A New Horizon - Debt Consolidation - Credit Counseling - Outreach and Financial Wellness

Debt Consolidation Companies: How you should choose them

2010-04-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

If you are overburdened with debt then it is very natural for you to look for Debt Consolidation Companies in order to get help from them regarding your debt consolidation. A reputed and reliable Debt Consolidation Company can really help you out to get rid of your debt problems. But, for that you have to wisely choose that Debt Consolidation Company which is not only reliable but is also able to meet your personal debt consolidation requirement. In fact, even before starting the debt consolidation process, you need to be sure of the outcome that you want and accordingly you should search for a suitable and reliable Debt Consolidation Company. If you succeed to find the right Debt Consolidation Company then becoming debt-free becomes only a matter of time for you.

How to get out of credit card debt

But finding a suitable and trustworthy Debt Consolidation Company may become a difficult task for you if you do not know for exactly what you should look for. The steps that you should follow and the factors that you should consider when searching for Debt Consolidation Companies, are discussed below.

Steps that You Should Follow for Choosing a Reliable Debt Consolidation Company
• In order to find out the Debt Consolidation Company that will be right for you, you need to carry out a lot of research on different Debt Consolidation Companies. Only after comparing the goodwill, reputation, performance and track record of many Debt Consolidation Companies you will be able to select the one which will suit you the best.

• When you gathering information about a Debt Consolidation Company you must get a clear picture of the company history. It is very important to know that for how many years the company is in the debt consolidation business and till the date how many clients it has served. Also be informed about the creditors with whom the Debt Consolidation Company has worked with. Ask whether there is any creditor with whom the Debt Consolidation Company cannot work or will not work. All these information are very important for you as you can choose only that Debt Consolidation Company which has several years experience in the market and has excellent relationship with most of the credit companies.

• If you are considering a Debt Consolidation Company be aware of it’s’ debt negotiation techniques. Also ask that how much reduction in the interest rate they are going to aim at. Always remember that a reputed and reliable Debt Consolidation Company will never promise an unrealistic rate reduction.

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Credit Card Act - Can Debt Consolidation help

2010-03-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

With the new Credit Card Act in place what does this mean to consumers? Consumers may now see a return to annual credit card fees. Although the new Credit Card Law restricts certain fees, such as those charged for surpassing credit limits or paying credit cards late, it leaves many other charges as “fair game”. We may start seeing credit card issuers preparing to implement additional fees. For instance, Fifth Third Bank last year began charging some cardholders $19 for not using their cards for 12 months. In addition, there is NO LIMIT to how high annual percentage rates can go.

Although the new Credit Card Act heavily restricts rate hikes on consumers that have existing balances, it DOES NOT prohibit card issuers from raising consumer rates on future purchases. credit card act

Will this also be the end to fixed rate interest terms? Balance transfers from one credit card to another with lower interest rates or new credit card offers may now only go to select consumers. Will the consumers with poor credit face reduced credit limits and in turn have more difficulty acquiring credit? Will program benefits that now offer rewards be a thing of the past?

Other important highlights you should know about the new Credit Card Act are:

* Late payments before the 60 day window will not increase your interest rates, but it will still show up negatively on your credit report.
* You should now open your credit card statements quickly and review them to keep abreast of new terms.
* Some of the credit cards may have deadlines that you must meet in order to opt in or out of in order to get certain terms.
* The new Credit Card Act does not cover Business and corporate credit cards.
* The Act does not cap interest rates. The increased rate can still reach triple your existing APR.
* A rate increase can't be applied to existing balances unless the cardholder is delinquent.

* Cardholders must be notified of a rate increase 45 days in advance, but there is no cap on rates.
* Those under 21 can't apply for a credit card unless they have a co-signer, sufficient income or show proof that they have an independent means to repay the card debt themselves.

