Non-profit Credit Counselors vs Debt Relief Companies: What You Need to Know

When you’re struggling with debt, a little bit of help can go a long way — and a lot of help can go even further. But shopping around for debt relief assistance can be confusing. What, exactly, are these organizations offering?

Credit counseling organizations are generally non-profits that are dedicated to not only helping their clients get out of debt, but also creating a sustainable way forward with free or low-cost educational tools and resources. In other words, they’re more holistic about your financial situation, and they’re not in it for your money (though some may charge fees, usually relatively low, for their assistance).

Debt relief companies, on the other hand, are for-profit companies that charge you, often steeply, for the service of negotiating and settling your debt with your creditors or with collections agencies. In other words, they’re less about helping you get your money right and more about getting your money.

While both types of organizations can help you find relief from at least some of your debt, their motivations and structures are very different. Let’s take a closer look.

Debt Settlement vs Credit Counseling: What’s the Difference?

As mentioned, debt settlement is usually done by a for-profit debt settlement company that works to negotiate your debts with creditors or collections agencies for a fee. Not all creditors will negotiate with debt settlement companies, but if they will, you may be able to pay a lower overall amount. Keep in mind that it still may not immediately improve your credit score, and in some cases, may even make it worse (which we’ll discuss more in just a moment).

Credit counseling, on the other hand, is usually performed by financial professionals who work at non-profit credit counseling organizations. While they may help you create a debt management plan — potentially even one that might save you money — that’s not all they’re there to help you with.

Even if they don’t negotiate directly with your creditors, credit counselors can help you create or manage a budget, develop a sustainable plan to minimize debt over the long run, and give you access to low- or no-cost resources including workshops and educational materials. While they may assess a fee, it’s usually low, and they may also have options even if you can’t afford to pay them at all.


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How Does Debt Settlement Work?

Debt settlement companies are just that: companies charging you for the service of settling debts. However, since not all creditors will even work with debt settlement companies, they may not actually be able to save you any money. If they can, they’ll be charging you for their service. Their fees may be a lot higher than a credit counselor’s would be.

Pros of Debt Settlement

•   Debt settlement might help you save money on very large debts. If a debt settlement company can successfully negotiate with your creditor, you may be able to get out of debt by paying far less than you would otherwise owe, so long as you can pay it as a lump sum.

•   Legally, your money must remain under your control while you’re saving it. The debt settlement company may require you to save up the lump sum in a special account. But even if they do, those funds must remain under your control until they are used by the company to pay off your debt.

Cons of Debt Settlement

•   Debt settlement is expensive. Even if the settlement is expensive, the company will charge you for their services, which eats into the amount you’re saving on your debts. Keep in mind that debt settlement companies are for-profit organizations.

•   Debt settlers aren’t looking at the whole picture. While a credit counselor may be able to help you come up with a sustainable, holistic plan to manage your money going forward, debt settlers are focused only on, well, settling your debt. This means you could wind up in the exact same place in the future, if your financial habits don’t change.

•   Debt settlement services might actually make your credit worse. Some debt settlement companies may tell you to stop paying your debt until they reach an agreement with the creditor, which could be negatively reflected in your credit score and history.

•   Debt settlement doesn’t always work. Because some creditors won’t negotiate with debt settlement companies, using one may not actually save you any money. (Note: According to Federal Trade Commission rules , a debt settlement company can never charge you for their services before they’re successfully rendered. If you encounter a debt settlement firm that’s trying to take your money up front, you shouldn’t work with them.)

What Is Credit Counseling?

Credit counseling is very different from debt settlement: It’s a holistic approach to money management offered by expert financial planners and advisors at a low cost.

While helping you negotiate and potentially lower your debts with creditors is one potential service a credit counselor may offer (though they may also not), their main concern is getting you set up for a successful financial future in the long term.

Pros of Credit Counseling

•   Credit counseling is built to be affordable. While credit counselors may charge a small fee for their services, they’re usually much lower than you’d pay for financial advice in any other context. Plus, no-cost options are often available for those with demonstrated need.

•   Credit counseling can help you build a sustainable financial future — not just settle a debt. By giving you the knowledge and tools you need to create positive financial habits, credit counseling can help you make a lasting change, not just pay off a bill.

•   Credit counseling can give you access to other educational opportunities and materials. Along with one-on-one credit counseling, these non-profit organizations may host community workshops and classes or provide you with free information.

Cons of Credit Counseling

•   Credit counseling requires you to do some of the work. Although credit counselors will assist you along the way, you’re the one who has to create (and stick to) a budget and form positive credit habits.

How Can a Non-Profit Credit Counselor Help You?

