Credit and Debt Counseling News

Family Credit Management Service is proud to be recognized as a leading consumer advocate regarding credit and debt counseling services. We have been trusted by countless newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television stations throughout the country. Our certified christian credit counselors are experts in the credit and debt counseling services field. We hope you will enjoy viewing the following collection of our media interviews covering a vast array of topics, such as rebuilding your credit, identity theft, overspending at the holidays, dangers of the new 40 year home loan, teens and money, money strategies for college students, home loan options, the dangers of pay day loans, results from our annual financial stress surveys and of course our debt management services. We trust you will find these articles to be of great value no matter what your situation may be.

If you are struggling with delinquent credit cards, considering a payday loan and need to discuss the risks and rewards, or just want to know if your household expenses are in line with your peers, you can be confident when you work with a Family Credit Management Service certified credit counselor you are discussing your personal financial situation with an experienced credit counselor and an organization trusted by news organizations throughout the country. Whether you are a consumer looking for financial education or a reporter looking for an expert in the field of consumer credit, Family Credit Management Service is here for you.

Please take a moment to review the following sampling of clips and remember our slogan:

DEBT FREE…IT’S YOUR CHOICE!

Television Appearances
MSNBC - MSNBC News Live		Amy Robach, a host on MSNBC's Live News, interviews Michael McAuliffe about recent credit and debt trends.
CNBC - Squawk on the Street		Michael McAuliffe discusses the recent trend of consumers making credit card payments but not their mortgages.
MSNBC - MSNBC News Live		Michael McAuliffe is interviewed by MSNBC's Milissa Rehberger regarding current trends in consumer debt.
MSNBC - MSNBC News Live		Michael McAuliffe, president of Family Credit Counseling Service, is interviewed on MSNBC's Live News to discuss the effects of paying credit cards over your mortgage.
CNBC - Power Lunch		Bill Griffeth, anchor of CNBC's Power Lunch, moderates a heated debate between FCCS' Michael McAuliffe and Robert Manning, Professor of Finance at Rochester Institute of Technology author of Credit Card Nation, about the consumer effects of raising minimum credit card payments.
CNBC - Closing Bell		Maria Bartiromo, anchor of Closing Bell, moderates a debate between the Chief Economist at Raymond James and Family Credit Counseling Service's Michael McAuliffe. Topics include the severety of the current debt crisis, advice for those wanting to get out of debt, and the perils of using home equity lines to pay off credit card debt.
CNBC - Morning Call		Host of CNBC's Morning Call, Liz Claman speaks with Family Credit Counseling Service's president, Michael McAuliffe about the rising interest rates and their effects on credit cards and mortgages.
CNBC - On The Money		Dylan Ratigan, host of CNBC's On The Money, seeks the advice of FCCS' president about the astounding debt of billionaire Larry Ellison.
Chicago Tonight		Carol Marin of WTTW's Chicago Tonight speaks with Michael McAuliffe and Loretta Abrams, Vice President for Consumer Affairs at HSBC North America, about Money Smart Week. Topics include financial literacy, credit cards, student loans, and payday loans.
High Gas Prices Affect Families		Families are finding alternate ways to travel due to the high gas prices.
Americans Struggle With Little Savings		Michael McAuliffe is interviewed regarding the rising debt of Americans.
First Business - 10/30/07 Interview With Michael Mcauliffe		Michael Mculiffe discusses the impact of an interest rate reduction on consumers.
First Business - 10/23/07 Interview With Kevin Smith		Branch Manager Kevin Smith is interviewed about the assistance programs offered to home owners in trouble.
First Business - 09/25/07 Interview With Michael McAuliffe		Tom Hudson, co-host of First Business, interviews Michael McAuliffe about what the recent interest rate reduction will do for debt carrying consumers.
ABC News Chicago Interview		As part of Money Smart Week sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank, Michael McAuliffe educates the viewers of ABC 7 News This Morning in Chicago about the risks of predatory lending and managing a mortgage.
