Debt Consolidation: Reduce Payments & Save Money

Have Credit Card Debt, Collection Accounts, Payday Loans, or Medical Bills? Get a personalized solution to manage your debt and achieve financial freedom.

Explore Your Debt Consolidation Options

Get your free, no-obligation consultation.

Quote - Vertical
By submitting your information, you agree to the Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls, emails, and text message offers/info from Money Fit by DRS using an autodialer/pre-recorded message at the number you provided if one was entered. You understand that msg/data rates may apply and your consent to such communications is not a requirement for purchase.

Here are Just a Few of the Major Credit Card Companies Money Fit Works With for Consolidating Debt:

The Money Fit debt management program isn’t a new loan substituting your existing debts. We’re your ally, actively negotiating with your credit card companies to alleviate your financial burden.
¿Prefieres leer en español? Visita nuestra página de Consolidación de Deudas en español.

How To Save Money with Debt Consolidation

Debt Consolidation works by taking all of the unsecured debt an individual owes and combining it into one monthly payment. The type of debt consolidation plan used determines whether the accounts are paid in full through a loan, or if the creditors owed are paid monthly through one payment source.

Money Fit offers debt consolidation without a loan, meaning that we work with your unsecured debt, contact your creditors to achieve the best interest rates and reduced payment amounts available, then consolidate all of your debt into one lower monthly payment.

Our Debt Consolidation programs may help:

  • moneyfit checkmark
    Lower your payments by up to 50% or more
  • moneyfit checkmark
    Put an end to collection efforts
  • moneyfit checkmark
    Drastically reduce interest rates
  • moneyfit checkmark
    Stop late and over-limit fees

You can enter your information to be contacted by one of our highly skilled counselors, or call us for quicker assistance.

Continue reading for more information about debt consolidation and how you may benefit from it.

debt consolidation
debt consolidation

The Different Types of Debt Consolidation

Instead of relying on a loan, that can carry various potential financial risks that we will describe later, this form of debt consolidation combines your unsecured debt into one monthly payment. Consumer Credit Counseling agencies have offered this nonprofit service for decades.

What Are Your Debt Consolidation Options? Let’s Review:

Debt consolidation can be a powerful tool to simplify your finances and potentially save money on interest. It combines multiple debts, like credit cards or medical bills, into one payment with (ideally) a lower interest rate. This streamlined approach can make managing your debt less overwhelming and potentially help you pay it off faster.

There are two main ways to consolidate debt:

Debt Management Plans (DMPs) with Non-Profit Credit Counseling Agencies:

    • How it Works: You enroll in a program with a certified credit counselor who reviews your financial situation and creates a personalized budget. The nonprofit organization will contact your creditors on your behalf to lower your interest rates, late fees, and potentially even your total debt amount. You then make a single monthly payment to the credit counseling agency, which distributes the funds to your creditors according to the agreement. This is a good option for those who are disciplined with their finances but overwhelmed by multiple debt payments and high-interest rates.

    • Pros: Potentially lower interest rates, reduced fees, streamlined payments, expert guidance from a credit counselor.

    • Cons: It typically requires commitment for 3-5 years to complete the program. You will likely need to close your credit card accounts to avoid adding more debt while enrolled. While there may be fees associated with setting up the program, the fees are typically drastically lower than debt consolidation loan fees, or settlement fees.

Debt Consolidation Loans:

  • How it Works: You take out a new loan with (hopefully) a lower interest rate than your existing debts. You use the loan proceeds to pay off your existing creditors, leaving you with just one monthly payment to the lender.

  • Pros: Potentially lower interest rate, simplified payments, may be a faster way to pay off debt (depending on the loan terms).

  • Cons: You’ll need good credit to qualify for a favorable interest rate. There may be loan origination fees and other charges, which in some cases can be quite expensive. If you’re not disciplined, it’s tempting to use your old credit cards again and rack up even more debt.

woman making a choice between two options

Which debt consolidation option is the right for you?

