News & Press Releases

Boston, MA – December 21, 2018 Starting a side business or freelancing gig can be a great way to make more money to achieve financial independence or a sought-after financial goal. With the extra money coming in, consumers can increase their savings or work to pay off outstanding debt.

Boston, MA – December 20, 2018 Financial goals are challenging to achieve and the barriers that consumers face can be daunting. When setting financial goals, especially long-term goals, it is important to accept that achieving them takes patience and commitment.

Boston, MA – December 13, 2018 Sticking to a budget is not always easy, but setting goals is one-way consumers can work through situations – such as consumer debt – that cause financial stress. When setting financial goals, it is important to be realistic and decide if each goal can be achieved in a couple of months or a couple of years.

Boston, MA – December 6, 2018 Shopping online is an excellent way for consumers to purchase gifts for their friends and family without having to endure the hustle and bustle of the mall during the holidays. Although shopping online can be relaxing, it is easy to get carried away and forget about a budget

Boston, MA – November 29, 2018 Rewards credit cards are offered by many issuers and allow consumers to earn cash back from a percentage of every purchase. Although this sounds enticing, there are often many hidden charges, like annual fees or high interest charges, which consumers need to be aware of before applying.

Boston, MA – November 28, 2018 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling announced today it has named Peter J. Mullen as Community Outreach Coordinator. In this role, Mullen will facilitate workshops and one-on-one financial counseling sessions.

Boston, MA – November 26, 2018 Fraud can come in many forms, and now, with the increase in online shopping and email spam, consumers are more susceptible than ever. It is vital for consumers to be aware of the different types of fraud they may encounter so that they can protect their identity and finances.

November 19, 2018 – By Kristin Stoller ’Tis the season for increased spending. Before you start your holiday festivities, make sure you have a rock-solid holiday budget. This year, the National Retail Federation predicts that the holidays will be the most expensive event of the year for the average American, costing about $1,007 per person.

Boston, MA – November 19, 2018 Although online shopping can make life more convenient for consumers, it can also make it easier to overspend or fall victim to scams.

Boston, MA – November 12, 2018 Debt settlement is the process of settling debt with a creditor for less than what is owed. During this process, consumers stop paying their creditors and pay the debt settlement company instead while their accounts become delinquent.

Boston, MA – October 31, 2018 The unfortunate reality is that millions of consumers have their identities stolen every year. If a consumer falls victim to identity theft, it is essential that they know the necessary steps to take to dispute the fraud.

October 31, 2018 – By Beverly Harzog When it comes to credit, there are few absolutes. If you miss a payment, that's never good. If you max out all of your credit cards, then yes, you can count on something bad happening to your credit score. But closing a credit card? Well, that is probably a bad idea.

Boston, MA – October 29, 2018 Although there are many credit cards that offer great rewards and low fees, there are also cards that should be avoided. It is important for consumers to understand their needs and study each card for hidden fees before applying.

October 26, 2018 – By Pat Pratt Even though she’s dead, Jeanne Haislip of Columbia makes a mean cup of coffee. Perhaps one of the the nation’s largest credit reporting agencies should enjoy one with her. That way it might finally believe she’s very much alive.

October 23, 2018 – By Ben Luthi Credit repair companies can help you dispute errors on your credit reports, but they can't do anything for you that you can't do on your own. What's more, credit repair scams are common and can leave you worse off than when you started.

Boston, MA – October 18, 2018 Capitalizing on Social Security benefits is critical to achieve a comfortable retirement. Most consumers rely on these benefits as a monthly income during their retirement, so it is important they understand the rules to maximize their entitled amount

October 16, 2018 – By Mia Taylor It’s hardly a secret or news flash that the student loan debt crisis in this country has reached epic proportions. For those who’ve lost track of just how bad things have gotten, here’s an update: There are now more than 44 million borrowers in America who collectively owe over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt.

October 12, 2018 – By Christy Rakoczy Bieber Credit is a tool that can be used for good but may be problematic if you don’t know how to use it effectively. Using credit reliably and earning good credit scores can help you build wealth and allow you to do business with companies — but you can get into trouble if you don’t understand how credit works.

