Money IN/Money OUT Who Can Help?

• Consumer Credit Counseling Service

  1-800-388-2227 (to locate office nearest you) or http://www.nfcc.org

  A nonprofit agency to help consumers deal with debts and set up special payment plans with creditors if necessary. Fees are low and sometimes waived. Many new services have entered the marketplace in recent years, some of which do not offer credit counseling to prevent future problems, but simply provide a debt management service. Choose any such service carefully.
  
  

• Cooperative Extension Service (under county government in phone book)

  Call your local office to see what educational services are available -materials, programs, one-on-one consultation. Fees and materials are free or low-cost.

  See http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/frmpubs)
  
  

• Credit Unions

  If you are a member of a credit union, check to see what counseling or educational services are available. See the web site for CUNA, the Credit Union National Association.
  
  

• Legal Assistance

  A variety of problems require legal assistance. Several providers of free and low-cost legal aid exist. Ask about neighborhood legal clinics, or the federal government's Legal Services Corporation. Call the Raleigh office at 919-856-2564 to get the location of the nearest field office or check the Directory of Local Pro Bono Programs in North Carolina. Check with the North Carolina Bar Association on the web or at 1-800-662-7407 for referrals.
  
  
  

• Financial Counselors

  Many persons calling themselves financial counselors have no specific certification. One recognized certificate is the AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor), a program initiated by the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education. A consulting fee is usually charged.
  
  

• Financial Planners

  A competent financial planner has the training and experience to analyze their clients' entire financial situation and help clients achieve their goals of cash management, investing, insurance, estate planning, retirement planning, and/or tax sheltering. Most make money from the products they sell. Some are consultants and charge only for their time. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors has a fee-only membership. In most states, anyone can use the title financial planner. Look for credentials such as Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant or membership in the Registry of Financial Planning Practitioners and ask questions about training, experience, and rates before making a commitment.
  
  

_{North Carolina State University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
Family & Consumer Sciences Department}