The Consumer Credit Counselling Service, or CCCS, is a UK registered charity offering free and anonymous debt advice. Founded in 1993, over 500,000 people approach CCCS each year for debt consolidation advice and related guidance.

Over 100,000 of these individuals are eventually placed on a debt consolidation management plan, using tools like debt consolidation loans to get rid of debt.

Debt consolidation advice from CCCS comes from expert debt counselors. These individuals provide practical assistance that includes helping consumers develop a personal budget. Consumers need not reveal any identifying information in order to receive this guidance and they can access the Debt Remedy tool through the CCCS Web site.

If help is needed immediately, consumers can call a toll-free number Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM to speak with a counselor.

It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the electronic Debt Remedy questionnaire. Included are general questions regarding the individual and questions about income, priority and other spending, living costs, assets, and debts.

An uncompleted application can be saved for up to 60 days. In response to a submitted application, the consumer receives customized advice from the experts, a personal budget, and practical guidelines to help consumers maximize their money.

As part of their debt consolidation advice, counselors may recommend that consumers take debt consolidation loans. Every debt consolidation management plan offered by CCCS is free of charge, allowing consumers to spend all of their money on repaying debts.

Debt consolidation companies can instead serve as in intermediary between the consumer and creditors but these charge a fee. In addition, not all companies are equally reputable, placing the onus on the consumer to find the best one.

Not everyone will find a debt management plan appropriate. Before offering this debt consolidation advice, CCCS has consumers first establish a livable budget that excludes debt payments.

This helps them remain in control of their spending. If any money is left over each month, an affordable monthly payment is negotiated with each creditor.

A single monthly payment is made to the debt management plan and the correct amount of money is allocated to each creditor.

Debt consolidation companies take their fee off the top before distributing funds to creditors.

Debt consolidation advice provided by CCCS is always impartial and includes all available options including debt consolidation loans.

This allows consumers to rest assured that they are receiving the best debt consolidation counseling available and have the information they need to make well-informed decisions.

Consumers who believe a debt management plan is right for them can use the online Debt Remedy tool to begin structuring their program or call CCCS to set up their plan over the telephone.

In addition to providing debt consolidation advice, CCCS helps consumers avoid getting into debt in the first place. The free and anonymous Money Matters tool provides advice regarding financial planning and debt avoidance.

Consumers receive assistance with budget development so they can track how their money is being spent. They also receive guidance regarding financial planning that someone in their particular situation should consider.

Money Matters features an online questionnaire that takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Questions pertaining to the individual, income, expenditures, and assets are included.

Similar to the debt consolidation advice it offers, CCCS tailors its financial planning advice to the circumstances of the individual, providing personalized guidance.

With free services available from CCCS, the recommended approach is to consult with this entity first before approaching a paid provider.

Consumers can receive debt consolidation advice, find providers of debt consolidation loans, establish a budget, and learn about recommended financial planning on the CCCS Web site or by calling CCCS toll-free.

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