News & Press Releases

November 20, 2016 – By RISMedia Budget-conscious Americans say they are feeling the pinch from the responsibility of providing financial support for adult children, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Half of those polled during the month of September by ACCC says they are footing at least some of the bills for at least one adult child over the age of 24.

Boston, MA – December 23, 2015 As 2015 comes to a close, many consumers are beginning to think about their financial goals for the upcoming year. Although 2016 is quickly approaching, it is still not too late to achieve those last minute end of the year financial resolutions.

Boston, MA – December 18, 2015 Before frantically heading out the door to do your last minute holiday shopping, take a breather and prepare for this last minute trip.

Boston, MA – December 10, 2015 The vast majority of budget-conscious Americans feel financially unprepared for retirement, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling.

Boston, MA – December 4, 2015 Over the last year, the number of U.S. consumers who were victims of identity theft has increased significantly – making it even more critical to take necessary steps to protect themselves.

November 8, 2015 – By Charlene Oldham Whether they’re driving to visit family or flying to a tropical island to escape winter weather, many Americans will be traveling over the holidays. A recent survey from Orbitz found that 71 percent of those polled plan to take at least one trip between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and anticipate shelling out $2,195 in holiday travel expenses.

Boston, MA – November 5, 2015 Regardless of your age, it is never too early to start thinking about life after work. National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling offers a set of helpful tips on saving for retirement on a budget.

November 2, 2015 – By Brian O'Connell O.K., it's early November, and there's plenty of time left on the calendar until year-end, right? Maybe, and maybe not - at least when it comes to tidying up your household money matters. You'll need more time than you think to get your financial house in order by December 31, 2015, and the clock is ticking.

Boston, MA – October 30, 2015 Some Americans aren’t afraid to say no to big spending on Halloween – even as consumers nationwide were expected to pay close to $7 billion in 2015 on items related to Halloween festivities.

October 30, 2015 As the scariest day of the year approaches, it looks like budget-conscious consumers have grown weary about more than just the spooky happenings that may take place on Oct. 31; they have actually taken a fearful attitude toward Halloween spending itself.

Boston, MA – October 28, 2015 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling helps students avoid default by providing important information to help pay back student loans. As graduates start the process of paying back their loans, ACCC provides steps to successfully make their monthly payments and ... Read More »

Boston, MA – October 28, 2015 Budget-conscious Americans say they are feeling the pinch from the responsibility of providing financial support for adult children, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Half of those polled during the month of September by ACCC said they are footing at least some of the bills for at least one adult child over the age of 24.

October 24, 2015 – By Valencia Higuera With Cyber Monday, Black Friday and the holidays fast approaching, many people are getting their wallets and bank accounts prepped for the shopping season. About one in four Americans plan to spend $1,000 or more on gifts during the holiday season, according to a 2014 Gallup poll.

October 15, 2015 – By Matt Alderton Shopping till you drop can wear you out and max out your credit cards. Getting back on track after a spending spree takes time, effort and a focus on avoiding the urge to splurge in the future.

October 9, 2015 – By Michelle Smith A lot of people underestimate what they need to do financially, mentally and emotionally to prepare for retirement. But that doesn’t have to be your story. Make sure you’re prepared so you can enjoy your retirement. Here are 10 signs that point to perhaps you’re not ready to retire and need to re-think your retirement strategy plan.

October 1, 2015 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is helping consumers learn more about credit during National Credit Awareness Month this October. ACCC provides five important facts about credit that consumers may not be aware of.

September 30, 2015 As Money Matters National Education Day approaches on September 10th, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is providing working Americans with five tips to help better understand their paycheck.

Boston, MA – September 30, 2015 With rising divorce rates in the United States, many couples have reported that money and financial issues are the main source of conflict in a relationship. That is why national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has provided couples with three ... Read More »

Boston, MA – September 30, 2015 Budget-conscious Americans say they can’t afford to take a vacation, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Nearly 85 percent of those polled during the month of August by ACCC revealed that they could not take a vacation because they either needed to use the money for bills or other expenses, didn’t have enough money saved, or couldn’t take time off.

