http://www.debtfreeplea.com/debt-consolidation/free-debt-consolidation/ Free debt consolidation sounds great. Let's now talk at length about just how free debt consolidation works. en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 Free Debt Consolidation - Well? Ah, free debt consolidation. We've had thousands of people emailing the staff here at Debt Free Plea, wondering if such a thing exists and if so, how to take advantage of it. We've done a lot of research into free debt consolidation and have something to tell you. Something that's rather unfortunate or fortunate, depending on how you view it. There is no such thing as free debt consolidation, but they are not ripping you off an overly large amount unless they outright lie to you about the amount they're taking off your total debt. You see, while free debt consolidation does not exist, there's only so much they can get by with not taking off your total debt. You see, free debt consolidation usually means that they're taking a portion out of the amount you save for them. Let's say this one company offers 22% off your total debt with some fees while the free debt consolidationplace only offers 20% off the total debt. Do you see what is happening there? The total fees with the first company probably equal that 2% that the free debt consolidationis claiming they're taking off. It's called "Skimming" and it happens all the time. But really, the companies that offer free debt consolidation and the like know that they have to be competitive to some extent against the other companies, so it's rare that you'll see one of them only offering something like 18% off the total when you can go to another website, pay $300 in fees, and get 25% off or the like. When you are approached by a free debt consolidation company, make sure that they outline what you will pay exactly, and attempt to nail them down on what percentage you'll get off the total amount you owe. If it's within a point or two of the for-pay companies (and you should already spend time learning what they'll get off your total amount,) then go for the for-pay company unless they negotiate down to a much more reasonable amount. Read the rest of this site to know what it means to be debt free. Stop pleading. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT