If you're thinking about getting some outside help by way of credit counselors and don't know anything about them, the following tips may help you understand what consumer credit counseling services are all about and what to beware. Basically, counselors can help you get control of your money flow - incoming and outgoing.

1. Credit counseling services can be for-profit or nonprofit. Both types charges fees, however there are some nonprofits that offer free counseling, see tip #3.

2. Credit counselors may or may not be certified. If possible use a certified counselor. You may be more limited in your choice of the type of counselor if you choose a nonprofit but they may have enough necessary experience to help you with your debt management or any debt consolidation.

3. Although nonprofit consumer credit counseling services are nonprofit they are not always free. And some may not be affordable. Some may want you to make donations that will add to your overall debt problems.

4. For-profit credit counseling services may charge high or excessive fees. Some of these fees may not be obvious so read any contracts carefully.

5. Credit counselors can help with a wide range of budget and credit problems. The can help you plan a budget, help educate you and provide helpful credit resources. They can help with car or home loan or mortgage applications. They can help with credit card consolidation or consolidation of other bad debts or debt consolidation.

6. Nonprofit consumer credit counseling services are found at colleges and universities, at your local credit unions, on military bases or installations or through your local community resources hotline.

7. If you're unable to find a nonprofit counseling service then talk to your local bank or lending institution and ask for a recommendation. Or get some names from your local Chamber of Commerce. In any case, check with your local or state Better Business Bureau to see if they have any unresolved complaints against the service on file. If you have a local consumer protection agency, check with them also.

If at all possible try to repair your credit yourself if your credit needs fixing. There are easy, inexpensive ways to do it. If the situation has run amok than seek out nonprofit counseling services first. If you have to hire a for-profit agency, make sure you read the fine print on any contracts and have someone else look over the contract too if possible. Making an effort to resolve your credit problems, whether through a consumer credit counseling service or not, will pay off in the end and protect your future credit report and score.