Category: Financial Tips

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 …

Many people have heard the term “credit counseling” but they don’t know much about what it is. Credit counseling from an accredited, non-profit organization is: Free. Credit counseling is typically offered by a non-profit organization and there’s no cost to have a …

Holiday sales are abundant. So many choices, so many great deals to choose from. However, there are a couple of big Budget Busters that can result in overspending hangovers in the New Year. It may be a great deal, but be careful …

Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are an annual staple. There are countless sales both in person and online to choose from. So many choices, in fact, it can be a bit overwhelming. Numerous holiday shopping strategies abound, but there’s one money smart tip …

Debt management is typically repaying your unsecured debt (like credit card debt) principal in full within three to five years. It is often confused with debt settlement, which it is not. Settling a debt for less can greatly hurt someone’s credit and …