Talk to a credit expert -- for free, right now

By Marilyn Lewis

Worried about getting in debt over your head? Scared you can't make your mortgage payment? Confused about your credit report?

Tuesday, Sept. 12, is the day for you. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and MSN Money are marking National Get Out of Debt Day by answering all your credit-related questions, either by telephone or online.

On Tuesday, during business hours, counselors at nonprofit consumer credit counseling agencies across the country will be ready for your questions about debt and personal finances at 866-481-6322 (866-481-NFCC). Counselors will listen to your questions and problems, and they'll either provide personal answers on the spot or make arrangements to help you further, by phone or in person.

Also on Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern), professional credit counselors will be fielding questions on the MSN Money Your Money message board. (You're likely to get a quicker response by telephone than by message board, but the message boards make informative reading. Maybe somebody's already answered your question. You'll find questions about credit cards and credit-card debt here; questions about how credit counseling programs work here; questions about debt management here; and questions about credit scores and how they work here.)

Though Tuesday is a high-profile effort to reach consumers, in truth these agencies are always ready to help. On any business day, you can use the toll-free number above anywhere in the country to get connected to a trustworthy, nonprofit credit-counseling agency near you.

What's the catch?

The NFCC is the oldest and largest association of nonprofit community-based credit counseling agencies in the country. It has 115 member agencies and some 1,000 locations in the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each agency has to meet strict member standards, and be accredited by the Council on Accreditation. NFCC counselors pass a stringent certification every two years.

(Read what MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston has to say about NFCC counselors in her guide to finding sound credit counseling and debt advice.)

The counselors' goal is to help you avoid bankruptcy and stay solvent. They'll help you compare your expenses with national averages and figure out the least expensive way to pay your debts. If appropriate, they can negotiate with your creditors and set up payment plans.

Since just about everything in life has financial repercussions, they can help with problems like spousal abuse, divorce and child custody, job loss, homelessness, imminent foreclosure, single parenting, identity theft, loss of a partner, gambling and alcoholism, and they can refer you to local government and nonprofit agencies for more help. If bankruptcy is unavoidable, they can give you a list of local, reputable attorneys.

Counselors are standing by

Here's what to expect when you call:

• Your call will be connected to an NFCC member agency in or near your town.

• You may reach a customer-service agent or someone else who will ask you to explain, briefly, what you need help with. Then you'll be transferred to a certified credit counselor. If you'd rather just make an appointment to come in person, you can do that.

• There's no charge for the help you get on the phone Tuesday. If your issue requires follow-up help, say, in negotiating with creditors, you may be charged a modest amount. If you can't afford it, you won't have to pay.

• If the question is about having too little money to pay your debts, expect your counselor to ask about your expenses and income to get a picture of your situation. You'll be asked how much you spend for things such as rent or mortgage, groceries and utilities.

It is not necessary to have paperwork or bills with you before you call. But, if you want to get your ducks in a row, here's what to gather before you make the call:

• Recent paycheck stubs.

• Recent bills, including credit-card and store-card statements.

• Bills from other debt obligations, including car payments and secured loans.

• Any other information about your expenses, including an estimate of what you pay monthly for food, child care, medical expenses, transportation, utilities.

In short, says Gail Cunningham of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, counselors will say, "'Tell me what's your greatest concern.' We will hook them up and the ball will start rolling. They will be helped."