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.

About AICCCA Join AICCCA Consumer Resources Events Press Room Members Only

Our Mission

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

2/9/12 AICCCA Says Follow the Five Fs if You Owe Taxes

1/25/12 AICCCA Says Just Say No to Refund Anticipation Loans

1/10/12 AICCCA 19th Mid-Winter Conference to Address Critical Personal Financial Issues

12/27/11 AICCCA Offers Help For Red Tuesday Sufferers

12/14/11 AICCCA Offers Panic-Free Tips for Last Minute Shoppers

11/17/11 AICCCA Says Consumers Need a Plan to Avoid Red Tuesday^TM

11/1/11 AICCCA Warns Consumers to Beware of Red Tuesday^TM

10/24/11 AICCCA Credit Counselors Say Saving is Number One Way to Prevent Financial Problems

10/5/11 AICCCA Credit Counselors See Clients Today With Different Problems

8/15/11 AICCCA Says Take a Back to Basics Approach to Back-to-School Shopping

Recent Tweets

AICCCA Press Release

AICCCA Offers Panic-Free Tips for Last Minute Shoppers

FAIRFAX, VA - December 14, 2011 — It is close to panic time for the last minute shoppers of the world, with just a few shopping days left in the holiday season. The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies advises consumers to take a deep breath, slow down and come up with a financial plan before hitting the stores.

"At this time in the shopping season, for some consumers the temptation is to spend too much or just charge a purchase simply to have a gift to give," said David Jones, president, AICCCA. "These consumers could find themselves in real financial trouble in the New Year if they spend more than they can realistically afford or if they charge their holiday expenses without a plan in place to pay off the debt."

For the last-minute shoppers of the world who are short on both time and money, AICCCA offers these four tips:

Write it down. List each person you will buy for, a gift idea with the dollar amount you can afford and stores that carry the item. Make use of newspaper, radio, television and online advertising to do some comparison-shopping before you set out.

Team up. Enlist the help of one of your "I finished my shopping in July" friends to come with you. Split up when you get to the mall and send them off with the cash to pick up the items on your list that you know are available for the price you want.

Try after-holiday gifting. Shop for your gifts at the after-holiday sales. Prepare IOU envelopes that state that a gift is on the way. You can take advantage of the after-holiday sales, possibly save some money and give your recipients something to look forward to in the New Year.

Think outside the box. Every present doesn't have to come in a gift-wrapped package. Coupons for services like dog walking, car washes or spring cleaning may be the perfect gift for someone on your list and will cost you little but time in the New Year. Best of all, there will be no lines to stand in, crowds to fight or new debt to worry about in 2012.

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.

TOLL FREE HELP LINE: 866-703-TRUSTAICCCA (866-703-8787)

PMB 626, 11350 Random Hills Road, Suite 800, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Toll free: (866) 703-8787 P: (703) 934-6118 F: (703) 802-0207 Email Us
Consumer & Education and Resources