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CACC Moneywise Monthly
Budgeting & Savings News You Can Bank On ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 2012
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Happy New Year!
We are excited to have the opportunity to serve you in your efforts to reduce debt and improve your money management skills. No doubt, you've made New Year's resolutions, but it is reported that 88% of those who make resolutions fail. Why? And, what can you do to ensure you are successful? Tom Connellan, a New York Times bestselling author, former Program Director and Research Associate at the University of Michigan, and author of The 1% Solution, offers up some very helpful analysis and advice on how to make those resolutions stick. It seems totally doable on December 31st, when everyone's upbeat and you're on the brink of a fresh new year: You confidently proclaim that this is the year you will shed those pounds, or get in shape, or start sticking to a budget. But when it comes to making lasting positive change, New Year's Resolutions have a lousy track record. Every January, gym regulars have to battle to get on their favorite equipment, thanks to an influx of new members who've resolved to get fit. By mid-February, they have the place all to themselves again. That's because after the initial burst of activity, 60 per cent of gym memberships become just decorative tags on our key chains. A quarter of people who make New Year's Resolutions have already given them up by the end of the first week. By the next Few Years, forget it; 88 per cent of resolutions are kaput. It's no wonder that fewer and fewer people are bothering to even make resolutions. But it doesn't have to be this way. Here are three significant, and avoidable, things most people do wrong after they make a resolution. 1. They rely on motivation. They mistakenly believe that once they feel more motivatedonce they find the secret key to motivating themselves they will finally be able to get off their butts and take action. Initially, the act of making a resolution may seem motivating enough but that quickly fades, and these people find themselves with no other strategy to help them stay on track. Then they become part of the 88 per cent who fail. There is something you can do to prevent this right now faster, more effective and astonishingly easy way to get your momentum going. Just start. Many people forget that while motivation leads to accomplishment, it is equally true that accomplishment also leads to motivation. Once you have a feeling of accomplishment, you don't need to rev up your motivation, because your motivation arises naturally from the accomplishment. Pretty soon, you aren't trying to jazz yourself up to become more motivatedyou are simply more motivated. You have momentum on your side. So the real question isn't, "How do I get motivated enough to start?" The question you need to ask yourself is, "Where do I start so that I'll become more motivated?" The answer is that you start from where you are right now, and you do one thing, no matter how small. Get going on whatever it is you have resolved to do, whether you feel motivated or not. Take the first, small step. That first, small step will produce a bump in motivation. Then take another step. That, too, will produce a bump in motivation. And that bump in motivation will lead to more action on your part, and . . . See how this goes? 2. They only think big. New Year's Resolutions tend to be big, bold goals: to drop two sizes, to be free of credit card debt. And we do need goals to aim for. Where it goes wrong for most people is that they only think about the big goal, not the stages they will need to pass through along the way. They could rejoice in each small win losing a pound, being another dollar closer to freedom from debt but instead, seeing only how far they are from their goal, they lose heart. The solution is to think big but start small. Let's say your New Year's Resolution is to get fit.Will you be able to run a half-marathon next month? Probably not; But, can you walk one percent farther today than you did yesterday? Can you run one percent faster, or lift one percent more weight at the gym? Of course you can. Everyone can be one percent better at something today than they were yesterday. Now imagine you keep that up every day. Each time you reach your goal of one percent improvement, your sense of achievement will raise, and your motivation along with it. And those one percent improvements will build upon one another, the same way that money accrues in your bank account thanks to compounding interest. Step by step, you will become stronger, faster, better and grow closer to your ultimate goal. 3. They don't realize that even positive change feels uncomfortable. We do most everyday actions unconsciously. For instance, you don't have to stop and think about how to brush your teeth. But if you try brushing your teeth with the other hand, it doesn't feel so natural any more, does it? Actually, it feels downright weird and uncomfortable. Keeping a New Year's Resolution has the same effect: You are changing a habit you've had for years, and even though you are replacing it with a good habit, it doesn't necessarily feel good right away. This discomfort is the reason 25 per cent of people give up their New Year's Resolution in the first week. But the brain is capable of amazing feats: Each time you do something a new way, the brain goes to work making new connections and setting up a new habit, which will eventually feel as natural as the old one. This takes time at least 21 days. This means that you need to make a minimum of 21 days of conscious effort to establish a new habit. In my experience, it is more helpful to think in terms of 30 days, because it is easier to fit into your calendar and keep track of. Commit to making a positive change however small, every day for 30 days. Work through the discomfort, knowing that at the end of 30 days, you will have formed a new habit. And then it won't take anywhere near as much conscious effort for you to keep your New Year's Resolution.
