Being Arizona residents we know better than most  how our utility bills go up, as the heat goes up. Summer time in the desert means hot dry air, and little rain.

These are 5 things I have done this year to help save money and so far, its working!

• Unplug electronic devices and chargers. Modern devices use electricity even when turned off. An easy alternative is to plug as many devices as possible into a surge protector, which is easy to turn off when you leave for the day.
• Fill up your refrigerator. More food in the fridge keeps the air inside cool when its opened.
• Cook in the microwave or outside. Microwaves use less energy than most stoves and using the grill will keep the inside temperature from warming up.
• Replace your air conditioner filters. Dirty filters force the unit to work harder because the airflow is restricted.
• Cover your water heater in an insulated blanket. Older models loose heat forcing the unit to work in overdrive. Water heater insulation can be found at most home improvement stores.

Trust is the foundation to all relationships. We will help you get out of debt, but these are just words without trust. In order to trust us, it may help to know our story.

DSUSA has been in business since 2003. Many of our competitors have been in business for less than 1 year! The difference between Debt Settlement USA and other companies is that we can do what we say we can do! We have helped thousands of families to become debt free and we have settled more than $170 million in debt. It is possible and you can do it!

During the month of July, which is barely half way over, we have already settled more than 350 debts! Think for a moment about each debt you have outstanding; wouldn't it be wonderful to have had one of your debts paid off and closed this month? The sooner you join the program the sooner you're done with the worry and the fear that being in debt can have on your everyday life.

If you're thinking about enrolling in the DSUSA Program, you cannot afford to delay. Deals are being negotiated and debts are being settled, - why not make one of those debts yours? If you're still not sure, call one of our program consultants today and ask for the details which will move you one step further to being debt free! We will prove to you it can be done!

When people first learn that I work for a debt settlement company, I always get the same question, "Can I really pay only a percentage of my debt and be done with it"?

The answer is, YES!

But, the answer is not always that simple. If you have read any of my previous blog posts, you know I am an advocate for informed consumers.

In light of the current economic situation, the credit and debt industry is exploding. There is no federal regulation on the debt settlement industry, so basically any one can put an ad on T.V., charge a fee and make a lot of false promises. If your considering this option, be very careful, you have to be a very smart consumer.

There are programs that are successful but keep this in mind, it is not always as easy as the commercials claim. Think of it this way, you watch a diet commercial where the model lost 70+ pounds and claims, "If I can do it, anyone can do it." As consumers we are sold on quick fixes, but if it sounds too good to be true, think it through. As anyone knows who has ever tried to lose a significant amount of weight, there is not quick fix.  And just like with weight loss, there is no quick fix with debt elimination.

Negotiating to eliminate debt is a skill that is learned over years of experience working in the credit and debt industry. Getting in debt didn't happen over night, getting out of debt won't either.

The question is, can you or should you do it alone?