1. Retroactive rate increases

Credit Card companies cannot raise rates on an existing balance unless a promotional rate has expired, the variable indexed rate increased or you paid late by 60 days or more. No longer will they be able to punish borrowers for late payments on
unrelated accounts under the practice of universal default or due to "anytime, any reason" clauses.
If the cardholder does trigger the default rate because of a 60-day delinquency, the bank must restore the lower rate once the cardholder demonstrates six months of consecutive on-time payments.

2. More advance notice of rate hikes

Consumers will now get 45 days notice from the credit card companies before any key contract changes take effect, including rate increases. Under the current Truth in Lending Act, cardholders only receive a 15-day notification.

3. Fee restrictions

Cardholders will not face over limit fees unless they elect to allow the creditor to approve over limit transactions. Issuers can't charge more than one over limit fee per billing cycle.
In general, banks can't charge consumers a fee to pay their credit card debt, a cost some cardholders encounter for payments made by telephone or Internet. They can impose a fee to expedite a payment.
Payments received by the due date, or the next business day, if the bank doesn't accept mailed payments on the due date, won't trigger a late fee. If the cardholder pays at a local branch, the payment must be credited the same day.

4. Credit for Those Under 21

If you are under the age of 21 you will now have to have an adult co-signer or prove you have enough income to repay the card debt that you accumulate. Credit card companies must now stay at least 1,000 feet from college campuses if they are offering incentives to attract students to apply for credit cards.

credit card debt consolidation

5. Ends double-cycle billing

The Credit Card Act will now ban double-cycle billing, the practice of basing finance charges on the current and previous balance. Under this method, the issuer could charge interest on debt already paid off the previous month.

6. Fairer payment allocation

A close look at your card agreement will likely reveal a clause that explains that payments will be applied to lower-rate balances first. Not so anymore. The Credit Card Act requires above minimum payments to be applied first to the credit card balance with the highest interest rate. Credit card issuers must disclose to
cardholders the consequences of making only minimum payments each month. Issuers must also provide information on how much users must pay each month if they want to pay off their balances in 3 years, including the amount of interest.

7. More time to pay

Credit Card companies must now send statements 21 days before a payment is due. Previously, only 14 days were required. The law requires card holders must now be given a reasonable amount of time to make payments. The due date should be the same date each month. Payments that are due on the weekends, holidays or when the credit card issuer is closed for business will not be subject to late fees. When the cardholder goes into a local branch to pay, the payment must be credited the same day.

8. Gift card protections

The legislation includes protections for gift cardholders. The new law prohibits gift cards from expiring for at least five years. Issuer cannot assess inactivity fees unless the card has gone unused for 12 months.

Debt consolidation

Let’s Talk Taxes - Its Time to do Your Taxes

2010-02-16T05:51:00.000-08:00

With tax time here, now is the time to consider how you want to claim -- the standard deduction or file an itemized income tax return. Why should you do this? It’s simple. Often overlooked deductions can make a HUGE difference in lowering your tax bill if you decide to itemize.

The standard deductions are fine for those who have an uncomplicated tax situation. But the amount of your mortgage interest payments, state taxes, property taxes, charitable contributions and hurricane losses, if any, could be more than the standard deduction that is given. What does this mean? If you do not itemize, you may not save as much as you are entitled to. With this in mind, you should take a look over the following list of often missed credits and reductions before you start the process of completing your 2009 tax return:

1. Education Expenses: There are many education related deductions and credits available to you if you are making tuition payments, paying off your college degree or student loan interest or just saving for your child’s education. You then owe it to yourself to check out the explanation of education tax benefits available on the IRS website. http://www.irs.gov

2. Deductions for Home Office: Are you self employed? Is your home office your principal place of work? Is your gross income more than your related deductions? You should then be able to claim this deduction. Are you employed by a company? If so you can deduct the home office ONLY if it is or your employer’s convenience. taxes You MUST also pass the “exclusive use” rule to qualify for deducting a portion of your home’s expenses, including mortgage interest, real estate taxes or rent, utilities, property maintenance (mowing, snow removal) or even repairs. Caution, this is a RED HOT issue for the IRS so be certain you pass the “exclusive use rule”. If you don’t have an office in your home, you may still deduct your mortgage interest and real estate taxes on both your main residence and any second home.

