There is much more help available for people struggling with debt than you may realize. (Photo: Thinkstock)

These days, it seems everything is becoming more expensive. The value added tax (VAT) has increased from 17.5 percent to 20 percent, meaning all kinds of goods and services have suddenly risen in price. Meanwhile, gas prices stand at an all-time high, and most of the “Big Six” energy suppliers have announced price rises on gas and electricity. Many people will reluctantly have to put up with this increase somehow — but if you’re already in debt and having problems with your repayments, things may altogether be more serious.

It could even be that the recent increase in your costs has finally pushed your finances over the edge, leaving you unable to meet all your monthly expenses. Whatever the case, if you think you’re in trouble, you should get help as soon as you can.

Debt management: What help is available?

There is much more help available for people struggling with debt than you may realize. In fact, it’s fair to say that no matter how serious your debt problem may be, there could well be a debt solution that can help.

Before you start thinking about specific debt solutions, take a close look at your finances to see whether there is any room for improvement. For example, some people have found that their financial situation improved significantly just by putting together a strict budget (in which money for essential costs is put aside at the start of each month). Others may find they are able to cut back on a few things to help meet all their debt repayments. If this does not seem likely to help, you may need to speak to a debt adviser about other helpful debt solutions.

Choosing the right debt solution

There are various debt solutions available, each designed to help with different kinds of situations. For this reason, you should talk through each possible solution in detail with your debt adviser. They should be able to help you find the approach that best meets your specific needs.

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The Guatemala Sinkhole in 2010 opened up because of Tropical Storm Agatha. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

In downtown Guatemala City, a sinkhole in Guatemala 2010 has opened up. It’s 30 meters across, and the sinkhole in Guatemala 2010 swallowed a three-story building. This sinkhole was partially caused by Tropical Storm Agatha, which killed at least 115 people.

Sinkhole in Guatemala 2010

The sinkhole in Guatemala 2010 opened up on Monday evening. The sinkhole is 30 meters in diameter, 60 meters deep and is in downtown Guatemala City. A three-story building disappeared into the sinkhole. One person was killed when the Guatemala sinkhole opened up. This is the second major Guatemala sinkhole to open up in the last three years. In 2007, a similar sinkhole killed three people.

Guatemala sinkhole follows volcano eruption

The Guatemala sinkhole disaster follows a long string of disasters near Guatemala city. Four days previous, the volcano Pacaya erupted, prompting the original declaration of a “state of calamity.” Between Tropical Storm Agatha, the eruption of Pacaya and earthquakes, Guatemala City has been experiencing more than its fair share of disasters. The small nation has been encountering debt management issues, and these disasters are sure to add to the problem.

Official photos of the Guatemala Sinkhole 2010

Before the Guatemala Sinkhole 2010 news hit most international news services, photos were available. The official Guatemala government Flickr account included photos of the endless-seeming sinkhole. Many parts of Guatemala have been evacuated because of Pacaya and fallout from the tropical storm. The state of calamity that was declared last weekend will continue to extend emergency powers to the Guatemalan government for the next month.

Cause of Guatemala Sinkhole 2010

The Guatemala Sinkhole 2010 had at least two causes — Tropical Storm Agatha and bad drainage. A sinkhole is usually created when water runs through rock or support structures. The water slowly dissolves the rock, and eventually the weight above the area causes the area to drop out. In Guatemala City, the sinkhole was partially caused by bad drainage; the heavy water overwhelmed the underground support of the building.

Credit card confusion

It’s no secret that credit cards have drawn millions of people who need cash today into an endless struggle with debt management. Complex terms and fees hidden behind fees make it very hard for average people to understand that they are actually taking out loans. Most people who need a loan wouldn’t choose a money lender who wasn’t up front with how much they are actually borrowing, what the interest rate is and how long it’s going to take to pay off the debt.

With responsible borrowing, credit cards aren’t necessarily a bad thing. When credit cards are the only thing, they can cause problems. Credit cards bring many benefits–as long as credit cards aren’t the only thing you use to manage money and debt.

Credit cards: small loans are big loans

Responsible borrowing is thinking differently. Charging everything on a card and getting by with the minimum payment makes whatever you buy with a credit card more expensive every day. Imagine buying a pair of shoes for $99.95 with your credit card. That amount goes into your balance and increases the interest you pay on your account. Your minimum payment mostly goes toward interest, because that’s how the credit card company makes its money. The credit card company doesn’t want you to pay off your balance. As long as you make your minimum payment, you will never pay off your balance and the credit card company will be making money off you forever.

Keeping a small loan small

To borrow responsibly, pay for things differently. Use an account for everyday spending that is paid in full. Have another one handy if you ever need to finance an emergency, or more expensive necessities. A good example of an account to pay in full is American Express. Use your American Express for groceries, gas, phone bills, utilities, etc. Every charge on your statement adds up to the minimum payment you pay each month. Using a card you pay in full every month is a very convenient way to spend money, manage debt and build a strong credit history.

Installment loans

Responsible borrowing also includes using other types of credit, like an installment loan, when you need a small loan for unexpected expenses — like a crown at the dentist, a medical bill from a minor emergency or getting your car fixed. Getting an installment loan is a lot smarter than paying the mechanic with a revolving credit card account, adding that amount to the balance and simply feeding the interest dragon with a minimum payment.

To borrow a small loan responsibly in an unexpected situation, use the credit card account that is paid in full at the end of the month at the mechanic’s garage. Then get an installment loan to pay that credit card bill when the next payment–in full–is due. With your installment loan, you will know exactly how much you are borrowing, what the interest rate is and how long it’s going to take to pay it off — in full.

Good, common sense

Think about it. You would never take out a car loan with no repayment schedule and make payments on it forever, long after the car ends up in the junk yard. But irresponsible borrowing with credit cards for stuff like big screen TVs, new tires or expensive toys is exactly that. Small installment loans or a short term loan is just good, common sense.

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Wind power and the future of alternative energy are topics rising to the surface of public debate in the wake of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind power and the future of alternative energy are topics rising to the surface of public debate in the wake of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Headlines this week of Google’s $38.8 million investment in North Dakota wind farms, plus the approval of the nation’s first offshore wind farm off Cape Cod last week have appeared alongside reports and images of an epic oil spill in the gulf. As the oil slick spreads and the environmental and economic damage mounts, wind power advocates are seizing the moment.

Wind power turning point

Wind power may have reached a turning point with U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s approval of the Cape Cod wind farm. Cape Wind Associates went through nine years of Federal review. Discovery News reports that Cape Wind was bitterly opposed by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, which filed a lawsuit to block the project after Salazar’s approval. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Martha’s Vineyard also plans to sue along with many other environmental groups. But when Salazar announced his decision in Boston on April 28, he said “We are beginning a new direction in our nation’s energy future. This is the final decision of the United States of America. We are very confident we will be able to uphold the decision against legal challenges.”

Wind power cost

Wind power has been slow to develop because there are no get-rich-quick schemes in alternative energy. But energy-daily.com reports that wind power costs are dropping with increased output and improved technology. Still, wind power cost makes new projects difficult to finance, and they take years of debt management to generate profits. However, a report on smartmoney.com mentions that last year 10,000 megawatts of new wind power were installed in the U.S. – the largest installation year ever, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Wind energy still provides just 1.8 percent of all U.S. power, but provided 39 percent of new generating capacity in 2009.

Wind power companies

Wind power is opposed by environmentalists because it can kill birds and spoil views. Politicians oppose wind power because the biggest, most advanced wind power companies are based in foreign countries. The top three wind power companies, based on megawatts installed in 2009, are Vestas of Denmark, Enercon of Germany and Gamesa of Spain. GE Energy, based in New York, is the fourth-largest.

Shift to offshore wind power

Wind power has progressed in fits and starts on land, but the Cape Wind project signals a new focus on installing wind turbines offshore. In the smartmoney.com report, Nicholas Heymann, the director of global industrial infrastructure research at Sterne, Agee & Leach, said offshore projects cost more to build, but wind is more consistent at sea than on land. Offshore wind turbines are geared differently to generate more power than land-based turbines, and offshore wind farms, with no geography or urban development to contend with, can be larger. The Cape Wind project will have 130 turbines producing 420 megawatts of power.

Wind power stock

Wind power stock rises with the price of oil. As the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico worsens, oil prices are climbing. Zacks.com reports that during the recession, oil prices were low and alternative energy stock prices were in a trough but are recovering. Google’s wind power stock investment in North Dakota and the Federal approval of the Cape Wind project juxtaposed with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 lead wind power advocates believe their day has finally come.

The Arizona immigration bill has been derided by President Obama as misguided. Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Arizona Senate Bill 1070, also known as SB 1070 or the Arizona immigration bill, has caused a firestorm of controversy.  Allegations of racial profiling and discrimination, among other things, have been flung in the debate.  The President of the United States himself condemned it, while his former campaign nemesis John McCain has come out in support of the bill.  The Arizona immigration bill has also drawn the ire of the Catholic Church.  Despite protests on either side of the debate, the fact remains that Arizona will soon need debt management dealing with the problem.

President Obama slams Arizona immigration bill

The President has condemned the Arizona immigration bill, SB 1070, as being “misguided,” as reported by CBS.  He also said the bill could potentially “undermine basic notion of fairness that we cherish as Americans” and that it threatened the public’s trust in law enforcement.  The bill would allow police officers to ask for identification of anyone suspected of a crime they believed to be in the country illegally. The Mexican government has passed a resolution asking for Governor Brewer to not sign the bill, as they believe the bill will be an impetus for discrimination against Hispanics.

John McCain backs bill seemingly reversing course

Senator John McCain, according to a New York Times blog, has voiced his support of the Arizona immigration bill.  Senator McCain had previously adopted stances more favorable to immigrants, and this seems to be a reversal of posture.  In an interview on Fox News, he told Bill O’Reilly that he thought the state was doing what is believed to be the best thing.  The federal government, as he and others have pointed out, has failed to do much about illegal immigration.  The state of Arizona is on the verge of needing money now to deal with illegal immigration in the state.  Arizona officials deal with this problem more than almost any other state.

It all comes down to Gov. Jan Brewer

The Arizona immigration bill is set to go to Governor Jan Brewer’s desk for approval.  There have been repeated calls for her to veto the bill.  The Mexican government, the Bishop of Tuscon and the Archbishop of the Los Angeles Diocese are among the many who are calling for a veto.  Several Latino members of Congress, including Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva have denounced the bill as racist.  President Obama has announced that he will have staff reviewing the legality of the legislation, should it pass.

A Google bomb put George W. Bush at the top of the list for the miserable failure search term for more than two years. Flickr photo.

Miserable failure are two words commonly associated with George W. Bush, even without the former president owning the top listing on search engine result pages for more than two years. But Google diffused the Google bomb in January 2007 that firmly established “W” in what most of the country believed his rightful place after the 2008 election.

Miserable failure George W. Bush

For two years, when Google users typed “miserable failure” for their search term, George W. Bush was instant cash at the top of the list, first for his biography and later for images. Pranksters built the miserable failure scheme, known as a Google bomb, after former Democratic Missouri congressman Dick Gephardt applied the term to the Bush administration. Bush supporters eventually retaliated by Google-bombing Jimmy Carter, Hillary Clinton and uber-liberal Michael Moore as miserable failures.

Miserable failure results today

Search Google for miserable failure today, and you get results like a Wikipedia entry about a defunct rock band named Failure and a magazine called failuremag.com. George W. Bush still shows up in a Google image search for miserable failure, but Google has effectively prevented miserable failure and any other Google bombs from exploding on the web. However, miserable failures with their credit cards will still need debt consolidation.

Miserable failure no more

The miserable failure Google bomb was possible because before 2007, Google’s search-rank algorithm could rank a page higher if enough other sites linked to that page using similar anchor text. When Google diffused the miserable failure Google bomb in 2007, searchengineland.com asked Google spam killer Matt Cutts how they did it. He said it’s done automatically without human intervention. “It’s completely algorithmic,” he said, “We’re not going to claim it’s 100 percent perfect.”

‘Miserable failure’ still applies

The term “miserable failure” appears to be timeless. Today, when miserable failure turns up on a Google search it’s used to describe athletes, debt management, public programs and politicians, both foreign and domestic. When Google diffused the George W. Bush miserable failure bomb, it managed to figure out how to stop the pranks. But there’s always room for legitimate commentary about miserable failures.