By helping you form the long-lasting financial habits that can keep you out of debt or make it easier to follow your monthly budget, working with a credit counselor can change the shape of your financial future.

In short, think of debt settlement agencies as for-profit firefighters: They may be able to help you put out a blazing debt spiral in an emergency, but they’ll charge you for the privilege. Non-profit credit counselors, on the other hand, help you put out the fire and teach you how to keep your financial life flame-free, all for low or no cost.

What Is the Process of Working with a Non-Profit Credit Counselor?

When you sign up to work with a credit counselor, you’ll likely start with an initial consultation session, which may be in person, over the phone, or over a video conferencing service. This initial consultation will likely last about an hour and may include going over your budget and creating a debt management plan.

Depending on your needs, your counselor may recommend follow-up sessions, or may direct you to workshops and resources to help you DIY your own financial education.

What You Should Know About Debt Relief Companies

While both debt settlement companies and credit counseling agencies can help you get out of an immediate debt crisis, rebuilding your credit is always a time-consuming and work-intensive process that takes persistence and patience. A credit counselor can help you tackle that project with support.

Keep in mind that there are ways to tackle a debt spiral yourself, too, such as taking out a personal loan in order to consolidate multiple lines of credit or debts.


💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan from SoFi can help you consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and get you out of debt sooner.

The Takeaway

Debt settlement is offered by for-profit companies that may charge steeply for their services — and might not even be able to help. Credit counseling, on the other hand, is a more holistic service offered by non-profit organizations that have your best interests and a firm financial future at heart.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

FAQ

What is the difference between debt settlement and credit counseling?

Debt settlement is a service offered by for-profit companies who negotiate your debts with creditors and collections agencies for a fee, often a large one. Many creditors won’t work with debt settlement agencies, anyway, so they may not be able to help you in the first place. In addition, under Federal Trade Commission rule, they’re not allowed to charge their fee before their services are successfully rendered.

Is it better to consolidate or settle debt?

While everyone’s financial needs are different, consolidating your debt is a self-directed debt relief strategy that can help you build your credit and positive financial habits that’ll keep you in good standing. Debt settlement agencies are for-profit companies that may charge you steeply for the privilege of helping you negotiate your debt with creditors. They’re unlikely to get you a better deal than you would get by negotiating on your own.

How bad is debt settlement for your credit?

Many factors go into determining someone’s credit history, but debt settlement agencies may advise you to stop paying your bills until their negotiations are over. This can be bad for your credit history, though paying off large amounts of debt, especially debt in collections, can be positive for your credit history. It’s all about creating sustainable habits over the long run.


Photo credit: iStock/Delmaine Donson

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Credit Counseling, Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

Credit counseling services can be a smart way to access professional financial advice at a low cost — or, in some cases, even for free. Usually nonprofits, these organizations can offer educational materials, workshops, and one-on-one counseling with trained financial professionals to help you make an achievable plan to repay your debts, set up a sustainable budget, and more.

It’s important to understand, however, the difference between credit counseling organizations and debt settlement agencies. The latter are usually for-profit companies that may not always be acting with your best interests in mind.

Here’s what you need to know about credit counseling, including how to tell when you might need it.

What Is Credit Counseling?

Credit counseling is a free or low-cost service offered by what are usually nonprofit organizations. Credit counselors can work with you one-on-one to offer fiscal advice and get your finances in order. For example, a credit counselor might help you:

•   Plan a debt repayment strategy

•   Create an overall debt management roadmap

•   Set up or retool your budget

•   Learn how to get a free and accurate copy of your credit report and scores

Many credit counseling services also offer educational resources, like flyers or online information, and workshops or classes that can help many people learn more about how to manage their money at once.

In some cases, credit counselors may offer to reach out to your creditors directly to negotiate with them, which could help you save money. Counselors may be able to get late fees waived, attain a longer repayment period, or ask for lower interest rates.

However, this is not the primary or sole function of credit counseling agencies, and not all credit counselors offer this service.


💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan from SoFi can help you consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and get you out of debt sooner.

How Does Credit Counseling Work?

Every individual credit counseling agency is different, and they each have their own process that they can walk you through. But in most cases, you’ll be offered an initial consultation with a credit counselor, which may take place online, in person, or over the phone.

During this meeting, the counselor will likely ask a series of questions about your financial standing, and may help you develop a budget or create a debt repayment plan on the spot. Depending on your needs, follow-up appointments may be offered, and you may also get invitations or access to free classes, workshops, educational resources, and more.

In all cases, a credit counseling agency should have your best interests at heart, and should be willing to offer you free information about their services. If a credit counseling agency requests you to pay high fees or pay up front, or refuses to work with you if you can’t afford to pay, you should look for a different organization.

Credit Counselors vs Debt Settlement Agencies

It’s easy to get credit counseling organizations mixed up with debt settlement agencies, but the two are very different — and the difference is critical. Whereas credit counselors are usually non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost help, debt settlement agencies are very much for-profit companies.

Furthermore, debt settlement agencies charge for the service of negotiating debt settlements with your creditors or collections agencies, rather than offering a more holistic financial education or plan.

Unfortunately, many creditors refuse to negotiate with debt settlement agencies, so hiring one is often a waste of your time. If you do choose to work with a debt settlement agency, remember that under Federal Trade Commission rules , you can’t be charged for their services until they are rendered successfully. Because, again, many creditors simply won’t talk to these companies. If you pay up front, you could be out of luck). In other words, if a debt settlement agency attempts to charge you up front, take your money and run.

Alternative Options for Managing Credit Card Debt

While working with a credit counseling organization can be a great way to access low-cost help in many different financial areas, it’s not the only way to eliminate credit card debt. There are plenty of self-directed strategies that can help you get your money right, right from home.

For instance, debt consolidation is one tactic that may help you get a handle on your credit card debt. Here’s how it works.

To consolidate credit card debt, you’d take out a new loan or a new credit card that allows balance transfers at a 0% interest rate. (Yes, it sounds counterintuitive to fix credit card debt by taking out another loan or line of credit, but hear us out.)

Then, you pay off all of your credit card debts with the personal loan, or transfer all of your balances onto the new credit card. In either case, you’ll now be left with a single monthly payment rather than multiple payments, which can be hard to keep up with and easy to forget about.

Both tactics can also help you save money on interest, too, which can help you get out of debt faster and more efficiently. Different types of personal loans often have lower interest rates than credit cards do, and if you go the balance transfer route and choose a card with a 0% rate, you may save yourself from paying any additional interest at all.

Beware, though: Those 0% balance transfer rates are usually only promotional, and wear off after a certain period of time, like a year. At that point, if you hadn’t paid off the balance in full, you’d likely be stuck paying double-digit interest on whatever was left over once again.


💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why SoFi credit card consolidation loans are so popular.

The Takeaway

If you’re struggling with credit card debt or simply looking for professional financial help from a budget-friendly source, pursuing credit counseling can be a smart step to take. These nonprofit organizations offer a variety of different workshops, services, and materials that can help you fashion a more sustainable financial future.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.


SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

FAQ

What is the purpose of credit counseling?

Credit counseling exists to help people find better ways to manage their money and to create sustainable budgets and debt management strategies. Usually nonprofit organizations, credit counseling agencies may offer workshops, educational materials, and one-on-one counseling services at a low cost, or even for free, to people who need some help getting their money right.

What is the credit counseling process?

While each credit counseling organization is different, in most cases, you’ll be offered an initial credit counseling consultation appointment that may last about an hour and take place in person, on the phone, or through a video conferencing platform. You may be offered follow-up appointments as well as educational resources and workshops. While most credit counselors are part of nonprofit organizations, there still may be some fees associated with their services, though these are usually much lower than a professional financial advisor’s fees.

Do you need credit counseling?

Only you can decide if you need to pursue credit counseling, but if you’ve been struggling with credit card debt and found yourself unable to create or stick to a sustainable debt repayment strategy, credit counseling could help.


Photo credit: iStock/Rockaa

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Pros & Cons of Consolidating Your 401(k)

The nature of work is no longer what it used to be. Gone are the days of working for just one employer for an entire career. Now, it’s more common to move between lots of jobs.

According to a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person will have more than 12 jobs during the course of their career. That’s a lot of jobs – and potentially, a lot of 401(k) accounts.

That’s because instead of the pensions that many workers in previous generations had, the average worker today is likely to have self-funded retirement accounts like 401(k)s through each new employer.

This means that as employees move between jobs, many will be left with a hodgepodge of old 401(k)s and other retirement accounts.

Is it best to leave them as they are, or to consolidate 401(k) accounts? And if so, how do you consolidate them?

Read on to learn how to consolidate 401(k) accounts, along with the pros and cons of the most popular consolidation options.

What You Need to Know About 401(k) Plans

A 401(k) is a workplace-sponsored retirement plan. If you sign up for a 401(k), contributions are deducted from your paycheck to go into your 401(k) account. Often 401(k) plans are offered to employees as a workplace benefit, like vacation days and healthcare coverage.

Some companies offer a 401(k) match. This is where a company contributes money to an employee’s 401(k) to match the amount of money the employee has contributed, up to a certain amount. A company match program can make a 401(k) a lucrative way to save money for retirement.