Take Action!
Don't be one of the 88 percent. Turn your ideas about motivation upside down; think big and start small; and realize that even positive change feels uncomfortable for a time. Make this your year for positive, lasting change. Take that first step today.
A great way to change your money management style is with the free Money Smart program developed by the FDIC? It's the smart way to improve your fiscal fitness!
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Dropout to Millionaire offers tips for controlling Kid's money
As a teenager, Trevor Bolin was a drug-abusing high school dropout who weighed in at more than 300 pounds. He supplemented his meager income pumping gas by hauling possessions to the pawn shop, where he picked up just enough money for hot dogs and Kraft mac and cheese. By 17, Bolin decided he'd had enough. He came up with a plan, and within two years, he'd quit drugs, lost more than 100 pounds, and was close to paying off $85,000 in debt. By 28, he earned his first $1 million in one year. And he did it simply by coming up with a plan and putting the plan in motion. "My life has nothing to do with luck, good or bad," Bolin, 32, writes in his new book, Take Charge and Change Your Life Today, "It revolves around working hard, giving back as much as (if not more than) I get, accepting that attitude is everything, and being grateful for what I have." He wishes he had learned those lessons long before he became an unhappy teenager with a seemingly hopeless future. While many parents teach their children the basics of fiscal responsibility by giving them an allowance, Bolin says his experience offers less obvious but equally important lessons. Children need to have a healthy attitude toward money, not only to avoid making choices that make them unhappy, but to allow them a life path that they control. "I learned my lessons the hard way," he says. "You can start now to make sure your children never reach the bottom that I hit."
These are some places to start:
* Avoid making negative comments about money: Sayings like "money is the root of all evil" and "a fool and his money are soon parted" are negative and therefore not helpful. Make a commitment, starting today, not to use those phrases. Imagine what a child believes about money if that's what they hear all the time? Money is a great thing -- when you know what to do with it and when you control it rather than allowing it to control you.
* Help children recognize the financial lessons they learn from experience: Say you warned your child he should set aside some of Grandma's birthday money, but he spent it all on impulse. When he's disappointed later because he can't buy something he wants, remind him why he can't. Tell him that feeling disappointed is a small price to pay for a valuable lesson. And won't it be much easier if he learns the lesson after just one sad experience?
* Pay yourself first: If your child receives a weekly allowance, he or she should immediately put 10 to 15 percent into a savings account that won't be touched. Or set a milestone for when money from the account can be used, such as the child's 18th birthday. By then, she'll be so accustomed to saving, she probably won't tap the account even when she can.
* Help your child set goals: Setting financial goals, noting progress toward achieving them, and enjoying the satisfaction of crossing them off the list are fiscally sound lessons and a good way to nurture healthy attitudes in general. Your child might set goals for the month ($10 to go to the movies), goals for the year (save $200 for a Wii system) and goals for the future ($375 a year for the next eight years for a car when I'm 16).
"Goals are the first step in achieving what you desire in this world," Bolin says. "You can create success in any aspect of life - not just money - as long as you're putting a plan in motion."
** Do you need help creating your family budget? Talk to a CACC Credit Counselor toll-free 1-800-763-1874 or visit www.caccdebt.org.
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Eight ways to save money without sacrificing style and satisfaction in 2012
Vicky Oliver is the award-winning author of "THE MILLIONAIRE'S HANDBOOK: HOW TO LOOK AND ACT LIKE A MILLIONAIRE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT," offers eight New Year's resolutions for every frugalista who's determined to celebrate fashionista style on a shoestring.