An ash cloud over Europe from a volcano in Iceland is disrupting air travel and may cost airlines billions over the course of the eruption. Flickr photo.

An ash cloud over Europe spewing from a Volcano in Iceland is wreaking havoc on air travel as it spreads eastward toward Russia. For two days the volcano has been cloaking the continent, and scientists expect the eruption to last for weeks. Eurocontrol, the agency managing air traffic in Europe expects only 11,000 of about 28,000 flights that normally pass over Europe to happen Friday. Cancellations and delays will no doubt complicate debt management for the airline industry. ABC News reports that the ash cloud over Europe won’t cause problems for domestic flights in the U.S., although grounded planes in Europe are affecting U.S. flights because of  international fleet scheduling practices.

Ash cloud over Europe considered mild

The ash cloud over Europe is a result of the most recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano– pronounced “AYA-fyatla-jo-kutl,” in southern Iceland, which began erupting last month for the first time in nearly 200 years. Experts say the eruption and ash cloud from Iceland is mild compared to recent volcanic catastrophes such as the Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines, which ejected more than 5 billion cubic meters of ash and debris up to 30 kilometers into the atmosphere. However, its effects on air travel, as well as climate could last for months.

Ash cloud from Iceland carried over winds

Air travel problems caused by the ash cloud over Europe are mainly a result of prevailing winds rather than the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano itself. Most of Europe’s major airports were closed. Millions of passengers have been stranded or delayed from North America to Asia. The New York Times reports that normal air-traffic conditions would not resume until Saturday at the earliest, raising questions about a wide range issues from the economy and business to family vacations and even to whether President Obama would be able to fly to the funeral of the Polish president and his wife, killed in an unrelated air crash last week.

Ash cloud from Iceland costing airlines

Thanks to the ash cloud over Europe, airlines may lose $1 billion according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. That’s money now. But the economic mayhem could just be getting started. The last time the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, in 1821, ash clouds affected air quality and climate in Europe as it erupted sporadically until 1823. Although invisible from the ground, satellite photos show the plume drifting southwest over Europe and north into Russia. How far the ash clouds will spread before the dust settles depend on how long the volcano continues to erupt and which way the wind blows.

Ash clouds endanger airliners

Airlines have a zero-tolerance policy for ash clouds. The particles virtually sandblast the plane, foul engine turbines and frost windows. The last time ash clouds affected debt survival for airlines in the U.S. was early 2009, when Alaska’s Mt. Redoubt  erupted 19 times over several weeks, sending ash clouds  as high as 65,000 feet. Hundreds of flights were diverted from Anchorage.

Soon, some iPhones will be running OS 4.0, which includes iBook and more. Image from Flickr.

It’s only been a few days since the iPad came out, and though most of us are barely over our iPad hangovers, Steve Jobs hosted a big event today to announce OS 4.0 iPhone features. OS 4.0 iPhone is based on seven “tentpole” features, each of which is supposed to make the iPhone better. However, only the iPhone 3G or 3rd generation iPod Touch models will be able to support OS 4.0 for the iPhone. Otherwise, you’ll need same day loans to get the new operating system.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 1: Multitasking

It’s what many, many people were hoping OS 4.0 iPhone features would include – and now it’s here. Multitasking for the iPhone isn’t going to be true multitasking. Instead, OS 4.0 iPhone multitasking will be based on “pausing” or “minimizing” the processor load of applications. Pandora, VOIP calls and games will continue to “run” in a “dock” at the bottom of your screen, and OS 4.0 iPhone operations will switch quickly between the apps. Any conversations, such as IM or Twitter, are not currently included in the multitasking on OS 4.0 iPhone operations.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 2: Folders

One of the most popular hacks for unlocked iPhone and iPad systems was simple – adding folder management. Now, OS 4.0 iPhone users will be able to organize their apps into folders without hacking the iPhone.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 3: Enhanced Mail

First and foremost, the enhanced mail in OS 4.0 iPhones will have a unified inbox. This means your e-mails from any source can all be dumped into one inbox – or sorted into their own folders. Additionally, OS 4.0 iPhone will be able to sort messages according to conversation.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 4: iBook

Now, just like the iPad, users of the OS 4.0 iPhone will be able to use the iBook app. Buy, read and enjoy books on your iPhone. Pretty simple, though dangerous to any bibliophile’s debt management plan.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 5: Enterprise Features

The fifth feature of the OS 4.0 iPhone is really a suite of features targeted for the 80 percent of Fortune 100 companies that use the iPhone. There will be better data protection, mobile device management, app distribution, and VPN options. Ask your IT guy if you need help breaking those down.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 6: Game Center

The iPhone currently has over 50,000 game titles in the App store. Now, OS 4.0 iPhone users will be able to have a “social gaming platform” – kind of like XBox Live for iPhone users. Leaderboards, matchmaking and achievement tracking for all the time-wasting games that are great on the bus ride to work.

OS 4.0 iPhone Feature 7: iAd

Steve Jobs didn’t pull any punches when he talked about the advertising platform on OS 4.0 iPhones. To put it bluntly, he said “we think most of this kind of advertising sucks.”Supposedly, iAd will give the opportunity for over 1 billion advertising impressions a day – basically, 10 ads a day will show up on your OS 4.0 iPhone if you use apps for 30 minutes. The ads on iAd, though, look more like apps that run in apps. Jobs promises “interactive” and “emotion-filled” ads. App developers who allow iAds on their app will get a 40% split of the advertising profit.

When will OS 4.0 iPhone options be available?

If you are a developer, then OS 4.0 iPhone kits are available today. This is to ensure that when OS 4.0 iPhone sales start – in the summer – that there are lots of applications available. If you are an iPad user, then the OS 4.0 iPhone will be released in the fall.

Apple computer addicts can now get the iPad - the bridge between an iPhone and desktop. Image from Flickr.

The Apple iPad is being released to the world on April 3. The Apple iPad will be made available on the company web site, at Apple stores and at a few Best Buy stores across the nation. The Safari web browser lacks Flash support, but the Safari browser has most other basic features. The Apple iPad uses an operating system very similar to the iPhone, and has a 9.7 inch backlit LED display. If you’re using a payday cash loan to buy the iPad as soon as it comes out, or just curious, read up about the Apple iPad.

