Debt Management

If you are struggling to pay off your debts, if you are overwhelmed by the number of creditors and the amount of your outstanding debt, EasyFinance.com can help you deal with this problem. Debt Management plan is a formal agreement between you and your creditors which enables you to turn all your debts into one single affordable payment.

What are the benefits of applying for a Debt Management plan?

  • You'll have to pay only one monthly payment you can afford.
  • We'll negotiate lower interest rates with your creditors and instant loans for you.
  • You'll regain control over your finances.

A Debt Management Plan (DMP) is a structured approach to repay outstanding debts over a period of time. If you have two loans totaling $2,500 ($1,000 and $1,500), here's a simple debt management plan:

1. Assess Your Finances:

  • Income: Note down all your sources of income.
  • Expenses: List all your monthly expenses.
  • Savings: Calculate the amount you can save every month after deducting all expenses from your income.
  • Determine the surplus: This is the amount left after all expenses, which can be dedicated towards repaying the debt.

2. Prioritize Debts: If these loans have different interest rates, prioritize repaying the one with the highest interest rate first, as it will grow faster over time. This method is called the "avalanche method".

3. Minimum Payments: Make sure you're at least covering the minimum payments for both loans. Any amount beyond that should be directed towards the higher-interest loan (if the interest rates differ).

4. Budgeting: Create a strict budget for the next few months or until the debts are cleared. Consider:

  • Cutting non-essential expenses.
  • Seeking additional income sources, if possible.
  • Selling items you no longer need.

5. Setting Milestones: Break down your repayment into smaller, achievable milestones. For example:

  • Aim to pay off 25% of the higher-interest loan.
  • Next, target 50%, and so on.

6. Avoid Accumulating More Debt: While you're repaying these loans, try to avoid taking on more debt. This means not using credit cards recklessly or taking out additional loans.

7. Emergency Fund: Even as you focus on debt repayment, aim to set aside a small amount every month for emergencies. An unexpected expense can throw off your entire plan if you aren't prepared.

8. Review and Adjust: Review your progress monthly. If you find more money in your budget, increase your debt payments. If you’re falling behind, reassess your budget or look for additional ways to save or earn.

9. Consider Professional Help: If you find managing the debt overwhelming, consider seeking help from a credit counseling agency. They can help negotiate terms with lenders and provide guidance.

10. Celebrate Small Wins: Celebrate (frugally!) when you reach milestones. This keeps you motivated.

What Will a Debt Management Plan Really Cost You?

Most readers know a DMP can lower rates and bundle several bills into one payment, but many still ask “How much will this actually set me back each month—and in total?” To make an informed decision, include these cost checkpoints in your comparison worksheet:

Cost element What to verify Why it matters
Counseling & setup fee Is it a flat charge or based on debt size? Impacts your first‐month payment.
Monthly service fee Often $20-$75 make sure it’s capped by state law Erodes savings from lower interest.
Reduced interest rate Ask each creditor for the exact post-negotiation APR Determines total interest paid.
Time to debt-free Divide outstanding balance by proposed monthly payment (include fees) Shows real payoff horizon.
Early-exit penalties Clarify if there’s a fee for paying faster or leaving the plan early Protects flexibility.

Pro tip: Calculate your break-even point how many months of lowered interest it takes to offset the agency’s fees. If you hit a temporary cash shortfall, a small $500 cash advance no credit check can cover an emergency without derailing your plan, provided you repay it in full within the next pay cycle.

These figures, alongside the budgeting steps already outlined in our guide, let you compare a DMP to alternatives such as balance-transfer cards or debt-consolidation loans.

How a Debt Management Plan Affects Your Credit and How to Rebuild It Faster

A DMP is less damaging than bankruptcy, but it does leave footprints on your credit file that every future lender can see. Use this timeline to anticipate and shorten the recovery curve:

  1. Plan enrollment (Month 0) – Credit counseling notation appears on your report; accounts may be marked “managed by DMP.”

  2. Months 1-6 – Utilization falls as balances shrink; score often dips before stabilizing.

  3. Months 7-24 – On-time payments build positive history. Keep credit card usage under 30 % to accelerate score gains.

  4. Completion – Accounts show “Paid as agreed.” Request a paid-in-full letter from each creditor and dispute any lingering derogatory remarks.

Fast-track rebuild checklist

  • Open a secured credit card with a small limit after 6–9 consecutive on-time DMP payments.

  • Use the avalanche or snowball payoff method on any remaining high-rate debt.

  • Add a credit-builder loan or a small installment product to diversify mix.

  • Set payment reminders or autopay to avoid late fees once the plan is finished.

If your score is still below 620 once the DMP ends, consider specialized products such as bad credit loans guaranteed approval to cover short-term needs while you continue rebuilding; just confirm the lender reports to all three bureaus.

By understanding both the short-term impact and the long-term benefits, you can decide whether a DMP aligns with your overall credit goals and map out concrete steps to emerge with a stronger profile than when you began.

Sample Payment Plan: Assuming both loans have the same interest rate and you have a surplus of $300 every month:

  1. Pay the minimum on both loans.
  2. Direct the remaining balance of the $300 towards the $1,500 loan.
  3. Once the $1,500 loan is fully paid, divert all the $300 towards the $1,000 loan.

Remember, the faster you repay, the less you'll pay in interest. Always pay more than the minimum if you can. Adjust the above plan based on your specific loan terms, interest rates, and financial situation.

To get started, fill in the form. We'll analyze your income and expenditure to prepare a Debt Management plan adjusted to your circumstances. Start a new debt-free life!

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