Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Finance Debt Relief Money Management International Review 2025: Accredited, Specialized Financial Counseling Updated Jun 24, 2025 6-min read Reviewed by Taylor Milam-Samuel Reviewed by Taylor Milam-Samuel Expertise: Student loans, credit cards, debt, budgeting Taylor Milam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator who is passionate about helping people take control of their finances and create a life they love. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching. Learn more about Taylor Milam-Samuel Debt Management Plans and Specialized Counseling Learn More Debt Relief Services Comprehensive advice from certified counselors Specialized financial counseling Strong customer reviews Clear and upfront fees 24/7 customer service Limited options for in-person support Min. required debtNo minimum Setup fee$33 – $75Monthly fee$25 – $59How much can you save?Reduce interest rates by 20% or more Money Management International (MMI) is a nonprofit credit counseling agency that focuses on debt management plans (DMP). The company’s known for its great customer service, low fees, and solid accreditation, making it one of the top choices if you’re dealing with debt you can’t afford. MMI also provides specialized counseling for bankruptcy, homebuying, disaster relief, and more—some of these services are totally free. The only downside? Brick-and-mortar locations are only available in 22 states. While you can access their services from anywhere in the country, it might be a dealbreaker if you prefer in-person meetings. Nonprofit credit counseling agencies are different from debt relief companies. Both are legitimate options for debt relief, but for-profit companies usually focus on debt settlement, which involves negotiating a lower amount of debt you pay to your creditors. Nonprofit companies, like MMI, typically enroll customers in low-cost debt management plans, which means you pay the same amount of debt but at a lower interest rate. Table of Contents How does Money Management International work? Debt management plan (DMP) Debt resolution plan Specialized counseling Is it right for me? Is it legit? Pros and cons Alternatives How does Money Management International work? As an accredited nonprofit credit counseling company, Money Management International offers some solid low- or no-cost financial services. The most popular of MMI’s services are the debt management plans (DMP). The agency also does free credit report reviews and provides specialized financial advice. You can reach out about a no-cost financial review anytime since representatives are available 24/7. The counselor will give you guidance on your next steps, whether you decide to work with MMI or not. Here’s what you can expect when working with MMI. Debt management plan (DMP) MMI works with your creditors to get a lower interest rate on your debt, sometimes by 20% or more. You still have to pay back what you owe, but the lower interest rate can make it more manageable and save you thousands. Expect to pay a one-time setup fee between $33 and $75, plus a monthly fee that can range from $25 to $59. The whole plan usually takes two to five years to complete. Debt resolution plan Debt resolution plans are similar to debt settlement options from for-profit companies. MMI talks to your lenders and tries to settle the debt for less than what you owe, often reducing it by up to 50% less. Instead of paying your creditor, you send payments to MMI, and the company pays off the debt on your behalf. If you’re not happy with how things are going, MMI offers a full refund at any time. The company charges a total fee of 15% of your total debt balance. The costs are upfront and usually cheaper than what you would find with most for-profit companies. Specialized counseling MMI also offers specialized financial counseling for different topics. Here’s a look at what the company offers and how much it costs. Credit counseling: Free Credit report review: Free Bankruptcy counseling: $50 Disaster recovery counseling: Free Homebuyer counseling: Up to $189 Reverse mortgage counseling: $199 Student loan counseling: Up to $189.95 Is Money Management International right for me? Money Management International is a one-stop shop for financial help, including debt relief. The company offers counseling for almost every kind of debt, including student loans. There’s no minimum debt requirement, and you can start with a free credit counseling session for a thorough budget review. MMI is an excellent choice if you’re struggling with debt or need affordable financial advice about your next steps. RequirementsMin. debtNo minimumEligible debtPrograms for every type of debtLocationsAvailable online nationwide; physical locations in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas Is Money Management International legit? MMI is a legitimate organization with accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). It’s also part of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and a longstanding member of the Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). These credentials, including a certification from the federal government, validate MMI’s services. You can also find thousands of positive Money Management International reviews online. Customers repeatedly mention that the services are helpful, affordable, and effective. SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviewsBetter Business Bureau4.87/5290Trustpilot4.6/51,839Google reviews4.9/5569 Collected on 6/10/2025 Money Management International pros and cons Pros Holistic advice from accredited counselors MMI looks at your entire financial situation and offers honest recommendations, even if the advice doesn’t lead to enrollment in a program. Specialized financial counseling MMI provides thorough financial advice on various topics, including bankruptcy and student loans. Plus, many of the programs are free. Strong customer reviews Money Management International reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with the company consistently earning close to 5 stars on every major platform. Transparent fees MMI lists the pricing for all its services directly on its website. It’s a noticable difference from the vague pricing of some for-profit debt relief companies. 24/7 customer service You can call MMI 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s a standout feature that makes the services more accessible, as you can call whenever works best. Cons Limited in-person availability MMI doesn’t have offices in every city or state, so you might not be able to meet with a counselor in-person. Alternatives to Money Management International Credit counseling is often a good first step for people struggling with debt. A free consultation with a certified counselor can provide a clear picture of your options—whether that means starting a DMP, pursuing debt settlement, or taking a different approach entirely. DMPs are typically best for people who want to repay what they owe but need help managing interest rates, payment schedules, or multiple creditors. Debt relief (settlement) services, on the other hand, may be appropriate when someone is already in or near default, has limited income or assets, and can’t qualify for other forms of assistance. These companies help negotiate down your total debt, but the process usually involves pausing payments, entering default, and saving into an escrow account—a path that damages credit but can ultimately offer a manageable resolution for overwhelmed borrowers. If you’re weighing your options, here are a few other credit counseling and debt relief providers to consider: Cambridge Credit Counseling This is a nonprofit credit counseling agency that provides debt management plans, budget counseling, and financial education. Like MMI, it’s certified and works primarily with unsecured debts. Cambridge may appeal to those looking for more hands-on support and transparent communication. American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) ACCC is a nonprofit agency that offers DMPs, budgeting help, and educational tools. ACCC is accessible nationwide and offers multilingual support, making it a practical alternative for households with diverse needs or preferences. National Debt Relief National Debt Relief is a for-profit debt settlement company that negotiates with creditors to reduce the amount owed. Clients stop making direct payments to creditors and instead save in a separate account. This option suits people with at least $7,500 in unsecured debt and no viable path to repay it in full. Pacific Debt Relief Another debt settlement provider that works with clients who are behind on payments. Pacific Debt Relief assigns a dedicated specialist to guide clients through the multi-year settlement process. Like others in the space, it charges a fee only after a settlement is reached and may not be suitable for those who can still manage regular payments. List of Personal Finance Companies Recap of our Money Management International Review Company What it offers What to know Learn More Debt management plans and comprehensive advice from certified counselors Limited in-person support Learn More