American Consumer Credit Counseling gives six tips on surviving wedding season
Boston, MA – May 3, 2019
Wedding season is quickly approaching, and it is important to be prepared. Although weddings are joyful events, they can also be a financial burden as costs tend to add up quickly. To help, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) gives consumers six tips on how to survive wedding season.
“As wedding season approaches you should take a look at your finances and your calendar to determine how much you can spend on each occasion,” said Steve Trumble, President, and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “Fortunately, there are some tips that you can follow to ensure you don’t demolish your financial goals during wedding season.”
A survey by Banktate.com found that a wedding guest that is a close friend or family member spends on average $628 to attend a wedding, compared to those in the bridal party who spend an average of $728 and distant guests who spend about $371.
ACCC gives six tips on ways to survive wedding season.
- Set a budget – Consumers should take a look at their finances and determine exactly how much they can spend without going into debt.
- Rent or borrow – Having multiple weddings in a season can make it hard to find outfits. It is unnecessary to have over ten black tie dresses hanging in the closet. Instead, consider exchanging with friends or renting from places such as Rent the Runway. This is also a great time to repurpose any old bridesmaid dresses hanging in the closet.
- Lodging alternatives – Although hotel rooms are blocked off with a discount, it may not be the cheapest option. Do some research on nearby hotels to ensure the best deal. If the consumer has a group of friends, consider renting a house through websites such as Airbnb or VRBO is the better deal.
- Booking airfare – If it is a destination wedding, then it is important to research all the flight options once the date has been confirmed and book far in advance. Track prices to see when they rise and fall as some airlines may offer a credit if the consumer notices a drop in price after booking.
- The gift – If a consumer can’t afford to give a sum of money, they should take a look at the registry and find something in their price range. Consumers should also shop around and see if they can find the registered item elsewhere for cheaper.
- Say no – A wedding invitation is not a requirement. Although it might be painful to check the “will not attend” box, it is okay especially if it will be a financial burden.
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