Boston, MA – October 11, 2018 Graduating college is an amazing feeling until you’re hit with that first student loan payment. For many students, that occurs in the fall when their first federal loan payment is due. The amount of student loan debt can seem overwhelming, and for some consumers, it can feel as if the loans will take an eternity to pay off.

October 8, 2018 – By Jen Glantz Gone are the days where the only way to get a new credit card was to fill out a lengthy application, send it back to a credit card company in the mail, and cross your fingers, for weeks, waiting to hear if you got approved.

October 3, 2018 – By Lyn Mettler Both cards offer some benefits for Sears and Kmart shoppers — Sears Holdings Corporation is the parent company for both retailers — but there are also downsides that keep us from being able to recommend either as a great option.

Boston, MA – September 27, 2018 Although a checking account may seem simple to manage, it is usually the main source of a consumer’s financial activity and needs to be properly maintained. By understanding how to manage a checking account, consumers can avoid making small errors that could be costly.

September 25, 2018 – By Wichita Falls Times Record News The president of my firm, Michelle Kuehner, recently blogged about grocery spending at FixOurBudget.com. One question she posed to her audience: Are you spending too much on food? I sat down with her (easy to do as her office is across the hall from mine) and asked her to elaborate.

Boston, MA – September 24, 2018 It’s no secret that consumers – especially adult children – have much to think about when it comes to finances: from how they will help their aging parents and pay for their child’s college education at the same time to affording retirement.

Boston, MA – September 20, 2018 American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) announced today that it has received a $25,000 grant from Rockland Trust Foundation to support the financial education and life skills education for youth through the Youth FinLit and Life Skills Program

Boston, MA – September 18, 2018 Before consumers apply for their first credit card, it is important they educate themselves and become familiar with the common terms. By understanding basic credit card terms, consumers can avoid costly mistakes in the future, saving themselves a lot of money.

Boston, MA – September 13, 2018 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling announced today that Sue Katz, Community Outreach Coordinator and Certified Credit Counselor, was presented with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

August 30, 2018 – By Benilyn Formoso - Suralta Small businesses can use business credit cards to build credit, improve cash flow, manage employee spending, and streamline expense reporting—all while earning cash back and travel rewards.

August 22, 2018 – By Rebecca Safier Life doesn’t always go as planned. If you run into tough times, an emergency fund could help you weather the storm. But while experts recommend saving between three and six months’ worth of living expenses in your emergency fund, they’re not always so clear about when to spend this money.

Boston, MA – August 22, 2018 Wedding planning and a potential honeymoon are often hot topics of discussion for newly engaged couples, but one key area that shouldn’t be overlooked is finances. As the wedding date approaches, couples’ finances are closer to being merged, so it is important to discuss each other’s priorities and goals.

Boston, MA – August 20, 2018 No matter your occupation or income, it’s not uncommon to travel multiple times a day to and from various locations. Whether it’s to get to work or go on vacation, travel expenses can add up quickly.

August 20, 2018 – By Anna Helhoski “Why am I running out of money?” That’s the question students ask most when they visit the student money management center at University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia. “When I ask them about a spending plan or a budget, ... Read More »

Boston, MA – August 16, 2018 Caregiving is a reality for many families across the country, whether it’s paying for parents’ medical tests, helping out relatives, or caring for sick loved ones. Not only can it become time consuming, it can upend lives and potentially ruin retirement savings.

Boston, MA – August 9, 2018 It’s that time of year again when summer is coming to an end and the school year is approaching. Both parents and students are probably thinking about how expensive school supplies and extracurricular activities can be.

August 1, 2018 – By Jennifer Billock At the beginning of May, I checked my total student loan balance and saw something incredibly frustrating. I’d been making payments for about seven years, and instead of the total going down, it had risen by $6,000.

Boston, MA – July 31, 2018 Loans can be a crucial tool to help consumers achieve their financial goals and move forward with major purchases and life milestones. It’s important that consumers understand the different types of loans and their differences so they can make informed decisions that best meet their desired financial goals.

