Help! I have bad credit and Don’t Know What to do.

Bad credit? Have you been using credit cards as a debit card for the past few years, or worse, maxing out your credit cards on purchases you don’t really need, but thought, Hey, I have plastic, I can buy whatever the heck I want?

Below are some sites that will help you help yourself out of the bad credit black hole. Please make sure you do your due diligence, as some of the companies listed below may not be appropriate for your particular scenario. What we’ve tried to do is list a few companies that could help you, but more importantly, we’ve listed them here so that you could do research on how to improve your credit score, and how to improve your credit practices in general. Before going to any of the below sites, please read the FTC Consumer Alert: Advertisements Promising Debt Relief May be Offering Bankruptcy. Knowing your options, and understanding what those options are, will help you improve your credit without sacrificing too much of anything else.

FinanceBlogOnline.com is not affiliated with any of the below companies in any way, and as such cannot recommend any of the companies–this is simply a list for you to do your research. Other articles you may want to read:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/repair.shtm
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Banking/Yourcreditrating/P38050.asp
http://www.ehow.com/how_117172_fix-credit.html
http://credit.about.com/od/creditrepair/Credit_Repair.htm
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/credit-scoring/20040128a1.asp
http://www.lendingtree.com/smartborrower/Credit-scores/Increasing-your-credit-score-.aspx

1. CareOne Credit
CareOne is a debt relief service provider with a difference. We avoid the “one size fits all” approach you’ll find in so many debtconsolidation programs. Instead, we work to provide flexible, effective debt relief options for consumers who are struggling withcredit card and other debt. The credit counseling services, resources and tools we offer are designed to help you pay down your debt,change the way you look at credit, and develop solid money management skills. Our credit counseling services work – and the proof is inthe numbers:

CareOne has helped over 4.5 million people.
Our customers paid down $850 million in debts in 2006.
We have solid relationships with over 220,000 creditors.

2. Money Management International
Money Management International (MMI) and its family of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) agencies make up the largestnonprofit, full-service credit counseling agency in the United States. Since 1958, we have been helping consumers find the tools andsolutions they need to achieve financial freedom. We provide professional financial guidance, credit counseling, community-wide educational programs, debt management assistance, bankruptcy counseling and education services, and housing counseling assistance to consumers via phone, Internet and in-person sessions. MMI is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA).

3. The Credit Exchange
Having trouble paying your bills and loans? Struggling with credit card debt? Help is on the way! The Credit Exchange Corporation is a referral company, working to assist our customers in finding the companies whose financial services are best suited for their needs.

Using our referral service allows you to enjoy the benefits of our experience and business contacts in your search for help with credit card debt, bill consolidation, or what ever aid you may need regarding your financial situation.

The Credit Exchange Corp. currently sponsors four primary financial service companies. Each of these primary companies has links to a wide range of other financial services. So if you are looking for credit counseling, a debt consolidation company, or have other financial needs, we can find the assistance that’s right for you.

We realize that the evaluation of financial services is a long, arduous process. Finding the right debt relief program can be too time-consuming and overwhelming for even the most sophisticated of individuals. That is where we come in. We are committed to assisting you in making the best possible decisions relating to your personal finances helping direct you to reputable companies in the market that specialize in the area of your needs.

4. Credit Info Center
Do-It-Yourself guide to credit repair and debt elimination

Again, make sure you do your homework when it comes to improving your credit score and overall credit health in general, but be especially careful of companies offering easy fixes to improving your credit.