Methods to Cut Your Budget		Michael McAuliffe discusses ways for families to cut their budget without taking on additional debt.
Money Smart Week Teaches Financial Basics		Money Smart Week is a great way for people of all ages to learn about credit and finance.
Rapid Refund Loans Could Cost You More		Rapid refund tax anticipation loans can end up costing much more.
Beward of Refund Anticipation Loans		WTVO News interviews Elizabeth Schomburg regarding the dangers of tax refund anticipation loans.
Regaining Control of Your Finances		Heidi Berardi discusses the basics of beginning to get your finances under control.
Gas Prices - WTVO News Interview		WTVO News explores the financial effects of high gas prices.
WREX News Interview		Michael McAuliffe addresses important fnancial topics facing college students and recent graduates including credit cards and student loans.
WTVO News Interview		Family Credit Counseling Service's Vice President, Heidi Berardi, provides verifies the negative effect of rising interest rates on homeowners.
Financial Freedom
Credit Card Delinquincies
Senior Debt
Getting Rich		Creating a budget and making a plan for the future are a few key steps in setting yourself up for a positive financial future.
Credit Card Debt		Paying off holiday debts can be difficult.
Big Bucks to Get Fast Cash		ATM fees are on the rise, and the actual cost can be surprising.
Radio Appearances
Public Radio's Marketplace		Elizabeth Schomburg discusses the recent debt trend of consumers falling behind on mortgage payments but not credit cards.
Public Radio's Marketplace		Michael McAuliffe, president of Family Credit Counseling Service, follows up with Public Radio's Marketplace listeners about collection agencies and the deceptive practices that they use.
Public Radio's Marketplace		Michael McAuliffe, president of Family Credit Counseling Service, speaks to Public Radio's Marketplace listeners about new debt collection techniques used by collection agencies.
WVON Radio		Kevin Smith answers questions from Chicago residents about how to improve their credit reports and provides debt management advice.
Magazine Articles
Better Homes and Gardens - Money Talk Pays Off For Kids		Teaching your childen about credit and debt is one of the most important things you can do as a parent.
Woman's Day - Cash-Flow Control		How to keep your money where it belongs...in your wallet
American Baby Magazine - Why You Fight Over Finances		Elizabeth Schomburg discusses how bad credit and debt can affect your family relations.
Overdrive Magazine - Credit Cleaners		This cover story in Overdrive magazine is a great resource for those dealing with bad credit and looking to live a debt free lifestyle. Elizabeth Schomburg, Senior Vice President of Family Credit Counseling Servce, talks about the cost of bad credit and provides tips on how to effectively manage your debt.
Get Checking™ Helps Illinois Credit Unions Offer Consumers a Second Chance		The Get Checking program can help consumers on their way to debt free living.
Debit Vs. Credit for College Freshmen		Teaching your children how to effectively manage credit and debt is key to a successful financial future.
The Bottom Line: Clarifying the Credit Card Conundrum		Figuring our which reward card to get can be a challenge. Michael McAuliffe has advice to help you decide.
Newspaper Articles
The Washington Post - Debt-Laden Homeowners Save Plastic First		The Washington Post presents this Associated Press article in which Family Credit Counseling Service discusses the impact of credit card debt on foreclosures.
Wall Street Journal - Double Squeeze for Homes		Pressed borrowers find help only after falling behind on mortgages.
Impulse Buys Plague Last-Minute Shoppers		In this Associated Press story run by the LA Times, Michael McAuliffe discusses the credit and debt difficulties surrounding the holidays.
Lists key to holiday shopping		Financial advisers say working with a budget better for your wallet .
Debt-Free Christmas: How to shop without going into hock		The Pantagraph delves into ways to keep your holiday debt free.
Losing their house in 2005 still haunts Rockford couple		Foreclosures are on the rise. With proper budgeting and assistance an owner may be able to overcome their debt.
Turning to Churches or Scripture to Cope With Debt		It is possible to get out of debt while still meeting your Christian obligations.