Specifications of the iPad

At half an inch thick, 9.56 inches high, and 7.47 inches wide, the Apple iPad is similar in size to the Amazon Kindle. The multi-touch screen uses a backlit LED display and a fingerprint resistant coating. The lithium/polymer battery will hold a charge for up to 10 hours and can be on standby for up to one month. The Apple iPad also offers WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G access, depending on the price.

Apple iPad Support at the ready

Of course, one of the most fun things about a new gadget is finding your way around. If you would like a hand with setting up your iPad, Apple is at the ready with workshops and set-up help. Best Buy stores will be offering limited support through the Apple Solutions Consultants. And iPad-trained consultants will also be available at Apple Technical Support – 1-800-275-2273.

Accessorizing your Apple iPad

If just buying the Apple iPad isn’t enough for you, you could buy dozens of accessories. A leather carrying and storage case that also functions as a “kickstand” is available from Apple. An iPad camera connection kit, power adapter, full-size dock keyboard and docking station. If you choose one of the more expensive iPads that has 3G coverage, you will also need to purchase a data plan from AT&T – they are available at $14.99 or $29.99 a month.

Adding Apple iPad Applications

The Apple iPad runs all iPhone Apps, and the iPad App store is pre-loaded with more than 150,000 apps ready for use on the Apple iPad. You can find Apps to turn your iPad into a debt management tool, a movie player, a gaming machine, or even an e-book reader. The Apple iPad App store can be accessed over 3G, WiFi, or wired internet access.

WePad competitor to the Apple iPad

If you want all of the functionality of the Apple iPad but don’t want to buy that slate computer, you do have other options. The WePad, designed in Germany, runs on the Google Android operating system. The WePad offers an 11.6 inch multi-touch display, as opposed to the iPad’s 9.7 inch. The WePad also supports Flash, which means web sites like Hulu and YouTube will load on the device, unlike the Apple iPad. The WePad also includes a webcam, multitasking support, a SIM card slot and a 1.66 GHz Intel processor. A full comparison is available on the WePad vs. iPad PDF at http://www.neofonie.de/pdf/neofonie_Factsheet_WePad_english.pdf. The WePad will be released in April in Germany and brought to the United States soon after.

April Fools, Google! Uh, I mean Topeka. At least they're both from Topeka, Kansas! (Photo: Flickr)

If you dig into Topeka, you’re bound to find good potatoes. That’s what “topeka” means in the Kansa and Ioway languages, according to Wikipedia: “To dig good potatoes.” But if you Google Topeka (or is it Topeka Google?), you will be caught in an infinite loop in which questions like “Why does Google say Topeka?” will cease to have meaning. For you see, Topeka is Google, and Google is Topeka. The search engine giant – in what amounts to more than a mere Google April Fool – has changed its name to Topeka, honoring that capital city of Kansas that just happens to have changed its name to Google. Don’t let it twist your brain into a Möbius strip. Thankfully, you’d need to iron it before that could happen. But first you’d need payday loans to buy a home surgery kit.

All roads lead to Topeka

If Topeka wasn’t an everyday part of your online life, it will be now. On the Official Google (er, Topeka) Blog, Topeka, Inc. Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt quotes Google Mayor Bill Bunten as exclaiming that “Even Google recognizes that all roads lead to Kansas, not just yellow brick ones.” That was before the Google April Fool rift in space-time, so adjust your Element Zero grammar scanners accordingly. By their logic, no matter where you go, there you are in Topeka. While that may actually be possible with a Topological view of the cosmos – one where the entire universe is compact and connected – it would take some time to arrive in Topeka, after you’ve left Topeka. So long as you make it back for Kansas Day on January 29, you’re in for some good BBQ.

Wait, Topeka was Google only temporarily?

I hope Topeka has more resolve to stay the course. As it stands, Mayor Bunten unofficially changed the name of Topeka to Google for a month, in March 2010. A previous name for “the capital city of fiber optics” was “Topikachu,” for the Pokémon franchise that teaches children that animals can be crammed into small metal eggs. Topeka stepped up considerably when it became Google, even if it was a ploy to try to get the company to drop its highest-quality fiber optic lines there. Ideally, Topeka would have officially become Google so that the population could personally serve search results to every Topeka searcher in the U.S.

Eric Schmidt: Google feels ‘a kinship’ with the Great Plains city

Floods and tornadoes never keep a good Topekan down; they rebuild. Google equates that with releasing 2.0 versions of software, which only flies because this is a Google April Fool. Alfred E. Neuman is a typical man of Topeka. It is his kind of “What? Me Worry?” attitude that has steered the Google megalith into such stirring creations as Google Buzz. Just remember that they “aren’t in Google anymore,” Schmidt reminds. It is unclear whether he wrote that before or after he was attacked by flying monkeys.

What will Oliver Google Kai think of the rebranding?

Perhaps his parents will sue. Oliver Google Kai could get a name change with help from mommy and daddy – he’s only four years old – but why would he want to? Topeka is spud nomenclature, and nobody wants to be called a spud unless they’re 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Spud Webb or need serious debt management help. Schmidt claims that Topeka will receive no special favors regarding the ultra-high-speed broadband project, but this whole Topeka – Google love fest seems a technological slam dunk.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yodelanecdotal/ / CC BY 2.0)

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Pay attention to the APR!

If you need to consolidate credit card debt, the most important thing is to pay attention to the APR, or Annual Percentage Rate. While a number of factors should be considered for debt consolidation, without doubt the APR is the most critical. The goal is to choose a new credit card with a low APR or find a bank that would offer a low APR loan. Of course, to consolidate credit card debt, you need a lower APR than what you are currently paying.

Just remember that to consolidate credit card debt, as you go from one card or bank to another, the APR being advertised is short-term, especially with credit card companies. This type of scheme is made to entice people to make the switch, but in most cases, the low APR on the new card would only be for a period of 12 months or less. The problem is that after the introductory period, the APR shoots up higher than what you had been paying previously, which means you will be right back in the same situation.

You might need a new credit card company

For this reason, if you want to consolidate credit card debt, always pay close attention to all the details for any credit card company that offers 0 percent APR, specifically those that make the offer for a six to twelve month period. What you need is a new credit card company that will have a lower APR than what you are currently paying, after the introductory period. While you could consider the services to consolidate credit card debt with any card company, you might get the best offer from the card company you currently have your cards through, although you may want to check first.

