Money Management International Review July 2026
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Best for: People with credit card and other unsecured debt who can afford full repayment at reduced interest and want a structured plan from a nonprofit agency.
Money Management International traces its roots to 1958 and took its current name in 2003. It is a nonprofit headquartered in Stafford, Texas. MMI reports reaching more than 151,000 individuals and families a year, servicing over 56,000 active debt management plans, and helping clients repay nearly $212 million in debt.
| Type of Debt Settled | Unsecured debts. All should be included on the plan, with occasional exceptions. |
|---|---|
| Program Length | Designed for 5 years or less. Completed plans average about 4 years. |
| Customer Service Hours | Phone counseling 24/7. In-person by appointment, generally Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Coverage | Nationwide by phone and online. In-person at select locations. |
| Accreditation | BBB A+, BBB Accredited since 1994. NFCC member. COA accredited. FCAA member |
Key features- Rate reductions: In 2024, MMI clients saw average interest rates drop from over 28% to roughly 7%.
- Low average fees: Costs average $26 monthly, with income-based waivers available for those who qualify.
- Accessible: You can access counseling via phone anytime, or use online, chat, or in-person options.
- Strong customer reputation: MMI maintains high satisfaction ratings, including 4.8 out of 5 on the BBB and 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
- Limited in-person access: Face-to-face assistance is restricted to select branch locations; most clients rely on remote support.
Money Management International DMP overview
You're covering minimums on several cards and the balances aren't moving. A debt management plan (DMP) rolls those payments into one at reduced interest rates. A nonprofit counselor handles the creditor outreach, and you repay 100% of what you owe.
Money Management International's DMP is its primary service. The process starts with a free counseling session covering your debts, expenses, and income. If a plan fits, you make one monthly payment to MMI, and MMI disburses it to each creditor.
DMPs are administered largely, but not exclusively, by nonprofit credit counseling agencies. Check out our debt relief programs guide to compare alternatives, including credit counseling agencies and settlement programs.
Money Management International top features
Here's what stands out in MMI's plan.
Interest-rate perks. In 2024, clients on MMI plans saw their average interest rates drop significantly, from 28.04% down to 6.64%, according to company data. These figures are averages. Your creditors set their own concessions, and your results could differ.
Low average fees. Set-up averages $37 and tops out at $75. The monthly fee averages $26, with a $69 ceiling. Fees vary by state because state law caps them. Michigan, for example, caps the initial fee at $50. If your income is at or below federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible for a fee waiver.
Where Money Management International can improve
In-person help is limited to select branch offices, so most clients work by phone or online.
Important considerations about debt management plans
A few things hold true of any debt management plan, whichever agency runs it. Weigh these before you enroll with MMI or anyone else.
Most credit accounts close on a DMP. You generally close or stop using the credit cards on the plan, and your score may dip temporarily as a result. Sometimes one card can stay open for emergencies, though creditors can later ask that it close.
Only unsecured debt is eligible. DMPs cover unsecured debt only. Roughly 96% of settled or counseled accounts are credit cards, per CFPB data from 2007 to 2019. Secured debts, such as auto loans and mortgages, stay outside the plan.
Concessions come from your creditors. The agency proposes reduced rates, and each of your creditors decides what to grant. Negotiated rates typically land around 7% to 10%, and they're interest rates, not APRs. No agency can guarantee a specific rate. Your creditors may not agree to offer reduced rates.
Is Money Management International legit?
Yes. MMI is an IRS-registered nonprofit with roots back to 1958. The agency holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has been BBB Accredited since 1994. MMI belongs to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), and holds Council on Accreditation (COA) accreditation. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves it for housing counseling, and the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees approves it for bankruptcy counseling.
No Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement action against MMI appears in either agency's records. While MMI faced a class action lawsuit in 2010 and a California regulatory action in 2005, both matters were resolved over 15 years ago.
How much does Money Management International cost?
The initial counseling session is free. This holds true for most, if not all, credit counseling agencies.
Two fees come with the DMP itself. The one-time set-up fee averages $37 and runs up to $75. A monthly fee averages $26 with a $69 cap. Your exact fees depend on your state and debt level, because state law sets the caps. If your income is at or below federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible for a waiver.
