I’m embarrassed to admit that for much of my financial coaching career, there was a secret about credit card and personal loan debt that I didn’t know. For years, I would tell clients, “Just keep making the minimum payments and work the debt snowball,” not realizing that for many of them, that was the most expensive thing they could do, and it was also what made lenders the most money.

Little did I know that there was a way to legally and ethically negotiate with these credit card and personal loan companies if you knew how. In fact, many of my students like Susan* have saved 10s of thousands of dollars off their debts while significantly lowering their monthly payments. 

After only a few months into this strategy, she’s already negotiated over $85 thousand dollars off her debt balances, not to mention the fact that there’s no more daily compounding interest on those debts. And as you can see, she’s gotten anywhere from 30% to up to 60% off with lenders like American Express, CITIBANK, Best Egg, and Capital One. 
Now when this was first presented to me, I was MAJORLY skeptical. It sounded too good to be true and I was extremely reluctant to recommend it to my clients. But the more I studied and met with high integrity, industry experts, the more I realized I was simply in the dark because this information isn’t common knowledge.

In fact, these lending companies are HOPING you never learn about what I’m about to share. They want to make you think you’re stuck with DAILY, compounding interest rates. (Yes, you heard me right, the interest usually compounds DAILY, unlike a mortgage or car loan, which is why some days you feel like no matter how much you pay, the debt barely moves).

They want to brainwash you into believing there’s nothing you can do about it except slowly chiseling away at it for years with no end in sight. They don’t want to get exposed for ripping off Americans with unnecessary, double-digit interest rates (which by the way, would have been CONDEMNED in the Bible - but more on that later).

But you’re about to learn some truth that will set you free. It’s the same truth that has helped our client Shari, who’s also a pastor, get her life back. As you can see, before working with our partner, she was throwing away $2,600 in interest alone every month. She was having to use credit cards to cover monthly expenses and was quickly running out of credit.

But because of the process I’m about to unpack, she’s been able to save $33,000 so far, and her program payment is $1,300/month less than what she was having to pay her creditors! She’s finally on a cash budget she can actually live on. She even has enough to cover out-of-the-blue expenses like a high deductible from a recent hail storm.
And it’s not just her that qualifies for these savings. In fact, if you have more than 10 thousand in credit card or personal loan debt, you too could qualify to possibly get your debt balances cut nearly in half just by fill out a short form and booking a call to speak with our preferred partner.

Listen, if you feel like debt has become a dark cloud over you that lever lifts, I get it. My wife and I started off our marriage in 10s of thousands in debt making $9 and $13 dollars an hour. We were young and naive, and figured it wouldn’t be too hard to make it disappear.

But after years of chipping away at it, the debt had barely budged. I remember feeling at times like a failure, hopeless and weighed down by those giant numbers on the statements, getting sick when I’d see how much I was wasting in interest alone.

Now, maybe you’ve considered consolidating your debt, taking a few small loans and turning them into one giant mess. Perhaps you’ve even thought about bankruptcy. Or, maybe you’ve been robbing Peter to pay Paul, doing balance transfers, refinancing, or taking money out of savings or retirement to wipe it out.

Regardless, please hear me out before you consider any of these options or pull the trigger a second time. I say that because, for so many people, I believe there’s a much smarter way to get rid of your credit card and personal loan debt.

But no matter what, I need you to PROMISE me, you’re going to make an effort to pay off this debt AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. Listen to what Solomon has to say about fleeing risky debt in Proverbs 6 (NLT):
Bottom line, if you’re in a position where, because of your debt, you’re putting yourself seriously in harm’s way, Solomon would tell you - do WHATEVER you can to ethically and intentionally get out!

I share this because of the following example. Let’s say you owe 20k in credit card debt. As you can see from the chart, if you have an average interest rate of 20% and you’re making the minimum payment, which is $400 at first, look at how much you’re putting toward interest each month and see how little is actually going toward the principle.

For instance, after 12 months of slaving away, your 20k balance hasn’t even dropped a thousand dollars! You will have paid nearly 5 thousand in interest.

Yes, in interest! Doesn’t that make you angry?! I’m furious just looking at this because it’s not right! This is modern day usury that should be outlawed. At this rate of payment, it will take you 31 years to have it paid off and you will have paid over $46,000 total in interest. 
Friend, there is a much better way! And in my opinion, one of the best ways to do that is to work with an expert that specializes in getting credit card and personal loan companies to lower balances like this. It’s what my client Mary did, and her very first loan in the program was reduced by over $15,000 dollars! That’s a 75% off discount!

When she messaged me this exciting news, here’s what she said she liked about working with our partner. “Honesty and no pressure. Answered all my questions! And my debt doesn’t keep growing with compounding interest on the settled debt.
Now, I used to be under the impression that if you owed the banks 20 thousand, you were stuck paying that amount plus tons more in fees and interest. But after being introduced to one of the top debt-relief experts in the country - who just so happens to work out after me at my local Christ-centered gym (can you say a God intervention?!) - he taught me that there are programs which can do all 4 of the following:
Lower the amount your paying monthly toward debt
Eventually eliminate daily compounding interest
Reduce the actual amount of money you owe by 30, 40, 50% - even sometimes higher. And...
Put you on track to typically pay off those debts in 2-4 years max
“How?” you ask. Well, bottom line, many credit card companies and personal loan providers have a specific situation under which they’re willing to negotiate debt relief, even if you owe tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars. It’s called financial hardship.

Creditors and collection agencies are willing to negotiate because they know that if you’re struggling financially, the likelihood of you paying back the full balance is low. For them, negotiating a reduced amount is better than getting nothing at all, especially if bankruptcy is your next step.

Creditors also negotiate because they may receive a tax write-off for forgiven debt and to avoid the costs of pursuing legal action or selling the debt to third-party collectors. 

Financial hardship doesn’t necessarily mean you’re destitute—it just means you’re in a position where you can no longer keep up with your payments in a sustainable way. This could be due to things like:
A loss of income or reduction in hours
Medical bills or unexpected expenses
Death in the family
Divorce or other major life changes
Simply having too much debt to manage with your current income
It’s not about proving that you're completely out of money but showing that your current financial situation makes it impossible to keep up with your debts as they stand.

When you fall into what the lenders label as a hardship, it puts them in a tricky position. A lot of people in this situation end up stopping payments to the lenders completely—sometimes they can’t even manage the minimum payment.

Sure, the credit card company could respond by hiking up your interest rate or tacking on late fees, but here’s the thing: they also become more willing to negotiate and settle for less than what you owe. That’s when you’re in a great position to work out a deal.

The problem is, most people don’t have the connections or experience to navigate these negotiations and actually secure a good deal. And even if you tried, it’s a tough process—it can take a long time, and creditors don’t tend to give individuals much of a break.

That’s why I always say negotiation is something most folks don’t have the time, energy, or specialized knowledge to handle. But here’s the good news: there are professionals who know exactly how to manage this process and help get the best possible results for you.

Imagine you owe $20,000 across a few credit cards. When you enroll in the program with our partner, you stop making your minimum monthly payments (if you haven’t already) and start contributing to a dedicated savings account instead.

Over the next few months, your credit score will go down, and you might get calls from your creditors trying to get you to pay. This can make some people feel nervous, but that’s why our partner’s team is here for you.

They’re available 6 days a week via phone, text, or email to answer your questions and make sure you feel supported throughout the process. Also, their client portal is available 24/7.

Now, let’s say after a few months, you’ve saved up a few thousand dollars in your account. That’s when our partner’s team gets to work.

They’ll contact your first creditor and start negotiations. By this point, the creditor hasn’t received any payments from you in months, so they’re often eager to settle for less than the full amount owed.

The team will work hard to secure the best possible deal, and once they’re confident it’s the lowest offer they can get, they’ll contact you by phone, email, and through the client portal to review the settlement.

For example, let’s say one of your debts is negotiated from $10,000 down to $6,000—a 40% reduction. Awesome, right?! Well, if you approve the settlement, you simply sign off, and that debt is on its way to being resolved.

And even if you don’t have the full $6,000 saved up right away, our partner’s team can often negotiate a payment plan with the creditor. The benefit of these plans is that they stop all new interest from accruing, so you’re only paying the agreed-upon amount—no more fees or extra charges.

At the same time, the team can work on settling your other debts, speeding up the process for you.

By the end of the program, you’ll have saved thousands of dollars—not just on the principal balance but also on all the interest, fees, and stress that would’ve added up over the years. Our partner’s team repeats this process for every debt you’ve enrolled in until all your accounts are settled.

And if you’re wondering if this really works, take a look again at another success story like our client, Dale. In fact, Dale recently got his first settlement deal where our partner helped him cut his balance in half! It gave him such immediate relief and hope. He’s now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our partner handles thousands of settlements each month, helping people save significant amounts of money. Imagine seeing your name on one of those settlement letters and realizing thousands of dollars of your debt has been wiped away.

And if you have personal loans, it’s not a problem—our partner’s team is just as experienced at negotiating those as they are with credit card companies. Best of all, you stay in complete control throughout the program. The money in your savings account is yours, and no settlement happens without your approval.

You can cancel the program anytime, risk-free. Plus, with the client portal, you can check your account status, settlement details, and progress 24/7, giving you peace of mind as you work toward financial freedom.

Most Common FAQs

“The Bible says we should pay back our debts. Is debt negotiation biblical?”
When it comes to paying back family members or someone truly in need, I totally agree that people should be paid back in full. But when it comes to working with some of these lending companies, it’s less of a moral issue and more of a simple numbers issue. The creditors that allow for debt negotiation do so for a reason. They know that in the end, they still come out on top. 

But what does the Bible actually say about this? Well, in the Old Testament, God’s people are told they ought to repay their debts (Psalm 37:21). But here’s what else was true: 

  • 1st of all, the Israelites weren’t allowed to charge each other interest. In fact, usury, which is what most banks today are practicing, is often criticized, particularly in its exploitative form:
    • Exodus 22:25 (NIV): "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest."
    • Leviticus 25:35-37 (NIV): "If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit."
    • Deuteronomy 23:19 (NIV): "Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest."

  • Second, the concept of debt forgiveness is present in the Bible as a means of restoring economic balance and relieving the poor. In fact, debt forgiveness/cancellation was a common practice for Israelites. In fact, there were laws that helped ensure lending didn’t become a tool for oppression.
    • The Year of Jubilee: Every 50 years, debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its original owners (Leviticus 25:8-55). This ensured that families could recover from financial hardships.
    • Sabbath Year (AKA the Year of Release): Every seven years, debts were canceled (Deuteronomy 15:1-2), providing regular relief for those in debt.

In today’s historical context, we live in a country where Christians are often being charged 20-30% or more on unsecured debts, which is an interest rate you wouldn’t have been paying back in the times of Moses. No wonder so many of God’s people struggle to get free!

And while it’s great to want to pay back these companies, a more important moral obligation is securing your family’s well being and financial future. Not only that, debt negotiation can allow you to save and give more to those who truly need it vs. these massive companies sitting on huge sums of money. What could you do with that money instead for the kingdom? I’m sure you’d put it to better use.
"I feel bad not paying back all of my debt. Isn’t that the right thing to do?"
Wanting to pay back what you owe is an admirable mindset, and it says a lot about your character. I completely understand where you’re coming from—many people feel a moral responsibility to repay every penny they owe.

But here’s the thing: by the time people enroll in debt negotiation, they’ve often already paid back the original amount they borrowed—and sometimes two or three times over—thanks to all the interest and fees.

It’s kind of like going to a restaurant, ordering a $15 burger, and then being charged $75 because they added fees for the plate, the napkin, and the air conditioning. At some point, it’s not about refusing to pay—it’s about saying enough is enough because you know you’re being taken advantage of.

Debt settlement isn’t about skipping out on your responsibilities; it’s about finding a fair middle ground. By the end of the program, many people will have paid back a significant chunk of their debt—often close to or even more than the original loan amount.