Boston, MA – September 30, 2015 As fall settles in, retail stores begin to stock their stores shelves and prepare for the holiday season. This means consumers should be thinking ahead – not only to about what they will be purchasing, but more importantly how they will afford it.

September 29, 2015 – By Cameron Huddleston Do you have money on your mind? If so, you’re not alone. A recent GOBankingRates survey found that one in four Americans think about money more than anything else.

September 26, 2015 – By Brian O'Connell One ironclad rule among the Great American Middle Class is everyone gets a good vacation or two every year. Your parents had them, your grandparents had them and you should be able to shed all that workplace baggage and have a good trip, too, right? Maybe not.

Boston, MA – September 2, 2015 As September quickly approaches, students are preparing to head off to college and start the fall semester. This is an exciting, but stressful time when parents must decide: Is it time to set my child up with a credit card?

Boston, MA – August 31, 2015 The majority of American consumers has started paying bills online within the last five years, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Nearly 95 percent of those polled in the month of July by ACCC admitted that they pay at least one bill through their computer or mobile device. Nearly 55 percent of those polled said they started paying online within the last five years.

August 24, 2015 As the cost of college continues to rise, so has student loan debt – which has reached record highs. Creating a budget has become imperative for all college students in order to minimize their debt upon graduation. American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering five simple tips for students heading to college this Fall semester to help minimize student debt.

Boston, MA – August 20, 2015 With rising gas prices, taxes, and one of the highest unemployment rates in the Nation, the cost of living in California has made it extremely difficult for the average resident to pay bills on time. That’s why, this summer, American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering financially smart ways to survive California’s rising cost of living.

August 18, 2015 Summer is flying by, and soon the stressful back-to-school shopping will begin. American Consumer Credit Counseling has provided families with five tips for frugal back-to-school savings without breaking the bank

August 13, 2015 – By Paul Sisolak If you’re behind on bill payments, you can find ways to negotiate down your debts. Negotiating through your original creditor can help you dodge collection agencies, get rid of debt and improve your credit score.

Boston, MA – August 11, 2015 As the fall semester starts to creep up, incoming freshmen have a lot on their minds. Very few will consider their personal finances as a top priority as they enter the next four years of their life. That’s why national nonprofit, American Consumer Credit Counseling, has created some simple guidelines to help incoming freshmen make educated financial decisions.

Boston, MA – August 6, 2015 American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) partnered with credit unions across the state to teach students about budgeting and financial decision making at the second annual Scholars & Cents: A Reality Fair for State House Legislative.  The day-long fair was attended by ... Read More »

Las Vegas, NV – July 24, 2015 Summer is well underway, and many Las Vegas families struggle to afford that much desired summer vacation without breaking the bank. Luckily, national financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has announced five ways that Las Vegas families can enjoy a budget-friendly “staycation.”

Boston, MA – July 23, 2015 When it comes to marriage, many couples often fail to look past the wedding day and the planning involved in living a happy marriage. The biggest issue is that more often than not, couples fail to discuss their finances, financial philosophies, debt they may be bringing into the marriage, previous budgeting experiences and financial goals for the future prior to the big day. That’s why national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering a financial checklist for newlyweds.

July 20, 2015 – By Mikey Rox We're already more than halfway through another year — and already in the latter half of the decade (can you believe it!?) — which means fall and winter are right around the corner. As those seasons approach, you'll find yourself back to the grind, taking the kids to school and practices, buying school supplies, preparing for the holidays, and inevitably shelling out bill after bill while you're doing it. To help you best prepare for what's coming, let's take a look at your mid-year finances and find positive ways to improve before 2016.

July 13, 2015 Getting a new mortgage to replace the original is a great way to save money and lower your monthly payments, but not all lenders and borrowers are good candidates. That’s why national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering helpful tips for homeowners to know before they restructure their mortgage.

July 13, 2015 – By Brian O'Connell The housing market is heating up, and that goes double for homeowners looking to refinance and (hopefully) lock in a lower interest rate. The scuttlebutt among mortgage rate insiders this spring indicated rates would be going up this summer, but as the U.S. inflation rate low (at a rock-bottom 0.0%), rates are still at reasonable levels.

Boston, MA – July 13, 2015 More than one half of American consumers admitted they had trouble affording the cost of attending a wedding, according to a new online poll conducted by American Consumer Credit Counseling.

July 10, 2015 – By Michelle Smith We may think that an ever-advancing, high-tech society means our standard of living is improving. However, many people insist that the present-day quality of life isn’t what it used to be – at least not for the middle class. This is because it doesn’t always matter whether people earn more money than in years past – if it doesn’t have the same proportional buying power, they can feel serious financial strain and become heavily indebted.

Boston, MA – July 6, 2015 The ongoing four-year drought in Los Angeles has eaten away at beautiful green lawns, jacked up water prices and forced California regulators to order a 25 percent cut in urban water use. That’s why this summer, American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering financially smart tips for Los Angeles residents to conserve water and save money during the warmest months of the year.

July 6, 2015 – By Kristin McGrath For young people, credit goals are clear: Get a card and build credit so you can get good terms on life’s milestones – like car loans and mortgages. If you’re a retiree, though, the road ahead is less defined, especially if the house and car are paid off, you’re downsizing and there’s no need to acquire more credit.

Boston, MA – July 1, 2015 This July 4th, as we take pride in celebrating our country’s freedom, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling offers tips to help Americans declare their own personal financial independence and make a commitment to become debt free.

June 29, 2015 – By Dawn Papandrea “We tend to be more lax over the summer,” says Mike Brady, president of Generosity Wealth Management in Boulder, Colorado. If you're not careful, you might undo the good financial habits you've been following the rest of the year in just a couple of months.

June 21, 2015 – By Jeff Wuorio Summertime, and school is out. Or is it? While social studies and Spanish may be shelved for a few months, the summer offers a terrific opportunity to teach your children some valuable financial smarts as they bring some income from a seasonal job.

Boston, MA – June 19, 2015 The temperature is beginning to rise, and so are gas prices. After a long and often brutal winter, consumers are likely to take advantage of the nice weather this summer to go on road trips and travel the open roads. There are, however, ways to avoid being burdened by the expensive gas prices that come along with driving a car.

New York – June 19, 2015 – By Brian O'Connell Since dads are notorious for wanting costs kept low even on big days such as their birthday and Father's Day, some family members are getting ahead of the issue. They're planning fun but budget-friendly Father's Days this year, and they think dad will be really happy about it.

June 10, 2015 – By Ellen Chang Consumers who are facing delinquent car or mortgage payments should start by negotiating with their lender instead of ignoring the problem. Dealing with the lenders head-on when you know a late payment is imminent will help you in the long-run, because they will be more willing to work with you and offer a variety of payment options.

San Francisco, CA – June 3, 2015 With large numbers of veterans in California and across the U.S. facing financial challenges and worries following military service, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering new tips and resources to help overcome these challenges.

Boston, MA – May 29, 2015 With summer rapidly approaching, many families struggle to afford that all-important summer vacation or trip together without breaking the bank. Travel is one of those luxuries everyone wants to afford but may not be able to fit into their budget. Luckily, national financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has announced five ways families can enjoy a budget-friendly summer vacation.

Boston, MA – May 22, 2015 With the cost of college and the average amount of student loans skyrocketing, national financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is celebrating 529 College Savings Day on May 29th by sharing useful tips that will help students make money-savvy decisions and save for school.

May 20, 2015 – By Steve Trumble Here’s something that might shock you: Massachusetts is an abysmal failure when it comes to literacy in primary and secondary education. I refer to financial literacy: budgeting, understanding debt and knowing the value of a dollar. In other words, learning early on how to live within ones means, the better to enjoy self-sufficiency throughout adulthood.

Boston, MA – May 4, 2015 May 4, 2015 –Budget-conscious consumers say they had little or no personal finance education as children, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Nearly 65 percent of those polled by ACCC during National Financial Literacy Month admitted they were without financial education before the age of 16.

Boston, MA – May 2, 2015 National financial education and credit counseling nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling recently participated in a statewide financial education summit hosted by MassSaves. The summit, called “Financial Education: Teach it, build it, coach it, spread it, love it!” featured keynote speaker and Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.

