Calculate your monthly budget surplus and estimate what you could afford to pay toward a Debt Management Plan. A useful first step before contacting a nonprofit credit counseling agency.
$5,000
Monthly Income
$3,850
Total Expenses (incl. debt)
$1,150
Monthly Surplus
Based on your $25,000 enrolled debt over a 60-month plan plus a typical $40/month agency fee.
✓ This payment appears affordable given your budget. A DMP may save you $443/month compared to your current payments.
Compare credit counseling with other debt relief options.
Get Matched →A DMP is a structured repayment plan offered through nonprofit credit counseling agencies. The agency negotiates reduced interest rates with creditors and you make one consolidated monthly payment to the agency, which distributes funds to your creditors.
Most nonprofit credit counseling agencies charge a modest monthly fee (typically $25–$50) for managing your DMP. Initial consultations are usually free. For-profit credit counseling agencies may charge more.
A DMP typically has a milder credit impact than debt settlement or bankruptcy. Your accounts may be noted as 'enrolled in a credit counseling program,' and you are usually required to close enrolled credit card accounts.
Most Debt Management Plans take 3–5 years to complete. Because interest rates are reduced (sometimes to 0–9%), more of each payment goes toward principal, helping you pay off debt faster than minimum payments alone.