What you’re avoiding is the endless treadmill of interest that keeps you stuck paying forever. You’re still doing the right thing—you’re just doing it in a way that finally lets you move forward."
"What’s the cost to sign up?”
There is no cost to sign up and nothing due on day one.  There are no fees upfront to pay our partner. The only way they personally get paid is if they help you settle (more on that below).
"Will debt negotiation lower my credit score? If so, how long until it goes back up?"
First off, there's nothing wrong with wanting a great credit score. In fact, for many in the long run, debt negotiation is the first step to making that happen!

That said, by going through debt negotiation, your credit score will likely dip temporarily. But let's be real: unless you're about to need to finance a car, buy a house, or refinance, your credit score is the least of your problems right now.

Here's something crucial to understand: there's a big difference between your credit score and your creditworthiness. Your score is just a number, but your creditworthiness - your actual ability to get more credit - depends on factors like utilization, debt-to-income ratio, and the interest rates you qualify for.

You might have a decent score right now, but if your creditworthiness isn't good, there's a good chance your credit can't be used for anything anyway, making it essentially an unusable asset.

The good news is that settlements typically start happening within 3-6 months, and every time you settle an account, your score should actually tick up because that high utilization is no longer crushing your credit report. In fact, it's not uncommon for people to graduate from debt negotiation programs with higher credit scores than when they started.

You'd be surprised how much your credit can jump even in just a year, especially as your debt-to-income ratio improves with each settlement.

Bottom line, think of debt negotiation like cleaning out a messy garage: it might look worse before it gets better, but once everything's organized, you'll feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. Plus, being debt-free puts you in a much stronger position long-term. And unlike just paying minimums forever, you'll actually have a finish line to cross.

But before I move on, I have to rant for a second. Here's what really doesn't make sense to me: What's the use of a perfect credit score if you're drowning in debt and being ripped off by thousands, sometimes 10's of thousands of dollars?

Think about it. Now maybe your credit score is high right now. But if your credit score is already low, let's say in the 500s, then what difference does it make if it goes down even more? You’re probably not getting loan offers left and right anyway at the moment.

At the end of the day, the numbers you should be most concerned about are things like your total debt and repayment amount, amount of money in savings, and the amount of ungodly interest you're having to pay the creditors - NOT your credit score. 

That said, again, as long as you continue to be financially responsible after your settlements, your creditworthiness will organically recover. It doesn't happen overnight, but gradually your credit becomes usable again after completing the program.

Remember, this temporary dip in your credit score is just that - temporary. The financial freedom you gain can be permanent.

"But Jeremy,” you might ask, “I want to buy a house soon." Well, here’s the honest truth: When someone has a lot of debt, they also tend to have thinner-than-should-be savings.

And buying a house without 10's of thousands extra in the bank for emergencies is a MASSIVE financial risk. It's a curse, not a blessing.

As soon as the basement floods, the roof leaks, the HVAC goes out, or you lose a job or some key customers, you're like the people I talk to facing bankruptcy, foreclosure, or living in a house that's literally deteriorating before their eyes because they can't afford the repairs. It's catastrophic, and I NEVER want you to have to experience the fear I see in them.
"How long will it take to settle each debt and have the debts gone?"
Sometimes you’ll see settlements within weeks of getting started, but the average time to see first settlements is 3-6 months. Creditors don’t always agree to settle right away—they like to drag their feet and see if you’ll pay more.

It’s kind of like a staring contest, and our partner has gotten pretty good at not blinking. The process takes time because they want to negotiate the best possible deal for you.

You also need time to save up enough for our partner to help work out a deal. But don’t worry—while they’re doing the heavy lifting, you’re building up your settlement fund, so when creditors do come to the table, you’re ready to make a deal.

Most programs last a maximum of 2–4 years, depending on your situation. That might feel like a while, but think about how long you’ve been stuck in the debt cycle already.

This is your exit ramp! And hey, 2–4 years of focused effort beats paying minimums for the next 20 years, right? Also, if you put more toward it each month, you can speed things up even faster and pay off the debt sooner!
"What if I need credit during the program for emergencies?"
During the program, you won’t be able to use your enrolled credit cards, but you might be able to keep a card or two for emergencies—just make sure it’s not part of the settlement program. Even then, while our partner can leave them out of the settlement, a lender can still decide to close them. But lenders close accounts all the time anyway, even if someone isn’t in a debt negotiation program.

