Get out of debt (even if you have bad credit)

We can help you lower your debt without taking out a loan or running up your credit card bills. We’ll work with your creditors and guide you through a plan to finally get out of debt and get on a better path.

Get some holiday help!

Managing your debt can be overwhelming. We get it. Our debt management services will help you get a handle on what you owe and potentially save you money by working with your creditors and negotiating lower interest rates.

Our team can also help you manage your monthly bills and set up a program tailored to your needs. To explore more about our debt management services, head over to our Get Started page and request an appointment with a counselor. You may also choose to create an account online to set up a debt management plan tailored to your individual financial needs.

Fees for Debt Management Services

Ohio residents

  • One-time financial counseling session: $50

  • Counseling fee: $8/per month

  • Maintenance fee: 8.5% of monthly payment amount ($30 minimum)

  • EZ Pay: $50/month

WV residents

  • One-time financial counseling session: $50

  • Counseling fee: $8/per month

  • Maintenance fee: 7.0% of monthly payment amount; not to exceed $50

  • EZ Pay: $50/month

Request an appointment

Holiday on a budget

Plan your spending before the shopping starts.

18 ways to stretch your holiday budget

    • Make a plan for your debt. Look at what you owe and how you'll pay it down. Try not to add new purchases to your credit cards this season.

    • Figure out your holiday income. Add up what you'll bring in between now and Christmas, then subtract your regular bills. What's left is your holiday budget.

    • Fill out the Holiday Budget Worksheet before you spend anything. Use our PDF Template!

    • Prioritize. It's okay to put your kids, spouse, and immediate family first. The goal is to stay inside your budget.

    • Make a list before you shop, including stocking stuffers, last-minute gifts, and craft supplies. Keep it handy.

    • Track prices. A little patience and research can save you a lot.

    • Skip the sale if it isn't on your list. A deal on something you didn't plan to buy isn't a savings.

    • Use your phone's calculator instead of doing math in your head. A discount calculator app can help with sale prices.

    • Read reviews before you buy so you know it's worth the money.

    • Price-check with shopping apps. Some let you scan a barcode to compare prices at other stores.

    • Look for free shipping when you shop online. Many retailers offer it on Free Shipping Day, with delivery guaranteed by Christmas.

    • Use cash. When your holiday budget is in an envelope, you can see what's left. When the cash is gone, the shopping is done.

    • Prefer a card? Track every purchase on a ledger or in a notes app.

    • Watch out for emotional spending, even the happy kind. "This would be perfect for her" is how budgets break. If you find a must-have, go back to your list and adjust to make room for it.

    • Skip the last-minute add-ons meant to make a gift feel bigger. The gift is enough.

    • Suggest group gifts or a Secret Santa for big family or friend gatherings. Everyone still gets to give, for a lot less.

    • Find free fun. Walking the neighborhood to see the lights is a holiday tradition that costs nothing.

    • Give gifts that don't come from a store:

      • Handmade gifts like crafts or baked goods

      • A potluck dinner or dessert night instead of a gift exchange

      • Coupons your loved ones can redeem with you, like a free house cleaning, a family game night, or a night of babysitting so a couple can have a date night