News & Press Releases

Boston, MA – December 16, 2019 In a world of credit cards, loans, and “buy now, pay later” deals, it is easy for consumers to accumulate debt. Even though taking out loans and using credit cards are often necessary for consumers today, there are strategies to navigate and minimize debt.

December 12, 2019 – By Anne-Marie Hays A holiday budget. To many, this phrase may seem like an oxymoron — like a jumbo shrimp, a working vacation, or fresh cafeteria food. Holidays and budgets do feel strange for some people, like setting limits on the amount of fun that you can have. How do you limit fun? I will stop at one fun, two funs, three funs?

Boston, MA – December 11, 2019 Although the holiday season is often a time filled with celebration, the gift-giving process can be stressful for many consumers. With the right budgeting and spending plan, the holiday season will be less of a financial burden.

Boston, MA – December 8, 2019 Making better money choices allows consumers to strengthen their finances and avoid debt. Financial mistakes here and there may seem innocent, but they can add up quickly and lead to bad habits and financial disaster.

Boston, MA – December 4, 2019 It is essential that consumers plan for retirement and take steps now to help them achieve financial stability for that period of their lives. Although consumers should ideally start setting money aside early in their careers, individuals who are late to the game still have a chance to save enough for a comfortable retirement.

November 28, 2019 – By Thomas G. Bognanno The holiday season is usually associated with good cheer, warm memories, and overall merriment. However, for many, the holidays are also a time of stress, worrying over finances associated with travel and gifts, anxiety-inducing family gatherings, or grieving the absence of loved ones who have passed away.

Boston, MA – November 25, 2019 Some consumers love the thrill of shopping for deals on Black Friday with the crowds, while others prefer to enjoy Cyber Monday from the comfort of their home. Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday have some of the best deals of the holiday season, it is essential that consumers are realistic when spending.

Boston, MA – November 22, 2019 With 2020 just around the corner, now is the perfect time for consumers to review their current finances and check off several to-do items before the new year starts. It is essential that consumers start planning their finances for 2020 in order to achieve financial stability in the new year.

November 20, 2019 – By Alice Stevens One of the joys of adulting is managing your finances. Credit counseling can help you get a handle on your finances and manage them better. Credit counseling is one option when trying to get out of debt.

Boston, MA – November 15, 2019 Investments provide consumers with a variety of different tools to help achieve their financial goals. Starting the process of investing can be intimidating, but consumers who take the time to learn the fundamentals can gain traction on their short- and long-term financial goals.

Boston, MA – November 14, 2019 Reading credit reports can be tricky and stressful, especially if consumers aren’t completely sure what they are looking at. National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) explains how consumers can successfully read their credit report

November 6, 2019 – By Ben Luthi Holiday loans are personal loans that you can use to finance year-end holiday expenses, such as gifts, decorations and parties. Expenses around the holidays add up to about $1,000, according to the National Retail Federation's Holiday 2018 Consumer Trends report.

Boston, MA – November 1, 2019 Conversations about money can be extremely awkward. Consumers face a variety of challenging money-related situations that can be damaging to relationships with friends and family.

October 26, 2019 – By Brian O'Connell When times are tough and money's tight, you may have limited options of where to turn when you need to get your hands on some cash. If your credit score is great, you may be able to turn to your bank.

Boston, MA – October 23, 2019 Having a good credit score is crucial to qualify for loans and credit cards. Many credit holders worry about low credit scores, and while improving a credit score might take some time, it can be done.

Boston, MA – October 18, 2019 Many consumers experience financial anxieties, but may not know what actions they need to take to improve their financial situation. The fall is a good time for consumers to take a moment and review their finances, re-evaluate and reorganize if necessary.

October 10, 2019 – By Shelly Gigante If you’ve reached the Social Security tax wage limit for this year, or expect to before year-end, yours is an enviable problem indeed: how best to spend the extra dollars you get back in your paycheck.

October 10, 2019 – By RISMedia Becoming a homeowner is part of the American Dream. However, buying a house takes a lot of consideration and planning, which can feel overwhelming for many first-time buyers.