Boston, MA – April 21, 2015 No matter how old you are, it’s never too early to begin preparing for life after work. This National Financial Literacy Month, nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has a set of helpful tips for how to build a retirement account.

Boston, MA – April 14, 2015 April 15th is fast approaching, and for most Americans, that means tax refunds are on the way. After paying dues to Uncle Sam all year, consumers may be tempted to splurge, but nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has some advice for making the most of the cash back you might receive.

Boston, MA – April 10, 2015 It’s never too early to begin learning about money, and during National Financial Literacy Month nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has the five most important money lessons every kid should know.

April 9, 2015 – By Sheiresa Ngo Are high schools doing enough to provide a solid financial education? That answer might depend largely on state and school requirements, but some financial education experts say schools could do better. The lack of a standard personal finance curriculum in America’s classrooms has been a hot topic for quite a while.

Boston, MA – April 6, 2015 April 6, 2015 –The number of consumers who racked up expenses on their credit cards rose slightly over last year. According to the Federal Reserve, the average American household’s credit card debt has increased 2.26 percent from October 2013 to October 2014.

Boston, MA – March 20, 2015 Learning about finances at a young age is a key component to making smart financial decisions in the future. Despite this, studies show that a majority of young people struggle with financial literacy in the U.S. Just 17 states require personal financial classes in high school, according to a survey by the Council for Economic Education

Boston, MA – March 20, 2015 College and high school spring break is underway and tens of thousands of students across the country will soon flock from the classroom to beach chairs in tropical destinations. While it’s a time for sunshine, parties and fun, the risk of not preparing for your trip abroad could leave you with credit problems and a financial emergency.

Boston, MA – March 20, 2015 Students from all over Massachusetts were tested on their consumer and marketplace knowledge at the local LifeSmarts 2015 state competition on Thursday, March 19. The state competition was run by the national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling and the Massachusetts Jump$tart Coalition.

March 20, 2015 – By Eden Shulman Gas prices have fallen 33 percent in the past year, down to an average of $2.39 last week. What are consumers doing with those savings? Well, according to a recent poll by American Consumer Credit Counseling, pretty much the same things they always spend money on

March 17, 2015 – By Kimberly Gedeon Aah, weddings. A night full of love, laughter, and the sanctity of matrimony — that you just might be paying for the rest of your lawfully wedded life. The costs of tying the knot has skyrocketed to an all-time high of $31,213, CNBC reports.

March 15, 2015 – By Roxie Rodgers Dinstel Are you always honest with your partner about money? Or do you have a bank account, extra credit card or a big debt you haven’t come clean about? More than half of Americans have kept a financial secret from their partners according to a recent survey from the American Consumer Credit Counseling.

March 11, 2015 – By Carol Hymowitz Financial advisers say that if parents have money left over each month, they should be maxing out their contributions to 401(k) plans or paying down mortgages or other debt.

March 11, 2015 – By Brian O'Connell Too many of us are retiring before we get to retire our debt. "Americans are nearing retirement or living in retirement while carrying greater amounts of mortgage debt, student loans or credit card balances," TIAA-CREF says. "If you're nearing retirement and still paying down debt, how should you plan to juggle both?"

Boston, MA – March 6, 2015 Consumers can take better control of their financial lives by getting a better understanding of their credit report and scores during National Credit Education Month. American Consumer Credit Counseling - a non-profit credit counseling agency that serves consumers nationwide - says many people don’t fully understand the difference between a credit report and a credit score.

Boston, MA – March 6, 2015 With credit card debt once again on the rise in the U.S., national financial education non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling today announced five steps to becoming credit card smart. Credit card debt is the third largest source of household debt, behind only mortgages and student loans.

San Francisco, CA – March 6, 2015 The amount of consumers who have experienced digital identity theft has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. The biggest issue is more often than not, consumers do not know how to protect themselves against scammers, which is why American Consumer Credit Counseling has released a handful of tips in hopes of minimizing the threat.

Nevada – March 6, 2015 The amount of consumers who have experienced digital identity theft has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. The biggest issue is more often than not, consumers do not know how to protect themselves against scammers, which is why American Consumer Credit Counseling has released a handful of tips in hopes of minimizing the threat.