Over the holidays, we all binge-it's only normal. It's hard to resist temptation, or the siren call of "buy, buy, buy," when our calendars teem with swanky parties, office shindigs, and festive family outings. But once New Year's Day arrives, it's time to tighten the proverbial belt with some austerity measures. Still, crash diets rarely work. Anyone who's ever tried to cut spending cold turkey will tell you that if you slash all fun from your daily menu, you're destined to fail. The trick is to find the right balance between buying everything you think you need and total deprivation.
Resolution 1: Let No Unused Gift Go Unreturned Puce pajamas. Reindeer-themed sweaters. Jewelry that jangles like cowbells. In the crush of holiday gift giving, it's easy to stash some ugly present that you receive in the "black hole" of your closet-never to be seen (or heard from) again. But that's a costly mistake. You're literally leaving money on the floor of your closet! Instead, make it your mission to return each gift that you hate and exchange it for something you love. To get the best "exchange rate," try to hit the stores as soon after receipt as possible (hopefully before that item goes on sale after the holidays). The person who gifted you will never know.
Resolution 2: Throw a "Swap till You Drop" Party Do you have a friend whose taste you admire? Of course you do. Agree in advance to pick out two scarves that you both adore, and then "swap" them with each other midseason. Just when you tire of your own wooly neck warmer, you can move on to hers. This tip is guaranteed to save you both at least 50%. For exponential discount power, host a "Swap till You Drop" party, and swap all the clothing you've grown bored with for all of the clothing your friends have. You'll all be dressed to the nines at a fraction of the cost-especially if you all bought the original items at the January sales.
Resolution 3: Name Your Price We all carry price lists in our heads for what things should cost. We are like contestants on a virtual game of The Price Is Right, our brains conditioned to seek clothes that match our preconceived notions. But what happens when The Price Is Wrong? What happens when we just can't find nice threads at reasonable prices anymore? Is there any recourse? There is. Try befriending a salesperson in your local department store and tell her the price that's right for you. If you're lucky, she'll empathize and give you the inside scoop on the next "pre-sale" or "friends and family day" on the horizon. Then take your newfound friendship to the next level. Hand the salesperson your business card and ask her to email you with news about all upcoming store sales. It's always smart to have friend in your corner-particularly when you're trying to corner the market on sale prices.
Resolution 4: Put on Your Retailer Cap No matter what day jobs they hold, all true frugalistas learn how to think like savvy retailers, almost having a sixth sense about which sales are genuine and which ones are trumped-up marketing gimmicks. "BOGO" sales (Buy-One-Get-One) only save shoppers money if they actually want the second item. "Loss leaders," which are items sold at prices so low that the store actually loses money on them, are designed to lure shoppers in to purchase higher priced items (where presumably, the store will recoup its losses). If you can cherry-pick your way through the BOGOS and loss leaders and shun all items that aren't on sale-that's a clever frugalista savings strategy. But if you have trouble avoiding anything wielding a full retail sticker price, try mastering some new ways to save money online by following Resolution 5 instead.
Resolution 5: Become a Groupie Independence is highly overrated. There is power in groupthink-especially when the group happens to think it deserves a hefty discount. (Any group worth its buying mojo does.) Familiarize yourself with some websites that offer deep discounts to the group. Learn how to look for promotional codes online. Be proactive. Don't wait four score and seven years to check out foursquare. Vow to be more social for less of an outlay with websites that offer deep discounts. The holidays may be long gone, but it's always the season to shop with the flock-and be richly rewarded for your efforts.
Resolution 6: Shop Your Own Closet Before you go out and buy something new, make sure that you have thoroughly shopped your own closet. It's just like real shopping-minus the extravagant outlays that make strong Visa cards faint. "Shopping your closet" involves writing a list. It's not a list of the stuff you want; it's a list of the stuff you already have. Look and see what you own. Organize by color. And write it down. Reviewing your clothes on paper in this way will give you fresh ideas of how to mix and match the tops and bottoms for maximum flair, bottom to top. And who knows? After you conduct your own personal inventory, you may discover that you don't need to hit the sales racks right now after all.