Boston, MA – October 9, 2019 For many recent college graduates, the euphoria of earning a degree is now giving way to the reality of that first looming student loan payment. Across the U.S., millions of consumers are faced with the burden of repaying student loans - a responsibility that cannot be put off.

Boston, MA – September 30, 2019 An asset is something a consumer owns that provides economic value. Assets can include, but are not limited to cash, stocks, inventory, investments, trademarks or patents To help, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) explains different types of assets consumers may have.

Boston, MA – September 27, 2019 Because most students have little or no credit, it is hard for them to obtain a private loan. That’s why they usually need a cosigner. Parents who cosign a loan can help their child secure a loan and in some cases, help them get a lower interest rate.

Boston, MA – September 23, 2019 A mortgage lender is a financial institution that offers and underwrites home loans. Types of mortgage lenders include credit unions, banks, and mortgage companies. The standards, rates and loan programs vary depending on the mortgage lender.

Boston, MA – September 18, 2019 Buying a car can be an intimidating experience, especially given the wide range of options and potentially aggressive salespeople. Because of the options and the pressure, consumers must walk into a dealership with all the knowledge necessary to ensure they’re getting the best deal.

September 13, 2019 When it comes to saving money, every dollar counts. Whether you want to save up for a down payment or a vacation, or if you need to fatten your emergency fund, you can help meet your financial goal by evaluating your current expenses and finding simple ways to cut back.

September 11, 2019 Raising a child can be one of the best and most rewarding experiences, but it comes with a high financial cost. Consumers should know how to prepare their finances before becoming a parent.

Boston, MA – August 29, 2019 Although the economy has been stable for some time, it is only a matter of time until it takes another downfall. With a recession likely to occur in the near future, it is never too early for consumers to prepare for the upcoming financial storm.

August 28, 2019 – By Tamara E. Holmes If you’ve been thinking about cultivating multiple streams of income, you’ve got plenty of company. New surveys suggest that most consumers have more than one income stream and many are even thinking about taking their side gigs full-time.

Boston, MA – August 26, 2019 The costs of a wedding can add up very quickly. Some consumers may consider going down to city hall to save, but for those that want a lavish wedding, all hope is not lost.

Boston, MA – August 21, 2019 Sixty-five percent of consumers have a second income, according to a new survey by national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling.

Boston, MA – August 14, 2019 Credit cards are an essential financial tool if used responsibly. When used properly, credit cards help consumers build credit, which can help them secure lower rates on loans for big purchases, such as a house or car.

August 12, 2019 – By Elyssa Kirkham Although college graduates leave their institutions of higher learning with a diploma in hand, often many are lacking in personal finance know-how.

Boston, MA – August 8, 2019 With summer coming to an end, many parents are preparing for the upcoming school year. The arrival of a new academic year also comes with the sometimes dreaded back to school shopping.

August 5, 2019 – By Lou Varricchio While Americans have been racking up credit card debt during the decade of the 2010s to the tune of $1 trillion, Vermonters hold the embarrassing position as being in third place when it comes to having the worst credit card debt record in the nation.

Boston, MA – July 31, 2019 For most students, entering college is the first time they will be managing their own spending and finances. Many credit card companies try to take advantage of college students because they assume they have not learned proper money management techniques.

Boston, MA – July 29, 2019 Economics is a part of consumers’ daily lives, whether they’re at the grocery store or filling out a loan application, so it is important to have basic knowledge of important economic concepts.

Boston, MA – July 22, 2019 Consumers make financial mistakes from time to time, even if they have exceptional personal finance knowledge. It’s important to know how to fix them instantly.

Boston, MA – July 15, 2019 There are several different types of investment fraud that consumers need to be aware of. These include pyramid schemes, promissory notes, high-return of risk-free investments, Ponzi schemes, affinity fraud, and internet investment fraud.

Boston, MA – June 26, 2019 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) announced today it has received a $5,000 grant from the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s office and the Baker-Polito Administration’s Division of Banks for Operation Money Wise Brockton, VA for the second year.

