In CFED's January, 2013 Assets and Opportunities Scorecard report, we found that almost half (43.9%) of U.S. households have almost no savings to fall back on in the event of job loss, health crisis, or other emergency. Families in this situation lack adequate savings to cover basic expenses for just three months if they suffer a loss of income. This number is up slightly over last year's findings, showing that while the economy is slowly improving, many Americans are still struggling to cover daily expenses.

 View full article.

When clients come to CCCS for help, one of our primary goals is to assist them in gaining financial skills they can use for the rest of their lives. Learning to save is certainly one of these skills. Consumers who regularly save are better able to withstand economic setbacks and successfully achieve their financial objectives. We know that it can be a challenge to put away savings, especially when you're living on a tight budget. But with planning and patience, it is possible, and developing this habit now will make you more financially secure and less likely to overuse credit when you leave the program.  View full article.