Resolution 7: Rediscover the Joys of Reversible Clothing Reversible clothing first started as a practical alternative for travelers who wanted to save room in their suitcases. While its dowdy "two-fer" image has been hard to erase from our collective fashion sensibility, today's options have little in common with your grandmother's reversible pantsuits! As more and more upscale marketers have jumped on the reversible bandwagon, it's suddenly become posh to double the fun at half off. Each time you purchase an item that works just as well inside out, it's like getting 50% off two wardrobe essentials. And the beauty is, you already know that the item fits perfectly. From dresses to blue jeans to belts to pantyhose, there are now tons of reversible options to play with, turning your whole wardrobe into a crayon box of fashion fun.
Resolution 8: "Layaway" Is Code for "Lay Off" Any smart diet involves portion control: the same thing holds true for The Austerity Diet. If the only way that you can afford an item is by paying for it on layaway, then you owe it to yourself to walk away. When you first see the word "layaway," red warning signs should flash in your head. (If sirens sound too, all the better.) In plain speak, "layaway" means "immediate gratification but at too steep a cost." You just don't want to be indebted to some chain store for months on end for any item that you don't absolutely need. Instead, take a deep breath, hold your head high, and remind yourself that you're on The Austerity Diet, where some short-term pain will lead to long-term financial gain. It's always a good idea to shed some debt, and there's no day like today to get started.
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If you have the desire and the ability to make extra payments towards your DMP, contact CACC Customer Service to coordinate making the extra payment. Since your DMP is set up to pay a certain amount each month changes must be handled properly to make sure you do not get removed from the Creditors DMP.
CACC Customer Service: 1-800-763-1874 Do you know someone who would benefit from money management strategies and information? Please forward this email to your friends and family! |
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7 QUICK WAYS TO BANKRUPT YOURSELF
from Billshrink.com
1. Abusing Credit Card Balance Transfers
At times, credit card balance transfers can be a savvy financial move to consolidate and reduce the interest you pay on your credit card account. However, the continuous shuffle your credit card balance is just masking the real problem. A 0% balance transfer is appealing at the onset, but post-introductory interest rates can soar without caps and that, coupled with an improper plan to pay off the balance transfer, you can easily increase your debt to an unmanageable level.
2. Underestimating Health Care Costs
Time after time and study after study have revealed that medical bills and health care cost are the number one leading cause for personal bankruptcy in the United States. A 2007 study from Harvard researchers showed that 62% of bankruptcy were caused by medical bills, and what's even more troubling is that 78% of those bankruptcy filers had insurance.
Unfortunately, there's no easy way out of this potential financial pitfall. Making sure you have the proper health insurance coverage based on your family's medical history, actually utilizing your doctor visits from any health coverage plans you have, and being proactive about your lifestyle/health choices will do wonders to negate any avoidable illnesses that can be devastating to your financial life.
3. Frequently Using Payday Loan / Payday Advances
Payday loans may seem like a convenient means to meet your financial deadlines, especially if cash is tight and you have bills coming up. But the fact of the matter is that payday loans are financial products that keep you in the poor house. The business practice takes advantage of those without access to traditional/mainstream banking services.
Thought the 29% interest on your credit card was sickeningly high? Payday loans are an entirely different beast. When the fees are factored in (e.g., $17.50 for every $100 you borrow), the interest rate for such a payday loan are a ridiculous 911% for a one-week loan, 456% for a two-week loan, and 212% for a one-month loan.
4. Spending More than You Earn
This should be rather self-explanatory. Budgeting is never fun but declaring bankruptcy is even more of a joy kill. By being careful with your expenses, you can avoid facing debts that may unexpectedly accumulate. Avoid purchasing decisions that involves thought process such as "We can always pay it off later" or "I'll just put it on the credit card for now." While there are other methods to quickly reach bankruptcy, spending more than you earn is an almost guaranteed method. Kick the credit habit and use only a debit card to keep you only buying what you can afford.
