As Americans rack up record debt since COVID, a local financial coach is sending out caution to those who may be in debt and are looking for a way out.

Connie Unruh with First National Bank in Clinton says debt consolidation companies do a great job of marketing their services but she warns it's not always the picture of relief they portray.

Unruh points out she sees folks all the time that go to debt settlement or trim down their debt but then they are right back to spending. She emphasizes it is the behavior that needs to change.

According to Unruh, she continues to see a lot of filing for bankruptcy. She also is seeing a lot of debt going to collections and in that circumstance, she explains you might be able to negotiate your own terms of payback.

Because collections don't deal in interest, while it may hurt your credit rating, Unruh indicates the interest stops once your debt goes to collections and that gives you the ability to negotiate a settlement.