Boston, MA – June 24, 2019 Building wealth is not something that will happen overnight. It takes time and perseverance. The biggest lessons consumers need to learn is how to save and how to stick to a budget.

June 22, 2019 According to the Federal Reserve Board's 2018 Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households, 40% of Americans reported not having $400 in their emergency savings account.

Boston, MA – June 21, 2019 As America’s credit card debt grows, it is essential for consumers to adopt safe and sustainable credit card spending and payment practices. Letting credit card payments roll over monthly can be detrimental, creating long-term negative impacts to a consumer’s credit score.

June 17, 2019 – By Martha C. White Hope you brought cash for last weekend’s Target run. Customers across the country were faced with back-to-back outages over the weekend, the second of which left stores unable to process credit or debit card payments.

Boston, MA – June 14, 2019 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) announced today it took part in WCVB’s Project CommUNITY: Financial Literacy and Guidance, a ‘televent’ hosted by NewsCenter 5 anchor Ben Simmoneau.

Boston, MA – June 13, 2019 Although retirement among millennials and young professionals may be decades away, it is important that consumers invest early and think long-term.

June 2, 2019 – By Megan Leonhardt Erza Bobo, a 21-year-old student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, balances classes with serving as a resident assistant and working at two local restaurants. Yet it’s not enough to make ends meet.

Boston, MA – May 31, 2019 Online banking allows consumers to manage their accounts on their computer or mobile device instead of having to visit the bank each time they need to make a transaction.

May 31, 2019 – By ValuePenguin If you’ve been searching for ways to improve your credit score, you might have come across credit repair companies, which can help you fix errors on your credit reports.

Boston, MA – May 29, 2019 Summer is almost here, which means consumers are starting to make their travel plans. Travel expenses can add up very quickly, but with the right research and planning, consumers don’t have to break the bank.

Boston, MA – May 23, 2019 There are many different things to consider when buying a house or condo. First and foremost, consumers need to figure out how much they can afford. After that comes the mortgage.

Boston, MA – May 17, 2019 Starting a small business is exciting – but it also takes a lot of work and organizing. Each year, Small Business Week recognizes the critical contributions made by the nation’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Boston, MA – May 16, 2019 This year, many Americans had found that their tax refunds are less than expected, while others owed money when they previously received refunds due to the tax overhaul in December 2017.

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.

Boston, MA – May 1, 2019 There are some months when consumers are in need of fast cash – not large sums of money, but enough to stretch until the next payday or to have some extra spending money. Fortunately, there are several ways for consumers to make a little extra cash here and there.

Boston, MA – May 1, 2019 Spoofing is when a hacker impersonates a known source of communication, such as an email address or a phone number, from an unknown source to steal data, private information or carry out phishing attacks.

May 1, 2019 – By Tobie Stanger Your credit score can have a major impact on your finances. Having a low score could mean that you end up paying as much as $5,000 more for a car loan than you would if you had a high one.

May 1, 2019 – By Alaya Linton When you’re looking for a reverse mortgage, it’s easy to take shortcuts while shopping. After all, you’re not making payments — so why does it matter what the interest rate is?

April 9, 2019 – By Geoff Williams If you are trying to dig yourself out of debt or you're about to take a loan, you'll want to know the difference between secured and unsecured debts to create a well-laid-out repayment plan. Understanding the type of debt you're dealing with is especially important to determine which debts to pay off first if you're on a strict budget.

Boston, MA – March 28, 2019 There are several ways that consumers can measure their progress towards achieving financial independence. Financial independence means different things to each consumer and can include reaching an important goal, such as paying off debt, building an emergency fund or contributing to a retirement fund.

Boston, MA – March 26, 2019 It is important for consumers to be aware of the different tax deductions and credits available to them, as they can be a huge money-saver. A tax credit directly reduces the amount of tax owed to the federal and state governments.

March 26, 2019 – By Brittany Anas Understanding what affects your credit score in order to rent an apartment or secure a mortgage shouldn’t be a mystery. After all, that three-digit number is what lenders use to determine your creditworthiness, so transparency should be the name of the game.