Often, choosing to consolidate credit card debt is a wise decision, but you need to know exactly what you are getting into by understanding the APR and introductory period. Once you transfer card balances over or take out a low-interest loan with a bank, obviously you want to be careful with your spending and make on-time payments to avoid being in this situation again.

Is it too good to be true!?

Remember the cardinal rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Beware of companies that offer exceedingly low monthly payments. A debt consolidation company works diligently with your creditors to negotiate interest rates.

Legitimate debt consolidation companies should give you about the same rates as your respective creditor. A company that quotes a low monthly payment is doing so to get you to sign up. Once they have you, they will raise your rate. So instead of comparing monthly payments, request and compare their fees and other associated charges that will explain hidden costs you may end up incurring later.

Protect yourself from scams

Beware of upfront fees and other charges, as this is one of the most common scams consumers fall prey to. Some charge thousands up front, claiming that the fees will be refunded upon completion of their respective program. Likely, clients will not complete the program. The best way to ensure you are working with a legitimate debt consolation company is to check with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. That can provide data and information on how many complaints have been filed as well as the reason for the complaint.

Be aware of your private information

Also, be extremely wary of a company that asks you for your account numbers up front. Just as no legitimate bank or creditor will ask for confirmation of personal and private information, such as account numbers and PIN numbers via e-mail, debt consolidation companies shouldn’t either. Beware of debt consolidation or debt management companies that ask for this information up front. A legitimate company will be able to provide you with the specific charges and fees for each of your creditors by just knowing who they are.

Finding the right debt consolidation company

Reputable debt management/consolidation companies will answer your questions up front and provide assurance and verifiable information about the actual benefits of their respective plans. Arm yourself with knowledge and be sure you are comfortable with all terms, conditions, fees, etc. before signing any agreement.

You can solve your debt issues

There are many ways to permanently solve your debt issues. Unfortunately, none are easy, and all require personal and absolute commitment to resolution and even more importantly, personal accountability and acceptance that you are indeed responsible or, at the very least, partly responsible for your current situation. No matter how you find yourself here, there is hope and help available to get you out of financial trouble. Here are some easy changes you can make right now to get yourself out of debt.

Make your monthly budget

First, establish a realistic monthly budget. Take a hard look at where your money goes and evaluate the difference between a want and a need, cutting out discretionary spending such as dinning out, movies, cell phones, and yes, perhaps even cable television. Be creative in finding other ways to entertain yourself and your family.

Save it for the emergencies

Once you have a budget established and have trimmed out all the excess, learn to use cash when you make your purchases. This will develop a good, long-term habit and keep you from piling on more debt. Again, if you don’t have it, you shouldn’t be spending it. If you find that you must keep one credit card for emergencies, do not carry it in your wallet. Save it for emergencies only, and again, even emergencies can be handled for a lot less money when you get creative about your requirements.

If your refrigerator quits, there is nothing that says you must purchase a new one with a credit card. Check your daily newspaper for garage sales, or other listings specifically selling used appliances. The Salvation Army and other secondhand or consignment stores are great places to look for used, working appliances.

Consider your location needs

Also, evaluate your current living situation. Your housing should never be more than 33 percent of your household income. If you rent, consider a less expensive apartment. Consider your location, too. If you live in a highly desirable complex, you can bet you are paying a premium to live there. If you own your own home and you are paying more than 33 percent, then consider shopping around for lower insurance, refinancing your mortgage, and shopping around for more economical utility plans.

This is just the beginning, and there are many more ways to begin your journey down the path toward financial freedom and living debt free.

In many rural districts the USPS is still the most reliable connection to the larger world

In an effort to curb anticipated shortfalls, the U.S. Postal Service may discontinue Saturday delivery service, cut down on overtime, raise postal rates, and layoff about 30,000 of its 596,000 employees. According to a new article on Reuters.com, USPS chief financial officer Joseph Corbet made that announcement just hours ago.

The recent proliferation of private delivery companies and the surging popularity of electronic communications are expected to reduce the volume of first class mail in 2010 by 10 billion pieces. By 2020, mail volume is expected to drop by 37 percent, leaving the UPSP with a potential revenue shortfall of $238 billion by that time. No level of debt management would make so much as a dent in a shortfall like that.

Losses, losses, and more losses

The postal service has been reporting net losses since 2007. Last month it reported a loss of $297 million for the first quarter of its fiscal year. The competition created by FedEx and United Parcel Service, along with the increasing number of grocery stores and other retail establishments that now sell postage stamps and mail-related services, could soon cause post-office buildings to start boarding up.

Retiree health benefits

To make matters worse, according to the Reuter’s article, the Postal Service has warned that it may be unable to make cash payments of $6.6 billion this coming fall required to cover workers’ compensation liabilities and to fund retiree health plans. Similar payments were restructured by Congress last year, but there are no assurances that the same legislative leniency will be forthcoming this year.

PRC chair Ruth Y. Goldway

Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) chair Ruth Y. Goldway does not favor discontinuing Saturday mail service. According to a recent post on CBSnews.com, Goldway believes that cutting Saturday delivery would threaten the monopoly status of the postal service and undermine “the vitality of the mail system.”

Postmaster General John E. Potter

Possibly as a strategy to obtain other concessions, Postmaster General John E. Potter is pushing to eliminate Saturday service. CBSnews.com suggests that Potter may believe Congress and the PRC are more likely to relieve the USPS from its government-mandated obligations to provide health benefits for retirees rather than agree to a reduction in service days.

Postal customers

One thing is virtually certain: There will be another round of postage rate increases. Legal loopholes allow the USPS to make greater-than-inflation increases in extraordinary situations. The current situation probably qualifies as extraordinary by almost anyone’s definition. When you think about your own bottom line, remember that U.S. postal rates are significantly lower than those in most other places around the world.  By the same token, if you’ll be making any bulk mailings in the near future, the anticipated price hike is one more good reason to keep same day cash loans in mind.

Many people nowadays are turning to credit counselors for help with debt management.

