Consolidated Credit Counseling – Debt Counseling, Debt Consolidation

MIAMI - July 26, 2013 - PRLog -- As graduation season kicks into high gear, outgoing seniors on college campuses throughout the U.S. are getting ready to take the plunge into the real world. However, with an economy still weak and youth unemployment rates high worldwide, is it really possible to make a smooth transition from your college life to your career? Learn what you need to know to be successful as you move out into the real world, particularly when it comes to your finances.

And if looming post-graduation debt problems are causing you to stress, give us a call at 1-800-320-9929 for a free debt evaluation with a trained credit counselor. You can also get started now online by completing a request for a Free Debt Analysis. -  Consolidated Credit (http://consolidatedcredit.org)

--- 21.9 percent of 18-24 year olds were in poverty in 2010, which is roughly 1.5 times the national average, and 14 percent of the U.S. population living in poverty, according to a Demos report.
--- 35 percent of undergrads carried a credit card and of those students the average balance is about $755, according to a 2012 Sallie Mae study.
--- It would take roughly 12 years for a student to pay off a $1,000 credit card debt with an 18% interest rate if they are making only minimum payments.
--- Total outstanding student loan debt loans exceeded $1 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve.

To avoid the debt trap and stay solvent, Howard Dvorkin recommends that recent graduates follow this advice:

--- Track purchases and put together a spending plan. Continuously check spending to make sure it is less than, or equal to, your income. If you're spending more than you take home, make adjustments to your spending plan by reviewing your spending categories.
--- Once you know where your money is going, it's easy to make small adjustments that can really add up. Look at discretionary areas of spending first. Spending for items like eating out, lunches, entertainment, clothing, personal items, etc., can often be reduced. If you cut a little in each area, you will not feel the pinch and it will still make a difference to the big picture.
--- Shop around for the best rates on car insurance, cable, or satellite packages and lower rates for long distance service or Internet access. Switch to a lower cost mobile phone plan and take advantage of discounts whenever possible.