News & Press Releases

ACCC on How Massachusetts Consumers Can Avoid Debt

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.

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Trouble With Holiday Season Spending?: A Game Plan Can Help

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?

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ACCC Offers Seven Tips On Holiday Budgeting

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.

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ACCC On Top Money Mistakes To Avoid In 2020

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.

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ACCC Offers Six Retirement Strategies For Late Starters

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.

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When It’s Not The “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”

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.

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ACCC Offers 7 Tips On What To Achieve Financially Before 2020

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.

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Ultimate Credit Counseling Guide

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.

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ACCC Explains The Basic Fundamentals Of Investing

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.

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ACCC Explains How Consumers Should Read Their Credit Reports

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

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Should You Consider A Holiday Loan?

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.

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How To Lend Money To Family And Not Regret It

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.

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ACCC Explains How To Improve Credit Scores

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.

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Fall Financial Tune-Up With American Consumer Credit Counseling

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.

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Putting A Social Security ‘Bonus’ To Work

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.

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5 Tips For Buying Your First Home

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.

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ACCC Explains How To Avoid Default On Student Loans

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.

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ACCC Explains The Different Types Of Assets

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.

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ACCC Explains What To Know Before Cosigning Student Loans

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.

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ACCC Helps Consumers Communicate With Mortgage Lenders

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.

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ACCC Explains What Consumers Need To Know Before Buying A Car

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.

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10 Simple Ways To Cut Expenses And Save

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.

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ACCC On Recession-Proofing Your Financial Life

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.

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Survey: Most Consumers Have A Second Stream Of Income

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.

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ACCC Explains How To Use Credit Cards Properly

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.

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Vermonters Drowning In Credit Card Debt

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.

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ACCC On How To Manage Money In College

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.

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ACCC Explains How To Avoid Investment Fraud

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.

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12 Ways To Save Money Without Trying

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.

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ACCC Helps Small Business Owners Manage Their Finances

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.

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ACCC On How To Survive 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.

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ACCC Gives Helpful Tips On How To Make Money Fast

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.

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ACCC Explains Spoofing And How To Avoid It

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.

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12 Ways To Fix Your Credit Score

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.

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Understanding Reverse Mortgage Interest Rates

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?

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Secured Vs. Unsecured Debt

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.

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ACCC Explains Different Way to Track Financial Success

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.

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ACCC Describes The Different Tax Breaks When Filing

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.

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Don’t Fall For These 7 Common Credit Score Myths

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.

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ACCC Helps Consumers Manage Auto Loan Debt

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.

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How To Get A Credit Card With No Credit History

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.

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ACCC Provides A Financial Checklist For Spring Break

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.

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On How To Avoid Tax Penalties

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.

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ACCC Explains The Different Types Of Business Investors

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

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ACCC Discusses The New Tax Reform For 2018 Filings

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.

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This Is The Best Place To Live In America To Pay Down Debt

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.

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ACCC Offers Six Financial Tips To Help Survive The Government Shutdown

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.

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5 Smart Credit-Card Moves For The Holidays And Beyond

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.

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Ultimate Debt Management Guide

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.

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Couples With Money Secrets Are 11 Times More Likely To Break Up

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.

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10 Simple And Free Budgeting Tools

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.

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Banking 101: 5 Benefits Of Online Banking

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.

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