Deciding whether a Debt Consolidation Plan with a nonprofit organization such as Money Fit or a debt consolidation loan is best for you depends on several factors:

  • Your Credit Score: Debt consolidation loans generally require good credit to qualify for a favorable interest rate. If your credit score is lower, a DMP may be more accessible, as credit counselors can negotiate with creditors on your behalf.

  • Your Debt Amount & Type: DMPs are designed to help with unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills. If you have secured debts (like a mortgage or car loan), a debt consolidation loan may be a better fit (with careful consideration of the risks of using your home, etc., as collateral).

  • Your Financial Habits: If you’re disciplined with budgeting and committed to not using your credit cards while in debt consolidation, a DMP can be a great solution. If you’re tempted to rack up new debt, then a loan (where your accounts are closed) may ensure better success.

  • Your Goals: A DMP prioritizes long-term financial health, offering budgeting support and helping you rebuild credit. A loan can potentially offer faster debt payoff but requires careful management to avoid building new debt during repayment.

Get personalized guidance:

The best way to determine the right debt consolidation path for you is to speak with a certified credit counselor. They’ll be able to:

  • Analyze your financial situation in detail.
  • Explain the pros and cons of each option clearly.
  • Potentially suggest solutions other than debt consolidation, such as creating a repayment plan that works with your budget.

Remember: Debt consolidation tools can be powerful, but they work best when you’re informed. Taking an active role and seeking expert advice will put you on the path to financial freedom.

National Debt Consolidation Program available in the following states:

Frequently asked questions:

The following questions are the most common questions we are asked about regarding Debt Consolidation.

Both types of debt consolidation may have an impact on your credit score, especially early on. Though, typically, a debt consolidation loan can have less impact if an individual doesn’t use their credit cards and accumulate more debt.

A debt consolidation program without a loan can have an impact early on due to accounts being closed to further charging. This is typically a brief impact due to the account balances going down instead of either staying the same or increasing. Balance ratios play a large role in the credit score formula.

Typical debt consolidation payment terms last between 3 to 5 years. Repayment time varies and there are several methods that are commonly used to expedite the process. 

Debt consolidation can be a safe alternative in comparison to other courses of action. It can be far less damaging to an individual’s credit, and less risky overall, than repayment through debt settlement or bankruptcy. 

One of the biggest risks of debt consolidation comes from the potential for mismanagement by the consumer who charges up original debt or opens new lines of credit and adds to their overall financial burden. Ultimately, Do-It-Yourself consolidation or debt repayment is typically preferred but it isn’t always practical. 

The costs of debt consolidation can vary drastically. Programs that don’t rely upon a loan will range from approximately $50.00 to $100.00 for enrollment fees and an average of $25 to $50 dollars for a monthly fee. With a loan, it depends upon the interest rate and monthly payment required to satisfy the loan terms. 

One of the biggest disadvantages comes from the closure of unsecured accounts when utilizing programs that don’t rely upon a loan and the fees that are charged. While the fees often less than that of a debt consolidation loan, that isn’t always the case.

As for debt consolidation with a loan, the disadvantages can be the costs, repayment terms, and the potential for adding to your debt load rather than reducing and eliminating it.

This Website Is Using Cookies. We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing, you agree to our cookie use.