UPDATE: Way back in 2004, Cambridge Credit Counseling got sued for apparent conflicts of interest and illegally high fees. When this article was written originally, it was based on incorrect information from an outside source, which said Cambridge Credit Counseling  was involved in a lawsuit. However, the lawsuit discussed below was settled in 2007. So that other bloggers may learn from my mistake, I have included the inaccurate text below, and there are notes from the Cambridge Credit Counseling CEO below in the comments section that explain the reality of the situation.

Original Cambridge Credit Counseling article:

The state of Illinois is suing Cambridge Credit Counseling, both for apparent conflicts of interest and illegally high fees. Cambridge Credit Counseling is a debt management service. They help customers create budgets and get rid of debt.

In the lawsuit, the Attorney General of Illinois says that Cambridge Credit Counseling has an inappropriate relationship with for-profit companies Brighton Credit and Brighton Debt. Gather.com says: “Cambridge actually paid them to service debts instead of the for-profits paying Cambridge for directing business to them.”

Cambridge Credit a curious case

I’m not sure why Cambridge paying the companies is somehow worse than if the Brighton companies had paid them. I can see why it would be a crime for Brighton to pay Cambridge, but not the other way around. I guess I’m no financial expert. However, you can check out Cambridge Credit Counseling’s (See: http://www.cambridge-credit.org/pdf/conflict%20of%20interest%20policy.pdf) conflict of interest policy on the company’s web site.

Also at issue in the lawsuit is the very valid matter of startup fees. Illinois law states that companies like Cambridge Credit Counseling can only charge $50 for startup fees. However, Cambridge has been charging customers startup fees that are equivalent to their monthly credit card fees. Obviously, if someone is going to a credit counseling service, that is likely going to be a pretty hefty amount.

Future for Cambridge Credit Counseling

Cambridge Credit Counseling is a nationwide company, so it’s possible that more states could jump in on the lawsuit. So far, there hasn’t been word of anyone else joining in, but it probably isn’t far off.

As far as I can see, the company has not yet released an official statement. Cambridge Credit Counseling is the largest credit counselor in the country. The lawsuit certainly won’t put the company out of business, but it could get it to change its policies, which is probably what the Illinois Attorney General is going for.

Many people don’t know that consumer credit counseling can work as a substitute to filing bankruptcy. Expert credit counselors can educate you on various financial topics and offer debt counseling services after thoroughly assessing your financial condition.

Once you sign up for the services of a consumer credit counseling agency, your debt level would be evaluated by a professional credit counselor. Subsequently, a repayment plan is worked out on the basis of your income and debt level. They would negotiate with your creditors to reduce your interest rates and establish a debt management plan that would help you get out of debt.

How does consumer credit counseling work?

While setting up a debt management plan, your financial situation is comprehensively assessed by the credit counselors. Given below are the factors that are primarily taken into consideration:

• Number of credit accounts you have
• The outstanding balances of those accounts
• The interest rates
• Minimum monthly payments
• Delinquent accounts (if any)

The credit counselor also takes into account how much you earn each month and how much you spend. Taking all these factors into consideration, a debt management plan (DMP) is created to pay off your bills. Every one of your creditors receives this suggested plan for acceptance purposes.

As soon as they agree to the suggested debt management plan, you need to start making payments to the consumer credit counseling agency. As per the DMP, this payment is allocated to your creditors. When you enter a DMP, your credit accounts are usually frozen so that you don’t run up new balances.

Fees of consumer credit counseling services

A host of credit counseling agencies maintain that they’re nonprofit in nature. Even though an agency declares themselves to be nonprofit, you shouldn’t by any means assume that their services are free of cost. More often than not, their services are available to you against a fee. The initial payment made by you might be used to compensate for the fees. On the other hand, some debt management companies might ask for a flat fee which is deducted from your monthly payment.

Do you really need counseling?

You can also get the benefits of counseling even if you don’t go for the services of an agency. You can do on your own what a counselor can do for you. Nevertheless, there are many individuals that prefer to go for their services.

When you don’t know how to negotiate a repayment plan with your creditors, then consumer credit counseling can help you. Some counseling professionals are skilled to work with creditors and can get you better terms than you can without anyone’s help.

If you understand that you wouldn’t be adequately disciplined to make multiple payments to your creditors each month, then you should seek the services of a counselor. In this manner, you become responsible for making just one payment to pay off all your credit card bills. The rest is done by the counselor.

What next?

If you’ve decided to go for consumer credit counseling as a debt solution, you should always look for a trustworthy agency that would help you come out of debt. You must avoid companies that are not transparent regarding their fees and services.

During the course of a marriage, debt is often a major issue between spouses. Prior to tying the knot, most people have developed their own habits of saving money, budgeting, paying bills and spending, in general. While one may balance their accounts daily, another may wait until the end of the week to do so. One person may prefer to have their bill payments automatically debited from their checking account, while the other prefers to mail their payments. These methods of budgeting and spending may have worked fine before marriage, but afterwards, these spending actions may not go over as smoothly.

Unfortunately, misunderstandings about money in marriage lead to frequent arguments and frustrated feelings. In order to avoid such clashes, smart couples engage in discussing and creating realistic plans about how they will manage their marriage, debt and finances. Some even go so far as to create a prenuptial agreement, as well as familiarizing themselves with state and federal laws pertaining to marriage, debt, and the commingling of assets.

Here are a few of the most common concerns about marriage debt, joint finances and assets:

If one spouse had bad debt prior to marriage, does their new spouse become automatically liable for this debt, too?

No. After marriage, debt that a person acquired beforehand is not automatically attached to a new spouse. However, depending upon how finances are handled after marriage, a new spouse can feel the sting of their spouse’s former debt. For instance, if couples commingle their assets after marriage, a creditor can attach those assets in an attempt to collect on any premarital debt. Also, the IRS is empowered to place a lien on any refunds due to a person because of unpaid taxes, student loans or other government loans. In cases where a couple has filed a joint tax return, many are surprised to find out that the refund they were expecting is reduced or will not be received at all.

If one spouse incurs excessive debt after marriage, are both spouses liable?

Maybe. Mostly, a firm answer depends upon the state in which the couple resides. Also, if one spouse files bankruptcy as a debt management strategy, creditors can pursue repayment from a non-filing spouse if the two were legally married at the time that the debt was incurred. In marriage, debt liability presents a major risk. However, couples can better arm themselves against such risks by knowing what state and federal laws have to say about any potential issues pertaining to marriage, debt liability, and joint assets.

