Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA)

Press Release

AICCCA Offers Black Friday Spending Tips

Fairfax, VA - November 23, 2009 — As Black Friday approaches, more and more stores are advertising in an attempt to bring in spending customers with the promise of big savings.

"Retailers pull out all the stops to get customers into their stores to spend money on the day after Thanksgiving," said Dave Jones, president, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA). "Consumers who plan to shop on Black Friday need to have a plan in place so they are not tempted to spend more than they can afford."

AICCCA offers these tips to help consumers avoid overspending:

Start and stick with a list. Clearly define your shopping list to include everyone you plan to buy for and a dollar amount for each gift. Take your list with you when you shop so that you can mark off those gifts you do buy and to keep you from buying something that is not on your list.

Take some time to comparison shop. Scope out the ad circulars or go online once you have determined your shopping list. Do take advantage of sales, but again, be sure to buy only those items on your list.

Leave your credit cards at home. Determine the amount you can afford to spend before you go out shopping. Leaving the credit cards at home and using cash, debit card or checks to pay for your purchases will make it easier to resist the temptation to spend more than you planned or buy something that is not on your list. When you run out of money, go home and relax.

If you need financial help, a qualified AICCCA member office can help get your financial life back on track. To get help now, call 866-703-8787 or visit www.aiccca.org to find an office that can serve you.

Founded in 1993, Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) is a national membership organization, established to promote quality and consistent delivery of credit counseling services. AICCCA and its members are focused on improved creditor relations, efficient processes and advanced technology to best serve clients and creditors. AICCCA members are independent nonprofit agencies that advocate for debtors, counsel millions of consumers annually nationwide and provide debt management services to consumers with excessive unsecured debt. For more information or to contact an AICCCA member office call 866-703-TRUSTAICCCA (866-703-8787) or visit www.aiccca.org.