3. Deductions for Charity: You can deduct all that you have given to charity, especially if you have given cash gifts, or in-kind donations of clothing, toiletries, food or appliances that you can then deduct at fair market value. You should go through your receipts and your credit card statements to make sure you

don’t forget all that you have given. Only donations to 501 (c)3 organizations qualify. If you donate items other than cash and the amount is over $500, you must have a receipt from the organization who received your donation. Also remember that the IRS will want to see proof of cash donations, such as checks, stubs or statements from the charity.

4. Miscellaneous Expenses: Did you know that gambling losses, job search expenses, safe deposit fees, subscription to investment publications and even tax return preparation expenses could be claimed as tax deductions? Also, unreimbursed business expenses may be eligible to be claimed as a deduction. Your total miscellaneous expenses, however, must exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income to qualify.

5. Don't pay in cash: Cash may be convenient but it's also practically guaranteed to be forgotten come tax time, unless you're one of those folks who's great at writing down every single purchase. In some cases, if you do not get a receipt when you pay in cash, you will be unable to make a deduction. When you can, write out a check or use your debit card so you can prove the purchases for the doctor visit, charitable donations and business expenses; the IRS considers a canceled check or credit card/debit card receipt to be appropriate for purposes of record-keeping.

6. Other itemized deductions: Florida doesn’t have an income tax, so for the year 2009 Form 1040, you may deduct sales taxes you pay. You can either use your actual sales taxes paid or use the IRS table. If you don’t itemize, and use the IRS table, then you can also deduct the sales tax you paid on big ticket items such as Cars, Furniture household items like a new kitchen. Also, if you are a teacher, you may deduct up $250 for any school supplies you purchase. This year the energy tax credit has been extended, so if you purchased a new water heater, air conditioner, solar device, or impact windows, you might be entitled to a $1500 tax credit

7. Capital Losses: With the market downturn in 2009, you can deduct up to $3000 in NET losses on investments. Any losses in excess of that may be carried over to 2010.

8. Earned Income Credit: Those taxpayers whose income is below a certain level and who have dependents may also qualify for additional tax credits. If the credit results in a refund, the IRS will mail it to you.

9. Education and Child Care Credits: Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for tuition payments for your dependents’ college expenses. For those of you who have children in daycare, there is also a credit for the amount you pay to your daycare provider. You MUST have a receipt from the provider listing their name, address, amount you paid and their Tax Identification Number.

10. Medical deductions: Be sure to include your payments for medical insurance if you receive Medicare. You may also be able to deduct medical insurance premiums, co-
pays, other out of pocket expenses, hospital, doctor, dentists and any other medical visits. Remember that there is a 7 ½% take away before you can itemize.

11. LASTLY: Be sure to include ALL your W’2’s, Form 1099’sand any other documents which report income to you, such as bank or brokerage statements.

Tax Deduction Checklist
The best tax deductions checklists are found in three places:

1. Your past years' tax returns 2) With your tax professional 3) Through an online tax website

The IRS website provides plenty of useful information on tax filing which could end up saving you a lot of money on this year’s tax return. Take a few minutes to go over all the information you have on taxes so you can save yourself the most in the end.2010 tax return

CHOOSE YOUR TAX FILING METHOD! You may wish to hire a tax professional if you have had any major changes to your income such as an inheritance, lottery winnings, an investment windfall, or the like, or simply feel overwhelmed at the thought of the task. On the other hand, if your goal is to prepare your own tax return, there are great software programs for help with tax preparation, such as TurboTax, Quicken, or TaxAct. These programs are inexpensive and will walk you through your tax return with a series of questions that make it a relatively painless process.
INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE MAY NOT BE OF USE TO YOU AND THEREFORE YOU SHOULD CONSULT A TAX PROFESSIONAL CONCERNING YOUR ELIGIBILTY TO USE A DEDUCTION. EVERY PERSON’S SITUATION IS UNIQUE.

Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers and Videos

2010-01-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

The FTC has released a video
at www.ftc.gov/debtcollection
and
www.youtube.com/ftcvideos, explaining consumer rights regarding debt collection.

Consumers with questions about their rights under the FDCPA should refer to Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm.

The Holidays May Be Over But The Cedit Card Debt Is Still Here

2010-01-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again,…post holiday blues; you now have to wait for the results of the "festival of spending" spree that you may have gone on. This can be a frightening feeling. If you are unable to pay the balances on all your credit cards at once, then there may be a few ways to organize your post holiday debt.
Once all your bills arrive, what should you do? Simply set them out on the table, then you can sort and classify them in several different ways.

You can sort your bills by the highest balances OR you can sort by the highest interest rate and decide for yourself based on how much you can pay at a time, what is the best way for you to approach your credit card repayments. The highest

interest first may be the best way to start unless the highest interest card is the lowest balance you have. Look over each bill statement and try to figure how much a month in charges it will accrue.

Holiday Credit Card DebtOnce your credit card bills have been sorted you should list them in order of importance of who should get paid first. ALWAYS make the minimum payment on all the bills and apply extra money to the one that is first on the list and then work your way down on your list. You should try not to deviate from the financial plan that you have scheduled for yourself.

You can also cut back on some things that you typically spend on until you pay off all your holiday debt. Some things that you can cut back on are as follows:

* Dining out (or use coupons offered by local restaurants)
* Use more coupons for shopping for groceries
* Buying coffee every morning (bring it from home)
* Buying snacks and sodas (bring it from home and store at your desk)
* Don’t go out to movies and sports events
* Adjust your thermostat when you’re not home (use an automatic timer)
* Car pool if you can to save gas or take public transportation

As you sit and look back on your total spending for the holidays, maybe you should consider how much better you would feel without that extra financial burden. Start creating a holiday budget plan for next year. Each week put a little away so by the time the holiday season comes around again you will have your gift shopping holiday season money and hopefully will not have to use your credit cards again.
And remember, it’s the thoughtfulness behind the gift that counts, not the amount of money that you spend on the gifts.

Some Financial New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Make informed financial decisions, understanding the difference between your wants and your needs.
2. Take care of finances today by tracking expenses and creating a budget that is realistic and flexible
3. Take care of finances tomorrow by saving for the future. A good place to start is to take advantage of your employer’s retirement plan.
4. Communicate with your family about money matters so you are all working towards the same goals.
5. Continue your personal education about financial health, budgeting, credit and personal debt
6. Plan for seasonal expenses, including back to school, taxes and the next holiday season.
7. Teach your children by good example the importance of budgeting, saving and wise use of credit.
8. If you become over-extended financially take the necessary steps to seek assistance from a professional credit counseling agency.

Setting financial resolutions and sticking to them can be two different things. The fact is most Americans today are still paying off their credit card bills from holidays before. Don’t let this happen to you.

Avoid Holiday Debt - Credit Counseling May help you

2009-12-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us and the spending starts. You try and figure out what gifts you need to get and who you need to get them for. Now too much eating and drinking is one thing but when you start charging all your gifts on your credit cards, that’s another.

Spending more than you can afford during the holidays may seem alright in your eyes because its “The holiday season”, but a little self-discipline may assist you in keeping your purchases to a manageable limit.

