To choose the best free financial help, it's crucial to pick a reputable, legitimate source. Unfortunately, there are many debt counseling services that advertise "free financial help" yet end up charging high fees. If your country, state or region has a regulatory agency for how legitimate debt help services can be run, familiarize yourself with the laws and policies. Before going to a service for debt help, getting free financial assistance from well-known television money advisers such as Clark Howard or Suze Orman is a possibility. If you need help with your monthly finances, a qualified adviser can usually make good suggestions to help you earn more money while also cutting your expenses.
Such highly regarded, qualified television financial advisers often give consumers important general advice on how to choose debt counseling and other services. Look for information on what the best repayment and debt consolidation plans should offer as well as how high any fees should be. Fees involved in legitimate debt counseling should usually be quite low and never be a whole month's payment that you owe to a creditor.
If you want specific answers that apply to your unique financial situation, you'll have to call in to a television or radio program or perhaps appear as a guest. This may take time that you don't have or an adviser's popularity may be so high that trying to reach him or her can seem like an impossible task, especially when you're likely to need immediate help with debt, income or savings issues. In that case, being polite, yet persistent with the show's producers in explaining that you are in a crisis situation and need help can often result in the financial adviser suggesting, through a producer, steps you can take or a legitimate agency or counselor you can contact.
Other than television and radio talk shows, well-known financial advisers typically have websites packed with helpful information that is regularly updated. Most of these personalities also have published books you can borrow from the library as a source of free financial help. With all of the free information you have, create a plan based on the suggestions that will help you achieve your financial goals.
If you have friends or family members who have managed to avoid amassing debt and stay ahead with bills, ask them for free financial help. Most people will feel flattered that you asked their advice and can give you tips to help your exact situation if they understand what your goals and money challenges are. You're likely to impress these people by genuinely wanting their advice so that you can help yourself rather than expecting handouts or loans from them.