Celebrate National Financial Literacy Month by Clearing Out the Financial Clutter --- Consolidated Credit Offers Financial Spring Cleaning Tips

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- April marks National Financial Literacy Month and the financial experts at Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc. want to help consumers celebrate by cleaning out the clutter from their personal finances. Consumers need to take control of their financial future and re-evaluate their spending practices.

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Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Founder of Consolidated Credit reminds consumers that 'budget' is not a dirty word. "Take a look at what your spending money on. Be honest, if you're wasting money spending frivolously now is the perfect time to buckle down and take control. Set up a realistic budget, one you'll be able to stick to."

The experts at Consolidated Credit have been helping Americans for more than 18 years revamp their personal finances and pay off debt. They warn that consumers who are buried by financial clutter may become overwhelmed and hopeless, but with the right tools and motivation the path to good financial health and independence is achievable.

"Budgeting is not easy and it doesn't happen overnight. It takes practice but it can be mastered--you just need to stay goal-oriented," says Dvorkin. "When you think of budgeting, picture yourself paying cash for a vacation, helping your kids through college, and enjoying a nice retirement."

Financial spring cleaning tips from Consolidated Credit: 

• Clear out the junk. It is much easier to be organized when there is less clutter. Put all receipts together and print out bank and credit card statements. Make a list of all debts including the account number, interest rate, outstanding balance, payment due date, credit limit and the minimum payment. This keeps things organized and prevents bills from being late.
• Review credit reports.Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to request a free credit report from the three primary credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Each bureau is obligated to provide a free credit report every 12 months. Verify that all information is accurate and if mistakes are found, contact the credit-reporting agency immediately. Rather than dispute the mistake via an online form, send a letter that includes complete name and address, a description of each item being disputed, an explanation of why it is getting disputed along with a request for deletion or correction of the information.
• Wipe out debt. Pay off high interest rate debts first. Once the high-interest debt is paid down, tackle the next highest, and so on. Continue paying the minimum due on all other debts.
• Don't hesitate to ask for help. There are reputable debt-counseling agencies that consolidate debt and teach individuals to manage their finances better. Consolidated Credit conducts free budgeting analyses and dispenses free advice on a daily basis. If someone needs help they can speak with a counselor with no obligation by calling 1-800-210-3481 or visiting ConsolidatedCredit.org.

Financial literacy is spotlighted in the month of April, making it a great time to begin a financial lifestyle change. Take the initiative this National Financial Literacy Month by spreading knowledge and talking with family and friends about money management skills, how to save and budget. For more information about trimming expenses, developing a spending plan, and repaying debts visit ConsolidatedCredit.org.

About: Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., founded in 1993, is one of the nation's largest credit counseling organizations in the country and has helped over 5 million people with financial issues. Their mission is to assist families throughout the United States in ending financial crisis and solving money management problems through education and professional counseling.

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Howard S. Dvorkin | https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=44547

CONTACT:  April Lewis-Parks, +1-954-377-9344, [email protected]

SOURCE Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc.