Related Financial Services - The following Debt Consolidation Loan Directory listings of companies are offered to assist you with gaining control of your personal finances and the management of your money. Also, feel free to review the rest of the sub-directories on DebtConsolidationLoan.com to shop for other finance products, such as credit cards and mortgage refinancing.

• Debt Management Programs - Having trouble keeping up with your monthly credit payments? Compare debt management companies in this online list that can try amd help you get a grip on your personal financial situation.
• Debt Consolidation Service - Learn more on how debt consolidation can work for you and compare a detailed company list of lenders and related services offering help to people that need to consolidate debt.
• Debt Settlement Help - Are you finding yourself unable to meet your monthly budget because of too many credit card payments? Negotiating your debts may or may not be the right choice to get help with your financial situation. Compare programs designed for helping people with similar debt problems.

Find ways to spend less and save more. Many experts suggest that consumers get a better handle on how much they're spending, and where, by keeping a log of their expenditures for a one-month period. "Do your best to write down every purchase, even all those sodas from the vending machine," explained Villafranca. "You may be surprised to learn how these expenses, even the small ones, can add up." Among the areas he said you may be able to trim back are restaurant meals and premium TV, Internet or phone services you really don't need or use.

Also consider ways to pay less for banking services, added Kincaid. Examples she cited: Pay as much as you can on your credit card each month — pay in full, if possible — to avoid or limit interest charges. Pay your loans and other bills on time to avoid late fees and damage to your credit record. Order a free copy of your credit reports (start at http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call toll-free 1-877-322-8228) and correct inaccuracies that can keep you from getting the best interest rate on a loan or credit card. Whenever possible, use your own bank's automated teller machines to avoid fees charged for using another institution's ATM. Also comparison shop for financial services the way you would for any purchase.

By reducing expenses, including avoiding unnecessary fees, you'll have more money available for savings and investments to support your future needs, including long-term goals such as retirement. Given the inevitable ups and downs in the stock market, it's also important to review your portfolio — your mix among stocks, bonds, mutual funds, savings accounts, CDs (certificates of deposit) and so on — to be sure it's well-diversified. "It's your money, so you've got to be proactive in protecting it," said Kincaid.

FDIC Consumer News is published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

FDIC Consumer News is produced quarterly by the FDIC Office of Public Affairs in cooperation with other Divisions and Offices. It is intended to present information in a nontechnical way and is not intended to be a legal interpretation of FDIC or other government regulations and policies. Mention of a product, service or company does not constitute an endorsement.

Find current and past issues of FDIC Consumer News at http://www.fdic.gov/consumernews. Refer to this same index to locate the issues that are specially formatted for being reprinted in any quantity.

To receive an e-mail notice about each new issue of FDIC Consumer News posted on the FDIC Web site, with links to stories, follow instructions posted at www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Last updated on 02/12/2008

Make proper choices when shopping for debt consolidation loans, debt relief and other personal finance products.
Take the time to read up and inform yourself.

• Watching Interest Rates for Debt Consolidation - Keep an eye on available interest rates and consolidate higher rate credit card balances into a consolidation loan or do a balance transfer to a lower interest card.
• Do You Know the Warning Signs of Too Much Debt? - You should take control of your personal spending as soon as you see any of these warning signs that your bills are getting out of control. Avoiding to do so could lead to a bankruptcy, which is NOT a cure for your financial or credit problems.
• Focus on the long-term cost of the loan... - not just the new monthly payment. You may get lower monthly payments with you consolidate bills, but what are the long term interest costs?
• Don't Have Too Many Credit Cards! - The FDIC advises that there are good reasons to have at least two credit cards, but some people collect a stack of them; including store and gas cards, several of which they rarely use.

The Debt Consolidation Loan Directory is a service of Infinamic, Inc. All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Infinamic, Inc. is not responsible for the content and services, that may be provided to you, by following the links from this web site. Use this service at your own discretion.