific areas you may want to focus on.