News : Consumer credit counseling may help uneducated parents regarding credit scores

source : debtconsolidationconnection.com
By Peggy Stillwell on May 7th, 2010

Many consumers may not know what affects their credit score, which may make it difficult for them to teach their children about proper financial management tactics.

According to a survey from ING Direct USA, 46 percent of respondents could identify no more than five of the 10 things that can lower a person's credit score. In fact, only five people of the more than 1,000 surveyed knew all 10 of the negative financial practices.

ING Direct USA chief executive officer Arkadi Kuhlmann said that parents who cannot identify the actions that can reduce a credit score may not be presenting a proper example to their kids.

"Also, parents could be overlooking some significant cost savings like lower interest rates that result by keeping their credit scores in check," Kuhlmann said. ...

read all...

more debt consolidation news :
-Consumer credit counseling may help moms organize finances
-As students score low in financial literacy, consumer credit counseling may be option for education

News : Consumer credit counseling may recommend extra job, and summer proves to hold some hope

source : debtconsolidationconnection.com
By Angela Hawke on Apr 24th, 2010

One piece of advice a consumer credit counseling agency may give consumers is to find additional work to make ends meet.
A way many people may be able to find an additional job is through seasonal opportunities made during the summer. A recent survey from www.SnagAJob.com shows that the prospects of people getting hired for summer work is about the same this year as last.
About 29 percent of hiring managers interviewed in the survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs said they would hire the same number of people for the summer of 2010 as they did in 2009. Furthermore, the number of hiring managers who said they would hire fewer workers dropped to 18 percent, compared to the 23 percent who said so last year.
"Competition will still be fierce, especially because unemployment remains high," Shawn Boyer, CEO for SnagAJob, said. ...

read all...

News : Some willing to seek advice, such as services offered by consumer credit counseling

source : debtconsolidationconnection.com
By Peggy Stillwell on Apr 20th, 2010

A recent survey shows that some consumers may not feel too educated when it comes to dealing with their finances, although they are willing to look for help.

According to the poll from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 34 percent of respondents would give themselves a grade of C, D or F regarding their understanding of personal finances. The percentage represents more than 77 million people who may be in line for some additional assistance.

"Although the survey did show some improvements in consumer behavior as it relates to personal finance, there are still serious deficiencies which impact consumers' ability to properly manage their money, particularly during an economic crisis," said NFCC spokeswoman Gail Cunningham. ...

read all...

News : Military personnel may consider consumer credit counseling for debt help

source : debtconsolidationconnection.com
By Oscar Monfort on Apr 11th, 2010

The fear of growing debt may cause some consumers to shy away from dealing with the problem, an ill-advised strategy that will only make matters worse.

In a recent story from the American Forces Press Service published on the Department of Defense's website, the Pentagon's personal finance director noted that members of the military need to act as soon as possible in order to deal with bill problems.

"Financial problems aren't like a fine wine; they don't get better with age," Julian said. ...

read all...

News : Government programs, debt consolidation may help pay down student loans

source : debtconsolidationconnection.com
By Peggy Stillwell on Apr 11th, 2010

Government programs do exist to help those in financial trouble put food on the table or pay for medical expenses.

However, as the effects of the last recession are still felt, more people may find they have to rely on the assistance provided by Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the latter more commonly known as food stamps.

According to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, SNAP saw a 32 percent increase in Georgia from December 2008 to the same month in 2009. During that time, Medicaid recipients also went up by 9 percent. But the paper noted the state is planning on reducing the number of workers who administer the program by 137 people.

read all...

News : Consult with consumer credit counseling service before seeking debt settlement

source : debtconsolidationconnection.com
By Oscar Monfort on Mar 26th, 2010

A recent column suggested that people consult with a consumer credit counseling agency before they consider debt settlement.

In writing for the Detroit Free Press, Susan Tompor noted that a debt settlement could end up costing them while also hurting their credit score. Through debt settlement, lenders agree to take less money than is owed in order to square up an account.

"Regulators and others warn that if borrowers get involved with the wrong outfit, they could end up losing thousands of dollars, ruin their credit, and find themselves hounded and even sued by creditors and possibly forced into bankruptcy," Tompor said. ...

read all...

News : Consumer Credit Counseling Service: Atlantans hammered by rising gas costs

Thursday, February 14, 2008
Atlanta Business Chronicle

Customers of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta spent 9 percent more on gas and food in January 2008, the nonprofit credit counseling agency reported Thursday.

Metro Atlantans spent an average of $531 on gas and food in January, compared with an average of $486 in January 2007. The $531 accounted for about 30 percent of their monthly living expenses of $1,774, CCCS said.

read all

News : CSC Teams With HOPE NOW Alliance Members to Provide Consumer Credit Counseling Portal

February 14, 2008 9:00 AM ET

Extension to CSC's EarlyResolution Software as a Service Aims to Reduce Mortgage Foreclosures

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Computer Sciences Corporation CSC today announced that it has teamed with HOPE NOW Alliance members Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Bank of America, PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. and Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta Inc., to develop CSC's EarlyResolution Counseling Portal (ERCP), a national technology service designed to help nonprofit credit counselors reduce mortgage foreclosures. In January, CSC delivered ERCP to Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Countrywide and CCCS for pilot testing. The service will be generally available later this month.

read all

News : Consumer Credit Counseling Service offers financial tips

February 4, 2008
SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS

A few simple steps can make a dramatic difference in one's financial life, and there's no better time than now to get pointed in the right direction. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) recommends that consumers review where they are in order to determine where they're headed, and encourages them to consider implementing the following tips. .. read all ..

News : Consumer Credit Counseling Service and MassMutual Team Up to Enable Families to Apply...

Wed Jan 9, 2008

'Consumer Credit Counseling Service and MassMutual Team Up to Enable Families
to Apply For Free Life Insurance
LifeBridge(sm) Program Puts Money In Trust to Pay for Children's Educational
Expenses

CAMARILLO, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Credit Counseling
Service (CCCS) announced today it is teaming up with MassMutual Financial
Group to offer eligible families free $50,000 term life insurance policies
under MassMutual's LifeBridge(sm) Free Life Insurance Program. If an insured
parent or legal guardian passes away during the 10-year term of the policy,
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) will put $50,000 in
trust to pay solely for the educational expenses of dependent children' .. read all ..

News : Over the Limit

February 7, 2008 by Mara Der Hovanesian, Christopher Palmeri, Nanette Byrnes and Jessica Silver-Greenberg

'Americans accustomed to cheap and easy money—and an economy geared to their free-spending ways—face a harsh new reality as banks raise rates and lower ceilings on credit cards' ... read all..

News : Consumer credit growth slows

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer Thu Feb 7

'WASHINGTON - Consumers increased their borrowing in December at the slowest pace in eight months, additional evidence that economic activity was slowing significantly at the end of last year. For all of 2007, consumer credit rose at the fastest clip in three years.' ...read all ..