5. Keeping Up with the Joneses
Keeping up with conspicuous consumption can be a sure-fire way to bankruptcy. Just because your friends, family, or neighbors are buying new houses, cars, the latest gadgets and jetting off to exotic islands, does not mean you need to splurge to match. The quicker we can remove the tie of materialistic purchase with our livelihood, the happier we'll all be. Spend your money on what's truly important: a fun trip for the family to visit grandma; or college tuition for the kids.
Even if you're not spurred to buy a European-made SUV because your neighbor has one, you might just be living larger than necessary. Just landed a job with a better salary? Be wise and save the extra income -- you don't need to immediately upgrade your 1-bedroom apartment to a larger one. Even if you can afford it, stretching your dollar and living it up at times can be a detriment to your financial well-being. You can easily cross into the "spending more than you earn" zone and find yourself in financial hot water.
6. Paying for Expensive Degrees that Don't Pay Back
Here's the thing about student loans: even filing for bankruptcy will not wipe the slate clean. Along with certain taxes owed and child support payments, student loans are not dischargeable under United States bankruptcy laws. Though you can argue for undue hardship, the granting of this appeal is extremely rare.
Because of this, it is even more important to be savvy when taking out student loans for higher education (which many people are doing to sit out the poor job market). While the merit and earning potential of a college or graduate degree cannot be refuted, as the cost of college steadily rise through the years, more and more students are finding themselves in the troubling position of having an expensive degree, but stuck with a job that doesn't cover of their education. Figure out what the job prospects for your major/interest may be like, and be realistic about your earning potential with your education.
7. Overindulging in Vices
Balance is life is key. There is nothing more enjoyable than having a good time with friends and family, but doing it responsibly is key. And this obviously isn't limited to drinking. Maybe you love to visit the local poker room. Perhaps you love betting the spread whenever your favorite team plays. Or indulging in that expensive pair of shoes because you really deserve them. And of course, there are many other things that can easily fall into the "vice" category.
How we choose to live and how we spend our time will eventually affect our pocket book. If you ever worry that you're partaking in things on the extreme end, step back, and seek help where appropriate.
Thank you for choosing Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future issues. Please email education@caccdebt.org with your ideas.
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With the current economy remaining stagnant, the importance of solid financial decision-making and education is as apparent as ever.
University of Missouri financial experts say creating good financial habits at an early age is vital to long-term financial success. Rob Weagley, chair of the personal financial planning department in the College of Human Environmental Sciences, and Joan Stafford, an MU personal financial planning graduate student, have compiled a list of the top financial tips aimed to help teenagers develop good financial habits.
"These tips are designed to help young people understand key financial principles, quantify financial success, and send them down the road to that end," Weagley said. "Our hope is that they learn the importance of their goals, their education, their savings and investments, their budgeting, their insurance coverage, as well as other matters related to their overall physical and spiritual health to the overall well-being of society."
The number one tip Stafford and Weagley offer teens is to invest in education. They say investments in education are investments in human capital and it is the best investment that can be made because it is the one type of capital that can be fully controlled.
The other Top Teen Financial Tips include:
- Budget Your Money - Creating a budget is not only good preparation for emergencies, but it also instills a sense of discipline and empowerment.
- Establish Good Credit - Learn how and when to use credit. Pay your bills on time, for this is the biggest factor in your credit score.
- Establish an Emergency Fund -An emergency account of three to six months' living expenses is a key to financial strength.
- Manage Your Risks - Purchase adequate insurance for your risks. Don't forget personal liability and disability insurance coverages.
- Start Investing Early -Start as young as you can to allow the power of time to add to your investments.
- Make Smart Investments - Maintain a diversified portfolio of assets by placing your money in a range of investments and maintain targeted allocations.
- Budget for Taxes - Taxes must be paid on your earnings, your investment gains, your purchases, your home, your car, your boat, and, ultimately, your death. You must pay them.
- Think Outside the Box - Don't follow the crowd. Chart your own course. Keep focused on your destination, even when others are jumping ship.
