AMERICAN CONSUMERS HELPED BY CAMBRIDGE CREDIT COUNSELING TELL THEIR STORIES

Credit counseling participants reveal how the economy has changed their lives.

Tremendous losses in 401(k) balances, historic numbers of foreclosures, and increasing credit card rates – it all sounds like a Hollywood screenplay about a financial apocalypse, but this is the reality that millions of Americans are experiencing today. Last week, Cambridge Credit Counseling president Christopher Viale reached out to a sampling of the tens of thousands of consumers his agency has counseled over the last six months, encouraging them to share their stories. Dozens responded, revealing how the economy has dramatically altered their lives. Many of these consumers would welcome the opportunity to speak with the media.

“The initial purpose of this outreach was to demonstrate that not enough is being done to help millions of hardworking Americans, and that we have a solution, Home Sweet Home, that deserves serious consideration,” stated Christopher Viale, President and CEO of Cambridge Credit. “In response, we received a number of very moving accounts from everyday people who will continue to struggle, despite the administration’s efforts.”

Cambridge sent the following message to individuals who had previously reached out to the agency for counseling.

“Over the last few weeks, our Home Sweet Home initiative has generated a good deal of interest in the news media. Within that time, I have worked to gain support for the initiative and to create awareness about the financial strain many of you and your loved ones may be experiencing. On St. Patrick's Day, I traveled to Manhattan to speak with reporters about the reforms we are championing, as well as the services Cambridge provides every day.

Several reporters have requested to speak with you, our clients. Specifically, the media would like to interview people who have experienced any of the following circumstances:

• The inability to qualify for the Obama Administration's housing program
• The inability to understand the requirements of the Obama Administration's housing program
• A reduction in your credit limit on your credit card(s), resulting in diminished credit scores, higher interest rates, and/or reduced access to credit
• The inability to maintain payments as a result of changes to the terms of your credit card account(s)
• Overtime, bonus or other wage reductions that resulted in difficulty keeping up with increases in the cost of living

If you've experienced any of these situations, please send me an e-mail outlining your circumstances. My address is cviale@cambridgecredit.org. I will read each and every one of your responses and do my very best to reply to you in a timely fashion. Additionally, I will share some of your stories with the reporters who reached out to us for information. Some members of the media may wish to conduct a brief telephone interview with you, so please indicate your willingness to speak about your circumstances, as well as the best time and telephone number to reach you, if you'd like to participate. I will provide you with advance notice in the event that your story is chosen.

I thank you in advance for your time and effort in helping us to bring focus upon the issues that are affecting you most in these trying economic times. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will help provide insight into the plight of struggling Americans.”

If you are writing a story about how the economy is affecting everyday people and wish to speak with any of those who responded to Cambridge’s query, please contact Christopher Viale at 413-821-6919 or cviale@cambridgecredit.org.

ABOUT CAMBRIDGE CREDIT COUNSELING CORP.
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. is a professional debt counseling agency dedicated to educating young adults on the importance of sound financial management, and to providing financially distressed Americans with education and debt management services appropriate to their needs. For more information on this article or to schedule an interview, please call 413-821-6919.

Visit Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. online at http://www.cambridgecredit.org/. To learn more about Cambridge and the community, visit www.youtube.com/CambridgeCredit.

Cambridge Credit Counseling – Christopher Viale Interviews

The New Year has started off rather busy as many consumers are looking for advice on how to manage their finances. Along with the increase in the education Cambridge is providing is an increased interest from the media as to the state of America’s consumers. Recently, our president, Christopher Viale, was interviewed by Bankrate.com for several important articles that address the financial concerns facing Americans.

To view these articles, please click on the links below.

Tallying the true costs of debt

6 powerful debt-paydown strategies

Tackling debt as a family

National poll: What, us worry about debt?

Community-based organizations combine efforts to help strengthen local families.

The financial challenges that face today’s consumers are unique in our country’s history. Credit card debt currently exceeds $900 billion dollars, energy prices are soaring, and personal savings rates are in the negative. Trying to successfully manage the average budget these days has become increasingly difficult, even for the most financially savvy consumer, and the consequences for those who aren’t can be devastating. To help consumers within its community who have special needs, Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. has teamed with Clinical and Support Options, Inc. to provide financial counseling and education.

“I believe that the financial information and guidance Cambridge will provide to the adults and families we serve will have a positive effect on their everyday lives and help give them a measure of hope for a positive financial future,” stated Lee Weissman, Director of Fund Development for Clinical and Support Options, Inc. “Counseling and financial literacy can only make people stronger and more self sufficient, which is a perfect complement to CSO’s mission of enhancing lives and strengthening families.”

Cambridge will offer its wide array of credit and debt management services, including fundamental budgeting and planning advice, to help CSO’s clients regain control of their finances. In addition to financial literacy seminars, Cambridge will provide one-on-one counseling sessions for individuals who require personalized assistance in managing their debt and building savings.

"We are happy to be working with an agency of Clinical and Support Options’ stature,” remarked Christopher Viale, president of Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. “CSO provides such a valuable service to the community, and the inclusion of Cambridge’s support to its members will truly help change lives in a positive manner.”

Save Some Green by Thinking Green

by Thom Fox
Community Outreach Coordinator
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp.

Global warming has been the focus of a great deal of attention recently, from full-length documentaries to world-wide concert broadcasts urging consumers to “think green.” But what if there were a way to help the environment and save money in the process? Well, there is and it’s quite simple – avoid impulse purchases.

Every day, advertisers urge consumers to spend their money on the newest, most advanced products, and many people have difficulty resisting such temptations. That’s because shoppers typically focus on their wants, not their needs. Beyond such unnecessary spending, however, is the obvious fact that every MP3 player, laptop, PDA or other gadget has to come from somewhere on the planet, and additional energy must be expended to bring these products to market. Despite the best efforts of manufacturers and shippers, there are tremendous amounts of waste involved in the processes that create and deliver the goods we seem to think we can’t live without.

For example, the creation of a desktop computer requires more than 700 different materials, including metals that must be mined, oil that has to be extracted from wells, and chemicals that must be produced in factories. The manufacturing processes that combine these resources also require large amounts of energy, mostly involving the burning of fossil fuels. This often results in the release of CO2 and other pollutants into the air, contributing to the planet’s natural greenhouse effect. In fact, for every pound of electronics in a typical computer, an astounding 8,000 pounds of solid and liquid waste are created!

Analyzing your wants and needs not only helps curb your reliance on credit, it can also be good for the environment.

To learn more about Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., please click here.