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A National 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
call: 1.800.763.1874 |
CACC Moneywise Monthly Budgeting & Savings News You Can Bank On
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April 2010
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"April showers bring May flowers"
For a family or individual struggling with financial issues, this old saying carries a lot of meaning.
For one, it is a hopeful message about the need to stay positive during bad times because the good stuff is not that far away.
It is also a reminder that without rain, there will be no May flowers. Anyone with a semi-green thumb knows that is true. Let's expand this to your financial situation. If you don't take action to water and fertilize your finances, they certainly will not grow and improve.
While times may be tough, inaction on your part now will mean nothing improves in the future. It may be difficult to take action with your money. People tell us every day that they don't have enough money and that's why they are in trouble in the first place. What they are saying is, "if they had money they would be just fine?" But, didn't they have money a few months or years ago? Didn't they have credit cards? Didn't they qualify for a mortgage? The answer is yes. So they had money, or access to money and, yet, they still got into financial trouble.
The problem for most families is not lack of money but lack of proper money management and financial planning to avoid problems. There may be no way for you to cut expenses any further and you may not be able to increase your income right now with a very tight job market. But, you can study and read about ways to manage your finances better. You can attend free workshops, and listen to and watch money experts for free on the television and internet. By exposing yourself to personal finance education and improving your financial literacy, you are indeed sowing seeds for financial growth.
We are talking about preparation to succeed. While most people in your situation will give up and say "there is nothing they can do," you can choose to take the winner's route and improve your ability to manage your money better next month and for the rest of your life. Choose to start now!
CACC Counseling and Customer Service teams are here to help you!
Take Action! What have you done in the past 30 days to improve your financial situation? As long as you are taking positive steps, even small ones, you are moving in the right direction.
Doing nothing will give you a definite result...nothing!
Thank you for choosing Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors as your credit counseling organization.
We welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues.
Please email education@caccdebt.orgwith your ideas.
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Happy Financial Literacy Month!
National Financial Literacy Month is recognized in the United States in April in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. In 2000, The Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacybegan promoting April as Financial Literacy for Youth Month and in 2003 the United States Congress showed its support. Senate Resolution 48 and House Resolution 127 asked President George W. Bush to declare April as Financial Literacy for Youth Month. April was named National Financial Literacy Month by the passing of Senate Resolution 316 with unanimous consent, championed by Daniel Akaka D-HI.
** For more tips, information, and resources on budgeting, saving strategies, ways to combat debt, and how to use credit responsibly, call Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors toll-free 1-800-763-1874.
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Get the most out of your Debt Management Program!
To get the most out of your Debt Management Program you must continue to be part of the process. Here are some smart things you should do to make sure that you are getting the maximum benefits from each and every monthly payment you make.
Make sure your accounts are current
After you've made at least three, on-time monthly payments through your DMP, review the account statements from your creditor closely to make sure they have stopped charging you late fees.
Don't stop looking for extra cash
Just because you have enrolled in the Debt Management Program, you should still be looking for ways to reduce your expenses and freeing up extra cash flow. Many people make the mistake of thinking their job is done once they enroll in the DMP. While there is some relief in knowing you have found a solution to your debt stress, the job of getting yourself back on solid financial footing goes beyond the DMP and requires you to do all you can to cut expenses and increase income. The hard work will pay off in the future.
Do you know someone who would benefit from money management
strategies and information? Please forward this email to them!
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Use Coupons
Coupons are one of the best ways to free up cash. While coupon use is way up in this tough economy, coupons are still overlooked by millions of consumers.
There are coupons available for virtually every product and service you need. Now, you can go online and print coupons and discounts at will. Some people scoff at using coupons. They think they'll look poor if they use coupons, especially at restaurants, or, they say "it's not worth the effort." If you only save $10 a week with coupons, that equals $520 a year. If someone offered you $520 in cash right now would you turn it down? Or could you use the money? - Be on the lookout for coupons everywhere, select the ones you will definitely use in the next 7 to 21 days, and put them in a place where you won't forget to take them with you. How many times have you been at the store making a purchase yet knowing full well you had cut out a $1 off coupon for that exact product and stuffed it in a drawer.
