Since 2001, DebtWave Credit Counseling has worked closely with thousands of Americans to help them pay off credit card debt, create a savings strategy, and learn to implement healthy personal finance habits into their daily lives.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, we offer a free confidential budget analysis with a certified credit counselor to help consumers like you develop a workable budget for your financial situation, as well as share advice on how to better manage your finances and reduce debt over time.
We also offer financial education programs and a Debt Management Program to help you pay off your credit card debt in three-to-five years by working with your creditors directly to reduce your interest rates. In some cases, plans may extend beyond five years.
Chances are if you’re reading this, you, or someone you know, is struggling with credit card debt.
Debt affects people in different ways. However, one universal truth is that having debt – whether it be in the form of credit card debt, student loans, medical bills, or a mortgage – is embarrassing, draining, stressful, and can lead to depression and strained relationships.
Given the taboos surrounding financial discussions, many of us avoid sharing our financial situation with family, friends or colleagues. We don’t want anyone to know we’re struggling with debt. We may feel stupid, scared, confused, and angry. Chances are, we’re afraid of the unknowns that accompanies debt and what this means for our financial future. But the reality is, ignoring debt makes it worse.
When we ignore our credit card debt and pretend our financial situation is healthy, we continue to buy gifts we can’t afford for friends and family, as well as accept invitations to go out for drinks and dinners we truthfully can’t afford. This is often referred to as debt denial.
Other symptoms of debt denial include:
- Underestimating how much you owe
- Avoiding calls from our creditors and/or collection agencies
- Stuffing unopened bills into a drawer
- Opening new credit cards after maxing out current credit cards
- Telling yourself it’s ok to have debt because everyone has it
While it’s true that approximately 39 percent of Americans have credit card debt, that’s no reason to not pay off your debts. Avoiding credit card debt is especially damaging because interest charges and late fees pile up quickly, making it even more difficult and costly to become debt-free.