Hi there! My name is Lauralynn Schueckler and I’m the Online Marketing Specialist here at AdvantageCCS. I’m taking over our Blog and I’m looking for some great ideas for topics to write about. Please let us know what’s on your mind and what you’d like to see on our Blog. I’ll do my best to provide you with the correct information and to answer any questions you may have.

I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. I have an Associate’s Degree in Multimedia Technologies and Graphic Design from Pittsburgh Technical Institute and I have been with the agency for a few months now. Before that I was the Social Media Manager at a Pittsburgh based Internet Marketing Firm.  I’ve always had a passion for Social Media and Search Engine Optimization.

I’ve actually gone through the AdvantageCCS Debt Management Program personally myself almost 2 years ago. I’m completely debt free today and my credit score is very good now. I know all about what it’s like to be in debt. I was in over my head and I almost gave up. I had student loans, a car loan, and massive credit card debt. I heard about Advantage Credit Counseling Service from a friend and I’m so happy that I checked them out. They truly are the reason I’m out of debt today. I have been there and done that when it comes to debt, so if you can name a financial issue, I probably have experience with it.

In conclusion, if there are any financial topics that you would like to see discussed here, please feel free to suggest them. You can also contact me directly at lschueckler@advantageccs.org with any questions or ideas. Don’t forget to friend us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. We are also on Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. This day is all about undying love and showing that special someone how much you care. Show your sweetie you love them while keeping your bank account in check. That is easier said than done, right? Total holiday spending is expected to reach $15.7 billion this year according to the NRF (National Retail Federation).

We all seem to be expecting more this year. You can’t walk down the street, ride on a bus or catch a taxi cab without advertisements enticing you every second of the day. It’s so easy to put aside your financial woes when love is in the air. Nevertheless, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your true love happy.

Here are some helpful tips to stay frugal while expressing your feelings:

1. Do a chore or task that your significant other doesn’t like doing. Vacuum the house, do the dishes, take out the garbage. Anything that you know they don’t like to do, do it for them. Make sure you do a thorough job as well. This little gesture goes a long way to touching their heart.
2. Create your own one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day card. Instead of going to your local convenience store and just picking out any old card, make one yourself. This can be done on the computer or by hand. Be creative and let the love flow into creating that special card.
3. Have an intimate dinner made by you. It can be hard to find a restaurant on Valentine’s Day that isn’t over crowded with a really long wait. Why not make dinner yourself at home? If you can’t cook, order out from a favorite restaurant. Create the mood by lighting candles. This is a wonderful way to show how much you care.
4. Find your favorite picture as a couple and put that picture on an item for them. You can add pictures to just about anything these days. Whether it’s a coffee mug, mouse pad, calendar, t-shirt, ornament, etc. It’s really easy to create and order it online. It’s such a personal and thoughtful gift that they will cherish for a long time.
5. Make a burned CD or create a Playlist on their MP3 player of favorite songs. Be sure to include the song that you both think of as “our song”. Use your computer or drawing skills to make a custom cover for the CD case.
6. Design your own flower arrangement. When you buy pre-arranged flower bouquets, you could be paying double what you’d normally pay. Save money by buying individual flowers, a lovely vase, and do the arranging yourself. Remember to cut the stems at an angle and the flowers will last longer. Another tip is to put a penny in the bottom of the vase. The penny acts as a natural fungicide and will help the flowers stay vibrant.
7. Bake a cake or favorite dessert. Make something by hand or use your talents to create something unique for him or her. If you like to write, maybe write them a poem. If you are a musician, write or sing a song. If you work with wood or metal try creating a memory box. Whatever skills or talents you have, use them to make something truly special for them.

If you put a lot of thought or time into a gift, it means so much more to that person. You don’t have to buy expensive jewelry or 12 dozen long-stem roses to show that someone you really care. This day is about expressing your love and feelings. Just being with that person on this special day could be enough for them. There’s no reason to break your budget and overspend on this holiday.

What are your Valentine’s Day Plans? Do you think you might have gone a little overboard on the planning and spending? We’d like to hear your thoughts and ideas!

AdvantageCCS reflects on the following famous movie lines and relates them to personal finance:

• “Gone with the Wind”- “I can’t think about that right now” didn’t work out too well for Scarlett O’Hara, and it won’t work for today’s financially strapped heroine, either. Delaying reaching out for help with your financial situation will only make matters worse. 
• “Casablanca” – Wanting Sam to play the same song over and over is one thing, but repeating the same financial mistakes month after month is not music to anyone’s ears. If your financial hole is getting deeper, it’s time for a new tune.
• “Wizard of Oz” – Dorothy knew that “there’s no place like home,” and the millions of Americans who have been displaced from their homes would agree. A home is typically a person’s largest investment. Don’t risk losing yours. Reach out for help at the first signs of trouble so that you and Toto will always have a roof over your heads.
• “Dr. No” – James Bond was a convincing secret agent in dozens of films, identifying himself simply as “Bond, James Bond.”   Today, even James Bond could have trouble keeping his personal information secure, as thieves have sophisticated methods of stealing identities. Unauthorized charges on existing accounts, new accounts opened in your name, and drained bank accounts are just some of the results of being a victim of identity theft. To keep from needing your own secret agent, educate yourself with identity theft protection tips at www.ProtectYourIDNow.org.
•  “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” – Many may think that this movie title describes their financial life. If so, do something about it by facing the financial facts. Take charge of your financial future by tracking spending, creating a payday cash-flow calendar, and knowing how much you owe. It’s your money and your financial future. No one cares more about it than you. 

