This constitutes a gap that can be exploited by surfer’s credit card. Purchases are made with their 0% APR credit cards until the credit ceiling. Only the minimum required by the credit card company will be paid each month without incurring the cost of interest rates. Once the card is maxed out, surfer’s credit card will make a request to another 0% APR credit cards and repeat the same cycle.

Sounds like a great way to get free money, right? Well, when you may be able to browse through some cards, sooner or later you’re bound to reach a road block. With the massive debt piled with interest charges imposed after 0% introductory period the rate in April, surfers credit card will face snowballing debt, since interest charges come into the picture. The exception to this is when surfer’s credit card pay off all outstanding debts before that happens.

Otherwise, with multiple credit cards in their hands, each of which are charged to a maximum credit limit, any default or late payments will result in a bad credit score. Now what are the consequences of a bad credit score?

Well, now you’re labeled a high risk lender, you probably will not be entitled to more credit cards regularly. The ones you can purchase cards are high interest credit catered specifically for consumers with bad credit reports. That puts him at a disadvantage as it is now paying higher interest.

Besides that, getting your loan approved for a car or a house will also be a challenge. You’ll probably have to pay much more in the interests of others. In the end, it may be better that you do not purchase until your credit report is set straight. This will only happen if you pay your debt to credit card debt and maintain a good payment history for the next six months to a year. This is the hardest part because you need to work harder or take another job to get your debt cleared.

Pros

Consolidated monthly payment debt management plans consist of one monthly payment of an individuals credit card debt and other unsecured debt. Instead of several payments that are sent out monthly the credit counseling agency will receive your monthly payment and break it down to individual payments to all of your creditors.

Reduced interest rates although some creditors have tightened what they will as far as an interest rate reduction for a client who is working with a debt management plan there are still some credit card companies that will reduce rates as far as charging no interest while on the debt management plan. However that is not the norm so it is reasonable to expect a slight decrease in interest rates and if you receive a larger break in rates that is more of a benefit to you.

Reduced monthly payments The days of a creditor reducing the monthly payment by half or more seem to be over, however several creditors reduce payments required by several percentage points for a customer of theirs that is enrolled into a debt management plan. This can help free up money to apply elsewhere such as a savings account or a retirement account.

Stopped Late & Over Limit Fees This is probably the most beneficial portion of the debt management plan for a credit counseling client who is behind with their payments to their creditors. The average late or over limit fee is about $29 so if you combine that with an average of six credit card accounts the savings on the fees alone could be up to $174 dollars for that example.

Customer Service Often overlooked by a person researching a debt management plan that is appropriate for them, customer service means that all of your credit card accounts should be accessible by the credit counseling agency you are working with and any questions you have regarding those accounts should be answered in a timely fashion. A well rounded customer service staff will go a long way as far as assisting you to get out of debt.

Con

Accounts Closed – All of your credit card accounts are closed to further charging. This can be initially looked at as a con by the consumer because it takes away their ability to charge, however in the long run this portion of the debt management plan should be viewed as a pro because it allows the client to rely more upon the income they are bringing in and will result in less overall debt that is accumulated while on the debt management program.

Debt management programs offer an array of help with little to consider as negative. The service is designed to assist anyone in need from freeing themselves of the burden of debt. One important factor is that a debt management plan has no negative impact on your credit score. This is according to Fair, Isaac the nations credit scoring system, also known as the FICO Score.

These are a few points to consider in determining if a debt management plan is the best option for you. Contact an agency to determine if their plan can meet your needs.