Boston, MA – July 30, 2018 With home and condo prices soaring around much of the nation and limited inventory that can lead to bidding wars, a large majority of consumers have not tried to purchase a home within the last year, according to a new survey by national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling.

July 25, 2018 – By Mark Henricks After she left her corporate job to start a coaching business, Christy Whitman rang up $90,000 in credit card debt. “Paying it off seemed impossible, given that I was only making $60,000 a year as a brand new coach,” said Whitman.

Boston, MA – July 23, 2018 Moving can be an overwhelming process. No matter if it’s someone’s first time or fifth time moving, it takes countless hours of preparation.

Boston, MA – July 23, 2018 Many consumers are not aware of the types of banking fees they are paying. No matter how small the fee, these charges can add up and can hurt consumers’ savings.

Boston, MA – July 7, 2018 Many consumers find that they spend their paycheck as fast as they earn it. Often times this leaves consumers with the question, “where did it all go?” In an effort to help consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) has created nine tips on how they can control their spending.

Boston, MA – June 28, 2018 No matter how careful consumers are, their financial situation can change at any moment due to an unexpected event. Although consumers cannot control certain events, they can ensure they are financially prepared for them.

June 26, 2018 – By Andrew Pentis There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to handling credit card debt. The cheapest way for you to get rid of it might be more expensive for your neighbor, and vice versa. Here are five ways you can erase your credit card debt. The list starts with the less expensive method. Discover which option is the best and most cost-effective for you.

June 26, 2018 – By Miranda Marquit There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to handling credit card debt. The cheapest way for you to get rid of it might be more expensive for your neighbor, and vice versa. Here are five ways you can erase your credit card debt. The list starts with the less expensive method. Discover which option is the best and most cost-effective for you.

Boston, MA – June 26, 2018 Finding ways to cut expenses and spend less can be one of the biggest challenges in personal finance. By making a few small changes, consumers can take control of their finances and contribute more to their savings. To help, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling offers ten strategies on how to cut expenses.

Boston, MA – June 21, 2018 Sticking to a strict budget during the summer months can be hard to accomplish. With the nice weather, it is easy for consumers to veer off their financial track. National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) provides consumers with tips on how to enjoy summer on a budget

June 21, 2018 – By Rebecca Safier Congratulations, Class of 2018 graduates! Hopefully, you’ve spent the past few weeks celebrating your achievements. But now you’re probably wondering, “What’s next?” To help you prepare, we chatted with recent college graduates (Class of 2017 and earlier) about their experiences since graduating.

Boston, MA – June 21, 2018 No matter the age, it is always important to find the most beneficial ways to save money. Saving over the long term helps prepare for any desired purchases, unexpected events, emergencies, or retirement.

June 20, 2018 – By Rachel Hartman Whether you’re worried about saving enough money for the future or regret that you didn’t set aside enough in the past, it’s easy to get stressed about retirement. Anxiety levels can escalate even further at the thought of trimming costs to save for retirement.

Boston, MA – June 20, 2018 After graduation, many people find themselves with multiple federal student loans to pay off. Some graduates may consider consolidation, which combines the existing debt into a single loan.

Boston, MA – June 11, 2018 Buying a car can be an agonizing process between researching prices and dealerships, test driving, and paperwork. How do consumers decide if owning or leasing is best? National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) provides consumers with the facts to help make the car buying process simpler.

Boston, MA – May 29, 2018 With the cost of college continuing to rise and student loan debt higher than ever, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is celebrating 529 College Savings Day on May 29th by providing consumers with useful and savvy tips on how to save for college.

May 23, 2018 – By Christy Rakoczy As a new graduate, you’ve got a lot on your plate. It’s an important time to make smart money decisions, including setting financial goals.

Boston, MA – May 21, 2018 Every year consumers fall victim to identity theft. Not only can identity theft empty a consumer’s bank account, it can also prolong any future financial plans. With the growth in anonymous transactions and easy accessibility to accounts online, it is ... Read More »

Boston, MA – May 15, 2018 The transition between college and the workforce can be a tricky time financially for recent graduates. Students often graduate with the immense burden of student debt, on top of the stress of finding a job to begin repaying those loans.

May 14, 2018 – By Amanda Dixon For some consumers taken advantage of by one of the nation's biggest banks, Monday is the last day to decline a slice of a big class-action settlement pie.

May 8, 2018 – By Brian O'Connell Bankruptcy afflicts over a million Americans on a yearly basis, and going under financially is widely viewed as a nightmare scenario. That isn't necessarily the case, as a new Lending Tree report shows.

Boston, MA – May 5, 2018 By this time, many consumers have either received or will be receiving their tax returns. The extra cash can be a temptation to splurge on unnecessary things. To help consumers make the most of their tax refund, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling offers seven helpful tips.

May 5, 2018 – By Erik J. Martin To get the best mortgage rates, you really do need a high credit score. But you can buy without resorting to bad credit home loans if you don't have a score.

May 2, 2018 – By LadiesWantMore It’s easy to see why payday loans are so tempting. Consider this scenario, for example. You’re $300 short on an important bill. Your next payday is 10 days away, your credit card balance is at its limit, and you can’t borrow from any of your friends or family. What do you do?

May 1, 2018 – By Andrew Pentis There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to handling credit card debt. The cheapest way for you to get rid of it might be more expensive for your neighbor, and vice versa.

Boston, MA – April 30, 2018 Online banking is an incredibly convenient way for consumers to monitor their bank accounts and finances more efficiently. Understanding how to access accounts, locate helpful features, and stay secure is necessary to get the most out of online banking.

Boston, MA – April 26, 2018 Car insurance is an expensive necessity. The only way to find the best deal is by doing research, knowing what to look for, and shopping around. National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) provides consumers with seven tips on how they can find the best rates for auto insurance.

Boston, MA – April 23, 2018 Retirement can be both exciting and stressful for consumers, particularly when it comes to finances. The good news is that the process of saving for retirement does not have to be complicated if consumers know how much money they need and develop a plan to get there.

Boston, MA – April 19, 2018 Direct deposit not only makes consumers’ lives easier, but it can also help with money management. With direct deposit, the employee’s paycheck is deposited electronically to their bank account each pay period

April 18, 2018 – By Ben Luthi The average credit score of Americans is 700, based on April 2017 data from Fair Isaac Corp., an analytics company that issues the FICO credit score. If your score meets or beats that average, it’s enough to put you in the good credit score range, which goes from 670 to 739.

April 17, 2018 – By Chris Kissell The typical U.S. consumer is not satisfied with a single credit card. Among households with at least one account, the average shopper holds 3.7 cards in total, according to a 2014 Gallup survey. “People are frankly taking as much credit ... Read More »

April 15, 2018 – By Michael McGough With tax season winding down, many Americans have spent the last few weeks reflecting on how they're handling their finances (perhaps with shades of regret, in some cases).

April 13, 2018 – By Marketsfinance When it comes to getting ahead and building good money habits, learning proper financial management is the key to success. The secret to unlocking a life of abundance is not waiting on hands and knees for finance tips from billionaires, ... Read More »

Boston, MA – April 11, 2018 When it comes to unforeseen emergencies, the best defense and readiness tool is a household fund explicitly established for emergencies and unplanned events. To help consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has created videos and tips to explain how to effectively ... Read More »

Boston, MA – April 2, 2018 Consumers may notice that their paycheck shows a lower take-home amount than what they may expect given their salary or hourly wage. Because of this, it is important to know the difference between net and gross income when planning your expenses

Boston, MA – March 26, 2018 Paying bills on time is crucial to living a healthy financial life. It is imperative for consumers to keep track of each bill, so they don’t fall behind on payments and become crippled by debt.

March 24, 2018 – By Sheryl Nance-Nash You may want to be helpful, but you should know that if you loan someone your credit card and you don’t get paid back, the bill is still yours.