In addition, 401(k) plans are considered an advantageous way to save retirement money because they have certain tax advantages. For instance, 401(k) accounts are referred to as “tax-deferred” because income taxes are deferred until later, when you take the money out in retirement.

The taxation of retirement accounts is an important consideration in long-term financial planning. Taxation also acts as a guide for knowing what retirement account types can be combined, and which types cannot be combined with other retirement account types.

Because all 401(k) accounts share the same tax status (tax-deferred), they can be combined. Traditional IRAs are also tax-deferred and can be combined with a 401(k) account. This process is called a rollover.

A Roth IRA is another popular retirement account type. A Roth IRA cannot be rolled over or combined with a 401(k) or a traditional IRA account, however, because it has a different tax status. With a Roth IRA, you pay the taxes upfront (meaning you make the contributions with after-tax dollars) and your qualified withdrawals are not taxed


💡 Quick Tip: Before opening any investment account, consider what level of risk you are comfortable with. If you’re not sure, start with more conservative investments, and then adjust your portfolio as you learn more.

Should I Combine My 401(k) Accounts?

You might be at the point during your career where you’ve got at least one 401(k) account from a previous job that you’re no longer contributing to. If you are wondering whether to consolidate your 401(k) accounts, here are a few of your options:

1.    Transfering the 401(k) account(s) into your active 401(k), meaning the one you have with your current employer).

2.    Rolling the 401(k) account(s) into a Traditional IRA at an institution of your choosing.

3.    Doing nothing, and leaving the account(s) as is.

Everyone’s financial situation is different, so evaluate the pros and cons of each option when trying to decide what is best for you. When weighing your options, here are some things you might consider:

Option 1: Rolling Over into Your Active 401(k)

Your first option with a 401(k) with a former employer is to transfer the money into your active 401(k) account with your current employer.

Pros:

1. A single place for your tax-deferred money

By transferring old 401(k) accounts into an existing 401(k), you are consolidating those tax-deferred accounts in one place. You may find managing just one account an ideal scenario.

2. Consolidating your investment strategy

Consolidation may make it easier to keep track of your money and manage a cohesive investment strategy. It can be challenging to manage a bunch of different retirement accounts.

Cons:

1. Limited investing options

Sometimes 401(k) plans have limited investing options. If this is the case with your current active 401(k), consolidating your other 401(k)s into the plan may limit your investing choices overall. Look at the investment option information provided by your plan to help make an informed decision.

2. Additional fees

Some 401(k) accounts have additional fees on both the accounts and investments themselves. Check to see if fees are assessed at a flat rate, or if they are assessed as a percentage of the amount invested. This may influence your decision to transfer your other 401(k)s into your active 401(k).

How to do it:

How to consolidate 401(k) accounts starts with contacting the institution that holds your old 401(k) and requesting a rollover to your active 401(k). The customer service representative should likely be able to help you on the phone or direct you to the paperwork online. It can be smart to clarify that this is a rollover to another tax-deferred account.

Ideally, the company is able to transfer the funds electronically to your active 401(k). If they are not able to do this, they may request an address to send a check. Get the address of the financial institution where your 401(k) is located and have it ready before making the call.

Option 2: Rolling into an IRA

Rolling old 401(k) accounts into a Traditional IRA of your choosing is a popular choice that allows you maximum control over the investments within the account.

Pros:

1. You choose the institution

You get to choose where to open your individual retirement account. By selecting the institution, you can choose a place that fits your needs. You will have control over your investment choices and whether to use an institution that charges for certain services.

This may be especially important if the institution that holds your current 401(k) charges account maintenance fees or only offers high-cost investment products.

2. You’ll control it

You open a Traditional IRA on your own and without an employer—therefore, a Traditional IRA is yours. Some people may find it helpful to think of a Traditional IRA as a “home base” for their tax-deferred money. As you move through your career, you can roll old 401(k) accounts into a Traditional IRA that’s not going anywhere—it’s your home base.

3. More investment options

As compared to some 401(K) plans, a Traditional IRA opened at an institution of your choosing may have more options for investing.

Some 401(k) plans may require that participants choose from a pre-selected list of options. If you open a Traditional IRA at a brokerage firm or other financial institution, you’ll have the benefit of a broker’s wisdom and experience should you wish to use a broker. Asking the right questions is key to making sure a broker is the right fit for you.

Cons:

1. You may still have multiple accounts to maintain

Even if you open a Traditional IRA, you may still want to contribute to your active 401(k). Therefore, you will need to maintain at least two retirement accounts. (And perhaps three, if you have a Roth IRA, which cannot be combined because it has a different tax status.)