AdvantageCCS is a proud member of The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation’s largest and longest serving national nonprofit credit counseling organization, can help build a financial plan that’s customized to your situation.  To find the location closest to you, call (866) 699-2227, or go online to http://www.advantageccs.org.

Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AdvantageCCS, on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AdvantageCCS, and on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AdvantageCCCS

Advantage Credit Counseling Service (AdvantageCCS) offers three simple steps consumers can easily implement that will put them on the road to financial stability.  

The three A’s of financial wellness are as follows:

Action– Many are paralyzed by their situation, frozen in a state of financial anxiety. Others feel that they are in such deep financial trouble that there is no real help available. Some may fear that they’ll reach out for help to the wrong organization, thus ending up worse off than when they began.   Failure to act only makes matters worse, as the problem isn’t going to cure itself. Likewise, delaying action only makes the situation more difficult to resolve. Consumers owe it to themselves and their family to sit down with a Certified Credit Counselor at a legitimate nonprofit agency.  These counselors are trained to do a thorough review of the situation and provide concrete solutions, ones that can mean the difference between financial failure and financial success.

Automate – Make technology your friend by signing up for direct deposit, automatic bill paying and online banking. You can avoid ever having a late fee by arranging credit card payments to be sent automatically before the statement due date each month, making sure the payment amount equals at least the minimum amount due. You can always circle back and pay the balance in full, but knowing the bill has been paid on time brings you peace of mind and avoids negative dings on your credit report and score. Direct deposit helps to avoid the long lines at the bank on payday, as well as providing a degree of safety since the paycheck can’t be stolen from an unattended mailbox. Further, the surest way to save is to have money automatically deposited into a savings account before you ever see it. 

Accountability– People are well-intentioned justifiers. Financial accountability starts with financial honesty. If you find that you have more excuses than money in the bank, enlist the support of an accountability partner. Make sure this person is someone you’re comfortable revealing your financial dirty laundry to, is someone you respect enough to follow their advice, and is strong enough to speak the truth to you. It may be tempting to pick someone who is in the same financial shape as you, but that type of relationship often ends up being a two-person pity party. Instead, find someone who is a responsible money manager and is willing to share those skills with you.

The Certified Credit Counselors at AdvantageCCS, are proud to be a member of The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nations largest and longest serving national nonprofit credit counseling organization. We can help build a financial plan that’s customized to your situation.  To find the location closest to you, call (866) 699-2227, or go online to http://www.advantageccs.org. 

Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AdvantageCCS, on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AdvantageCCS, and on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AdvantageCCCS

How do you celebrate with the one you love while staying within your monetary means? If you are on a budget and watching your spending, you might think it’s impossible to have a good time while pinching pennies. That’s just not the case but you do have to be a little creative.

Have a fun filled evening without breaking the bank.

The first step is planning out your night. Create a total spending budget for your evening. Ask yourself this, “What can I afford to spend right now”? Make a list of places you want to go, how you are going to get there, what gifts you might buy, etc. This can help eliminate some places or things to avoid because they’re just too expensive.

Some ways to save money while having a wonderful time.

1. You could have a romantic dinner at home and really save some money. If you can’t cook, then order out from your favorite restaurant. Decorate the table, light candles, dim the lights and set the mood. Use your best dishware and silverware to make it fancy. Have an intimate meal in the privacy of your home.
2. Look for free shows in your area instead of paying for tickets. There are many local theaters, bars, coffee houses, and clubs that host open mic night for comedians, musicians, poets, and other performers. This is a cost effective way to see a free show and have a good time.
3. Movies are another activity that can be cheap, if done correctly. You don’t have to drive to a movie theater, pay for the tickets, and buy overpriced snacks and drinks. Do it all from the comfort of your own living room. The library is a great source of free entertainment. You can also borrow DVDs from neighbors, friends and family.
4. Go on a picnic or take a nice long walk. Eat in your local park or even your own back yard. Walk around your city or neighborhood and reminisce about why you decided to live there. It will bring back wonderful memories and feelings. Walking is not only free and enjoyable; it’s also healthy for you.

You can always find free and fun things to do in your area. Don’t be tempted to get more money out or to use credit cards because your money is running low. Just remember to make a budget, create a list of places to go and things to do, stick to your budget and enjoy this time with your loved one. You are going to have a great anniversary while keeping your bank account in check.