News & Press Releases

Boston, MA – December 30, 2016 Every year millions of consumers have their identity stolen. It is more important than ever that consumers know the necessary steps to take should they fall victim to identity theft.

Boston, MA – December 30, 2016 As 2016 comes to a close many consumers start thinking about their New Year’s resolutions for 2017. Although making a resolution sounds like a great idea, not keeping certain resolutions can be quite costly.

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.

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.

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.

Boston, MA – December 5, 2016 American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) announced today that it is expanding and opening new offices in Houston, Dallas and San Diego to provide financial education and credit counseling services to additional consumers.

Boston, MA – November 30, 2016 The holidays are a special time when families and friends are able to come together and celebrate. Even though the holidays often bring people happiness and cheer, they can also create financial stress. Creating a budget for the holidays and ... Read More »

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.

Boston, MA – November 28, 2016 National nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling hosted a successful Operation Money Wise, a free, one-day financial education conference for the Military, Veteran, Family and Survivor Community on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Worcester State University.

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.

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.

Boston, MA – November 16, 2016 According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, almost 58 percent of consumers have maxed out on a credit card at least once. Of the respondents who have maxed out their credit card, 61 percent have maxed out on multiple credit cards.

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.

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?

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.

October 31, 2016 – By John Egan You’ve got your eye on a new car, but your eyes are wide open when it comes to your mountain of student loan debt. If you’re stuck in that situation, you’ve got a lot of sympathizers.

October 26, 2016 Struggling with debt is challenging at any age, but the closer you get to retirement, the scarier it can be. It’s hard enough to save up for a 30-year retirement, but when you add significant debt to the equation, it’s virtually impossible.

Boston, MA – October 25, 2016 Most college students must begin the process of paying back student loans within six month of graduation, and it’s vital that they know exactly what type of loans they have. There are two types of student loans, federal and private.

Boston, MA – October 13, 2016 According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, 43 percent of consumers don’t know what the recommended spending guidelines are for a budget. Financial experts have established basic guidelines to help consumers determine where they should spend their money.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

September 16, 2016 – By Laura Woods You already know the importance of keeping your Social Security number under lock and key. But if you’re not guarding your credit score, it’s time to restructure your financial strategy.

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?

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.

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.

Boston, MA – September 8, 2016 In response to Money Matters National Education Day, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling explains what consumers need to know about their paycheck.

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.

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.

Boston, MA – August 10, 2016 The housing market is constantly changing and prospective homebuyers need to be aware of the fundamentals and latest trends in the purchasing process. To help assist consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling is providing a set of guidelines to successfully purchase a hous

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.

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.

Boston, MA – July 16, 2016 According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, over 60 percent of respondents are considering buying a home in the near future with 45 percent planning on making the purchase within a year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Boston, MA – July 5, 2016 Summer has arrived and it’s not hard to overspend while having fun in the sun. With the lure of warm weather and sunshine, consumers are planning their summer vacations. Average vacation costs—primarily due to travel—have continued to increase year after year.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Boston, MA – June 3, 2016 Learning how to be financially responsible as a teen, will most definitely contribute to future financial success. Understanding the importance of saving and the value of money are critical skills that will have an impact on financial well-being far into the future.

Boston, MA – May 26, 2016 Personal finance can be a daunting topic for many consumers, but it is one that needs more consideration, particularly among young adults. Few consumers ask themselves if they are financially prepared for their futures and if they are managing their finances effectively.

May 23, 2016 – By Mike Cetera When shopping for a personal loan, you may be able to choose between a secured and an unsecured loan. Before you choose, learn about the many differences between these loans. Here are 6 examples.

Boston, MA – May 16, 2016 According to a recent survey on the Economy and the Presidential Election by American Consumer Credit Counseling, 38 percent of respondents said Donald Trump will be most effective in creating jobs, followed by Hillary Clinton (27 percent) and Bernie Sanders (20 percent).

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Los Angeles, CA – April 26, 2016 It is never too early to start learning about saving and budgeting. In response to National Financial Literacy Month, national non-profit American Consumer Credit Counseling provides parents in California with the most important money lessons for their children.

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.

Boston, MA – April 14, 2016 According to a recent survey of budget-conscious consumers by American Consumer Credit Counseling, 53 percent of respondents said they prefer to do their taxes on their own while 39 percent preferred to hire a professional.

Boston, MA – April 6, 2016 Although many consumers may think they are good at managing money, financial disasters tend to sneak up without warning. In an effort to help consumers determine if they are headed toward financial disaster, American Consumer Credit Counseling has provided a list of telltale signs.

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.

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.

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.

March 18, 2016 Consumers who choose smaller loans by purchasing less expensive cars can take advantage of the years where they lack a payment, instead diverting those funds into their retirement portfolio.

Boston, MA – March 18, 2016 According to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling, more than 50 percent of American consumers expect their significant others to spend $50 or less on Valentine’s Day, while 20 percent do not expect their loved one to spend any money on them.

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.

March 11, 2016 – By Chris Metinko With fewer and fewer Americans having any kind of savings to turn to when times get unpredictable, more are looking to personal loans to cover life’s shortfalls.

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.

Boston, MA – February 24, 2016 The vast majority of American consumers do not understand the process of filing for bankruptcy, according to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling.

Boston, MA – February 18, 2016 American Consumer Credit Counseling announced that they have joined the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation’s largest and longest serving non-profit financial counseling organization.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Boston, MA – January 29, 2016 American Consumer Credit Counseling, a leading national non-profit credit counseling and debt management agency, is celebrating 25 years of service in 2016. To mark this major milestone, ACCC has created a list of the top 25 ways consumers can improve their lives financially.

Boston, MA – January 22, 2016 In order to help enhance consumers’ financial wellbeing, national non-profit American Consumer Credit counseling offers a wide range of online financial resources in the areas of financial literacy, budgeting, credit, housing, and youth and money, among others.

January 21, 2016 – By Natalie Rutledge There has been a substantial increase in the number of Americans making financial resolutions for 2016, according to the latest survey from American Consumer Credit Counseling.

Boston, MA – January 16, 2016 The vast majority of budget-conscious American consumers feel they need to make a financial resolution for 2016, according to a recent survey by American Consumer Credit Counseling