Ask a credit expert -- for free, right now

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

Here's a place to find some answers. The Ask a Credit Counselor message board is a new, free service provided by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and MSN Money. It's a way for you to connect to a professional counselor for a personal answer on your credit and debt questions.

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time on most weekdays, professional counselors at nonprofit consumer credit counseling agencies across the country will field questions about debt and personal finances on the message board. These trained advisers can provide brief answers to your questions and guide you to resources for additional help.

On the Ask a Credit Counselor message board, you can expect a response to your question by the next business day. If you need a faster response, call the NFCC's phone line at 1-866-481-6322 (1-866-481-NFCC). On any business day, you can use the toll-free number to get connected to a trustworthy nonprofit counseling agency near you. (The message board and phone lines are closed on federal holidays.)

Even if you choose to phone for help, be sure to check out the Ask a Credit Counselor message board for an interesting array of questions and answers about credit cards and credit card debt, budgeting, repayment plans, debt management and credit scores.

Counselors on the message board can't provide in-depth analysis of your financial situation. But they can get you started with some basic answers. For in-depth help, they will refer you to credit-counseling resources in your own community.

NFCC: The national experts in nonprofit credit counseling

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest and largest association of nonprofit community-based credit counseling agencies in the country. It has 113 member agencies with more than 900 locations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Membership requirements include adherence to strict quality standards along with required accreditation by the Council on Accreditation. NFCC counselors are certified credit counselors, and pass a stringent re-certification every two years.

If you decide to pursue credit counseling through an NFCC Member Agency, the counselor’s goal is to provide you with financial education and help you meet your financial objectives. They'll review your income, living expenses and debt obligations, and help you become debt free in the manner best suited to your situation. If appropriate, they can negotiate with your creditors and set up payment plans.

Because just about everything in life has financial repercussions, counselors also offer advice on the financial aspects of spousal abuse, divorce and child custody, job loss, homelessness, imminent foreclosure, single parenting, identity theft, loss of a partner, gambling and alcoholism. When appropriate, referrals can be made to local government and nonprofit agencies for more help.

Phoning for further credit counseling help

Here's what to expect when you telephone the NFCC for a credit-counseling referral:

• 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. 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 your counseling session:

• Recent paycheck stubs.

• Recent bills, including credit card and store account 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 and utilities.

"Consumers can expect to find a trained and caring counselor, ready to assist them in meeting their financial objectives," said Gail Cunningham, senior director of public relations for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.