Credit Card Debt: Resources to Manage Money
Manage credit card debt can be challenging. If you’ve recently had a change in income or face unplanned expenses, it can be even harder. Below are financial resources to help you manage your credit card balance.
Using Credit Card Wisely
Credit cards are important tools for people, and using credit cards wisely is part of financial wellness. Credit cards can help you pay for household and personal expenses. Careful use of a credit card can improve your credit score.
Review Your Credit Report
What is your credit report and why is it important to check? When managing credit card debt, monitoring your credit can alert you to errors, protect you from fraud, and provide you information to strengthen your credit score.
Calculate Your Credit Score
Ever wonder how your credit score is calculated? It is a common question and can be helpful to explore. An informative video shows how your credit score is calculated using five major components, with varying levels of importance.
Pay Off Debt with A Debt Management Program
You can contact GreenPath anytime during business hours to chat with our NFCC-certified financial counselors – an initial consultation is free and 100% confidential.
What is A Debt Management Program?
Even if facing challenges, you have an opportunity to pay off credit card debt and build a healthy financial life with a debt management program. See how to begin a conversation about where you are today, and get the information to accomplish your goals.
Debt Management Calculator
Credit card debt can feel overwhelming. Your current interest rate, monthly payment, and financial situation will all affect how quickly you can pay off your debt. Use this debt management calculator to see what you end up paying overall.
Is A Debt Management Program Right for You?
As a national nonprofit focused on financial wellness, professional and compassionate financial experts are here to talk with you. Learn about options for your debt management plan, with a clear path to get out of debt.
Resources for Managing Money and Credit
Get Smart About Credit
If you are dealing with credit card debt, you aren’t alone. Paying off your balances is possible with a little planning. In fact, a plan can go a long way toward achieving your financial goals. See 7 tips to address and manage credit so it works for you.
Is Cash Advance Right for You?
A credit card cash advance is tempting, especially in the face of unexpected emergencies. Cash advances can be convenient but it’s important to understand the downside. Read about the key considerations before taking a cash advance.
Spending Plan Worksheet
Figuring out where your money goes is a great step toward financial freedom. And it’s a good way to manage credit card debt. Get a Spending Plan Worksheet to help you understand monthly budgeting, and how to plan to meet financial goals.
Options for Dealing with Debt
Most people have challenges with managing debt at some point. There are proven options to pay debt off faster, save money on fees and interest, and make progress toward financial fitness. This webinar provides information so you can make strong decisions about your future.
Learn About Credit Reports Scores
This informative, on-demand webinar helps people read a credit report and understand what a credit score means. Get answers to frequently asked questions. Is there a “perfect” credit score? Why do a few missed payments drop my score so quickly? If I close my credit card will it hurt my score?
The Psychology of Why We Buy
View this on-demand webinar to understand why it’s easy to overspend. Understand how advertising, spending habits and social factors influence us, while shopping online or at the mall. Learn why we buy things and how to create new habits to resist temptation.
Your Action Plan Starts with
A Free Conversation
As you research how to manage credit card debt, keep in mind educational resources and debt management counseling available to you from GreenPath Financial Wellness.
As a national nonprofit, a caring counselor is ready to assess your credit card debt situation, understand your goals and create an action plan to be debt-free.
Since 1961, GreenPath is a trusted resource for thousands of people looking to manage credit card debt. Counselors discuss your entire financial situation with you and help you develop a personalized plan to solve your money problems. An initial counseling session typically lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions.
Andrew | Watervliet, NY via ConsumerAffairs.com
“Everybody I talked to was very helpful and I liked the way they handled my debt. The company is phenomenal and I would recommend them to anybody that needed financial help.”
J | Chicago, IL via ConsumerAffairs.com
“The process with GreenPath was very straightforward. They are easy to get in contact with and the support is good.”
Maria | Rural Hall, NC via ConsumerAffairs.com
“The program gave me peace financially because I paid off everything I needed to pay off and I would recommend GreenPath because they were really efficient. They also had Spanish-speaking people.”
Counseling Hours
Contact GreenPath to conduct a free debt counseling session to see if our debt management program is right for you.
- Monday-Thursday 8:00 am – 10:00 pm Eastern
- Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern
- Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Eastern
Frequently Asked Questions
Debt Management Program set up fees and monthly fees vary based on your state of residence and debt amount. On average, GreenPath clients are charged a one-time enrollment fee of $35 and a $28 monthly fee. This is minimal considering the amount of money our clients typically save in waived late fees, waived over limit fees, and reduced credit card interest charges.
We work with most creditors throughout the U.S., including banks, credit unions, retailers, medical providers, auto finance and collection agencies.
Since the goal of a debt management program is to pay off debt, the credit cards enroll in the program will be closed. Most creditors will usually allow you to continue using one card for emergencies and travel.
GreenPath does not contact the credit bureaus when you enroll in a debt management program. However, because you will be closing lines of credit during the enrollment process, your score may dip. But over time, most people see their scores increase, because they are making payments in-full and on-time each month.
Yes, they are different. Debt management plans are designed to pay off the entire amount you owe in 3 to 5 years. If we can lower your interest rates, the total amount you pay to your credit card company is typically less than if you paid on your own. Debt settlement typically involves requesting credit card companies to forgive a portion of your debt in exchange for a lump sum payment.