America Saves Week

February 27 – March 4, 2007

The first National America Saves Week offers a chance to highlight savings, financial skills and your programs. A guidebook for Extension Agents has been developed to assist you in promoting this week. You can join this effort even if you do not conduct a SAVES campaign. This is a great opportunity to promote your financial and consumer programs. Plus it is very easy to do! Contact Elaine Courtney if you need a copy of the guidebook.

American Bureau of Credit Services, Inc.
5773 West Sunrise Blvd
Plantation, Fl 33313
1-800-701-0437


American Debt Solutions, Inc.
3075 S. Federal Hwy
Delray Beach, Fl 33483
800-246-4019


Consumer Credit Counseling Service
3670 Maguire Blvd, Suite 103
Orlando, Fl 32803
407-895-8886


Dave Ramsey's Abridged Financial Peace University-Bankruptcy Edition
The Lampo Group, Inc
1749 Mallory Lane
Brentwood, TN 37027
888-227-3223


Mamie L. Davis
Chapter 13 Standing Trustee
200West Forsyth Street
Suite 1520
Jacksonville, Fl 32202
904-358-6465

Family Counseling Service Inc.
1629 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, Fl 32207
904-396-4846

Family Life Resources, Inc
5802 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617
800-553-8621


InCharge Education Foundation, Inc.
2101 Park Center Drive, Suite 310
Orlando, FL 32835
866-729-0049


University of Florida/IFAS, CES, FYCS
3002 C McCarty Hall
Gainesville, Fl 32611
352-392-1945 x 228

Laurie K. Weatherford
Chapter 13 Standing Trustee
150 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 450
Orlando,FL 32801
407-648-8841


CFOToday, Inc
401 St. Francis St
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-681-1941 ext 313


Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West Florida
14 Palafox Place
Pensacola, Fl 32502
800-343-3317

Advantage Bankruptcy Class, Inc
5775 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 230
Miami, Fl 33126
305-267-1041

By Lisa Leslie

One of the best financial steps you can take is to pay off credit card debt. Eliminating credit card debt will save you many dollars in interest charges. This will mean less of your income will be lost on interest charges. It’s almost like a boost in pay!

Steps to reducing debt:

1. Stop using credit like extra cash. This means your spending needs to be less than your take home pay.
2. Make a list of all your debts. The list should include the balance, interest rate, and monthly payments.
3. Generally, paying off loans that are at the highest interest rates first is the way to save money on interest payments.
4. Pay more than the minimum balance each month.
5. Track all expenses. This will help you figure out areas where you are overspending.
6. Be wary of high interest consolidation loans. If you are carrying a large amount of debt compared to your income or you have a poor credit score, you may not be able to get a consolidation loan at favorable rates.
7. Avoid payday loans. These loans usually have a very high interest rate.
8. Shop carefully and be vigilant if you decide to use a credit counseling service. Beware of companies that promise that you will pay significantly less than you owe. This could hurt your credit score. Debt reduction can take time, but usually comes with long term benefits.

From FTC Tests Funeral Homes For Compliance:
The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give consumers an itemized General Price List (GPL) at the start of a visit to the home to make funeral arrangements. Funeral homes also must show consumers separate casket and outer burial container price lists if those prices are not included in the GPL. By requiring itemized prices, the Rule gives consumers the ability to compare prices among funeral homes and buy only the goods and services they want.

Consumer Information:

Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods & Services

Rindiendo Honores: Sus Derechos al Momento de Comprar Artículos y Servicios para Funerales