Author: Mark Foster

April is Financial Literacy Month. Financial literacy is simply having the knowledge and skills that allows you to make your best, most informed financial decisions. There are two free, but incredibly valuable, things that you can do to increase your financial literacy …

Buying a vehicle can be a very expensive experience. It is often the second or third most expensive purchase someone will make, behind a home purchase and possibly a college education.  The purchase of a vehicle is a top priority for most …

It’s not too late to create some debt management strategies for 2022. Did you know that one-third of Americans have debt in collections and half of Americans say the amount of debt they have causes them stress? Create a simple game plan …

People don’t often really know exactly what to expect with credit counseling and they may have some anxiety at the thought of doing it. But what is credit counseling? At CCOA, a credit counseling session includes a caring financial professional with an …

A good credit score can make the difference between qualifying for a loan or credit card or not. It can also mean the difference between getting a low interest rate, or a high one. A common question we hear is, “How can …

You’ve probably heard the term “credit counselor” but you may wonder what that is exactly. Some are not certified, while others are. There are several certification agencies, but CCOA’s financial counselors go through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) certification program. The NFCC was established in …

Do you have financial goals? People often have hopes and dreams, but don’t jot those down and commit them to action. As the saying goes, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll probably hit it.” It’s true — if we are proactive and …

Any time is a good time to review your expenses, but around the start of a new year is especially a good time to do a review. If something significant happens during the year, such as a significant change in income or …

The holidays are a time of great joy and excitement for millions of people. Many typically want to show their love for others in their life by buying them presents. This is perfectly fine, of course. But what can get us into some …