AICCCA Offers Advice for Consumers seeing Red after the Holidays

Fairfax, VA - January 4, 2013 - The post-holiday blues have arrived and for some consumers it's causing them to see red.

"Unplanned overspending is very common during the holiday season," said David Jones, president, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. "For those consumers who overspent, a dose of financial reality awaits them in their mailboxes when the credit card bills arrive."

To help you recover and get back in the black for 2013, AICCCA offers these tips:

• Cut expenses to the bare bones. This means no luxuries and treats for the time being. Brown-bag your lunch and limit how much you eat out otherwise. Check out books and movies from the library and take advantage of other free entertainment. Earmark the money you save for your holiday debt.
• Find some extra cash. If the money you save is not enough to tackle your debt in a reasonable amount of time - 90 days or less - a second job or overtime may be in your future. Consider a garage sale or selling unwanted items online. Again, put the extra money toward your debt.
• Plan for next year. The best way to prevent overspending again at the holidays is to save throughout the year for upcoming holiday expenses. Look at what you spent this year and begin saving now with that amount as a goal.
• Get help now. Your holiday debt is not a unique problem and skilled professionals are ready to help. If you need help, take advantage of the services of a qualified credit counseling service. An AICCCA member office can help get your financial life back on track. Call 866-703-8787 or visit www.aiccca.org to find an office that can serve you.

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.