| These are turbulent economic times in which we live. | | | | credit. |
| The cost of a college education continues to soar. | | | | In this age of economic turbulence, paying down debts |
| New grads face greater amounts of student loan debt | | | | and securing financial futures are of great concern to |
| than ever before. Mortgages are expensive, and in the | | | | Americans. A financial advisor or coach at a credit |
| wake of the mortgage crisis, loan companies are | | | | counseling company can help clients plan short-term |
| tightening eligibility requirements. In many industries, | | | | and long-term money management goals. More |
| salaries fail to keep pace with inflation. Health insurance | | | | importantly, these professionals advise clients on how |
| premiums continue to soar, as well. No wonder so | | | | to actually reach those goals. Clients typically will |
| many Americans are in debt, with average debt at | | | | develop sound economic plans, taking their net |
| $8,000 or more per household, according to a 2004 | | | | incomes and monthly debts and expenditures into |
| MSN Money report! And, many more people are | | | | account. The coaches can then recommend that |
| concerned about money management. | | | | clients consult with financial planners and accountants |
| The failure to plan for a solid financial future can | | | | in their area who can help them implement saving, |
| trample lifestyles and hobble dreams. Fortunately, each | | | | investing, and debt-reduction strategies. |
| person can be in control of his or her own finances. | | | | Many clients find the unbiased money coach advice to |
| But how? | | | | be an asset; when clients are able to develop the best |
| Credit counseling and financial advising companies are | | | | money-management strategies for their personal |
| now teaming with legal networks to enable consumers | | | | situations, they can work towards long-term financial |
| to make good financial decisions. These counseling | | | | goals more easily. With cursory backgrounds in |
| companies help consumers secure protection against | | | | financial planning and debt reduction information, clients |
| credit theft and credit fraud -- two ways people can | | | | are armed to tackle money and debt issues long after |
| get into debt without even realizing it. Skilled money | | | | they've finished consulting their money coaches. Clients |
| coaches then work with clients facing money troubles. | | | | can then formulate a comprehensive financial |
| They help clients to develop the best course of | | | | well-being plan to save money and pay down debts. |
| financial planning to suit their lifestyles. Money coaches | | | | Credit counseling companies often offer clients access |
| can also direct clients to a skilled financial advisor who | | | | to a legal team, consisting of attorneys skilled in many |
| can best assist them with setting up and maintaining | | | | areas of money management, debt, and fraud. These |
| 401Ks, IRAs, Roth IRAs, trusts, and other accounts, | | | | lawyers are helpful because they can offer targeted |
| enabling them to build healthy financial futures. | | | | money strategies and advice. Attorneys in the legal |
| Credit theft and credit fraud are major financial | | | | network might give clients free consultations, and can |
| security concerns in the Internet era. People are | | | | often work for them with significant fee reductions. |
| concerned - and with good reason - that their identities | | | | Many credit counseling companies now offer services |
| may be stolen, and their financial information may be | | | | online, so clients can fit money management into their |
| readily accessible to fraudulent criminals. Money | | | | busy schedules. Clients, after signing up, can log on to |
| coaches can help customers develop crucial plans of | | | | these sites with a user name and password. From |
| action against credit theft or credit fraud. Through | | | | that point, they will receive access to financial |
| techniques such as fraud alerts and credit checks, | | | | resources and tools, and might even be able to |
| customers are able to keep control of their finances | | | | access and manage short-term and long-term financial |
| by maintaining good credit scores. Often, money | | | | plans online. Whether a potential client is a college |
| coaches assist clients in going over their credit scores | | | | student, a parent, a newly widowed person, or a |
| clients line by line, looking for evidence of fraud or | | | | mid-career professional, credit counseling companies |
| tampering. If errors are found, money coaches advise | | | | can assist them with all areas of strategic money |
| clients on how to promptly notify credit bureaus. These | | | | management. |
| financial gurus also offer advice for restoring good | | | | |