On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Money Management International vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Money Management International legitimacy and licensing
- MMI cost
- How MMI's debt management plan works
- MMI complaints and how to avoid problems
- The rules that protect you
- Who should consider other options
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Money Management International (MMI) is a good fit if you can afford to repay your credit card debt in full once interest rates come down: its debt management plan rolls your cards into one payment, with fees that average $38 to start and $35 a month and vary by state. It is a legitimate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, an NFCC member accredited by the Council on Accreditation, with an A+ BBB rating it has held as an accredited business since 1994. It isn't debt settlement, so it won't cut what you owe, and it usually means closing the enrolled cards. Start with the free counseling session and get your plan's exact fee and creditor terms in writing.
Your options
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Money Management International This review People with steady income and credit card debt they could repay in about five years if their interest rates were lower.
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Americor This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative People with $7,500 or more in unsecured debt who cannot keep up with minimum payments and have ruled out credit counseling.
- What it is
- Nonprofit credit counseling: debt management plans, budget and credit counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling1
- Status
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Stafford, Texas; NFCC and FCAA member; accredited by the Council on Accreditation; HUD-approved housing counselor2
- DMP fees
- Average $38 setup fee and $35 monthly fee; varies by state and debt amount1
- Plan length
- Most plans are designed to finish in five years or less1
- Bankruptcy courses
- $50 per counseling or education session; waived at or below 150% of the poverty threshold3
- BBB
- A+, accredited since July 21, 1994; 16 complaints in the last 3 years4
- CFPB complaints
- 20 in the last 3 years; 19 closed with explanation, 1 with monetary relief5
- Size
- $33.8 million revenue and $44.4 million expenses in tax year 2023 (IRS Form 990)7
Pros
- Nonprofit with NFCC membership, COA accreditation and HUD approval
- Free, no-obligation counseling session
- Low average fees: $38 setup and $35 a month
- A+ BBB rating, accredited since 1994, and 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot
- Also offers housing and bankruptcy counseling
Cons
- You repay the full balance; no principal reduction
- Enrolled cards are usually closed, which can dip your score at first
- No free debt management plans; fees vary by state
- Creditors decide whether to cut rates, so results vary
- Some reviewers report suspended plans and trouble reaching staff
Best for: People with steady income and credit card debt they could repay in about five years if their interest rates were lower.
Skip it if: You can't afford to repay your balances even at lower rates, or your debts are mostly secured loans like a car or mortgage.
Money Management International vs. competitors
| Company | Type | Fees | Program length | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Management International | Nonprofit debt management plan | Average $38 setup and $35 a month, varies by state | 5 years or less | A+, accredited since 1994 | Visit site |
| InCharge Debt Solutions | Nonprofit debt management plan | Average $52 setup and $34 a month, varies by state | 24 to 48 months | A+, accredited since 2002 | Read review |
| Cambridge Credit Counseling | Nonprofit debt management plan | Set within state caps by ability to pay; not published | 38 months average, per Cambridge | A+, accredited since 1998 | Visit site |
| National Debt Relief | For-profit debt settlement | Up to 25% of enrolled debt | 24 to 48 months | A+, accredited since 2013 | Visit site |
Debt relief companies we reviewed
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Money Management International This review BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with steady income and credit card debt they could repay in about five years if their interest rates were lower. -
Americor This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with $7,500 or more in unsecured debt who cannot keep up with minimum payments and have ruled out credit counseling. -
Debt Relief Advocates This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with large unsecured debts they can no longer pay who have already ruled out credit counseling and want a quote from a smaller settlement firm. -
Freedom Debt Relief This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with large unsecured balances they can't pay in full, who can make steady monthly deposits for 2 to 4 years and accept the credit damage. -
National Debt Relief This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with large unsecured balances who are already behind, cannot qualify for a lower rate, and can afford a steady monthly deposit for two to four years. -
Cambridge Credit Counseling This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with steady income and credit card debt at high rates who could repay in three to five years if interest were lower. -
Credit Associates BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with $10,000 or more in credit card or medical debt they cannot repay, who are already behind and can stick with monthly deposits for two to four years. -
InCharge Debt Solutions BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with steady income and credit card debt they can repay in full in 2 to 4 years if the interest rates come down.