That said, since debt negotiation is all about freeing up your cash flow anyway, you’ll actually have more breathing room over time, so those emergencies won’t feel so overwhelming. That’s because as you start lowering the monthly amount going to debt and debts are being settled, you’ll have more money freed up in your budget to cover random emergencies. Learn to live off the cash you have, not the credit cards. 

Plus, credit cards aren’t as secure of a safety net as people think. You have no ultimate control whether or not the lenders decide to raise your interest rate or lower your credit line at a moment’s notice.

I’ve seen people log into their accounts and see $5,000 in available credit one day, and the next day, they log in to find the lender has dropped their line of credit by $5,000. Now they’re maxed out, getting hit with overage fees, and their credit takes a massive hit.

Logging into your account and seeing that happen is like a lion jumping out at you from behind a bush. Trust me, it’s not a fun feeling.

That said, I still get that it can feel troubling to cut off the credit card safety net, but let’s be honest—if credit cards got us into a jam in the first place, maybe it’s time they went on a little vacation, right? Debt negotiation is all about breaking the cycle and learning to live without relying on borrowed money.

Most people find that once they stop using credit cards, they actually become better at budgeting and managing their cash. It’s like taking a break from junk food—you might miss it at first, but eventually, you’ll feel healthier and more in control.

Besides, once you’re debt-free, you can rebuild your credit and use cards again - responsibly this time, with the right habits in place.
"Will I ever be able to get credit cards again if I do this?"
Absolutely! Debt settlement isn’t a life sentence—again, it’s more like a financial reset button. Once you’re debt-free and have a chance to rebuild your credit, you’ll be able to get credit cards again.

And this time, you’ll be in control because you’ll have learned how to manage debt wisely. Think of it like a breakup: you and credit cards need some time apart to work on yourselves, but once you’re back together, it’ll be a healthier relationship.
“Will the monthly payments be manageable?”
Our partner will do a thorough budget with you to make sure you can find a payment that is manageable. They’ll ensure it fits your budget while still keeping you on track to ideally be out of debt in 2-4 years max. 

If they review your budget and it is not a great fit, they will advise you of this and work to find another solution if they can. The good news is most of their clients end up paying substantially less a month than what their high interest minimums are.

At the end of the day, the best payment to get out of debt is the highest one you can afford. This will give you the shortest program. But your specialist will take time to make sure whatever number they recommend does fit in your budget and lifestyle.
“Why not just do a consolidation loan?”
A consolidation can seem like a good option, but it’s not always the magic fix it seems to be. For one, it doesn’t reduce what you owe. You still owe the exact same amount and you’re still paying interest. It just shifts the debt around, like moving furniture in a burning house.

Plus, if your credit score has already taken a big hit, qualifying for a low-interest consolidation loan usually isn’t an option. And let’s not forget, you could end up paying even more in total interest over time if the loan stretches the payments out over several years.
"Do I have to live in a certain state to qualify?"
At the moment, these are the only states that our partner doesn’t service: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia.
*Disclaimer: The showcased savings on settlements are not guaranteed. Your specific savings depend on your individual financial situation, credit history, and other contributing factors. The examples of settlement savings provided above are illustrative and based on diverse client circumstances. Testimonials are actual customer experiences and individual opinions and may not be illustrative of all experiences with the company or its affiliates. It's crucial to understand that outcomes may differ for each client, and no specific results can be guaranteed. Any decisions or actions taken based on the provided information should be made after careful consideration of your personal financial circumstances and consultation with relevant financial professionals.

Jeremy Krulikowski Coaching, LLC is not a law firm, nor is it a substitute for an attorney or law firm. We do not provide legal advice, nor do we practice law. This document only contains legal information, not legal advice. We provide no guarantees regarding case outcomes, nor are we liable for any case outcomes. Please contact a tax professional to discuss the tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.
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