Boston, MA – March 12, 2019 Not all cities and regions have adequate public transportation, so owning a car is often a necessity for many Americans. Auto loan debts are relatively good debts to have as they come with fixed payments and end with the full ownership of a car.

March 12, 2019 – By Rebecca Lake Your credit history is an important factor that issuers consider when you apply for a credit card. But if you're among the 62 million Americans who, according to Experian, don't have enough credit history to generate a credit score, getting approved may be a challenge.

Boston, MA – February 28, 2019 Owning an income property is one-way consumers can invest their money. Income properties include residential property, such as multi-family or single family units, or commercial property for businesses.

Boston, MA – February 27, 2019 Many people look forward to retirement and the time they’ll have to travel, find new hobbies, and relax. To have a secure retirement, it is crucial that consumers plan ahead to ensure they have enough money to last.

Boston, MA – February 25, 2019 College students around the country are preparing to break out their bathing suits, sunscreen, and passports as they jet off for spring break in March. Students will flock to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and other exciting travel destinations for a chance to relax before starting final exam preparations when they return.

Boston, MA – February 22, 2019 No one is a fan of paying taxes, but being hit with a tax penalty from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on top of the amount owed can be a serious financial burden. So many taxpayers get hit with tax penalties every year because of not planning carefully.

Boston, MA – February 13, 2019 There is more than one type of investor that entrepreneurs can look to when fundraising to launch or expand a business. Investors are a big part of a business’s growth and can play a major role in whether it succeeds or fails

Boston, MA – January 31, 2019 If consumers want to maximize their tax refund this year, it is important they understand the changes that have gone into effect. The impact of the tax reform, whether it be positive or negative, depends on each consumer’s situation.

January 17, 2019 – By Megan Leonhardt When it comes to paying down debt, where you live can be just as important as how you live. To find the best city to live in to pay down debt, LendingTree analyzed data in 50 of the biggest metro areas in the U.S. using a number of factors that can make it easier for locals to get out of the red.

Boston, MA – January 12, 2019 The New Year is usually the time when consumers re-evaluate and make resolutions. While financial resolutions are not the most exciting, they are important. Typical financial resolutions include making a budget or saving money, but there are several others that consumers should consider.

Boston, MA – January 11, 2019 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) announced today that it recently completed a comprehensive Operation Money Wise financial workshop series for homeless veterans at the Brockton VA.

Boston, MA – January 10, 2019 Since there is currently no end in sight for the partial government shutdown, more than 800,000 federal employees across the country will not receive a paycheck this Friday. Not all impacted workers will be able to count on retroactive pay after the shutdown ends, which means the road to financial recovery could be long and difficult – particularly for furloughed employees.

January 2, 2019 – By Tobie Stanger Shopping and preparing for the holidays can be stressful enough without worrying about what your credit-card bill will look like in January. Try these smart credit-card moves to minimize post-holiday stress disorder and limit any damage to your credit score.

November 26, 2018 – By Alice Stevens If you’re struggling to pay down consumer debt, particularly from credit cards, enrolling in a debt management plan is one option for getting out of debt. As you weigh your options and evaluate your situation, you should think about the pros and cons of each and what would be the best way to move forward.

September 30, 2018 – By Bill Hardekopf According to a new study from Policygenius, one in five people in a relationship think their partner is bad with money. Moreover, people with financially irresponsible partners were 11 times more likely to break up than those with sound financial practices.

September 25, 2018 – By Sarah Kuta As if college wasn’t stressful enough, there’s also the crushing pressure that comes when your first student loan payment is due six months after graduation. Depending on how much debt you have, that bill could range from a couple hundred dollars to more than $1,000 a month.

June 21, 2018 – By Maryalene LaPonsie and Lars Peterson  Not everyone relishes the idea of proactively managing money and maintaining a budget. However, creating a budget – and sticking to it – are key first steps toward reaching financial goals large and small.

April 22, 2018 – By Marty Minchin While traditional banks continue to operate brick-and-mortar branches, many elements of consumer banking have moved online. With a smart device and an internet connection, you can deposit a check, transfer money between accounts or check your balance, eliminating time-consuming trips to the bank.