Money Management International pricing at a glance
What MMI charges, as listed October 20261
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Credit and budget counseling session | Free |
| Debt management plan setup fee | Average $38; varies by state |
| Debt management plan monthly fee | Average $35; varies by state and debt amount |
| Bankruptcy counseling (pre-filing) | $50 per session, individual or joint |
| Bankruptcy education (pre-discharge) | $50 per session, individual or joint |
| Fee waivers | Bankruptcy fees waived at or below 150% of the poverty threshold |
MMI says there are no free debt management plans. State laws cap DMP fees, so your exact fee depends on where you live; get it in writing before you enroll.
Money Management International, step by step
Free counseling session
Talk to a counselor by phone or start online. They review your income, expenses and debts at no cost and with no obligation.
Plan proposal
If a DMP fits, MMI proposes reduced interest rates and one monthly payment to your creditors. It only contacts creditors once you decide to start.
Enroll and pay monthly
You pay MMI one amount each month, plus its fee, and MMI pays each creditor. Enrolled cards are usually closed, though you can keep one card open.
Creditors accept
Creditors may lower rates and waive some fees, and delinquent accounts can be brought current after a number of on-time payments.
Finish the plan
Most plans finish in five years or less. MMI says completing clients see an average 82-point credit score gain, though results vary.
Money Management International legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Money Management International, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Stafford, Texas, formed from mergers of more than 30 regional and national agencies, the oldest dating to 1958. Most recently, Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. of Topeka, Kansas merged into MMI on January 1, 2026. Its tax filings show $33.8 million in revenue in 2023.
MMI is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and the Financial Counseling Association of America, is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, is approved by HUD for housing counseling, and is approved by the U.S. Trustee Program to issue bankruptcy counseling and education certificates.
Its track record is solid. The BBB rates MMI A+ and it has been accredited since July 1994, with 16 complaints in three years. Trustpilot shows 4.2 out of 5 from 1,895 reviews. The CFPB database lists 20 complaints in three years, 19 closed with an explanation and one with monetary relief.
MMI cost
Counseling is free. If you enroll in a Debt management plan (DMP). A repayment plan set up by a credit counseling agency that consolidates payments and often lowers interest, while you repay the full balance. Compare debt relief companies, MMI charges a setup fee and a monthly fee. It says clients pay an average $38 to set up and $35 a month, and that fees depend on your state and how much debt you’re repaying. State laws cap these fees, which is why they differ.
Bankruptcy counseling and the debtor education course cost $50 each, whether you file alone or jointly, and MMI waives the fee if your household income is at or below 150% of the poverty threshold.
Weigh the fees against the interest you’d save. On a plan that runs 48 months at $35 a month, fees would total about $1,680 plus setup, so the plan pays off only if creditors cut your rates enough to save more than that.
How MMI's debt management plan works
A debt management plan isn’t a loan. After a free review of your budget, MMI asks your creditors to lower interest rates and accept one combined payment. You send MMI one monthly deposit and it pays each creditor. Most plans are designed to finish in five years or less, some in as little as 24 months.
You don’t need good credit to qualify. Enrolled card accounts are usually closed, but MMI says you can keep one credit card open. Your score may dip at first as accounts close. A DMP isn’t listed as a creditor on your credit report, though enrolled accounts may be noted as paid through a plan. MMI says clients who complete a plan see an average 82-point score improvement, with no guarantee.
DMPs work for unsecured debt like credit cards. They don’t cover car loans or mortgages, though MMI’s housing counselors can help with mortgage trouble.