Don't Overspend This Valentine's Day		It can be difficult to pay off outstanding Valentine's Day debts.
These Resolutions Can Help With Financial Success		By using four simple principles: grow, finish, plan, and save, an individual is able to better to accomplish their financial New Year's resolutions.
Budget Busting Holiday		Consumers can avoid financial pitfalls of the giving season.
Beware Fees On Bank-Issued Gift Cards		Fees on gift cards can decrease their value significantly.
Don't Let Bad Credit Choices Leave You With a Blue Christmas		While credit cards may be safer to carry than cash, it is important to not get carried away during the holidays.
Older Americans' debt piling up at a rapid clip		Taxes, energy, health costs help increase debt levels of elderly.
Don't Let the Christmas Spirit Ruin Your Credit		In order to avoid holiday spending pitfalls, be prepared with a shopping list. Also, follow a few simple steps to help preserve your credit rating.
Compulsive shopping a growing concern		Shopping, like anything else, is best done in moderation. Too much shopping can negatively affect your financial situation.
B-N Ranks 101st In Saving For Future		Retirement plans are essential to securing your future.
Last-minute shopping guide		It is important to remember to stick to your budget when shopping for the holidays.
Give Yourself Some Credit		What you don't know about credit and debt can eventually hurt your credit score.
Sorting Through Home-Loan Options		Purchasing a home is one of the most important financial decisions that you can make. Learn about different options and how to best prepare for a mortgage.
Home Sweet Mortgage		First-time homebuyers can get plenty of help with credit options.
College Grads Can Use Proven Money Strategies To Get Ahead		Financial experts offer advice on how to transition from the classroom to the workplace after college.
Teens Should Learn To Use Credit Wisely		By learning about credit and debt early in life, teens can go on to make positive financial decisions.
40-year home mortgage joins options		40-year mortgage loans have joined a proliferation of products to make homeownership more attainable.
Where Did It All Go?		Bills often linger past the holiday season.
Fraud a Problem Locally		Identity theft is a growing problem both locally and nationally. Watching your credit report can help you to spot the signs early.
Surge Puts Payday Loans Under Scrutiny		Payday loans can be one of the most difficult debt management traps to overcome.
Website Articles
Tackling debt as a family		Being debt free is not only an individual choice; you must involve your spouse in making debt free choices.
6-step debt-elimination program		Michael McAuliffe offers his advice on how to best reduce the amount of your debt load.
Tallying the true costs of debt		Bankrate.com interviews Michael McAuliffe regarding the effects of debt on people.
Be cautious about store credit cards during the holidays		Being cautious about opening store cards, especially around the holidays, is one way to help guard yourself against fraud.
Economy 'Certainly Close' To Realty-Made Recession		Elizabeth Schomburg discusses the impact of the slowing home martket.
Bankruptcy credit counseling gets mixed reviews		Experts have varying opinons on the bankruptcy reform passed by congress. Family Credit Counseling Service helps weigh in on the issue.
Balance transfer can lessen post-holiday blues		Knowing how to switch balances between cards can help to eliminate some of the after holiday financial stresses.
Is Increasing Minimum Credit Card Payments Really Good for Consumers?		While increasing minimum credit card payments will help consumers pay their debt off sooner, will it push some of them over the edge?
Credit Card Holiday Spending Survey Offers Valuable Insights into Consumer Debt		Family Credit Counseling Service's annual financial survey seeks to answer important questions about consumer debt habits.
OK'd by 'instant approval' credit card? Now what?		Creditcards.com explores the facts behind instant approval credit cards.
Pay Down Debt For Healthier Bottom Line		By reviewing all income and expenses, a household can create a budget that will help to analyze their debt load.
Financial Regret? Step Up to a Debt Reduction Challenge in 2005		Developing a healthy financial outlook does not happen overnight. Here are a few steps that will help to put your family on to the right track.

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