Free Financial Websites Get More Sophisticated About Lowering Debt
You know that you should get help when debt has taken over your life. But what if you're too embarrassed to ask?
Many folks are so afraid they'll be judged by friends and family that they keep their financial problems secret. Unfortunately, not taking action usually means sinking deeper and deeper into debt.
Considering that millions of Americans are either without a job, facing foreclosure or thousands of dollars in debt - or all of the above - there's nothing to be ashamed about. But if you truly feel you can't talk to your loved ones, there's another way to find free financial advice - the power of the Internet.
Take Mint.com, for instance. Mint already offers a free finance organization tool. It's where I manage my checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and investments. I can log in 24-7 and see exactly how much is in every one of my accounts, check up on my budget and see when I need to pay the bills. But now the site is adding Mint Goals, a way to plan for long-term dreams like buying a house, spiffing up your credit, retiring or, probably most popular, getting out of debt.
HelloWallet is a similar program that claims to find, on average, $600 in savings for new customers - and it's endorsed by former President Bill Clinton. HelloWallet works by seeking out lower rates and better deals and offering a way to track your money and create a budget. Not only that, but the program will alert you when your debt gets dangerously high, create a plan to reduce your debt and show you how much money you can save by adjusting your monthly payments.
Managing your finances is sort of like exercising - sometimes you need a buddy to help you along and keep you motivated. For some folks, anonymous online advice works just fine. Other times, you need a real live person to walk you through a complicated financial situation. At DebtStoppers, our Chicago bankruptcy attorneys can identify a bankruptcy plan that will reduce or eliminate your debt, freeing up your financial future. Not only that, but we'll offer an ear for your debt-related questions or concerns during our free one-on-one debt analysis. It's free, it's private and it's effective - what can you lose?