It's the first month of a brand new year and you're having problems making ends meet.
You're not alone!
Rising costs and a tax increase are creating big problems for many families in 2013.
But there is hope----if you take steps now.
JANIS HASHE, GOT SOME HELP "My family certainly was a family that said, you pay your bills..you are responsible for the debts you have..you pay your bills..well I was not going to be able to pay your bills if I didn't find some help."
Janis Hashe is self-employed and was hit hard by the 2008 recession.
She went for free assistance at the Consumer Credit Counseling Service offered by the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. That was 2 years ago.
JANIS HASHE "I found out about the partnership, and went out and had a conference with one of their counselors ..and its been great, frankly they have really helped me."
SARAH OSTER, CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING "A lot of us..we get so caught up in what we did wrong..and feeling ashamed and embarrassed about out mistakes..we really struggle tom get back on the right path..we avoid it..we try to find excuses."
Even people who have a budget and who have never had financial problems before, frequently find they are suddenly over their heads in debt.
JANIS HASHE "I just would like to let people know there's nothing to be ashamed of if you need help."
SARAH OSTER "Most of us really struggle with managing a budget. And for lots of people, they don't even want to create a budget because its intimidating. They don't want to be tied down to something they don't want to commit to."
JANIS HASHE "I feel like everybody has times where no matter how good a budgeter you are ..No matter how honest a person you are...you're going to experience things that are not of your own making...you know I didn't cause the recession of 2008."
Janis Hashe has been in the program for 2 years and it worked.
She and the consumer credit counselors says the worst thing you can do with debt----is to do nothing.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service is located on Olin Mills Drive.
And again, that service is offered at no cost.
