Medford Alert has teamed up with Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern Oregon for a weeklong series on how to get back on track and realize your financial dreams.
Everything is getting more expensive. In fact, inflation has jumped 6.2% just this year. So what does that mean for your dreams of owning a home or financial freedom?
To begin, Let’s introduce the experts behind this series. Consumer Counseling Services has been helping Southern Oregonians get on the right financial path since 1971. They are local team of professionals and community volunteers dedicated to making Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon a regional leader for social and financial transformation. Understanding that financial health and security are a large part of the social determinant of health, which they recognize and address the financial challenges of their clients. Through professional counseling and community-wide education, they endeavor to empower financial stability. They work with an array of community partners to improve the financial health of individuals, families, and communities.
For the third straight year, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern Oregon made the prestigious list of Top 100 Non-profits to work for in the entire state, according to Oregon Business Magazine. These pros know their craft, and that means you can have the utmost peace of mind as they help get your financial life back on track.
Each day, Consumer Credit Counseling Services will give tips on one specific element of an overall healthy financial life.
Monday • Part 1 – Managing Debt
Tuesday • Part 2 – Debt Management Programs
Wednesday • Part 3 – Student Debt
Thursday • Part 4 – Buying a Home
Friday • Part 5 – Credit Report Review
Now is the time to act, and now is the time to call Consumer Credit Counseling Services to setup a free consultation. Over 37,000 local families have been helped by them so far. The longer you wait, the more the world around you gets even more expensive.
Imagine waking up each morning without the stress of worrying about your finances. It’s possible, and it’s within reach. In fact, it’s just a phone call away. Call today, 541.779.2273 or visit the website at http://impovedcredit.com. Free or low cost options are readily available.
Part 1: Managing Debt.
A financial budget is like a road map. It is a tool that can easily tell you whether financially, you are going in the right direction, or not.
It helps you decide what you have to have, and what would be “nice” to have. We all have goals and dreams.
Maybe you want to own a home or send your children to college. Alternatively, maybe you just want to ensure you can afford to pay-off your bills at the end of each month.
Perhaps it’s as simple as setting a goal to become debt free as soon as possible.
The trained counselors are Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon can help you on this journey.
They have helped thousands from all walks of life, just like you.
They are a locally based non-profit. Your counseling session is free and safe over the telephone. Visit improvedcredit.org or phone 541-779-2273 to schedule an appointment.
Part 2: Debt Management Programs.
From budgeting advice and suggestions for positive spending habits to a debt management plan, the highly trained and friendly credit counselors Consumer Credit Counseling Service are there to assist you with your financial goals.
One popular option is the Debt Management Plan or DMP. Simply put, it is a partnership between you and the credit-counseling agency to systematically pay down your outstanding debt through monthly deposit to CCCS, which will then be distributed monthly to your creditors.
Some of the potential benefits are:
• Lower monthly payment
• Reduced interest rate waive late/over limit fees
• Having only one monthly payment
• Becoming debt free in 5 years or less.
For many this is a very attractive financial option and Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon is happy to explain the plan, how it might help you and sign you up.
Contact CCCS at: Improvedcredit.org or 541-779-2273.
Part 3: Student Debt.
Let’s face it, borrowing to pay for college is the easy part. There is no shortage of sources, but choosing the right one is a little more difficult. Then, choosing the best repayment options for your student debt once you leave school can give anyone a headache. The options seem to range from merely confusing to downright complex. Consumer Credit Counseling Services can help.
That’s where their certified Student Loan Counselors can help you navigate your repayment options and available forgiveness programs. The CCCS experts will guide you, based on your personal situation, to ensure you understand your debt and minimize your loans’ impact on your current and future plans.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon is a Medford based community nonprofit and has one of the only certified student loan counselors in the region.
1 in 3 students struggle making their payments, delinquency rate on student loan debt are nearly twice that of other household debt.
The highly trained counselors at Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon can work with you on your student loan management. All counseling session are free and conducted over the telephone.
They can evaluate your student loan debt, review your credit score and credit report. Explore options for student loans including deferments, forbearance, alternative repayment plans and consolidation loans.
They will review the pros and cons with and assist in applying for apportion option.
CCCS can help you search out the best options for you.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service is the only locally based non-profit credit counseling service. Since 1971, they have helped thousands.
Visit improvedcredit.org today and schedule an appointment.
Part 4: Buying A Home.
Do you plan to buy a home soon? You probably have lots of questions and concerns. Relax, you are not alone, and CCCS is here to help you. They are committed to working in the best interests of their clients and will provide unbiased guidance.
For more than 40 years they have been helping families and individuals with financial questions about housing. The CCCS professional counselors can help you with any issue might be facing, whether you need to learn more about homeownership, you are facing foreclosure, or you are behind in your rent. They can help you understand your options and make an informed decision on your best course of action.
Maybe you already have a home, but need a bit of advice on what your options are. Are you behind in your mortgage? Do you want to stay in your home for as long as possible? You worked hard to build it and it’s full of loving memories.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing education and counseling services. This ensures you’ll receive professional, knowledgeable and unbiased information and advice. Thinking about a Reverse Mortgage? They can talk about the pros and cons, and let you know who qualifies. For many this is a very attractive financial option and Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon is happy to explain the plan and how it might help you. Contact CCCS at: Improvedcredit.org or 541-779-2273.
Part 5: Credit Report Review.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services offers credit counseling and debt management services that aren’t directly intended to improve your credit score, but the free financial literacy education and counseling they offer can teach you the right ways to improve your credit score.
A free copy of your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports can be obtained once every 12 months from the Annual Credit Report Request Service. This free report does not include your credit scores. CCCS offers a merged three bureau credit report for a fee that includes your credit scores. An appointment that includes a free review to be sure you understand the report and to answer questions is required for this service. We can advise you how to dispute inaccurate information and help you learn how to avoid being scammed by credit repair companies.
If you are having trouble repaying your debts, take the first step by clicking here or reaching out to one of their Certified Credit Counselors, who will work with you to gain an understanding of your financial situation and then develop a personalized plan to move forward.
Debt counseling includes a wide variety of services designed to help you better manage your finances and address different kinds of debt. Part of the CCCS experience is private one-on-one, no-judgment counseling, that involves helping you determine which solutions are the best for your situation. Each session is tailored to your own personal needs and situation. Their counselors are local, and they are here to help, listen and try to seek workable solutions. Get Started Right Now!