(Still, having two accounts—an active 401(k) and a Traditional IRA—might be better for you than having many multiple 401(k) accounts scattered around at different financial institutions.)

2. It may complicate a “backdoor” Roth IRA

A backdoor Roth IRA is a way to contribute to a Roth IRA when your income is too high to contribute to one directly.

Though you’ll want to check with a tax professional, it is generally understood that a backdoor Roth IRA might be complicated if your Traditional IRAs contain a mix of pre and post-tax money that you put in.

If you want to pursue a backdoor Roth IRA, you may want to roll your old 401(k) assets into your current 401(k), or leave the account as it is. The greater the balance in your Traditional IRA, the greater the tax liability for the backdoor Roth IRA contributions since you can only contribute money that’s already been taxed to a Roth IRA.

How to do it:

If you do not already have one, you may want to open an IRA account at a financial institution of your choosing. This could be at a bank or other financial institution.

Once your Rollover IRA is active you can roll funds from your 401(k) into the Rollover IRA. The process is generally similar to that of rolling assets into an active 401(k) as noted above.


💡 Quick Tip: When you’re actively investing in stocks, it’s important to ask what types of fees you might have to pay. For example, brokers may charge a flat fee for trading stocks, or require some commission for every trade. Taking the time to manage investment costs can be beneficial over the long term.

Option 3: Doing Nothing

Lastly, you may opt to leave your 401(k) accounts exactly as they are. Here are some pros and cons of this strategy.

Pros:

1. You are happy with the financial institution and/or investments

If you like your current investment allocation and investment options and want to continue using them, you may choose to leave your 401(k) as it is.

Cons:

1. Difficult to manage

It could be hard to manage a cohesive investing strategy across multiple accounts. This may be the case for someone that has multiple accounts at different institutions.

2. Cannot add money to an old employer-sponsored 401(k)

It is not possible to contribute new money to an old 401(k) account that was previously tied to an employer. New money must go into a current 401(k) or some other self-directed retirement account, such as a Solo 401(k), Roth IRA, or Traditional IRA.

If you do not currently have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k), you may want to seek out another retirement account for which you can make contributions.

3. Possible maintenance fees

Old 401(k) accounts may charge monthly or annual fees such as account maintenance fees. By consolidating, it may be possible to eliminate all or most of these fees.

For example, a person could roll old 401(k) accounts that charge a maintenance fee into an account that has no such fee, whether that be their current 401(k) or a Traditional IRA.

4. Limited investing options

Because a person does not get to choose the bank that holds their employer-sponsored 401(k), they don’t get to determine the plan’s investing options, either. Therefore, it’s up to you to decide whether the available investment options in your old 401(k) are sufficient.

The Takeaway

People may benefit from consolidating their 401(k) accounts into their current 401(k) or into a Traditional IRA, if for no other reason than to consolidate their money under one roof.

It can be hard to manage a bunch of different accounts at different institutions, and may only get harder as individuals progress through their careers and end up with even more 401(k) accounts.

In general, a Traditional IRA can provide more flexibility and investing options than a 401(k). It means that you’ll be managing two accounts, yes, but it might be worth it to keep a Traditional IRA as a home base to roll all old 401(k) accounts into over time.

When you open an IRA, you’ll want to find a bank or financial institution that meets your needs. Many investors prefer institutions where they will not be charged with unnecessary fees and have access to low-cost investing options.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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6 Investment Risk Management Strategies

All investing involves some level of risk, and how much any individual investor is willing to take on will depend on their risk tolerance. There are also numerous investment risk strategies out there that they can use to try and limit losses and increase their returns.

But it all comes down to the specific investor. Some have higher risk tolerances, and think less about investment risk management than others. Either way, investors can take measures to protect themselves against the inevitability of a correction or a bear market by using various risk management strategies.

Strategies to Help Manage Investment Risk

Before learning more about the numerous risk management strategies out there, it can be helpful to get a deeper understanding of the level of risk a person is comfortable taking when building an investment portfolio.

That includes thinking deeply about an investor’s risk tolerance, which is usually determined by three main factors:

Risk capacity: How much can the investor afford to lose without it affecting actual financial security? Risk capacity can vary based on age, personal financial goals, and an investor’s timeline for reaching those goals.

Need: How much will these investments have to earn to get the investor where they want to be? (An investor who is depending heavily on investments may be faced with a careful balancing act between taking too much risk and not taking enough.)

Emotions: How will the investor react to bad news (with fear and panic? or clarity and control?), and what effect will those emotions have on investing decisions? Unfortunately, this can be hard to predict until it happens.

So, why is risk management important? Those who are able to preserve their capital during difficult periods will have a larger base to grow from when the market regains steam. With that in mind, here are some strategies investors sometimes use to manage the risk in their portfolio.

