Get recommendations from people within your area who have used specific credit counseling agencies and have been pleased with the results because there are many who don't deliver what they say.

A good credit counseling agency will be able to review all aspects of your budget and set you realistic goals that you will be able to achieve.

They will understand your requirements and help you to work around your problems while still maintaining a reasonable standard of living.

They will review all your finances and make suggestions on whether or not you need to refinance, consolidate your loans, or anything else that needs immediate attention.

If you find yourself a good credit counseling agency they will work with you over the long term tuning your budget to suit as your needs change and your debts decrease.

They can also help you come to arrangements with your creditors and other lenders to help you pay off your debt and to ward off legal action for the recovery of outstanding money.

Check their fees before employing them as there are many who charge excessive amounts that will get you into more debt than they can help you get out of.

Some of these agencies are non-profit but don't assume that they are without checking their credentials and that can be done by getting a copy of an IRS approval of non-profit status. The genuine non-profit credit counseling agencies will be the cheapest but just because you won't be shelling out a lot of money doesn't mean you won't be getting the best of advice.

Often these non-profit organizations have a better understanding of the difficulties that the ordinary person faces handling their finance.

If you are to expect the best results then you will have to reveal everything you can about your income and expenditure, your debts and the problems that you have had with payment of your debts, and your credit history. It is only when they have the full picture that they will be able to make the best decisions to see you progressing towards your goal.