Los Angeles, CA – March 6, 2015 The amount of consumers who have experienced digital identity theft has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. The biggest issue is more often than not, consumers do not know how to protect themselves against scammers, which is why American Consumer Credit Counseling has released a handful of tips in hopes of minimizing the threat.

Boston, MA – March 4, 2015 The amount of consumers who have experienced digital identity theft has sky rocketed over the past couple of years. The biggest issue is more often than not, consumers do not know how to protect themselves against scammers, which is why American Consumer Credit Counseling has released a handful of tips in hopes of minimizing the threat.

Boston, MA – February 25, 2015 It’s no secret that extreme cold and record-setting snow has taken a harsh financial toll on consumers and businesses throughout Massachusetts. The City of Boston has already spent $35 million on snow removal, the most ever in its history and almost double what was originally budgeted.

Boston, MA – February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 – In an effort to help address low financial literacy in the state of Nevada, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has released an educational guide to help teach children about money.

February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 – For many dealerships across the country, Presidents’ Day marks the kick-off to the car-buying season, with promotional events aimed at driving consumers to make a purchase. In fact, one recent survey from Edmunds.com found that typically there is a 25 percent increase in sales over the course of the weekend.

February 13, 2015 – By Natalie Rutledge Fifty percent of Americans have lied to their partners about money, according to recent survey from American Consumer Credit Counseling. As thousands of couples prepare to pledge their love to one another over the Valentine's Day weekend, this poll shows half of them have taken part in financial infidelity.

Boston, MA – February 11, 2015 February 11, 2015 – When it comes to love and money, half of Americans admit they have committed financial infidelity and lied to their significant other about money, according to a recent survey conducted by national financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling.

February 6, 2015 – By Marlene Y. Satter When it comes to their finances, putting aside funds for retirement is way down the list for Americans in 2015. According to a poll from American Consumer Credit Counseling, the top financial priority this year for most of the country is to pay off debt.

Boston, MA – February 5, 2015 February 5, 2015 – Paying down debt ranks as the number one financial goal for consumers in 2015, according to a recent survey conducted by national financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling.

Boston, MA – January 30, 2015 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is helping consumers get physically and financially fit during Financial Wellness Month this January. ACCC is providing simple and easy ways for Americans to get on a healthy track when it comes to finances and physical health in 2015.

Boston, MA – January 30, 2015 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is helping consumers who want to purchase a home during National Get Organized Month this January. Organization is key when it comes to getting ready to buy your first home.

Boston, MA – January 28, 2015 January 28, 2015- Today, national consumer credit counseling agency, American Consumer Credit Counseling, launched their monthly online survey seeking to gain better insight into consumers’ behavior when it comes to love and money.

Boston, MA – January 21, 2015 As a nation still recovering from an economic recession, the affordable housing situation in the United States, especially in San Francisco, has become a serious matter. According to new data from the American Community Survey, over 42 million households in America were renter households.

Boston, MA – January 20, 2015 When it comes to finances, most consumers will agree they have encountered at least one awkward money situation in their life. In fact, according to one survey, nearly half (48 percent) of U.S. adults have avoided a person or a situation because they knew it would be an awkward money moment.

January 15, 2015 – By CreditCards.com Credit card debt doesn’t take long to spiral out of control (thanks a lot, compound interest!), and that’s under normal circumstances. When you add financial milestones and other life situations to the mix, there are periods when it makes sense ... Read More »

January 14, 2015 Amidst a digital age and the digitization of information, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. Recent studies show that every minute, 19 identities are stolen. As of late, the technological world has proven to be in a ... Read More »

January 14, 2015 – By Geoff Williams You don't have to play the lottery or go to Vegas to lose your shirt. Consumers make risky bets with their money all the time. In fact, you may be a gambler and not even know it. Here are just a few ways you may be playing a game of chance with your money.

Boston, MA – January 8, 2015 More than half of consumers are stressed about their financial situations every day, according to a recent survey conducted by national financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling. The survey comes at the heels of earlier consumer reports indicating that consumer spending confidence levels were approaching a seven year high.