Collection Accounts

Sit this your credit report in your hands and see exactly how much you owe to creditors. The contact information to each creditor is listed so if you find a mistake, write to them and have it fixed. If is so important that you look at your credit report a least once a year to see if there is something on it that is not correct.
Once you know what you owe, than you can begin to create a budget for yourself. With this budget and you not only see where and how you spend but where and how you can save. You now have your goal and must stick with the budget if you are to be successful. You can speak with each collection account and work out a deal for the payment that you can commit to paying each month. Your total can be shocking so just take one of them at a time, this is all you can do. They might settle for less than you owe if you can pay in within their time frame.
It will look better on your report of you pay the whole amount instead of going for the settlement but that choice only you can make. Getting your balance down is the most important thing here. Collection agencies can take you to court if you do not contact them and make arrangements.