- Believe You Can - Dare to dream your dreams and seek your goals.
In an effort to educate teenagers further, Stafford, who is a financial counselor in the MU Office for Financial Success, visits high schools across Missouri giving personal finance seminars. Stafford is the director of the program, Top Ten Teen Financial Tips, which is sponsored by State Farm Insurance. She has been to more than 30 high schools in the current school year and hopes to visit 50 by the end of May.
"I see students who do not understand the basic principles of finance," Stafford said. "Giving students this education while in high school should help them avoid bad debt, especially when they get into college and start dealing with loans and credit cards.
Have a money saving idea that you'd like to share? Send it to us for possible publication in this newsletter! education@caccdebt.org
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Tips for managing debt
Bottomless Closet NYC, a local non-profit that guides women from economic dependency to financial freedom with its long-standing history of helping women get back on their feet, whether it is helping them get their funds in order or assisting them in finding a much needed job. The organization's gift of a professional wardrobe and financial management workshops, helps thousands of women each year. Bottomless Closet NYC offers these tips on how to budget and the most effective ways to manage our outstanding balances:
-First, write down all expenses for 30 days in order to create a budget. We then know where we can cut back.
-Budgeting is key; categorize expenses.
-Always get rid of bad debt, then improve your score.
-Stop using credit cards! Start using cash today.
-Find a support person, such as a friend or family member, who will help keep you on track and report progress.
-Take inventory of your current debt.
-If you have savings, use it to pay down debt as much as you can each month.
-Forgive yourself. Getting off track happens every once in a while.
-Talk to your kids about your situation and have them learn about money, budgeting, and debt from your personal experience.
-Understand the impact of compounding interest, otherwise known as interest on interest.
-Read and learn as much as you can!
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Millions of people are suffering with Debt stress!

They 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 financial 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. Won't you help us give the gift of Debt Relief?
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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
- Fighting Identity Theft and Financial Fraud
- Understanding Your Credit Report and Boosting Your Credit Score
- Creative Ways to Teach Kids About Money
- How to Get Out of Debt
Ask about customized seminars for your group, staff, congregation, organization, or club! Call 1-800-763-1874 or e-Mail: education@caccdebt.org
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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:
Free Birthday Gifts
Stay Safe On-Line
US General Services Administration Federal Citizen Information Center
National Drug Abuse Hotline 1-800-622-HELP
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
Suicide & Depression Hotline 1-800-999-9999
National Council on Problem Gambling 1-800-522-4700
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Homeowners Hope Hotline for Mortgage Counseling and Assistance 1-888-995-4673
Benefits.gov
Learn about a variety of Government Benefits, how to qualify and how to apply.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) TANF is designed to help needy families achieve self-sufficiency. States receive a block grant to design and operate their programs to accomplish the purposes of TANF. These are: -assist needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes -reduce dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage -preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies -encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
Medicaid Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. Good health is important to everyone. If you can't afford to pay for medical care right now, Medicaid can make it possible for you to get the care that you need so that you can get healthy and stay healthy.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) If you can't afford to pay your home energy bill, your home may not be safe, and you may be at risk of serious illness or injury. The LIHEAP may be able to help keep you and your family safe and healthy.
National School Lunch Free Lunch Program (NSLP)
Established in 1946, The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
Federal Housing Assistance/Section 8 (FPHA) Public housing assistance was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families.
Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)
888-995-HOPE
If you are struggling with your monthly mortgage payments or have already missed a payment, now is the time to take action.
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Contact Us: phone: 1.800.763.1874 CACC Money Wise Monthly Editor in Chief: Mike Schiano, "The DebtBuster"
'Til Next Month, Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc.
This newsletter is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. This information is given with the understanding that neither CACC nor the Editor and Writers are engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Since the details of your situation are fact dependent you should always seek the services of a competent professional before making any financial decisions.
Copyright©Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc. 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Use of all or part of this newsletter is allowed with proper attribution and link: Source: Consumer Advocates Credit Counselors, Inc. www.caccdebt.org
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