Client Credit Report Authorization

You hereby authorize and instruct Debt Reduction Services, Inc. (DRS, dba Money Fit by DRS) and/or its assigned agents to:
  • Obtain and review your credit report, and
  • Request verifications of your income and rental history, and any other information deemed necessary for improving your housing situation (for example, verifying your annual property tax obligations and homeowner’s insurance fees)
Your credit report will be obtained from a credit reporting agency chosen by DRS. You understand and agree that DRS intends to use the credit report evaluate your financial readiness to purchase or rent a home and/or to engage in post-purchase counseling activities and not to grant credit. You understand you may ask any questions pertaining to your credit report. However, while DRS will review the information with you, the company is not able to furnish you with a copy of your credit profile. You hereby authorize DRS to share your information from your credit report and any information that you provided (including any computations and assessments produced) with the entities listed below to help DRS determine your viable financial options.
  • Banks
  • Counseling Agencies
  • Debt Collectors
  • Landlords
  • Lenders
  • Mortgage Servicers
  • Property Management Companies
  • Public Housing Authorities
  • Social Service Agencies
Entities such as mortgage lenders and/or counseling agencies may contact your DRS counselor to evaluate the options for which you may be eligible. In connection with such evaluation, you authorize the credit reporting and/or financial agencies to release information and cooperate with your DRS counselor. No information will be discussed about you with entities not directly involved in your efforts to improve your housing situation. You hereby authorize the release of your information to program monitoring organizations of DRS, including but not limited to, Federal, State, and nonprofit partners for program review, monitoring, auditing, research, and/or oversight purposes. In addition, you authorize DRS to have your credit report pulled two additional times to conduct program evaluations. You also agree to keep DRS informed of any changes in address, telephone number, job status, marital status, or other conditions which may affect your eligibility for a program you have applied for or a counseling service that you are seeking. Finally, you understand that you may revoke consent to these disclosures by notifying DRS in writing.

Client Privacy, Data Security, and Client Rights Policy

NOTE: This sheet is to inform new or returning clients about our services, records, fees, and limitations that may affect you as a consumer of our services. This form also discloses how we might release your information to other agencies and/or regulators. If you do not understand a statement, please ask a Debt Reduction Services (DRS) counselor for assistance.

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. (DRS) has put into place policies and procedures to protect the security and confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information. This notice explains our online information practices and how we use and maintain your information to conduct our financial education and credit counseling sessions and to fulfill information and question requests. This privacy policy complies with federal laws and regulations.

To provide our financial education and credit counseling services, we collect nonpublic personal information about you as follows: 1) Information we receive from you, 2) Information about your transactions with us or others, and 3) Information we receive from your creditors or a consumer reporting agency. We do not share this information with outside parties.

We use non-identifying and aggregate information to better design our website and services, but we do not disclose anything that could be used to identify you as an individual.

You hereby authorize DRS, when necessary, to share your nonpublic personal, financial, credit, and any information that you provided (including any computations and assessments produced) with the following entities in order to help DRS provide you with appropriate counseling or guide you to appropriate services: third parties such as government agencies, your lender(s), your creditor(s), and nonprofit housing-related and other financial agencies as permitted by law, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. We limit access to your nonpublic personal information to our employees, contractors and agents who need such access to provide products or services to you or for other legitimate business purposes.

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. complies with the privacy requirements set forth in the HUD housing counseling agency handbook 7610.1 (05/2010), including the sections 2-2 Mc, 3-1 H(2), 3-3, 5-3 F, and Attachment A.5. At all times, we will comply with all additional laws and regulations to which we are subject regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of individually identifiable information.

  1. Services: DRS provides the following housing-related services: counseling that includes Homeless Assistance, Rental Topics, Pre-purchase/Homebuying, and Home Maintenance and Financial Management for Homeowners (Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase); Education courses that include Financial literacy (including home affordability, budgeting, and understanding use of credit), Predatory lending, loan scam or other fraud prevention, Fair housing, Rental topics, Pre-purchase homebuyer education, Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop (including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners), and other workshops not listed above.

Please refer to DebtReductionServices.org for details of our services.

