The last thing you need is to have what is most essential to you taken away or to ruin your credit. For starters, speak upThe most important thing you should do is let your creditors know you’re in a jam. Then think about your credit cards: These shouldn’t be your highest-priority bills to pay when you’re up against a wall. If you are late with a payment, call your credit card issuer to see if they can waive the late fee, Robertson said. The initial review is typically free, and beyond that someone using ongoing counseling services may pay $35 to $40 a month on average, McClary said.

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Persons: you’ve, ”, Bruce McClary, McClary, you’re, Linda Robertson, ” Robertson, “, Robertson Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Foundation, Credit Counseling, Energy Assistance, Housing Locations: New York