In 2025, per MMI, its average client started with $24,067 in debt. Through the plan, that client paid $546 a month, versus a calculated $800.44 without it. Total fees averaged $1,337, about 5.56% of the starting balance.
How the MMI debt management plan works
First, a counselor reviews your debts, expenses, and income. The review can take less than 15 minutes. Then, if a plan fits, you sign the agreement and make your first deposit. MMI proposes reduced interest rates to your creditors, and once accounts are on the plan, you make one monthly payment that MMI disburses.
According to MMI, most plans are designed to finish in five years or less, and its average completed plan runs about four years. The company's own numbers since 2019: 12% of successful plans finished within 24 months, 46% took 24 to 48 months, and 42% took longer.
MMI reports an average 82-point score gain for clients who complete a plan, after the initial dip from account closures. This figure is based on a multi-year analysis of former clients. Your score could move differently. A DMP is not a loan and won't appear as a creditor on your credit report.
MMI debt management plan vs. debt settlement
Choose a DMP if you can afford full repayment at reduced interest. Choose settlement only if you can't, and go in knowing the costs. A DMP repays 100% of principal with relatively minor credit impact. Settlement repays less than the full balance and damages your credit more. Settled debt is also generally taxable income unless an exclusion such as insolvency applies.
| MMI debt management plan | Debt settlement | |
|---|---|---|
| What you repay | 100% of principal at reduced interest rates | Less than the full balance, plus provider fees |
| Credit impact | Initial dip, potentially significant, as accounts close | Significant damage from missed payments |
| Taxes | None. No debt is forgiven | Forgiven debt is generally taxable unless an exclusion applies |
| May suit | People who can afford full repayment | People who can't afford full repayment |
Source: myFICO, IRS, MMI
If you’re thinking about settlement, you can skip settlement fees by doing it yourself. Find out what it means to negotiate a settlement yourself before enrolling in a debt settlement program.
Money Management International customer service and satisfaction
Money Management International reviews run strongly positive on both major platforms. The BBB customer score is 4.84 out of 5 across 225 reviews, with 16 complaints in the last three years. On Trustpilot, MMI scores 4.6 out of 5 across 1,875 reviews, 88% of them five-star, and the company replied to 100% of negative reviews.
| Rating source | Score | Reviews | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau | A+ rating, 4.78 out of 5 customer score | 215 | 07/15/2026 |
| Trustpilot | 4.5 out of 5 | 1,887 | 07/15/2026 |
You can reach a counselor by phone 24/7, and clients manage plans through the MyMMI online portal or live chat. In-person appointments run at branch offices, generally Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where is Money Management International available?
MMI's services are available across the country by phone and online, with face-to-face counseling in select locations. The BBB lists 106 MMI locations.
How do I contact Money Management International?
Call 866-889-9347 for general information or to book a free first session. The line is open 24/7.
This article is for general education. Fees, ratings, and program details are accurate as of the dates noted and could change. Confirm current details with Money Management International before you enroll. Compare more than one credit counseling agency to find the best fit.
Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief
Take the first step towards a debt-free life with personalized debt reduction strategies.
Choose your debt amount
Or speak to a debt consultant 844-731-0836
Is Money Management International legit?
Money Management International is a legitimate nonprofit credit counseling agency. It holds an A+ BBB rating, has been BBB Accredited since 1994, and belongs to the NFCC. Two legal matters, a 2010 class action settlement and a 2005 California regulatory action, are both more than 15 years old.
How does Money Management International work?
MMI starts with a free review of your debts, expenses, and income. If a debt management plan fits, the agency proposes reduced interest rates to your creditors, and you make one monthly payment that MMI distributes. MMI says most plans finish in five years or less, averaging about four.
How much does Money Management International cost?
The initial counseling session is free. The debt management plan charges a set-up fee of up to $75 ($37 average) and a monthly fee of up to $69 ($26 average). Fees vary by state, and income-based waivers may be available.
How long does an MMI debt management plan take?
MMI reports its plans are designed to finish in five years or less, and its average completed plan runs about four years, or 49 months, from 2019. Your timeline depends on your debt load and monthly payment.
Does a debt management plan hurt my credit?
Your score is likely to dip at the start of a plan because most credit accounts close. A DMP is not a loan and won't appear as a creditor on your credit report. MMI reports an average 82-point score increase for clients who complete a plan, though your score could move differently.