- Plan your use of coupons. Don't just make a big pile and hope to remember them when you need them. Organize your coupons each week and weed out the expired ones.
- Use coupons on products when they go on sale and save extra money.
- Count the savings! Most people forget to count up how much money they've saved each week and month using coupons and other money saving offers. Remember, saving is tax free income! Either you pay extra money to a merchant or save that money for yourself and your family using coupons.
To motivate yourself ask,"how much could I have saved last year using more coupons and would that money be helpful to me right now?" |
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Give yourself Credit
With so
many people applying for jobs these days, more are becoming aware that a high
percentage of employers are using credit reports to make hiring decisions. It
has been reported that as many as 60% of employers now use credit reports to
make decisions about potential and current employees.
And it is
not just for people who work in accounting or handle money. Studies have shown that
employees in any job with money problems are less productive, more prone to
stealing and having accidents, and are more distracted on the job. Generally,
people with money problems are under stress which can affect their job
performance in a negative way.
Employer
Credit Reports are used during employee background screenings. They do not
include your credit score or your age, but, otherwise contain all of the information
a regular credit bureau report will show including bankruptcies, late payments,
charge-offs and other negative information.
Companies
like Lexus Nexus/Choice Point sell Employer Credit Reports and, under the FACT Act,
you are entitled to see a free copy of your report. To request a copy of your
reports from this company, visit this siteor contact them by mail or phone. Call 1-866-312-8075; or send your name
and address by mail:
ChoicePoint WorkPlace Solutions Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 105292, Atlanta, GA 30348
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A Money $aving TIP
"Compare at least four store's prices before making a major purchase like a stove, refrigerator, television or other expensive household item."
Have a money saving tip that you'd like to share?
Send it to us for possible publication in this newsletter! education@caccdebt.org |
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Millions of Americans have money problems!
We need your Help! CACC is a non-profit, IRS approved 501(c) (3) educational and counseling organization. Our expenses and operations are supported through generous contributions from corporations and individuals like you. Will you please consider providing some support so that we can continue our mission? The donation you make today will help fund debt relief programs, education, and client services while providing help and hope to thousands.
YES, I'd like to help fund CACC's Debt Relief and Education efforts with a contribution of:
( ) $25 ( ) $50 ( ) Other $___________.
Please Mail your Donation to:
CACC Education Development
23123 U.S. 441, Suite 107
Boca Raton, FL 33428
Thank you for your generosity!
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Support CACC while you save up to 85% on your favorite Magazines! Now that's a Win-Win!
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Free Workshops and Seminars 
As a non-profit Credit Counseling and Financial Education organization, CACC is dedicated to reaching out to the community. CACC provides financial education seminars and workshops at community centers, local organizations, and companies.
Popular Topics Include:
- Managing Money in Tough Times
- Creating and Using a Spending Plan
- Managing Debt and dealing with Creditors
- Financial Trouble signs and What to do Next
- Smart Buying Strategies
- Fighting Identity Theft and Financial Fraud
- Understanding Your Credit Report and Boosting Your Credit Score
- Creative Ways to Teach Kids About Money
- Finding More Money to Save
- How to Get Out of Debt
Ask about customized seminars for your group, staff, congregation, team, or club!
Call 1 800-763-1874 or e-Mail: mikes@caccdebt.org
Upcoming FREE Workshop Schedule
If you live in South Florida, join CACC Director of Education, Mike Schiano, on the first Monday of each month at the Broward County Main Library from 2-3pm and the First Wednesday of each month at the West Palm Beach Public Library from 7-8pm for FREE Money Wise Workshops.
May - Fighting Identity Theft and Financial Fraud
June - Creative Ways to Teach Kids about Money
July - Managing Money in tough times
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Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit credit counseling organization providing credit counseling, financial education, and debt management services. Please visit our website at: www.caccdebt.org
Additional consumer resources:
National Drug Abuse Hotline
1-800-622-HELP
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
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| Contact Us:
phone: 1.800.763.1874
CACC Director of Education and Money Wise Monthly Editor in Chief:
Mike Schiano, "The DebtBuster"
mikes@caccdebt.org
'Til Next Month,
Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc.
Copyright©Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc. 2009
Use of all or part of this newsletter allowed with proper attribution and link:
Source: Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc. www.caccdebt.org |
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