News & Press Releases

ACCC Offers Important Financial Must-Dos Before 2017

Boston, MA – December 19, 2016 While 2017 is quickly approaching, it is important that consumers take a minute and review their current finances and consider their goals for the New Year. Although 2016 is coming to a close, it is not too late to tie up loose ends and achieve end of the year financial goals.

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New Survey: Just 38 Percent of Consumers Say They Go the Extra Mile to Save Every Penny They Can on Expenses

Boston, MA – December 14, 2016 Just 38 percent of consumers are savvy savers and say they save every penny possible on expenses, according to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling. Thirty-seven percent of respondents save if the savings is significant, while almost 25 percent either feel saving isn’t worth the effort or they are not willing to live without certain luxuries.

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6 Ways To Make This Week’s Paycheck Go Further

December 8, 2016 – By Terence Loose Whether you’re making seven figures or just starting out, one thing tends to be universal: how quickly your paycheck disappears. Here are some practical, doable and even fun ways to stretch your next paycheck further.

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10 Signs You’re Not Ready To Retire

November 29, 2016 – By Michelle Smith For a long time, you might have been asking yourself, “When can I retire?” But now, retirement is almost here, and you find yourself wondering, “Am I really ready to retire?” 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.

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Black Friday Vs. Cyber Monday – The Pros And Cons

Boston, MA – November 21, 2016 Thanksgiving weekend marks the biggest holiday shopping event of the year with offers on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The key to a successful Black Friday or Cyber Monday is to research and find the best deals.

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The Credit Mistake Holiday Shoppers Will Make

November 18, 2016 – By Mike Cetera When the holiday spending spree kicks into gear next weekend, many shoppers will make a potentially costly mistake. They will pay for their mall-bought gifts using either cash or a debit card.

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Read This Before You Buy Another Gift Card

November 7, 2016 – By Christopher Elliott Ask Richard Brigleb about gift cards, and he’ll tell you about the $200 worth of plastic for a wine store and local restaurant he just found in his kitchen drawer. “I had totally forgotten about it,” says Brigleb, a retired dentist from Fairfax, Va.

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PRO TIPS: Answers From Real Personal Finance Experts

October 31, 2016 Let’s say you have a question about your personal finances. Maybe it’s about how to find a copy of your credit report—is that something you have pay for? Or maybe you want to learn more about building a great monthly budget, like how much room should you leave for unexpected expenses?

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ACCC Discusses the Importance of Saving

Boston, MA – October 31, 2016 In response to World Savings Day, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling explains the importance of saving and provides consumers with helpful tips on how to save. World Savings Day was created in 1924 to increase public awareness of the importance of saving and how this concept is critical to individual and overall economic security.

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Why Budget? Planning Your Finances Now And For The Future

Boston, MA – October 7, 2016 It’s no secret that managing personal finances can be stressful and challenging for consumers. One of the first and most important steps to this process is creating – and sticking to – a budget. While it may seem obvious, a budget is critical because it shows consumers exactly how much money they have coming in and how it is spent.

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3 Ways People With High Credit Scores Are Hurting Their Financial Health

September 29, 2016 – By Vickie An There are few numbers that can make you feel prouder of your money-management skills than a strong credit score. And for good reason: Lenders use credit scores to determine everything from the interest rate on your mortgage to whether you qualify for the juiciest credit card rewards.

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What To Know Before Filing For Bankruptcy

Boston, MA – September 26, 2016 When facing a financial catastrophe, it is important that consumers understand the bankruptcy process. Bankruptcy is a proceeding in a federal court in which an insolvent debtor's assets are liquidated and the debtor is relieved of further liability. There are two types of bankruptcy – Chapter 7 deals with liquidation, while Chapter 13 deals with reorganization.

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6 Tools Every Retirement Investor Should Know About

September 21, 2016 – By Sheiresa Ngo Retirement planning can be overwhelming at times. That’s why it can be helpful to take advantage of the many retirement tools that are available. Katie Ross, education and development manager for financial education nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling, said retirement tools can take some of the pain out of planning.

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Majority Of Consumers Are Dissatisfied With Their Income

Boston, MA – September 19, 2016 According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, over 70 percent of respondents are employed and only 7 percent of these employed consumers are actively looking for a different job. Of the unemployed respondents, 55 percent are not currently looking for work.

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Demystifying 5 Common Credit Misconceptions

September 12, 2016 – By Dawn Papandrea Did you know that FICO is a credit score, but a credit score isn't necessarily FICO? Or that there is a difference between a charge card and a credit card, and debt settlement is not the same as debt consolidation?

