Consumer credit counseling, debt management, and financial education services provided by non-profit credit counseling companies designed to establish equilibrium between consumers, creditors, and member agencies for the successful rehabilitation of debt-challenged families and individuals.

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The AICCCA mission is to promote quality and professional delivery of credit counseling services. AICCCA independent non-profit member agencies assist millions of consumers annually with counseling and debt management services. Find out more about joining the AICCCA.

Recent AICCCA News

Press Releases

4/29/13 AICCCA Warns Consumers that Payday Loans make Bad Situation Worse

4/8/13 AICCCA Advises: Rethink Borrowing From 401(k) Retirement Plans

3/11/13 AICCCA Offers Spring Break Travel Advice

2/11/13 AICCCA Advises Consumers to Plan at Tax Time

1/16/13 Suze Orman Headlines AICCCA's 20th Annual Conference

1/4/13 AICCCA Offers Advice for Consumers seeing Red after the Holidays

12/10/12 Stop, Look and Listen to avoid Red Tuesday^TM that Follows Black Friday, Cyber Monday Shopping

11/15/12 AICCCA Offers Five Tips for an Affordable Holiday Season

10/29/12 Consumer Beware of Red Tuesday^TM says AICCCA

10/15/12 AICCCA Offers Tips to Keep the Red Tuesday^TM Monster Away this Halloween

9/20/12 AICCCA Advises Four Tips to Protect Your Credit in Divorce

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AICCCA's 21st Annual Meeting
May 2014 in San Francisco!
Details to be announced as they become available

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AICCCA Press Release

Consumer Beware of Red Tuesday^TM says AICCCA

Fairfax, VA - October 29, 2012 — Even though Halloween is almost behind us, some scary surprises could still be in store for consumers who plan to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies warns consumers that the potential consequences of charging their holiday expenses can be frightful.

The National Retail Federation predicts that consumers will spend an average of $749.51 on holiday related expenses for 2012. Charging those expenses on a credit card with an interest rate of 18 percent and making only a 5 percent minimum payment each month would take a little more than four years to repay. The added interest cost over those years would equal a whopping $252.

"Red Tuesday is a real possibility for consumers who go into the holidays without a plan," said David Jones, President, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies.

To avoid a Red Tuesday in 2013, AICCCA offers the following tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping:

Make a list. Take the time to write everything down before you shop, whether online or in person. It is easier to walk away from impulse buys with a complete list.

Spend cash. For Black Friday shopping, determine the amount of money you have on hand to spend and take only that amount of cash with you when you go out to shop. Leave your credit cards at home so that when you run out of cash, you will have to stop.

Research online options. For Cyber Monday shopping, do some homework beforehand to find free shipping and coupons. Credit cards are actually a safer option for online shopping, but be sure to shop only at sites you trust. To avoid incurring interest charges and adding to your debt load, charge only the amount you can pay in full as soon as the bill arrives. If you know you will go over that amount, charge no more than what you can pay off in 90 days or less.

If you find yourself with a Red Tuesday, contact an AICCCA member at 866-703-8787 or visit www.aiccca.org for help.

Founded in 1993, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) is a national membership organization, established to promote quality and consistent delivery of credit counseling services. AICCCA and its members are focused on improved creditor relations, efficient processes and advanced technology to best serve clients and creditors. AICCCA members are independent nonprofit agencies that advocate for debtors, counsel millions of consumers annually nationwide and provide debt management services to consumers with excessive unsecured debt. For more information or to contact an AICCCA member office call 866-703-TRUSTAICCCA (866-703-8787) or visit www.aiccca.org.

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