  1. Limits: Our services are limited to our normal weekday business hours. We do not provide individual counseling or education services after hours or on weekends, although our education courses are available 24/7.
  2. Fees: We do not charge fees for our financial management counseling and education. However, if you use them, you may have to pay for our Debt Management Program, Student Loan Counseling, Bankruptcy Certificate Services or certain financial education courses (homebuyer education, rental topics, fair housing, predatory lending, and post-purchase-non-delinquency including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners).
  3. Records: We maintain records of the services you receive, including notes about your progress or other relevant information to your work with us. You have the right to access and view your records by making a request to your counselor.
  4. Confidentiality: We respect your privacy and offer our services in confidence with the understanding that we may share such information with auditors and government regulators. Certain laws or situations may also lead to disclosing confidential issues, such as those involving potential child abuse or neglect, threats to harm self or others, or court subpoenas.
  5. Refusal of Services: You have the right to refuse services without any penalty or loss.
  6. Disclosure of Policies and Practices: You will be provided our agency disclosure statement.
  7. Sharing of Information: Sometimes we will need to contact other agencies or we may need to share your information, including your records, with other agencies or with regulators. We will do this only if you sign this form that gives us permission except for limited reasons; please see # 5 above for examples of such situations.
  8. Other: You have the right to be treated with respect by our staff, and we expect the same from you in return. We encourage you to always ask questions if something is not clear. We also encouraged you to express your thoughts and advocate throughout our services.

You acknowledge that this authorization will remain in effect for the duration of time that DRS serves as your housing counselor or financial education provider. You also acknowledge that should you wish to terminate this authorization, you will notify DRS in writing.

Disclosure  Statement

NOTE: If you have an impairment, disability, language barrier, or otherwise require an alternative means of completing this form or accessing information about our counseling services, please communicate with your DRS representative about arranging alternative accommodations.

Program Disclosure Form

Disclosure to Client for HUD Housing Counseling Services

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. and its financial education arm, Money Fit by DRS, offer the following housing counseling and educational services related to housing, personal finance, and bankruptcy certificates to consumers:
  • Housing Education Courses: DRS offers many online self-guided education programs classified as Financial, Budgeting, and Credit Workshops (FBC), Fair Housing Pre-Purchase Education Workshops (FHW), Homelessness Prevention Workshops (HMW), Non-Delinquency Post Purchase Workshops (NDW), Predatory Lending Education Workshops (PLW), Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops (PPW), and Rental Housing Workshops (RHW). These courses help participants increase their knowledge of and skills in personal finance, including home affordability, budgeting, and understanding the use of credit, as well as predatory lending, loan scams, and other fraud prevention topics, fair housing, rental topics, pre-purchase homebuyer education, non-delinquency post-purchase topics including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners, homeless prevention workshop, and other workshops not listed above relating to personal finance and housing. Course details are found below under “Housing Workshops.”
  • Home Equity Conversation Mortgage (HECM) Counseling (RMC): Via telephone and virtual platforms, we offer the required HECM counseling nationwide in addition to in-person counseling in Boise, Idaho. We also offer in-home counseling options in thirty counties across southern Idaho for an additional fee to cover our travel and additional staff time costs.
  • Home Maintenance and Financial Management for Homeowners (Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase) (FBC): Clients receive counseling and materials on the proper maintenance of their home and mortgage refinancing. Clients can find help and resources by phone, in our Boise office, or virtually on all topics related to stabilizing their long-term homeownership.
  • Services for Homeless Counseling (HMC): Clients receive phone, virtual, or in-person (Boise) counseling to evaluate their current housing needs, identify barriers to and goals for housing stability, establish a path to self-sufficiency, and connect with emergency shelters, income-appropriate housing, and/or other community resources (e.g. mental healthcare, job training, transportation, etc.).
  • Pre-Purchase Counseling (PPC): Clients receive counseling through the entire homebuying process. Assistance may involve creating a sustainable household budget, understanding mortgage options, building their credit rating, and putting together a realistic action plan to set and achieve homeownership goals.  Additionally, clients will receive materials and resources about home inspections and other homeownership topics relevant to successfully maintaining a home.
  • Rental Housing Counseling (RHC): Via phone, in-person appointments (Boise, ID), or virtual platforms, clients receive housing counseling relevant to renting, including rent subsidies from HUD or other government and assistance programs. Topics can also address issues and concerns having to do with fair housing, landlord and tenant laws, lease terms, rent delinquency, household budgeting, and finding alternate housing.
DRS also offers the following services:
  • A Debt Management Program (DMP) for consumers struggling to pay their credit cards, collections, medical debts, personal loans, old utility bills, and past-due cell phone accounts;
  • The Budget Briefing and Debtor Education Certificates that are required during the Bankruptcy filing process;
  • A Student Loan Repayment Plan Counseling and application service.