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Join ACCC For Operation Money Wise At Worcester State University

Boston, MA – September 12, 2016 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling presents Operation Money Wise, a free, one-day financial education workshop for the Military, Veteran, Family and Survivor Community. The event will be held at Worcester State University on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

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Get Paid Now: What To Do When Someone Owes You Money

September 9, 2016 – By Megan Elliott It’s your money, at least in theory. But when someone owes you money and fails to pay you back, whether it’s $50 or $5,000, it’s really as good as having nothing. Unpaid debts owed by family, friends, or clients can rankle, and it can be difficult to know what you need to do to get paid.

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ACCC Offers Financial Advice for College Students

Boston, MA – September 7, 2016 College is an exciting time but one that can also create new financial stresses and worries for students who are now living on their own. This added freedom and responsibility comes with a cost as students realize the day-to-day items that they need, and in some cases want, to purchase.

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ACCC Provides Consumers With Reasons to Consider a Credit Card

August 23, 2016 Today’s society is becoming more cashless than ever, so it is essential to obtain a credit card. There are many benefits to a cashless economy such as eliminating black markets, reducing violations, and the avoidance of proper payment of taxes. Due to today’s society, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is providing consumers reasons to obtain a credit card.

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ACCC Offers 5 Important Tips To Avoid Being Over Burdened By Rent

Boston, MA – August 2, 2016 It’s no secret that housing costs have skyrocketed in many cities and towns across the United States. To help households avoid becoming financially strained by rent, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is providing advice for dealing with housing rentals and being smarter about the utilities and other costs that come with them.

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What You Should Know About Online Lending Services

July 26, 2016 – By Geoff Williams You've seen the commercials. You need money, and these websites can give it to you, often within 24 hours and without a credit check. Should you take the offer? Common sense would suggest no. Everyone knows that there is no free lunch, and the terms of many quick and easy loans mean that a financial company will have you for lunch.

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ACCC Offers Important Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Online Identity Theft

Boston, MA – July 13, 2016 Each year, millions of Americans fall victim to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone steals a consumer’s personal information and uses it without their permission, usually for financial gain. Identity theft can negatively affect credit and finances, and more often than not, consumers don’t know they are at risk and are unsure of ways to prevent it.

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ACCC Offers Advice on How to Become Credit Smart

Boston, MA – July 10, 2016 By understanding how a credit card works, consumers can gain important financial knowledge and take the first step to establishing good credit. In an effort to help educate consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is offering advice on what consumers should do with their first credit card.

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How To Make A Budget

July 9, 2016 – By Catey Hill Everybody needs a budget. You need a budget to save and spend money, and you really need a budget if you need help getting out of debt. If you don’t have a budget, you’ll always wonder where all your money went and it’ll seem like you never have enough.

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The Best Method For Paying Off Each Kind Of Loan

July 6, 2016 – By Geoff Williams If you sometimes daydream about being thrown into an old-fashioned debtor's prison, small wonder. According to a recent analysis by the research company Gallup, which based its information on data collected by the Federal Reserve, the average household has $7,828 in revolving credit card debt.

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The Best Credit Card For New Grads

June 24, 2016 – By Kelsey Cruz If you’re reading this article, you’re pretty smart because a) you just graduated college and b) you’re trying to find a credit card that will simultaneously work with and for you. You need credit to get a car or house, and the more attractive your credit score and history, the lower your interest rates will be. But if you don’t have credit—and you may not because you’re young and your parents didn’t want you to charge beer to a credit card for four years—you need to build some.

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Closing The Bank Of Mom And Dad

June 18, 2016 The phone rings and you cringe. You feel guilty, but you almost don’t want to answer the call from your own kid. He or she probably isn’t calling just to say hello. Your adult child needs money again. Does your child even realize how much these constant requests upset you emotionally and financially?

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Can You Get A Credit Card If You Have Poor Credit?

June 16, 2016 – By Mike Cetera You have missed payments on past loans. You have a large, unpaid medical debt. You once went bankrupt. Whatever the reason, your credit score has taken a nose dive. But that doesn't necessarily mean you can't get a credit card. You just might not be able to get the card you want.

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On National Dump The Pump Day, ACCC Offers Transportation Saving Tips

Boston, MA – June 16, 2016 As summer nears, many consumers will take advantage of long awaited warm temperatures to take road trips or drive to the beach. With this added travel, there are still ways to avoid the burden of higher gas prices. As part of National Dump the Pump Day, American Consumer Credit Counseling has developed savvy tips to save consumers money at the pump.

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ACCC Offers Families Tips on How to Save on Father’s Day Spending

Boston, MA – June 14, 2016 Father’s Day is a special opportunity for families and friends to celebrate the tremendous role that fathers and father figures play in their lives. Since Father’s Day shopping can often be an added financial challenge, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has come up with creative ways to save on Dad’s big day – tips that enable consumers to show appreciation without going over budget.

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Consumers Lack Key Knowledge And Facts About Their Student Loans

Boston, MA – June 10, 2016 According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, many consumers lack key knowledge about their student loans. While 74 percent of respondents said they have student loans and 72 percent of those have more than one student loan, many of these consumers don’t understand the different types of student loans or relief and forgiveness programs they may qualify for.

