Debt Calculators - Understand Your Options

Our Debt Analysis System

What These Calculators Do

Our debt calculators are educational modeling tools that help you visualize different financial paths forward. They take your debt amount, interest rates, payment status, income, and expenses to create side-by-side comparisons of your current trajectory versus potential relief options.

Think of these calculators as financial "what-if" scenarios. They show you what could happen if you continue making minimum payments versus pursuing debt settlement or other relief strategies. The estimates are based on real industry data-”settlement percentages that creditors have historically accepted, typical program durations, and standard fee structures.

These tools are designed to help you explore options before making commitments, compare different debt resolution strategies, understand potential timelines and costs, and have informed conversations with financial professionals or family members.

How We Approach Debt Modeling

Our calculators use transparent, mathematically sound approaches to debt modeling. We don't hide our methodology or make our formulas mysterious-”we believe you deserve to understand exactly how your estimates are calculated.

For current-path calculations, we model standard amortization with compound interest, showing how long it takes to pay off debt making minimum payments. For relief-path calculations, we use settlement percentage lookup tables based on debt age, payment status, and debt type-”factors that influence how willing creditors are to negotiate. We include industry-standard fees (typically 20-25% of enrolled debt) in all cost estimates so you see the complete financial picture.

Every calculation is reviewed for mathematical accuracy by a Certified Public Accountant. This doesn't mean the CPA guarantees you'll achieve these results-”that depends on factors beyond any calculator's control. But it does mean the math is correct and the logic is sound.

What Calculators Cannot Do (Limitations)

It's critical to understand what debt calculators cannot do. They cannot predict whether your specific creditors will negotiate or settle. They cannot determine if you'll qualify for any particular relief program. They cannot account for sudden changes in your financial situation-”job loss, medical emergencies, or unexpected expenses.

Calculators model scenarios based on industry averages and mathematical formulas. Your individual results will vary based on creditor participation, your ability to maintain payments throughout a relief program, changes in your income or expenses, and many other factors unique to your situation.

These calculators provide modeled estimates, not financial advice. They cannot tell you what you should do or evaluate your complete financial picture. Think of them as educational tools that help you understand possibilities-”not as replacements for professional guidance from credit counselors, financial advisors, or attorneys.

Available Tools

Our Methodology

Data Sources

Our calculators are built on credible, authoritative data sources rather than assumptions or marketing claims. We rely on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) debt relief program reports spanning 2020-2024, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) settlement pattern data, and documented industry averages for settlement percentages by debt age and type.

For interest rate calculations, we use Federal Reserve consumer credit data and industry standard amortization formulas. For settlement company fees, we reference FTC-documented industry standards showing typical charges of 20-25% of enrolled debt. When we incorporate state-specific information, we reference applicable consumer protection statutes from each jurisdiction's legal code.

We update our data sources regularly to ensure calculations reflect current industry conditions. However, debt relief patterns can shift over time based on economic conditions, creditor policies, and regulatory changes. Our calculators provide estimates based on historical patterns-”not predictions about future creditor behavior.

Calculation Principles

Every calculator follows core principles designed to provide realistic, honest estimates. We use conservative assumptions rather than optimistic ones. For example, our settlement percentage lookup tables reflect what creditors have historically accepted on average-”not best-case scenarios. We include all relevant costs including settlement company fees, not just the settled debt amount.

Our calculations model scenarios, they don't make promises. We show ranges where appropriate (such as monthly savings estimates) to reflect variability in outcomes. We disclose our methodology openly rather than treating calculations as proprietary "black boxes." And we always frame results as estimates for educational purposes-”never as guarantees or predictions.

The variables we use-”debt amount, interest rates, payment status, debt age, employment status, income, expenses, and hardship factors-”are the same factors that influence real-world debt relief outcomes. We weight these variables based on their documented impact on settlement likelihood and program success rates.

Reviewer Oversight

Who This Is For

Intended Users

Our debt calculators are designed for people who want to explore debt relief options before making decisions. You might benefit from these tools if you're:

• Considering debt settlement but want to understand potential outcomes first
• Comparing different debt resolution strategies (settlement vs. minimum payments vs. consolidation)
• Wondering how long your current minimum payment approach will take
• Trying to explain debt scenarios to a spouse, family member, or financial advisor
• Researching whether the debt amount and monthly payments make sense for relief programs
• Looking for realistic estimates rather than marketing promises

These calculators work best for people with unsecured debt-”credit cards, personal loans, medical bills-”typically between $5,000 and $150,000. They're educational tools for exploration and understanding, not enrollment or commitment.

Who Should Seek Professional Advice Instead

While calculators are valuable educational tools, certain situations require professional guidance from the start. You should consult qualified professionals rather than relying solely on calculators if you're:

• Facing immediate legal action such as lawsuits, wage garnishment, or asset liens
• Considering bankruptcy as a potential option
• Dealing with tax debt, student loans, or other debt types with unique legal rules
• Unsure whether your debt is beyond the statute of limitations in your state
• Experiencing severe financial hardship with no stable income source
• Feeling overwhelmed and unable to evaluate options objectively
• Needing advice about credit score impact and recovery timelines

Nonprofit credit counseling agencies offer free initial consultations. Attorneys can assess legal risks and bankruptcy options. Certified Public Accountants can address tax implications of debt forgiveness. Use calculators to explore possibilities, but seek professional guidance for actual decisions about your financial future.

Frequently Asked Questions

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