Limit Your Holiday Card Purchases

Using a credit card to buy your holiday gifts may seem like a good idea but it’s only an illusion. The illusion that you can buy more gifts than you actually can afford; how many times have you done this during the holidays. Limit your credit cards purchases this holiday season and here is why:

Your credit score may fall because of your high credit card balances. If you spend more than 30% of what your credit limit is, it will cause your credit score to drop.

Using credit cards to purchase gifts end up costing you more. If you add in the finance charges and late fees if you cannot pay on time you'll pay more for your gifts than you would if you'd have paid in cash.

Unexpected Expenses. This might postpone your credit card payment plan and lengthening your credit card debt can rack up late fees and interest.

If you stick to a few spending rules, you can keep your holiday spending to a minimum and avoid paying for holiday gifts months after you have purchased them.

How To Avoid Holiday Debt

You should spend cash instead of using credit cards when you purchase holiday gifts. This allows you to avoid holiday debt all together. One thing you can do is put aside some money from each paycheck in advance and use that money to make your holiday purchases.

You should set a spending limit for yourself and stick to it. This will keep you from overspending and buying over your means. Don’t go over the budget you have set.

You should make a list of everyone you will be buying gifts for and write down an estimate of the amount you want to spend on each even though you might feel compelled to buy more for everyone in your life. People appreciate simple and meaningful, not over expensive and useless.

You should avoid the "one for you, one for me" shopping mindset. If you do this you can avoid spending double the amount you would have. Shop only for the loved ones in your life.

You should avoid the BIG SALE ITEMS. Often they're not really sales at all. Remember, stick to that list you created.

You should try and shop online first. The internet makes it easy to shop around. It also makes it harder to buy on impulse. Look for sites that offer free shipping. Since most retailers have inventory on their websites, you can decide exactly what you want to buy before going to the mall.

You should leave your credit cards home. Without your credit cards you will not be tempted to use them.

You should suggest to do a pot luck, grab bag gift exchange with your family, this can save some extra money buying only one gift instead of many for all your family members.

If the store you are shopping in offers free wrapping then do it. This can save you some time and money you would have to spend on wrapping paper, tape and bows.

And lastly if you cannot afford it don’t buy it.

With a little planning and creative shopping this holiday season can be a joyous one for you and your family and most of all a holiday season without credit card debt tomorrow.

Your Holiday List

2009-12-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

One more month and the holidays are here. The holiday stuff is already out in the stores and are you in the spirit or just feeling like Scrooge. But, if you think about it, many of us harbor Scrooge-like feelings today. We really don't want to participate in yet one more gift exchange. Most people are out of both time and money.

An obligation that is what Christmas shopping has become to most of us. We buy presents because it's expected that we do. How many gifts are you buying because you really want to bless the person receiving it? And how many fall into the "I gotta" category?

Yes, before you say anything, I know that some think only a real Scrooge would take people off of their gift list. Many of the gifts that you will give this season will actually hurt the person you give them to. Here's how. They really don't need whatever you bought. It's just one more item to take up closet, cabinet or attic space. You've put them one step closer to needing a bigger house (with a bigger mortgage payment). You'll consume their time and money without adding any enjoyment to their lives.

And, you'll diminish your own life, too. Whether you consider this time of year to be an important part of your faith or just a time of goodwill, rushing from store to store will take your mind from the real meaning of the season. You will be focused on things. Not on the relationships that are important to your life. So I'd argue that it's really in the spirit of the season to reduce the number of people on your gift list. In fact, you'd be doing friends a favor by not exchanging gifts. You'd both save the time spent buying and wrapping the gift. If you truly value that person, it's much better to get together for lunch or dinner and catch up on what's happening in your lives. OK, in some cases it's not practical to drop people from your list. So how can you make the best of gift shopping?

Here is what you can do, before you go out to do your gift shopping, consider why you're buying each present. Decide which people on your list are really important. Especially in this economy money may be limited. Spend it wisely, spend on the people who are truly important in your life. Everyone else should be handled without a big fuss. It's not that we don't like the people in our office gift exchange. It's just that six months from now they won't remember what you bought them.