1. Reevaluating Portfolio Diversification and Asset Allocation

You’ve probably heard the expression “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Portfolio diversification — a strategy involving allocating money across many asset classes and sectors — could help with avoiding disaster in a downturn. If one stock tanks, others in different classes might not be so hard hit.

Investors might want to consider owning two or more mutual funds that represent different styles, such as large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and international stocks, as well as keeping a timeline-appropriate percentage in bonds. Those nearing retirement might consider adding a fund with income-producing securities.

But investors should beware of overlap. Investors often think they’re diversified because they own a few different mutual funds, but if they take a closer look, they realize those funds are all invested in the same or similar stocks.

If those companies or sectors struggle, investors could lose a big chunk of their money. Investors could avoid overlap by simply looking at a fund’s prospectus online.

To further diversify, investors also may want to think beyond stocks and bonds. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs), commodities, and real estate investment trusts (REITs) are just a few of the possibilities.

Investors could also diversify the way they invest. For instance, an investor might have a 401(k) through their employer, but also open a traditional IRA or Roth IRA online through a financial company.

💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

2. Lowering Portfolio Volatility

One of the easiest ways to help reduce the volatility in a portfolio is to keep some percentage allocated to cash and cash equivalents. This may keep an investor from having to sell other assets in times of need (which could result in a loss if the market is down).

The appropriate amount of cash to hold may vary depending on an investor’s timeline and goals. If too much money is kept in cash for the long-haul, it might not earn enough to keep up with inflation.

There are other options, however. Here are a few.

Rebalancing

The goal of portfolio rebalancing is to lower the risk of severe loss by keeping a portfolio well-diversified. Over time, different assets have different returns or losses based on the movements of the market. Rebalancing helps get things back to the mix the investor wants based on personal risk tolerance.

Rebalancing can often feel counterintuitive because it can mean letting go of investments that have appreciated in value (the ones that have been fun to watch) and buying investments that are declining in value.

Forgetful investors may even be able to sign up for automatic rebalancing. Without rebalancing, a portfolio’s mix may become stock heavy or sector heavy, which may significantly increase risk.

Buying bonds

Unless investors are regularly rebalancing their portfolio (or are having it done automatically), their mix may be skewing more toward stocks than they think. Those who are concerned about market volatility might want to rebuild the bond side of their portfolio.

Bonds might not be completely safe investments, but bonds with a lower duration can still play a defensive role in a diversified portfolio. And bonds often can be used to produce a steady stream of income that can be reinvested or used for living expenses.

Municipal bonds can generate tax-free income. Bonds, bond ETFs, and treasuries can all serve a purpose when the market is going down.

Beta

The beta of a stock is a measure of the interrelationship between the stock and the stock market. A beta of one, for example, means the stock will react in tandem with the S&P 500. If the beta is below one, the stock is less volatile than the overall market.

A beta above one indicates the stock will have a more marked reaction. So, replacing high beta stocks with lower beta names could help take some of the menace out of market fluctuations.

3. Investing Consistently

For those looking for quick returns, picking the “right” stock and selling it at the “right” time is everything. Using a dollar-cost averaging strategy is different. It’s all about patience, discipline, and looking at the long term. And it can help investors keep emotions out of the process.

With dollar-cost averaging, investors contribute the same amount at regular intervals (usually once or twice a month) to an investment account. When the market is down, the money buys more shares. When the market is up, it buys fewer.

But because markets generally rise over time, investors who can keep their hands off the stash might build a pretty nice pot of money over the long term — especially compared to what they might get from a savings account or money market account.

Some investors hand over their cash every month and don’t pay much attention to where their 401(k) plan administrator or the bank with their IRA might put it. But carefully choosing the companies represented in a portfolio — focusing on those with sustained growth over time — could help make this strategy even stronger.

4. Getting an Investment Risk Analysis

For years, financial professionals have mostly labeled investors’ risk tolerance as “aggressive,” “moderate,” or “conservative.” Those can be fairly subjective descriptions. The term “moderate,” for example, might mean one thing to a young investor and another to an older financial professional.

An investor might not even know how they’ll react to a market slump until it happens. Or a person might feel aggressive after inheriting some money but conservative after paying a big medical bill.

To help with clarity, many in the financial industry are now using software programs that can help pinpoint an investor’s attitude about risk, based on a series of questions. They can also better determine how an investor’s current portfolio matches up to a particular “risk score.”

And they can analyze and stress test the portfolio to show just how the client’s investments might do in a downturn similar to the ones that occurred in 2000 or 2008.

