Credit Repair Savannah

D

Daniel

Member
Since the pandemic, I’ve been dealing with financial struggles, but now that my job situation is finally stable, I’m looking for guidance on the smartest way to get out of debt. What type of advisor should I talk to, and does anyone have recommendations?
 
Honestly, you might want to start with a certified credit counselor. They usually work with non-profits, and they can walk you through a debt management plan if needed. A lot of people confuse them with debt settlement companies (which can tank your score short-term), so do your homework. Savannah has a couple local options, but even national services like NFCC can work with you remotely. I went this route after the pandemic wrecked my finances and it helped me get organized without the scammy vibes.
 
If you have stable income now, the first thing you should do is figure out your budget and debt priorities before talking to anyone. You don’t necessarily need a financial advisor right away sometimes a good accountant or even a credit repair attorney is better. Also, be wary of $99/month and we’ll fix your credit ads. Savannah has some reputable independent advisors, but you can also find CFPs who specialize in debt recovery. I’d aim for fee-only so they’re not pushing products.
 
I’m in Savannah too, and I’ll tell you straight up: half the credit repair people here are just going to charge you for things you can do yourself for free. Pull your credit reports from annualcreditreport.com, dispute any errors, and start paying down your balances. If you need structured help, look for a debt management program instead of credit repair...it’s less flashy but actually works.
 
Replying to u/FinancePeach — totally agree. I did my own disputes after watching a bunch of YouTube vids and my score went up 70 points in a year. The trick is to not over-dispute or send templated letters that look copy-pasted. Also, Savannah’s credit unions have some great personal bankers who will sit down with you and map out a payoff plan without charging a dime.
 
If you’re more of a DIY person, I’d recommend looking into avalanche vs. snowball methods. The avalanche saves more money in interest, but the snowball gives you quicker wins. Personally, I used the avalanche and paired it with a part-time gig for extra cash. Took me 14 months to go from 22k debt to debt-free. If you want local support, the Small Business Assistance Center at Georgia Southern sometimes has free financial literacy workshops.
 
If you’re gonna hire someone, I’d go with a fiduciary financial planner. They have to act in your best interest. A lot of advisors in the credit repair space are basically sales reps. Look for CFP designation, ask for references, and make sure they have experience with debt strategies, not just investments. You can find fee-only folks in Savannah or even virtually.
 
Do not, I repeat, do NOT go to those strip mall Credit Fix places that promise 800 score in 60 days. That’s like paying someone to burn your wallet. If you want real help, check out Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah—they’re nonprofit and can actually negotiate lower interest rates with creditors.
 
I used Credit Karma to keep tabs on my progress but took the actual steps myself. Honestly, the biggest thing was cutting expenses and throwing every spare dollar at my highest APR card. No advisor in the world could’ve done it faster for me. That said, if you’re prone to spending, a third party might give you the accountability you need.
 
You might also want to talk to a bankruptcy attorney just to see if it makes sense. Not saying you should file, but understanding all your options can help. Sometimes, debt settlement or DMPs still leave you with high interest payments, whereas Chapter 7 or 13 could give you a clean slate. Savannah’s got a couple of free legal aid clinics.
 
If you’re tech-savvy, you can use budgeting tools like YNAB or EveryDollar alongside a debt payoff spreadsheet. That’s what helped me see my debt-free date visually. Makes it way more motivating than just throwing money blindly. Also, Savannah Public Library has free access to financial coaching programs.
 
I actually recommend finding an accredited credit counselor first, then maybe a financial advisor. Advisors are great for investing and long-term planning, but they’re not all trained for debt rehab. A counselor will focus 100% on getting your accounts current and your score up.
 
Just don’t get caught in the credit repair trap where you’re paying $100/month for years with no real results. If you do go with a company, make sure they’re compliant with the Credit Repair Organizations Act. In Savannah, some people recommend Sky Blue Credit for remote service, but I still think DIY plus a counselor is better.
 
This is gonna sound old-school, but I just made a giant whiteboard with all my debts listed and knocked them off one by one. I didn’t need an advisor, just discipline and a couple side hustles. The psychological win of erasing a line from that board was better than any app.
 
If you’re looking for actual people to talk to locally, Savannah Financial Empowerment Center is free and legit. They do one-on-one coaching for budgeting, debt reduction, even credit building. No strings attached. I went for “just one session” and ended up going back every month for six months.
 
Depending on your debt type, you might want to speak to a tax advisor too. Some forgiven debts are taxable, so if you settle for less than you owe, you could get hit with a 1099-C. A lot of folks don’t realize this until tax time and it’s a nasty surprise.
 
I like the idea of starting with someone who can explain all the options without trying to sell you something. That’s why a non-profit counselor or even a fee-only planner is good. You want education, not sales pitches. Savannah has a few in-person workshops that are surprisingly helpful.
 
If you’re into podcasts, check out Debt Free in 30 and How to Money. They’re not Savannah-specific, but they’ll give you a great education on the kinds of advisors to seek out. Plus, free info before you spend a dime.
 
If you’ve got student loans in the mix, then you’ll want someone who understands both consumer debt and federal loan programs. A lot of advisors only know one side of the equation.
 
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