An office party is a great place for a gag gift not a new car. Thrift stores can provide an assortment of items that can be used for funny gifts. Stuffed animals, clothing, coffee mugs and toys are fertile ground for the imagination.

Ok next you will ask about your far away relatives and friends. Unless you're particularly close, you might as well admit that you really don't know what they already have or what they need. So no matter what you get there's a good chance that it will need to be returned. Rather than spending hours in the malls hoping that the perfect item will jump into your arms, why not consider a gift certificate from a national chain of stores.

Or, better still, agree to a dollar amount that you will each spend on your own family. Do your buying after Christmas and send the 'giver' a photo of the gift that 'they bought'. For local friends and relatives, think about where your lives intersect. That's the place to begin looking for a present. If you find that your lives have drifted apart, it's better to spend time catching up instead of shopping.
Then there's those very special people on your list. Your spouse, children and others who you truly want to make happy with a gift. Remember that it's not how much you spend. While it's nice to find a thoughtful gift for that special someone, what they really want is you. The people that are most important in your life want your time and attention. Don't disappoint them by picking something that's expensive but impersonal.

Finally, please understand that this isn't meant to imply that you shouldn't give to those who need help. Not everyone in our world is blessed with the abundance that so many of us have. And the less fortunate would can use your gift. If you can afford to, please participate in Angel Tree, the Salvation Army kettles or other programs to help those who struggle. If you're really in the holiday spirit you'll feel much better giving that new sweater to a poor child rather than your Aunt Edna. Nor is this meant to imply that you should ignore the holidays. This is a wonderful time of year. My hope is that you'd make the most of your resources and bring happiness to the people who matter in your life.

Bottom line is develop a spending plan, avoid using plastic and use cash when you can. Lend a hand to people in need and communicate your affection to those you love by giving thoughtful gifts not expensive.

SMART HOLIDAY BUYS

Stuff your stocking without breaking your bank
The holidays can be the best of times spent with family and friends and the worst of overwhelming purchases and expenses. According to Gerri Willis, of CNN/MOney SMart, "while the average consumer expects to spend $702.03 over the holidays, plenty of us will spend more than we can afford." Here are some things to keep in mind ahead of the holidays:
You need to make a list and how much you can afford
When spending use cash and NOT credit cards
You can do your shopping online instead of going into the store.
If you do "Secret Santa" make sure you set reasonable limit.
If you are a person with a large family you can do a group gift.
Try not to be a last minute shopper. It's always best to shop early because you can then shop smart.
People always enjoy the gift when you make it.
The best time to purchase your wrapping paper, holiday cards and decorations is right after the holidays.
If you plan on traveling for the holidays book your airline tickets early.
Its always better to start saving in January for the holidays.

A new horizon credit counseling services provides debt consolidation to assist with unsecured debts

Credit Card Debt...What should I do?

2009-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

As soon as we are old enough to get a credit card, we are inundated with all these "special offers" that promise us that our life will be better if we only sign up for one more credit card. It is amazing how a little piece of plastic can get us in so much financial troubles.

These special offers are everywhere, department stores offer special discounts to those who open a new card. For example giving you 20% off your first purchase if you open a credit card with them. They offer you all these little gifts as well.

Credit cards offer low balance transfers if you sign up for their credit card today. Credit card companies even give out prizes to people who enroll for their cards (T- Shirts, hats, towels, key chains, etc) All you are doing is transferring your credit card debt from one card to another.

It can be very hard to not give into temptation and sign up for as many credit cards as possible. Credit cards can give you a feeling of power cause you can purchase whatever you want, whenever you want all with this little piece of plastic. But while credit cards can be a very useful tool, if used improperly they can lead to credit card debt that will take years to get rid of.

