American Bankers Association Members Go Back to School

April is Financial Literacy Month and the American Bankers Association is attempting to reach out to 1 million students to help educate them about managing their finances.

Principles are keen to give their students essential life-skills in these times of struggling economies. This past year, the worries and stress from the economic downturn has flooded into jobs, homes and incomes in many families .

It is important that young people realise they desperately need financial education if they are going to avoid heartache further down the road.

The economic slowdown is affecting teens in several ways. According to a recent survey of US students aged between 12-17 conducted in February,

• 12% had been asked to help with the family budget
• 15% had curtailed extracurricular activities
• 49% said their parents had discussed family finances.

Read more information on http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/apr/27/us-economy-students-financial-literacy

US Credit Card Companies Practices Pursued By New Policies in the Making

Controversial, unpopular credit-card practices, from higher interest rates on past balances to fees for paying by phone or online are being scrutinised by Congress and the White House.

Because of the depth of the current economic slowdown, lawmakers are pushing legislation this week that would help consumers by stopping a wide array of credit-card practices that essentially amount to higher costs for customers.

On Thursday, there is a scheduled meeting where credit-card executives are to meet the Obama administration at the White House on Thursday. This move has been taken to put further pressure on the finance industry, especially as Barack Obama, US President, is expected to attend.

For more information visit the article on the Wall Street Journal

There is a Way Out of Credit Card Debt Misery

With the average American household chiming in at some $9,000 in credit card debt, it's no wonder that many today feel somewhat overwhelmed by their financial obligations. There are however some ways you can reduce credit card debt if you follow a few simple tips and tricks.

Reduction in Credit Card Debt means Financially Free Family

You might not look forward to actually implementing any of these suggestions and of course they'll require some work and effort on your part, but if it means being able to reduce credit card debt then of course it will be worth it so that you and your family are financially free.

Trying Cheaper Brands Saves a Lot

There's nothing to say that you can't dine out or buy new clothes when you're trying to reduce credit card debt but think of how you can just cut back on these expenses. What about trying cheaper restaurants or going without the expensive things on the menu like drinks and desserts? You can also try shopping at outlet stores or even on eBay when you need new clothes to save you some money. By doing these things you're not denying yourself completely but are saving money which you can in turn use to help reduce credit card debt.

How to Track and Reduce Credit Card Debt?

For one thing, a good way to reduce credit card debt is to pay as much toward that debt as you possibly can, as opposed to paying the absolute minimum payment due. You might be as stretched as you possibly can be when it comes to your budget, but there are usually some other areas where you can cut back.

Advantages of Tracking Your Expenses

For instance, if you started keeping track of how much money you spend at drive-through restaurants, you might be shocked. Why not try packing your lunch for work everyday and foregoing that gourmet coffee? You can use that money to reduce credit card debt by paying the extra fifty dollars or so that you'll save by doing these things.

An Alternate Job to Reduce Credit Card Debt

You may also want to think about a second job, at least temporarily, to help you reduce credit card debt. If you work full-time already then this might seem like an impossibility but what about working Saturday afternoons at the mall? A few hours working at a retail store can really help tremendously and will probably still give you enough time for your other responsibilities.

Reducing Debts is a Temporary Solution

Remember, this might be just temporarily for a few months or so while you try to reduce credit card debt; this doesn't mean you'll be doing this for years to come. If you're married and one spouse doesn't work, it might be time to think about a part-time job for this person as well.

Try to Sell From Your Home

If there are young children in the home, consider what you can do to work from the home such as babysitting, selling things online, or being a virtual assistant. There are many websites that explain work at home opportunities that don't require a lot of time or commitment but that can still offer enough money to help reduce credit card debt.