You may want to consider a reputable, nonprofit credit counselor. Who you turn to matters. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Go to NFCC’s website OR Call 1 (800) 388-2227 to connect with a certified financial counselor. Beware of debt settlement companies, especially those that tell you to stop paying your bills for several months. The companies then try to use it as leverage to settle for less. That could ultimately have an impact on your credit score, since there is no guarantee it will work. Working with a credit counselor may be better for those who are adding onto existing debt, experts advise. Those who are dealing with new debt because of COVID-19 crisis may be better of advocating on their own behalf. In these trying times it may just be a fact of life that you are accumulating debt. Coming up with a plan can help you weather the crisis. Once the pandemic passes and the economy starts to improve, re-inventory your outstanding debt. Devise a plan to start chipping away at it.
Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is the Pastor of Andrew Chapel, United Methodist Church on the Northern Neck in Montross, VA. Rev. Dr. Taylor promotes best practices for financial literacy and financial empowerment in the church and leads workshops throughout Northern Virginia. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the District Finance Committee. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to Dr. David Taylor, who is also the Director of our church-based free clinic. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. In her leisure time, Rev. Dr. Taylor enjoys traveling, jogging, weightlifting, swimming, yoga, and interior decorating. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Taylor was born and raised in New York City and recently discovered her ancestral roots in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to David Taylor and they have a son and a daughter. Their daughter is a educator and son is an Active-Duty Senior Seaman in the Navy married with three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, swimming, writing poetry, crocheting and spending time with her family.