A safe and more cost efficient way of getting rid of your credit card debt is by using a debt consolidation program like ours. Our debt consolidation program will help you get rid of credit card debt without paying a great amount of dollars in interest and in a shorter period of time.

If you fell into the credit card offer trap we are here to assist you in getting out.

Credit Card Debt Consolidation

2009-10-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Many families today are carrying a load of credit card debt an average of $12,000 With interest rates being high, paying off that credit card debt can be a challenging task at best. If you find yourself in so much debt and are struggling to meet your minimum payments and at times not even paying at all, it may take 10 years or more to pay back that credit card debt.

Credit card debt consolidation programs generally work with many types of unsecured types of debt such as, credit card debt, department store credit cards, personal loans, student loans, unpaid medical bills, repossessed automotive loans, back taxes and more.

Benefits of our Debt Consolidation program
* No hidden fees
* Most creditor guidelines provide for lower interest rates
* No waiting period to get started
* $100 minimum balance required per account
* We can develop a sensible budget for you that you can live with.
* We will not terminate you from the plan if you are unable to fulfill established payment terms. Once we are notified, we work to further identify a plan that will accurately reflect your ability to pay off your debt.

When completion the program you will be debt free and your accounts will show that they have been paid. Just imagine all the extra money you could be saving instead of paying those credit card bills each month

A New Horizon Credit Counseling is dedicated to helping it's client's pay off their unsecured credit card debt at a reduced rates, getting them out of debt at a more rapid pace. We offer a no obligation, no fee debt quote to our clients, once the application is completed a credit counseling expert will contact you to discuss the specifics of our program with you and how it can assist you in getting out of debt.

FINANCIAL PLANNING WEEK

2009-09-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

What are you doing to reach your financial goals?

Fort Lauderdale, Florida –A New Horizon (www.anewhorizon.org) is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) credit counseling organizations, announcing its support for Financial Planning Week which is October 5–11, 2009. This is going to be FPA's (Financial Planning Association) eighth annual Financial Planning Week.

During Financial Planning Week, FPA is going to try and build the public's awareness of the financial planning. Many people are so busy with life itself they forget to take care of finances. We try to remind people everyday that it is important to manage their finances wisely. “Financial Planning should not be confined to investments. It should include the wise and sound use of credit; and when that credit has exceeded the families ability to pay, a reputable credit counseling agency, like A New Horizon, should be consulted” Said Steve Stark Chief Operating Officer With financial literacy and monthly articles on our website, reminding people to take care of money matters.

Ways to Celebrate Financial Planning Week you can:

-Make sure you checkbook is balanced.
-Open up a savings account for your children.
-Pay above your minimum on your credit cards.
-Make a budget worksheet and see where your expenses are going.
-Start to save for the holidays and make a budget for it. Don’t go overboard
-Get with a financial planner and plan for the future.
-Set monthly financial goals and try and keep them.

Just doing some of these may help you financially and assist you in continuing doing them in the future. “It’s like the old adage I have seen from Hugh D, Culver about Time Management “people don’t plan to fail, they just fail to plan”. It’s the same principal for individuals and families to achieve financial wellness.” Said Peter Carvalho, New Business Development

About A New Horizon

We have been providing Credit Counseling Services since 1978 including Debt Management and Financial Literacy Celebrating over 14 years as A 501 (c)(3) Non-profit Organization ISO-9001:2000 Certified Operating Nationwide & in Puerto Rico Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

If you would like more information on this matter please contact Stuart Lieberman who may be reached at(800) 556-1548 Extension 1126 or at slieberman@anewhorizon.org A New Horizon – Debt COnsolidation

# # #

Press Contact:
Stuart Lieberman
1-954-545-6160 x 1126
Slieberman@anewhorizon.org
www.anewhorizon.org
Internet Marketing Manager

Credit Card Debt

FREEDOM FROM DEBT HAS NEVER BEEN THIS SIMPLE

2009-09-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

FREEDOM FROM DEBT HAS NEVER BEEN THIS SIMPLE

It’s A New Approach To An Age Old Problem

Fort Lauderdale, Florida –A New Horizon is a well established Credit Counseling company with over 14years experience as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization assisting tens of thousands of individuals and families from all walks of life in regaining control of their finances. Slightly higher than the nationwide average, A New Horizon has seen an average of 55% of clients finish our program paying 100% of the individuals’ unsecured debt in a 3 – 5 year period.