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ACCC Offers Ways to Be Responsible With Tax Returns

Boston, MA – May 12, 2016 By now many Americans have either received or will be receiving their tax returns soon. This extra cash often sparks the urge to splurge on unnecessary things, which is why national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling has offered advice on ways consumers can be responsible with their tax returns.

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Can I Get A Credit Card With Poor Credit?

May 11, 2016 – By Jeanine Skowronski Q: Dear Credit Card Adviser, I have been applying for secured and unsecured credit cards as a way to rebuild credit. I keep getting denied because of unpaid medical bills. Are there credit cards that someone with poor credit can qualify for?

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ACCC Offers College Graduates Essential Personal Finance Tips

Boston, MA – May 5, 2016 With graduation on the horizon, it is important that new college graduates start thinking about their financial futures. The truth is not every college graduate is knowledgeable about their personal finances. In an effort to help new graduates, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling offers essential personal finance tips.

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5 Great Reasons To Boost Your Credit Score

May 1, 2016 – By Brian O'Connell Ignore your credit score at your own financial peril. That's the message from American Consumer Credit Counseling, a Newton, Ma.-based consumer financial advocacy group.

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ACCC Offers Money Management Skills For Children

Boston, MA – April 29, 2016 Building good habits early on can help children better manage their financial futures. In response to National Teach Children to Save Day, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling provides a guide to help parents teach children of all ages, from kindergarten through high school, about money management principles such as credit, saving and the value of the dollar.

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ACCC Explains Why Consumers Should Care About Credit Scores

Boston, MA – April 24, 2016 Many consumers may ignore the importance of their credit score. The truth however, is that this three digit number can have a significant impact on a consumer’s financial life. In an effort to emphasize its importance, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling offers several reasons why credit scores are so vital.

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ACCC Helps Massachusetts Residents Understand the Importance of Checking Their Credit Reports

Boston, MA – March 29, 2016 By understanding credit reports and the information they communicate, consumers are able to identify any errors that could lead to an incorrect credit score. In an effort to help educate consumers on this key financial topic, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling has created a guide and sample dispute letter to help consumers understand credit reports and credit scores and how to fix mistakes.

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7 Things You Never Budget For (But Need To)

March 29, 2016 – By Erica Sandberg Developing a budget is easy. List your expenses, subtract the total from your income and you’re ready for anything. Yet somehow something extra always seems to come up, leaving you short and often with no alternative but to pull out your credit card and charge it.

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ACCC Helps Consumers Understand Credit Reports and Scores

Boston, MA – March 18, 2016 Thoroughly understanding credit report gives consumers the opportunity to get a better handle on their financial lives. In an effort to help educate consumers on this key financial topic, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling has created a guide to help consumers understand credit reports and credit scores.

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5 Times It Makes Sense To Call Your Card’s Customer Service

March 17, 2016 – By Dawn Papandrea We’ve grown accustomed to going online to carry out routine credit card business, whether to pay a bill, check the balance or redeem rewards points. But as convenient as it is to log in to your issuer’s app or website, in some circumstances an older tool is still best: the telephone.

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During Consumer Protection Week ACCC Offers Tips To Avoid Financial Scams

Boston, MA – March 7, 2016 It is not unusual for everyday scam artists to come up with clever attempts to defraud millions of consumers out of their hard earned money. In order to prevent consumers from falling for these tricks, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling has created a set of tips to help consumers avoid scams.

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ACCC Offer Tips to Achieve a Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day

Boston, MA – February 12, 2016 Even though Valentine’s Day often steals the spotlight in February, President’s Day is the holiday that usually offers the month’s biggest bargains. Consumers on a budget will find plenty of sales throughout the entire month of February. To help with this process, American Consumer Credit Counseling offers tips on how to navigate the sales and save on President’s Day.

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ACCC Offers Tips on How to Save on President’s Day Sales

Boston, MA – February 12, 2016 Even though Valentine’s Day often steals the spotlight in February, President’s Day is the holiday that usually offers the month’s biggest bargains. Consumers on a budget will find plenty of sales throughout the entire month of February. To help with this process, American Consumer Credit Counseling offers tips on how to navigate the sales and save on President’s Day.

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10 Tips For Lending (Or Borrowing) Money

February 12, 2016 – By Jake Rossen According to a 2013 survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, 82 percent of Americans polled would let a relative borrow cash if asked (and 66 percent said they'd loan money to a friend).

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ACCC Offers Tips To Help Consumers Dominate Debt

Boston, MA – February 9, 2016 Start off the New Year right and achieve financial peace of mind by making 2016 debt-free. In order to help consumers achieve their financial resolutions, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling has provided tips on how to dominate debt.

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