How do the courts view real property that a spouse owned before marriage?

Generally, property owned before marriage is considered the sole and separate property of an individual spouse. However, if the non-owning spouse ever contributes their own money toward mortgage payments, repairs to the property, general maintenance or helps make improvements to the property, or if this spouse has free access to the property, the courts may then view the property’s ownership a little differently. Again, this depends on the state in which the couple resides, how long a couple is married, as well as the specifics regarding the time and money that the non-owning spouse put into the property.

The financial considerations of marriage, debt and the commingling of assets are all very important discussion points for people who are considering spending their lives with another. While these issues do present major stumbling blocks to some, those who are unafraid to discuss and plan for these realities find that they fare a lot better as a result. For couples who choose to sign a prenuptial agreement or simply familiarize themselves with state and federal laws governing marriage, debt and the protection of assets, many of these issues come as no surprise.

Looking For Debt Management Solutions?

One of the all-time best debt management solutions is creating an additional income stream. Even during an economic recession, financial independence can be gained through small and home based business opportunities. Many such businesses are operated via the Internet, which helps to cut overhead costs and can position even the smallest business to compete on the global business landscape. Even in the midst of a recovering economy, many who pursue work at home business ideas are finding that the additional income streams they provide have kept them afloat during tough times.

The Wisest Entrepreneurs Use the Internet to Pursue Debt Management Solutions

Well known and savvy business persons, such as Donald Trump and Warren Buffett, have found Internet marketing to be a lucrative business model. Rich or poor, most people are interested in increasing their wealth and in finding debt management solutions. Trump has made his way into the Internet’s business arena through multiple avenues, including his own Trump University. At the same time, Mr. Buffett has also capitalized on the wealth opportunities available through the web by his acquisitions of several network marketing ventures that feature Internet business models. Although both moguls continue in their former business and investment ventures, it shouldn’t be ignored that they have created additional income streams that involve web-based businesses in order to supplement their wealth. While these men certainly have more capital to invest and more income streams than most other people do, the point is that business is being done each and every day on the Internet. Though many will not educate themselves on how to start one and will continue to search elsewhere for debt management solutions, multitudes of smart entrepreneurs are finding that creating additional income through an Internet business is the answer they’ve been looking for.

It’s All About the Niche

Among the greatest performing Internet business opportunities are those that offer people help with developing relationships. Internet dating sites and forums seem to be ever-popular. This is particularly true when they focus on a niche demographic, such as widows, handicapped people or those who are seeking relationships with others who share a particular interest, such as developing debt management solutions. Websites like these demonstrate that Internet business opportunities that are niche focused are able to more efficiently serve small segments of society, which are often overlooked. In a brick and mortar business, focusing on such narrow markets can appear to be impractical as most are forced to focus on serving a wider community in order to maximize their profits. However, in Internet business models the exact opposite is true as these businesses are able to reach out and focus on worldwide communities, which are much larger. At the same time that these businesses can afford to focus on smaller niches because of a broader playing field, many are also finding that there is minimal competition for certain niches, which makes many of these opportunities extremely lucrative.

Using Debt Management Solutions in Strong and Weak Economies

Even as the American economy continues to rebound, debt management solutions and creating additional income streams will always be necessary. As such, Internet businesses will continue to be an attractive option for many people. While niche Internet dating sites is but a single example of the types of businesses that thrive in any climate, assiduous research on other niche markets, as well as on how to start and manage an Internet business, can prove to be profitable in any economic climate. Even the smallest entrepreneur can find debt management solutions and the success they dream of via the pursuit of Internet business ideas.

Not Everyone Embraces the Debt Management Solutions Offered Through Internet Business Opportunities

Those looking for debt management solutions are strongly encouraged to ignore naysayers and thoroughly investigate Internet business opportunities. This is particularly true for those who have lost their jobs during the downturn in the economy, as well as those who understand the wealth that additional income streams can create. While many who do not trust or understand how the web works will believe that it is impossible to actually make money on the Internet, others who are actually doing so are proof enough that legitimate opportunities can lead to success. True debt management solutions await those who are most willing to educate themselves and take positive steps toward their destiny.

Charitable giving is easier than ever, thanks to the Internet, and a little bit of money can make a huge difference. Plus, it's guaranteed to make you feel good!

The holiday season has a way of pushing the generous, charitable side of people into action. Of course, fighting hunger and poverty are year-round battles, as is providing developing countries with access to education and health care.

But if the holiday season is what it takes to get people into a giving mood, so be it. Giving to charity helps families in the U.S. and all over world, and I recently found out just how far small donations go toward fighting hunger and aiding education, gender equality, health care and infrastructure. You might think juggling debt management and donating money to charity is impossible, but it only takes a little bit of money to make a big difference.

Book recommendation

I learned about what charities do with small donations from a book I read recently, “Give a Little,” by Wendy Smith. Much like the author of this book, I had always thought that I had to make huge sacrifices in order to help the less fortunate. However, from “Give a Little” I learned that donations as small as $3 can make a huge difference in feeding the hungry, fighting disease or helping those who don’t have access to clean water.

“Give a Little” details what different organizations do with small amounts of money, from about $3 to $60. Even just a $5 or $10 donation can lift a whole family permanently out of poverty in some cases. Who doesn’t have $5 to give to sick or starving fellow humans?

Making every dollar count

Of course, I paid $15 for “Give a Little” and then felt very silly knowing how much good that $15 could have done to help people. But I gave the book to my sister and asked her to give it to someone else when she is done, hoping that a chain reaction of giving will follow. This is an example of ripple effect giving, which is talked about at length in “Give a Little.”

However, I recommend you use your $15 to help poor families in developing countries or right here in the U.S. I have compiled a short list of organizations that can do a whole lot of good for a little money. My family agreed to give to these charities this year rather than buying each other more unnecessary stuff, so if you’re struggling to come up with a way to draw more meaning out of the holidays, perhaps this will help.

Heifer International

One of the most inspiring stories in “Give a Little” is about Heifer International, an organization that has been around since World War II. Heifer International provides individuals and families living in poverty in developing countries with the tools they need to feed themselves and their loved ones and make a living.

