Debt help and financial planning: our top picks
This page is research based on the companies' own published terms and government guidance. We don't receive anything from the companies listed. If that changes, links will be marked. It's general information, not financial advice.
When debt feels unmanageable, the companies that advertise hardest are often the ones to avoid. And good financial advice doesn't have to cost 1% of everything you own every year. Here are the options we'd look at first, and what they actually cost.
The short list
| Need | Where to start | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card debt you can't get ahead of | A nonprofit debt management plan | Free counseling; small monthly fee if you enroll |
| A plan for your money, from a person | A fee-only fiduciary planner | Hourly, flat, or monthly fee |
| Hands-off investing for the long term | A low-cost automated advisor | About 0.15% to 0.25% a year |
Estimate your debt payoff
Enter your debts to see when you'd be debt-free paying only the minimums, with your own payoff plan, and with a nonprofit debt management plan. The chart updates as you type, and your entries stay in your browser.
Debt management plan assumptions
Nonprofit agencies negotiate lower credit card rates and charge a small monthly fee. InCharge reports an average reduced rate of about 8.4%, and the agencies listed below publish average monthly fees of $31 to $35. Adjust these to match a quote you get.
Part 1: Debt management
A debt management plan (DMP) is run by a nonprofit credit counseling agency. You make one monthly payment to the agency, and it pays your creditors. The agency negotiates with card issuers to lower your interest rates and waive some fees, so more of each payment goes to the balance. Plans usually take three to five years and cover unsecured debt like credit cards. You'll usually have to close the cards in the plan.
The first counseling session is free at reputable agencies, with no obligation to enroll. Fees for a plan are capped by state law and can be reduced or waived for hardship.
1. Money Management International (MMI)
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1958 and one of the largest agencies in the country. Its initial financial review is free. MMI says clients pay on average a $38 setup fee and a $35 monthly fee, depending on where they live, and that plans last five years or less. moneymanagement.org
2. GreenPath Financial Wellness
A national nonprofit since 1961 offering free, confidential debt counseling. GreenPath lists an average $35 enrollment fee and $31 monthly fee, with typical plans of three to five years. greenpath.com
3. InCharge Debt Solutions
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 and accredited through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). Counseling is free. InCharge says its setup fee averages $52 and its monthly fee averages $34, varying by state, with plans typically taking 24 to 48 months. incharge.org
Or find one near you: the NFCC agency finder lists vetted nonprofit agencies. Look for NFCC or FCAA membership, either way.
Other ways to cut debt costs
- A 0% balance transfer card can pause interest for a set period if your credit is good. Watch the transfer fee and the rate after the promo ends.
- A debt consolidation loan replaces several high-rate balances with one fixed payment, which helps only if the new rate is meaningfully lower and you don't run the cards back up.
Part 2: Financial planning with a person
Look for two words: fee-only (paid only by you, never by commissions on products they sell) and fiduciary (legally required to act in your best interest). These three directories only list advisors who meet that standard.
1. XY Planning Network
Fee-only, fiduciary planners who generally don't require a minimum amount of assets, which suits people still building savings. Many charge a monthly or flat fee for ongoing planning. xyplanningnetwork.com
2. Garrett Planning Network
Fee-only planners who offer advice by the hour with no minimums, so you can buy a one-time checkup instead of an ongoing relationship. garrettplanningnetwork.com
3. NAPFA
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors lists fee-only members who go through a peer review of a financial plan to join. A strong choice if you want comprehensive, ongoing planning. napfa.org
Check any advisor before you hire them. Search their name on FINRA's BrokerCheck and the SEC's adviser search for licenses and disciplinary history, and confirm any CFP credential at cfp.net. Ask directly: "Are you a fiduciary at all times, and how exactly are you paid?"
Part 3: Low-cost automated investing
If you mainly need your long-term savings invested sensibly and rebalanced, an automated advisor (a "robo-advisor") does that for a fraction of a traditional advisor's fee. Investments can lose value, so this is for money you won't need for years.
1. Vanguard Digital Advisor
Requires $100 to start. Vanguard says an all-index portfolio costs about $15 to $16 a year per $10,000 invested in advisory fees, plus the underlying funds' own costs. vanguard.com
2. Betterment
Its digital plan charges 0.25% a year, or a flat $5 a month for smaller balances without recurring deposits. A premium plan with access to financial planners costs 0.65% a year and needs a $100,000 balance. betterment.com
3. Wealthfront
Charges a 0.25% annual advisory fee for its automated investing account, with tools for goal planning. wealthfront.com
Which should you start with?
If high-interest debt is growing, deal with that first. A free session with a nonprofit counselor costs nothing and gives you a plan. Once your debt is under control, automate your savings (see how to automate your savings), and use our budget planner to decide how much. Bring in a fee-only planner when your situation gets more complex, such as a home purchase, kids, or retirement planning.
Fees and terms are as published by each company when we checked and can change. Confirm current details before signing up. This is general information, not financial, legal, or tax advice.
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