For most, talking about money and finances is less than desirable. But since the majority of Americans are currently in debt, it's important to deal with what's going on in our wallets rather than neglecting it altogether. Those in debt know how difficult it can be to manage and make your way back to stability. There are options such as financial counselors, debt consolidation programs, or even bankruptcy that can help. Unfortunately, many of these options do more harm than good, and can leave you even more in debt than when you started. That's why Pacific Debt created a simple debt relief program that has been helping people get out of debt without any upfront fees.

Pacific Debt negotiates on your behalf to reduce the amount you owe to creditors. The company uses skilled negotiators to provide a lower monthly payment rate for your credit card, medical, or other personal debts. Best of all, the program doesn't charge a cent before they have actually lowered your are debt.

It's important to stay on top of your finances and learn the best ways to avoid debt even before it begins. The tips ahead will point you (and your bank account) in the right direction.

1. Plan ahead

If at all possible, having a plan set in motion is key. This means creating a list of goals, plans, or expectations about your finances at the beginning of the year or whenever makes sense for you. For some, this might mean selling assets; for others, it could simply mean creating an expense budget week-to-week.

2. Set realistic timelines.

Unfortunately, debt can't be fixed overnight. Make sure to set a time-oriented goal for paying off loans. Pacific Debt does this by creating a plan to have you debt-free in as little as 2-4 years, rather than 10-20 years of interest payments.

3. Don't spend more.

Some harsh advice: Don't make your debt worse by continually spending more. Pacific Debt, unlike other services, won't put you deeper in debt with added fees or payments. Instead, their fee is based on the original debt owed, and you won't have to pay a cent until the debt is approved and you approve the terms.

4. Rethink consolidation.

Though consolidation is a common solution for debt, it may not be right for everyone. Debt consolidation takes multiple sources of debt and combines them into one loan amount. For some, consolidation results in more interest rates or simply not qualifying due to credit issues. Instead, Pacific Debt takes away those added stressors and negotiates directly with your creditors.

5. Find an accountability buddy.

Chances are, someone you know is going through similar financial difficulties. One way to stay out of debt is to have an accountability coach or friend who will keep your spending and payments in check. Pacific Debt provides all customers with a Personal Account Manager who handles the day-to-day on your account and checks in every few weeks to keep both parties informed on the situation. They make you feel like a human being instead of a number on a spreadsheet

Taking care of your debt can be overwhelming and stressful, which is why no one should go through it alone. Everyone can make small changes to their finances each day, especially with Pacific Debt's resources.

Pacific Debt helps thousands of people get out of debt, and they can help you too. The first step in the debt settlement process is to have a free phone consultation. Give them a call at (888) 585-9219 or fill out a quick questionnaire to see how they can help you.

*Clients who make all their monthly program deposits pay approximately 50-55% of their enrolled balance before fees, or 65% to 85% including fees, over 24 to 48 months (some programs lengths can go higher). Not all clients are able to complete the program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. The estimates are based on prior results, which will vary depending on your specific circumstances. Pacific Debt does not guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific period of time. Pacific Debt does not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Pacific Debt service is not available in all states and our fees may vary from state to state. Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. The use of debt settlement services will likely adversely affect your creditworthiness, may result in you being subject to collections or being sued by creditors or collectors and may increase the outstanding balances of your enrolled accounts due to the accrual of fees and interest. However, negotiated settlements Pacific Debt obtains on your behalf resolve the entire account, including all accrued fees and interest. C.P.D. Reg. No. T.S. 12-03825.