Identifying an investor’s current position and goals might make it easier to create a more effective plan for the future. This could involve identifying the proper mix of assets and realigning existing assets to relieve any pressure points in the portfolio.

💡 Recommended: SWOT Analysis, Explained: Definition and Examples

5. Requiring a Margin of Safety

“Buy low, sell high!” is a popular mantra in the financial industry, but actually making the concept work can be tricky. Who decides what’s high and what’s low?

Value investors may implement their own margin of safety by deciding that they’ll only purchase a stock if its prevailing market price is significantly below what they believe is its intrinsic value. For example, an investor who uses a 20% margin of safety would be drawn to a stock with an estimated intrinsic value of $100 a share but a price of $80 or less per share.

The greater the margin of safety, the higher the potential for solid returns and the lower the downside risk. Because risk is subjective, every investor’s margin of safety might be different — maybe 20%, 30%, or even 40%. It depends on what that person is comfortable with.

Determining intrinsic value can take some research. A stock’s price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is a good place to start. Investors can find that number by dividing a company’s share price by its net income, then compare the result to the P/E ratio posted by other companies in the same industry.

The lower the number is in comparison with the competition, the “cheaper” the stock is. The higher the number, the more “expensive” it is.

6. Establishing a Maximum Loss Plan

A maximum loss plan is a method investors can use to cautiously manage their asset allocation. It’s designed to keep investors from making bad decisions based on their anxiety about movements in the market.

It gives investors some control over “maximum drawdown,” a measurement of decline from an asset’s peak value to its lowest point over a period of time, and it can be used to evaluate portfolio risk.

This strategy calculates a personal maximum loss limit and uses that percentage to determine appropriate asset allocation, but that asset allocation won’t necessarily be a good fit for someone else. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan.

Here are the basic steps:

1.    Based on historic market numbers, the investor chooses an assumed probable maximum loss for equities in the stock market. For example, since 1926, there have been only three calendar years in which the S&P 500’s total return was worse than -30%. The worst year ever was 1931, at -44.20%. So the investor might choose 40% as a probable maximum loss number, or maybe 35% or 30%.

2.    Next, based on personal feelings about market losses, the investor chooses the maximum amount they are willing to lose in the coming year. Again, it’s up to the individual to determine this number. It could be 20% or 30%, or somewhere in between.

3.    Finally, the investor divides that personal portfolio maximum loss number by the assumed probable maximum loss number. (For example, .20 divided by .35 = .57 or 57%.)

In this example, the investor’s target equity asset allocation would be 57% when market valuations are average (or fair value).

The investor might raise or lower the numbers—and be more aggressive or conservative—depending on what’s happening in the market.

💡 Quick Tip: When you’re actively investing in stocks, it’s important to ask what types of fees you might have to pay. For example, brokers may charge a flat fee for trading stocks, or require some commission for every trade. Taking the time to manage investment costs can be beneficial over the long term.

The Best Offense Is a Great Defense

Risk management, and implementation of risk management strategies, is critical for most investors. All investments involve some level of risk, and instead of ignoring it, it can be helpful to gauge your individual risk tolerance, and choose risk management strategies that mesh with your tolerance.

Whatever strategy an investor chooses, risk management is critical to keeping hard-earned savings safer and losses to a minimum. Remember: As losses get larger, the return that’s necessary just to get back to where you were also increases. It takes an 11% gain to recover from a 10% loss. But it takes a 100% gain to recover from a 50% loss. That makes playing defense every bit as important as playing offense.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.


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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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2024 Debt Snowball Payoff Calculator Table with Examples

When you carry large amounts of debt across different credit cards and loans, it’s easy to feel snowed under. Making the minimum payment on each leaves you paying a lot in interest and doesn’t make it easy to eliminate all that debt.

One debt repayment strategy you might want to consider is the debt snowball. Many find it to be an effective method of paying off outstanding debt, and it may help you get back to healthy financial practices faster.

Let’s look at what a debt snowball strategy looks like, including how to use a debt snowball calculator.

Debt Terms Defined

Before we go into creating a debt reduction plan, let’s make sure you’re up to speed on certain debt terms.

Interest Rate: The interest rate is the percent of the amount you borrow that you pay to the lender in addition to the principal.

Annual Percentage Rate: This is the interest rate charged per year for purchases you make with a credit card, and may include other fees.

Minimum Payment: Loans and credit cards have a minimum amount you must pay each month on the balance, though you certainly can pay more.

Bankruptcy: If you’re unable to pay off your debts, filing bankruptcy may be a last-ditch solution to consider. Essentially, it reduces or eliminates your debts. Know that it will negatively impact your credit for many years. That’s why it’s worth it to come up with a plan for the ultimate debt payoff strategy.


💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.

What Is the Debt Snowball?

Just like an actual snowball, the debt snowball method starts out small. You first tackle the smallest debt balances you have. Once those are paid off, you apply what you were paying on those to the next smallest debts. You continue to pay at least the minimum due on all your debts.

However, by focusing your attention on one debt at a time, you then free up more money to make larger payments on other debts until it’s all gone. Your snowball of debt repayment, so to speak, grows over time.

Benefits of the Snowball Method

The snowball method is one of the fastest ways to pay off debt. And over time, this method will help you have fewer payments as you pay off credit cards and loans and put more money to the remaining debt.

Drawbacks of the Snowball Method

The smallest debts you have may not be the ones with the highest interest. So while you’re paying off the little loans, the debts with higher interest continue to accumulate interest, which adds to your debt.

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Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche

If you have larger loans with higher interest, the debt snowball method may not be your best option. You might also explore another popular way to pay off debt: debt payoff strategy, the debt avalanche method.

With the debt avalanche method, you start paying down the loans and credit cards with the highest interest first. By doing so, you reduce the amount of debt you have at those higher interest rates, which slows down the amount of interest that accumulates over time.

Just like with the snowball, you pay off one debt and then put the money you were paying on that debt toward the loan or card with the next highest interest rate until it’s all paid off.


💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

How Is Debt Snowball Payoff Calculated?

To use the debt snowball payoff method, you’ll need to gather information about all the debt you have. Let’s use the following example:

•   Personal loan 1 balance: $3,000

◦   12% interest

◦   Minimum payment: $100 per month

•   Credit card A balance: $2,000

◦   17% interest

◦   Minimum payment: $25 per month

•   Credit card B balance: $1,000

◦   22% interest

◦   Minimum payment: $30 per month

•   Personal loan 2 balance: $750

◦   8% interest

◦   Minimum payment: $20 per month

Even without a snowball debt payoff calculator, you can reorder these debts so that you focus on the one with the lowest balance first:

•   Personal loan 2: $750

•   Credit card B: $1,000

•   Credit card A: $2,000

•   Personal loan 1: $3,000

Now that you’ve ordered your debts from least to greatest, you can see how, once you pay off the $750 loan, that money can go toward the credit card with the $1,000 balance. Once that’s paid off, you put all that money toward paying off the $2,000 credit card balance, and then finally, to pay off the $3,000 loan.

Debt Snowball Payoff Examples

Let’s look at what the monthly payments for these reordered debts would look like, if you were able to set aside $400 a month toward paying them off.

# Payments Personal Loan 2 ($750) Credit Card B ($1,000) Credit Card A ($2,000) Personal Loan 1 ($3,000)
1 $245 $30 $25 $100
2 $245 $30 $25 $100
3 $245 $30 $25 $100
4 $25.19 $249.81 $25 $100
5 $275 $25 $100
6 $275 $25 $100
7 $300 $100
8 $300 $100
9 $300 $100
10 $300 $100
11 $300 $100
12 $300 $100
13 $300 $100
14 $260.72 $139.28
15 $400
16 $400
17 $400
18 $400
19 $400
20 $400
Total principal & interest $7,568 Total interest $829

As the chart shows, what might have taken you years to pay off can be paid off in under two years with the debt snowball method.

One way to keep your finances on track while you’re paying off debt is to create a budget. A money tracker app can help you come up with a spending and saving plan that works for you.

Is a Debt Snowball for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to debt payoff strategies. But to determine whether the debt snowball method is right for you, consider how many different debts you have as well as their interest rates. If your larger debts have higher interest rates, you might consider the avalanche method.

But if your interest rates vary, or the smaller debts have higher interest, you might benefit from paying off those lower amounts first before snowballing those payments into the larger debts.

The Takeaway

If you’re trying to pay off outstanding debt, you have options. The debt snowball method has been proven effective for many people. If nothing else, it’s a way for you to focus your attention on whittling down debt and minimizing how much you pay in interest.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

How long to pay off debt using snowball?

The amount of time it takes to pay off your debt with the snowball method will depend on how much debt you have and how much you can budget to pay it down. However, you may be able to pay off your debt faster with this method.

What is the best way to pay off debt using the snowball method?

The debt snowball method pays off your smallest balances first, then rolls those payments up toward the larger debts until they are all paid off.

What are the 3 biggest strategies for paying down debt?

To pay down or pay off debt, you can consider the debt snowball method (which pays off the smallest balances first), the debt avalanche method (which pays off the balances with the highest interest first), or debt consolidation (which provides a new loan with a single payment and single interest rate).


Photo credit: iStock/Abu Hanifah

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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