| San
Diego, CA.
"One
of the most difficult obstacles credit and debt counselors face
when dealing with their clients is that consumers aren't always
honest with themselves about their own financial situation. Too
often, counselors talk with people who are way over their head in
debt, yet they genuinely feel that their credit practices are just
fine, " said Paul Richard - Executive Director of the
nonprofit ICFE, based in San Diego, CA. The ICFE is dedicated to
helping consumers become better spenders, regular savers, wise users
of credit and thereby creating new investors in America.
"If you have a
credit problem, the first and most important step is to admit to
yourself that you need help. This is also probably the most difficult
hurdle to clear for most people because they feel that to do so
would be an admission of financial failure. The “real”
failure, however, is in not getting help and, instead, digging yourself
deeper and deeper into debt.," the ICFE says.
Whether you think you're
having a problem or not, take a quick minute to reflect on your
current financial state by reviewing the following “financial
danger signs.” If any of them feel close to home, you may
want to consider contacting an accredited, nonprofit, credit counselor
for an appointment.
Financial Danger
Signs:
- You use your credit
cards regularly and rarely pay more than the required minimum
payment. Simple mathematics makes approach a this is a one-way
road to disaster. Eventually, your debt will become so high that
you may not even be able to make the minimum payment.
- You're often or always
late on regular monthly bills. If you find yourself receiving
the new bill before paying off the previous one on a regular basis,
then you simply don't have control over your finances. These monthly
bills represent your basic needs, so you should be able to pay
for them without any problem.
- You get in frequent
arguments about money with your spouse, partner or roommate. This
is usually a sure sign that you and the person you're arguing
with are overly stressed about finances, probably for good reason.
- You purchase necessary
consumable items, like food and gas, with a credit card. A healthy
attitude toward credit is one in which you only use it in emergencies
or to pay for important items, with the intention of paying them
off quickly. Otherwise, credit is simply a convenience that comes
at a very high price.
- You have no idea what
your total debt is. If you can't estimate within $500 or $1,000
what your total debt is, your spending is way out of control.
Chances are when you receive the monthly statements, you don't
even look at the balance, and that's not a good approach.
- You have recently
taken out a cash advance on a credit card to pay a monthly bill.
Typically, credit cards charge a higher interest rate and allow
no grace period on cash advances. They also charge a service fee,
so it simply doesn't make financial sense to pay your bills like
this.
If you're experiencing
two or more of these financial danger signs, it is essential that
you do something to turn your credit practices around quickly. Otherwise
you may be facing collection or legal actions by your creditors.
People whose finances
are in a downturn, often discover they are paying too much for things
because they fail to comparison shop. That, like borrowing to meet
regular expenses, is another form of
overspending. Overall, the best way to increase your personal cash
flow is to be conscious of how much money you spend and why. Comparison
shopping the consumer's best, but least used defense against overspending.
For information about
how to set up and implement a spending-plan (with a one page work
sheet) for personal and/or family finances, please visit the ICFE's
Web page at: http://www.icfe.info.
The site also includes helpful sections on mending spending, increasing
savings, using credit wisely, plus tips on spending for household
and grocery items.
To receive the same information
by mail, please send $1 and a self-addressed, 60 cent stamped envelope
to: ICFE Money Helps
PO Box 34070
San Diego, CA 92163.
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About the ICFE:
About the
ICFE:
The Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), founded in 1982 by the
late Loren Dunton (creator of the “certified financial planner” (CFP)
designation) and it is dedicated to helping consumers of all ages to improve
their spending, increase savings and use credit more wisely. The ICFE trains and
certifies Personal Finance Instructors for its own curriculum. It also trains
and certifies Credit Report Reviewers and Identity Theft Prevention Specialists.
The ICFE is an award winning, nonprofit, consumer education organization that
has helped millions of people through its education programs and resources. It
publishes the Do-It-Yourself Credit File correction Guide, now in its 16th
printing and has distributed over one million “Credit/Debit Card Warning Labels”
and “Credit/Debit Card Sleeves” world wide.
The ICFE became an official partner with the Department of Defense/Financial
Readiness Campaign in June of 2004.
The ICFE is also a partner in the national Jump$tart Coalition for Financial
Literacy and the California Jump$tart chapter. The ICFE staff is also active
with San Diego Saves, an offshoot of America Saves, and the California Student
Debt Resource Awareness Project (CASDRAP) (studentdebthelp.org).
The ICFE’s on-line help for consumers who spend too much was featured in PARADE
Magazine in the Intelligence Report section. The money helps and tips are from
“The Money Instruction Book,” a course in personal finance, positioned to become
among the premier programs in the new bankruptcy and debtor education
initiatives.
The ICFE Web site at:
http://www.icfe.info helps consumers with mending spending, learning about
the proper use of credit, budget and expense guidelines, how to set up and
implement a spending-plan and also how to access financial education courses and
videos and how to teach children about money. Other ICFE services include a free
eNewsletter, and an online resource center of financial education learning
tools, including videos, books, software and personal finance courses.
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