What customers say about Money Management International
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Helpful, non-judgmental counselors
- One monthly payment that's easier to manage
- Lower credit card interest rates
- Clear communication through the plan
Common complaints
- Plans suspended or service stopped without a clear reason
- Hard to reach staff or get straight answers
- Payments or creditor contact not handled as expected
- Sessions that pointed people to online tools instead of a plan
MMI complaints and how to avoid problems
The most common CFPB complaint about MMI is that it didn’t provide services promised, followed by customer service problems and confusing marketing or disclosures. Trustpilot complaints describe plans suspended without a clear reason, trouble reaching staff, and payments or creditor contact not handled as expected.
To protect yourself:
- Get the setup fee, monthly fee and each creditor’s new rate in writing before your first payment.
- Keep paying creditors directly until MMI confirms each one has accepted the plan, so you don’t fall further behind.
- Check your creditor statements every month to make sure payments arrive on time.
- Ask what happens if you miss a payment, since creditors can drop concessions.
The rules that protect you
Credit counselors are licensed or registered by states, and states cap what they can charge for debt management. MMI publishes a licenses and disclosures page listing its state licenses. Be wary of any company that charges a large fee before doing anything or promises to erase your debt; nonprofit DMPs charge modest fees and you repay in full.
If you have a problem with MMI, you can file with the CFPB, your state attorney general or regulator, or the BBB. Before filing for bankruptcy, use a counselor approved by the U.S. Trustee Program; MMI is on that list.
Who should consider other options
- You can’t afford the full balance. A DMP repays 100% of what you owe. If even reduced payments are out of reach, talk to a bankruptcy attorney or consider settlement with care.
- You need your cards open. Enrolled cards are usually closed.
- You qualify for a low-rate consolidation loan. A loan at a lower rate than your cards can work without a monthly fee, if you don’t run the cards back up.
Alternatives to Money Management International
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InCharge Debt Solutions
Another large nonprofit with published average fees; a second free session lets you compare creditor terms.
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A nonprofit that sets fees by ability to pay and reports a 38-month average plan.
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Call your card issuers yourself
Free: many issuers offer hardship programs with lower rates or paused fees if you ask directly.
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Only if you can't repay in full; settlement can cut balances but costs up to 25% of enrolled debt and hurts your credit more.
Next steps
Money Management International reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Money Management International a nonprofit?
Yes. MMI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Stafford, Texas, and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
How much does an MMI debt management plan cost?
MMI says clients pay an average $38 setup fee and $35 a month. Fees vary by state and debt amount, and counseling to see if you qualify is free.
Does MMI hurt your credit?
Your score may dip at first as enrolled cards are closed. MMI says the plan isn't listed as a creditor on your report, and clients who finish see an average 82-point gain, with no guarantee.
Can I keep a credit card on an MMI plan?
MMI says you can keep one credit card account open during a debt management plan. The cards you enroll are usually closed.
How long does an MMI debt management plan take?
Most plans are designed to finish in five years or less, and some in as little as 24 months.
Is MMI the same as debt settlement?
No. MMI's plan repays your full balance at lower interest. Debt settlement tries to pay less than you owe, charges a share of enrolled debt and damages your credit more.
What is MMI's BBB rating?
A+. It has been a BBB-accredited business since July 21, 1994, with 16 complaints in the last three years.
Does MMI offer bankruptcy counseling?
Yes. It's approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. Each counseling or education session costs $50, waived for households at or below 150% of the poverty threshold.
Does MMI help with mortgages?
A DMP doesn't cover mortgages, but MMI is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and can help with foreclosure prevention and homebuying questions.
How do I contact Money Management International?
General information is 866-889-9347 and customer service is 888-845-5669. You can also start a free counseling session online.
Sources (10)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Money Management International: Debt management plans (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Money Management International: About and accreditations (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Money Management International: Bankruptcy counseling (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Money Management International Inc business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- CFPB: Consumer complaint database, Money Management International, Inc. (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Money Management International reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Money Management International Inc (Form 990) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Money Management International: HCCI is now MMI (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Money Management International: Licenses and disclosures (effective May 27, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Money Management International: Merged agencies (accessed October 13, 2026)
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