Relationships with Industry Partners

Through such services, DRS has established financial relationships with hundreds of banks, credit unions, and creditors such as American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase, Citibank, Credit One, Discover, Synchrony, US Bank, USAA, Wells Fargo, and others.

No Client Obligation

The client is not obligated to receive, purchase or utilize any other services offered by DRS or its exclusive partners to receive financial education or housing counseling services. Alternatives: As a condition of our counseling services, in alignment with meeting our client services goals, and in compliance with HUD’s Housing Counseling Program requirements, we may provide information on alternative services, programs, and products available to you, if applicable and known by our staff. Alternative DMP services include negotiating better repayment terms directly with your individual creditors, paying your debts as agreed, or, in extreme cases, filing for personal bankruptcy. Alternative credit and education services can be found through MyMoney.gov or the Jump$tart Clearinghouse of online financial education resources. Housing counseling alternatives can be found through HUD at www.hud.gov/findacounselor.
Finally, you understand that you may revoke consent to these disclosures by notifying DRS in writing.

Housing Counseling and Education Fee Schedule

 

Online Education Program Fees*

Homebuyer Education Course: $59 per participant

  • Self-paced course available here, our online housing counseling and education center. Certificates will be automatically generated upon completion of the course (approximately 6-8 hours)

RentalFair HousingPredatory Lending / HOEPAPost-Purchase (Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop, including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners) Online Workshops: $49 per participant

  • Approximately 1 hour each

Other Self-Guided Financial Literacy Webinars (e.g. creditbudgetinghomeless preventiondebt prevention): $0

One-on-one Counseling Fees*

Pre-purchase Homebuying Counseling, Rental Counseling, Post-purchase Ownership Maintenance and Financial Management: $75

  • Session by the hour

Reverse Mortgage/HECM Counseling with Required Certificate:

  • $200†

Credit Report Fee: Paid Directly by Client

*Fees for all but our online education courses and workshops can be paid online by debit card, credit card, or PayPal or in person by cash, check or money order to: “Debt Reduction Services, Inc.” Registration fees are non-refundable 24 hours or less before the start of an in-person course or workshop. Certificates are non-transferable

*Fees may be waived for households with income of 150% or less of that identified on the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines Page

†Home visit counseling is available in 30 southern Idaho counties for potential HECM borrowers at additional costs to cover our travel (IRS reimbursement rates apply) and staff time ($50 per hour or fraction there).

Housing Counseling and Education Fee Schedule

 

Online Education Program Fees*

Homebuyer Education Course: $59 per participant

  • Self-paced course available here, our online housing counseling and education center. Certificates will be automatically generated upon completion of the course (approximately 6-8 hours)

RentalFair HousingPredatory Lending / HOEPAPost-Purchase (Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop, including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners) Online Workshops: $49 per participant

  • Approximately 1 hour each

Other Self-Guided Financial Literacy Webinars (e.g. creditbudgetinghomeless preventiondebt prevention): $0

One-on-one Counseling Fees*

Pre-purchase Homebuying Counseling, Rental Counseling, Post-purchase Ownership Maintenance and Financial Management: $75

  • Session by the hour

Reverse Mortgage/HECM Counseling with Required Certificate:

  • $200†

Credit Report Fee: Paid Directly by Client

*Fees for all but our online education courses and workshops can be paid online by debit card, credit card, or PayPal or in person by cash, check or money order to: “Debt Reduction Services, Inc.” Registration fees are non-refundable 24 hours or less before the start of an in-person course or workshop. Certificates are non-transferable

*Fees may be waived for households with income of 150% or less of that identified on the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines Page

†Home visit counseling is available in 30 southern Idaho counties for potential HECM borrowers at additional costs to cover our travel (IRS reimbursement rates apply) and staff time ($50 per hour or fraction there).