New Sergeant Debt episode for "Military Saves Week 2012" teaches importance of emergency fund

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Developing the discipline to create an emergency fund "is mission critical to your financial security," says Sergeant Debt, the larger-than-life fictional character introduced to consumers through the internet by nonprofit InCharge Debt Solutions.  The entertaining drill sergeant barks orders designed to get Americans financially healthy by developing "anti-debt shield weapons" like savings accounts in celebration of "Military Saves Week 2012."

The national campaign to persuade, motivate and encourage families to save money every month is sponsored by Military Saves, part of America Saves and operated by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.  Military Saves Week 2012 is being celebrated from February 19-26.

"The emergency fund protects you from financial ambushes such as loss of income and unexpected bills," explains Sergeant Debt.  "It should be 6-9 months of living expenses, just in case."

The emergency fund-themed video is one in a series of online educational tools being released by InCharge to further its ongoing mission of improving financial literacy, helping consumers manage money effectively, and use credit responsibly.  InCharge has also introduced parodies of the immensely popular "Most Interesting Man in the World" commercial which, like Sergeant Debt, are designed to motivate Americans to shed their debt and get financially healthy, and can be viewed at InCharge.org.

Following the Sergeant's advice can pay long-term dividends.  As he explains, his order to create an emergency fund "is so effective, that once you implement and maintain, you may never go into debt again."

InCharge Debt Solutions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides bankruptcy counseling, credit counseling, and housing counseling services to consumers and servicemembers in need of financial literacy education, money management guidance, and help finding the right debt solution for their specific situation.

For more information, contact InCharge Debt Solutions:

• For bankruptcy services, call 866-729-0049.
• For credit counseling, call 877-486-4924. 
• For housing counseling services, call 877-251-1882.
• For servicemembers, call 877-258-9549.
• or visit us online at www.InCharge.org.

About InCharge^® Debt Solutions

InCharge^® Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in personal finance education, housing counseling, bankruptcy services, and credit counseling. Founded in 1997, InCharge interacted with over 1.1 million consumers in 2011 alone.  InCharge is affiliated with InCharge® Education Foundation, Inc. (ICEF) which is dedicated to providing educational products, services and research supporting the personal financial literacy of consumers across America.  ICEF also provides financial literacy training to servicemembers and their families through MilitaryMoney.com.  InCharge is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). 

Contact: Media Relations
InCharge^® Debt Solutions
(407) 532-5599
mediarelations@incharge.org

SOURCE InCharge Debt Solutions

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