March 21, 2018 – By OppU Loans An emergency fund is one of those things that’s super important to have, even if you don’t use it very often. It’s kind of like health or car insurance: if something bad happens and it’s not there, you’ll find yourself in a world of trouble.

March 21, 2018 – By Business Blogs American consumers are using plastic in record numbers and they’re not alone. According to the American Consumer Credit Counseling, 80% of spending in the United States is cashless, and 73% of Americans say that they use less cash today than they did 10 years ago.

Boston, MA – March 20, 2018 Do you ever wonder how much you can afford to spend on everyday living expenses, such as transportation, clothes, and food? Where consumers live, their family circumstances, income, and debt all have a direct impact on the amount they have to spend.

Boston, MA – March 16, 2018 Many consumers turn to investing to save for retirement and achieve financial goals. Although it may seem obvious to research before investing, many people don’t. To help educate consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) explains the basic principles of investing.

Boston, MA – March 5, 2018 American Consumer Credit Counseling announced today that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s office for Operation Money Wise Brockton VA. The grant will help support a 10-month financial workshop series to address the financial challenges and educational needs of homeless veterans who are committed to recovery from mental health and addiction problems in a residential therapeutic setting.

Boston, MA – March 5, 2018 Deployment can be an extremely stressful and emotional experience for service members and the families of those being deployed. To coincide with Military Saves Week (February 26, to March 3, 2018), national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has created a series of videos with tips for military members on how to manage and prepare finances during all stages of deployment – including pre, during, and post.

Boston, MA – March 1, 2018 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) announced today that it has joined BostonHires, a program launched by City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. As a BostonHires Champion, ACCC is committed to providing jobs that pay a living wage and employer-sponsored benefits to unemployed and under-employed Boston residents.

Boston, MA – March 1, 2018 Every company is different when it comes to the types of benefits they offer their employees. Some benefits are required by law, but many companies offer additional benefits that employees should be taking full advantage of.

Boston, MA – February 22, 2018 It’s not uncommon for consumers to have a hard time making ends meet on a tight budget. In some cases, the income they are earning each month is not enough to cover necessities, let alone luxuries.

Boston, MA – February 16, 2018 Although most Americans have at least one credit card in their wallet, there is a good chance they do not fully understand how to use it responsibly. There is a constant flow of misinformation about how to use a credit ... Read More »

Boston, MA – February 12, 2018 Seventy percent of consumers say that paying down debt is their top financial resolution for 2018, according to a new survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC). This is true across every generation – baby boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials.

Boston, MA – February 12, 2018 To reduce recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend) and improve the prospects of offenders reentering into the community, American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) has provided financial education classes to Massachusetts inmates since 2011.

Boston, MA – January 31, 2018 As Valentine’s Day nears, many consumers have started thinking about the perfect gift or activity for their significant other. If you are on a tight budget, an extravagant day with that special someone can be stressful.

Boston, MA – January 21, 2018 When it comes to protecting finances, it is critical for consumers to avoid major mistakes that can impact them down the road. In an effort to help consumers live a healthy financial life, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) discusses important financial mistakes to avoid.

Boston, MA – January 17, 2018 Understanding basic financial terms is key to living a healthy financial life. Sometimes important financial terms can be overwhelming or misleading and make it hard for consumers to navigate the best financial path.

January 16, 2018 – By Ben Luthi Bankruptcy lawyers might tell you that filing for bankruptcy offers a fresh start. However, it doesn’t feel that way when you’re applying for credit cards after bankruptcy.

January 15, 2018 – By Motley Fool Americans love credit, and it shows. The average consumer had 2.35 bankcards and 1.51 retail cards in 2016, according to Experian's annual "State of Credit" report. Credit card usage can be a good thing, but it also carries a lot of risks. So is it time to pull the plug on yours?

Boston, MA – January 11, 2018 The New Year is a perfect time for Millennials to take a step back and review their current finances and consider goals for 2018. It’s essential for Millennials to create a plan and utilize their resolutions to improve their financial well-being.