We strongly believe that our debt settlement program is the best option for the majority of consumers in financial trouble. However, alternatives do exist and below we have given a brief summary of these options. If you would like to discuss the options available to you then please contact one of our trained debt consultants.

• Consumers are only required to make a single monthly payment providing a budget that is easier to manage.
• Some relief is also offered against the interest rates that a debtor is expected to pay - these rates are usually better than when a consumer attempts to negotiate on their own behalf.
• Unsecured debts can be paid off in 4 to 5 years.

• Monthly payments are not much lower than a consumer's existing payments and typically larger than debt settlement program payments.
• High payments mean many consumers drop out of the credit counseling service before they are debt free.
• Credit counseling will typically take 5 years – compared to 3 years or less in a debt settlement program.
• You may need to sign an agreement that stops you from applying for further credit.

• A single payment is easier to manage than multiple payments.
• Home equity loans provide a low interest method of borrowing money.

• Unsecured debt becomes secured debt and delinquency may result in foreclosure.
• Existing bad credit will make it difficult to attain a home equity loan.
• If you have little to no equity in your property you won't be able to borrow enough money.
• To become debt free in three years, the monthly payment will likely be higher than a debt settlement program payment.

A debt consolidation loan repays your unsecured debts. In turn you make the agreed monthly payments to a new creditor.

• A single payment is easier to manage than multiple payments.

• Unsecured loans, especially debt consolidation loans, typically carry very high interest rates.
• A poor credit rating will make it difficult to qualify for one of these loans.
• Short term loans will have a high monthly payment, while lower payments mean lengthier terms.

With Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, a consumer requests that the court erase all debts. In order to achieve this it is necessary to give all your non-exempt property to the court so that this property can be sold and the money used to repay some of the debt.

• Collection calls and letters will stop once a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is filed.
• Gives consumers a fresh start.
• Can prevent your wages from being garnished.
• No assets means it costs nothing to become debt free.

• Changes in law mean fewer consumers are now eligible for bankruptcy.
• Credit report will reflect a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for 10 years and file remains on the court records for as many as 20 years.
• Many employers are within their rights to refuse employment to potential employees that have filed for bankruptcy.
• Emotionally distressing and very intrusive.
• Money owed to government agencies (ex. back taxes or student loans) usually will not be erased.
• It is possible to save more money through a debt settlement program than through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Although not as extreme as Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy means the court will  determine a monthly expenditure level and then agree to a payment plan over the course of 5 years.

• Enables you to catch up with missed mortgage payments over 5 years.
• Collection calls and communication will stop once you have filed bankruptcy.
• One monthly repayment is easier to manage than several.

• May have a negative effect on your credit rating for 7 years and still remains on the court records for 20 years.
• Employers may refuse you employment or based on a past Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
• You will have to repay a large portion of your debt - a debt settlement program may be less expensive.
• Losing your disposable income for 5 years makes it difficult to stick to the plan. More than half of all Chapter 13 Bankruptcies are canceled before their term.

Credit card minimum payments are notoriously low and in many cases paying the minimum will result in 20 years or more of payments.

• You to retain a positive payment history.
• Buys time to find the finances elsewhere to repay your debts.

• Extremely expensive and very long term solution to debt.
• Interest rates can increase to as much as 32% if you miss even a single payment.
• Emotionally difficult to worry about making the payments every month.