Donations as small as $20 can help lift a family permanently out of poverty. For instance, $20 buys a flock of chicks. When the chicks are old enough to lay eggs, they provide food for the family, and extra eggs can be sold for substantial income. Once a family escapes poverty and has enough to pay for the children to go to school the cycle stops and the children grow up to be self-sustaiing and entrepreneurial as well. Check out the Heifer International web site for more details on how the organization has helped and does help people all over the world, and find out how as little as $10 can change lives.

More organizations to research

Some of the other organizations I learned about help fight diseases. Nothing But Nets provides insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets to poor people who live in areas where malaria runs rampant. It only costs $10 to help someone avoid this often deadly disease.

Action against Hunger runs feeding centers in Kenya that nurse severely malnourished people back to health. A $50 could save someone’s life. KickStart helps Kenyan farmers by providing inexpensive water pumps to irrigate crops. KickStart says a $60 donation can permanently life a family out of poverty. Maternal and Child Health Product can help 18 mothers have clean, save baby delivies for just $5. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis says if Americans donate $30 a year for three years they’ll have all the funding they need. Go to GreaterGood.org to learn more.

Most importantly, just remember to give whatever you can, even if it’s only a little bit. Thanks to the internet, donating to worthy causes is easier than ever. With so  many people out there living in poverty, just a few dollars can make all the difference in the world. A small amount that won’t make any difference to you could mean all the difference for an unfortunate family.

Credit counseling and a debt management plan can lead to greater peace of mind for consumers in a bind, but proper education is needed first. (Photo: picasaweb.google.com)

When a consumer enters into credit counseling, a common element of any program is what’s called the debt management plan (or DMP). In a DMP, the consumer agrees to make a set monthly payment to their credit counseling agency. Those funds are in turn used by the credit counseling agency to repay the debtor’s bills, loans and other debts according to a schedule made with the creditors. The presence of the credit counseling agency in the transaction may persuade the creditors to be amenable to lowering interest rates or waiving fees, not to mention staunching the flow of credit collection calls the consumer had been receiving. Provided that something more than free counseling but less than bankruptcy filing is needed, a DMP can be a useful tool in protecting a consumer’s financial interests and helping them to move forward and repair credit.

Benefitting the Consumer

A 2008 study entitled “Completing Debt Management Plans in Credit Counseling: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior” by Jing Jian Xiao of the University of Rhode Island and Jiayun Wu of the University of Arizona tenders that the most ideal arrangement for a DMP would be one in which consumers were fully informed of their options and chose the most appropriate course of financial action. At the same time, creditors and credit counseling services alike would deal with the consumer in an ethical, professional manner.

While circumstances surrounding a consumer’s financial troubles rarely fall into place like clockwork, numerous recent studies have shown that consumers who participate in DMPs show ” a significantly lower incidence of bankruptcy over the two years following counseling” (Staten & Barron from 2006). Overall, consumer financial well-being has been observed to improve.

Xiao and Wu Study the Link between Attitude and Behavior

In other words, they apply the theory of planned behavior. Consumers’ attitudes toward credit counseling (and the DMP in particular) are important, as the theory hypothesizes that these attitudes will accurately predict future credit behavior. Xiao and Wu study survey and plan completion information from DMP-enrolled consumers in order to go where studies in the field have never been before. While previous studies have attempted to shed some light on the desires and behaviors of consumers who participate in credit counseling, they relied almost solely upon survey data. Xiao and Wu’s use of the theory of planned behavior to identify factors associated with completing the debt management plan is entirely new in the field, according to the study authors.

Positive Attitude, Intention and Results

The authors begin with the survey data from clients of a national credit counseling agency, and then they apply the theory of planned behavior and other methods from literature on the concept of consumer satisfaction. Their goal is to find the link between a consumer’s intent and their actual behavior when completing their DMP. Their discovery is that observed behaviors consistent with the theory of planned behavior had positive effect on consumer’s intentions, post-credit counseling.

Their Findings Have Implications for Credit Counseling Services

DMPs are understandably a significant monetary resource for credit counseling agencies. Predicting how likely consumers are to complete their DMP would hence be useful to the financial stability of such companies. Positive attitude toward completing a DMP plays a very important rule in a consumer’s future intent. It’s much more significant to ask someone “What do you think about completing the debt management plan?” versus “What do you think about the debt management plan?” Thus, the way in which credit counseling agencies approach the matter with their clients can definitely steer them toward more likely completion, which in turn could foster positive attitudes that reflect in how such credit counseling agencies are perceived by consumers.

Help Clients Feel They’re in Control of Debt Management

By providing clients with the necessary information to make informed decisions and periodically updating their progress, credit counseling services can help empower consumers. If said consumers feel as if they’re in greater control of their debt via a well-executed DMP, their instance of intent to complete the DMP is found by the authors to be higher. Greater client satisfaction is central to credit counseling success, which would indicate that if the agencies consistently treated clients with respect, there would tend to be positive result. Meeting consumer need and even exceeding expectations – a good recipe for any business transaction – leads to a greater likelihood of DMP completion. This is beneficial to all parties involved, from the client to the credit counseling agency to creditors.

What Can Educators Take From Xiao and Wu’s Study?

Determining a credit counseling client’s behavioral intention comes down to two factors, say the authors: “Attitude toward the behavior and perceived behavioral control.” When developing programs to promote positive behavior development, educators should consider directing subject attention to attitude toward the desired behavior as well as the method used to promote behavior (in this case, the DMP). Clear benefits and consequences of DMP completion should thus be made available to credit counseling clients. If such information is made available as a part of a financial education curriculum, the authors feel that consumers could possibly have a more favorable attitude toward DMPs should they ever have the need. Possible psychological barriers could be lessened.

Knowledge: the Key to Positive Attitude and Intent

Xiao and Wu findings suggest that if a consumer in credit counseling finds a DMP that best suits their needs, satisfaction levels can be significantly high. Education as to what the programs entail is most important. In order for consumers to have the optimal attitudes toward DMP usage, they also need to be aware of other options available within the credit counseling industry. Knowledge leads to well-informed choices and greater satisfaction, per the authors’ findings. It should be noted that another important part of a consumer’s financial education should include how to avoid marketing scams, as some segments of society view credit counseling and debt management plans with negative or exploitative. There are many reputable credit counseling agencies that would benefit from heightened consumer awareness.

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