This is accomplished utilizing Financial Literacy training and a host of programs to counsel and educate individuals on the responsible use of credit along with a structured debt management plan to assist them in paying off their existing debt. To further our goal, it’s vitally important to promote to the Collection Community a softer, more solution oriented holistic approach to collections which has the added benefit of improving the reputation of the collection industry with the public.

Through our research we’ve recognized that the industry trend is moving in this direction and a company like ours provides the very solution. This new initiative is designed for debtors who are in default, not already in a Credit Counseling Program and BEFORE they are PLACED FOR OUTSIDE COLLECTION. .

HOW DO WE DO IT

Our certified financial counselors will assist and counsel individuals and families so they’re both prepared for and budgeted to handle their financial obligations under this new program. We do a complete budget analysis of their current financial condition and show them how to improve it. Then, working with the creditors established repayment programs; we restructure the debt which in turn results in reduced monthly payments and interest. We also provide educational and counseling services to insure that the debtor does not repeat the behavior that resulted in the overwhelming debt that brought them to us.

“We’ve helped families across America become debt free since 1978.” Said Peter Carvalho, New Business Development for ANewHorizon.org. “We’re the caring, family-friendly Credit Counseling Company you can trust. Call us today and our professional credit counselors we will help you experience the power of financial freedom!”

The concept works for virtually any industry; Hospitals, Banks, Credit Unions, and Collection Agencies. Our programs achieve two things – Creditors recover the money they’re owed in an organized manner and families are educated on managing their own finances in the future. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

About A New Horizon

If you would like more information on this unique approach to consumer debt and recovery it may be obtained from Peter Carvalho who may be reached at(800) 556-1548 Extension 1125 or at pcarvalho@anewhorizon.org. A New Horizon – www.anewhorizon.org

Community Outreach - ANH Credit Counseling

2009-09-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

Our goal is to assist individuals and families through their financial situation and solve money management problems through education, motivation and professional counseling. A New Horizon credit counseling is dedicated to assisting our clients through educational programs that will influence them to refrain from credit cards as well as to encourage them to save money and invest it as well. We sponsor free seminars that are available to any company, organization or group that requests our educational services

Seminars include the following topics below:

* Budgeting
* Solving Credit Problems
* Money Management Tips
* Understanding Credit Reports
* Identifying Affordable Levels of Debt
* Re-establishing Credit

We can customize seminars to best meet the needs of our audience. Schedule a seminar today for you employees by calling A New Horizon at (800) 556-1548 or contact Community Outreach by e-mail at communityoutreach@anewhorizon.org

Debt Consolidation

Debt Consolidation - Credit Counseling

2009-08-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

A New Horizon is a national, 501 (c)(3) non-profit credit counseling organization dedicated to providing counseling services and financial education programs to individuals and families from all walks of life.

-Providing Credit Counseling Services since 1978 including Debt Management and Financial Literacy
-Celebrating over 14 years as A 501 (c)(3) Non-profit Organization
-ISO-9001:2000 Certified
-Operating Nationwide & in Puerto Rico
-Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Our credit counseling services help you evaluate your financial situation and provide you with comprehensive review of your income assets and expenses, including unsecured debts such as credit cards, department store cards, personal loans, past due medical bills, past due utility bills and IRS bills.

Certified credit counselors provide personalized service as well as alternatives based upon needs which include agency referrals, educational materials, and an ancillary Debt Management Plan.

Debt Consolidation, consolidate debt today