1. What are the typical fees that debt consolidation company's charge? 2. Is there a penalty for paying off early? 3. Are there local companies where you can actually walk into a building and not do this over the internet? 4. How long does it from signing on with a company to get that 1 monthly payment?

My fiancée and I purchased a home in June of 2004. Since then the bills have been ever increasing. We are at our wits end and financial end, with not even enough money in the bank to pay one bill normally. Our bills consist of the home loan, credit card debt, two medical bills, and all of the monthly expenses: utilities, phone, 2 year cell phone agreements, normal phone bill, car insurance, etc. Since we are not married yet, it is hard to think about how to best clear up our problems in the financial area.

For a story I am working on for the Village Voice, I am interested in hearing from anyone who has recently consolidated their student loans. Thanks very much Anya

Hi Everybody, How can I get my Credit Report? Can anyone help me out? Thanks in advance Temptrss

Hi, I have a $1,450. cumulative debt for parking tickets ($700.00 doubled over time) in Chicago, IL. Yesterday evening, this man called and did not say the "mini-miranda" schlep - then proceeded to try to good cop/bad cop me into sending $ via western union. I asked him if it was a collection agency and he said, "Listen Ms. X, you're either gonna make a payment or we will garnish your wages." When I got his supervisor on the line (after a long wait) she was much softer but did not take my complaint of his treatment seriously.

Am a single mom of 38, bankruptcy has recklessly destroyed my life and I almost gave up, but prayers guide me towards a smalll light at the end of the tunnel that gave me strength to live another days for my two children. Prayers saved me and wants people to know about it, It has been 2 yrs since then and im so happy to have made it through !

Could you guys give information on the top 10 ranking consolidation companies? I had been through your ranking chart and find them very informative but need to know the toppers, looking forward to your response.

A few months ago I got a phone call from a man from a collection agency. He was very rude and imitating, I got off the phone and I cried. He made me very scared that I couldn't focus the rest of the day at work. He stated that I owed x amount of money and if i didn't give them credit card information or checking account information right then, Id basically be in big trouble. First off I didn't know what these amounts were. I had recently moved so my mail was having some trouble reaching me. He told me if I didn't pay by a certain day he would call my work and get it taken out of my paycheck.

I am showing a past due of $1,366 dollars i need to get this cleared up.

Dear Members and Guest, This is to inform you that we have no winners last week as no one met the winning criteria . Thank you, Debtconsolidation care team