Financial Success amidst the Holiday Season

We have entered the most financially stressful time of the year; the Holiday season. Regardless of what holiday your family celebrates, there are an abundance of gifts being exchanged during the month of December and the expense of all that…

Strategies for Meaningful Holiday Gifts on a Budget

The parking lots at the shopping plazas have started to reach chaos status on the weekends.  Some people are window shopping in anticipation of Black Friday deals and others are getting a jump on their gift purchases.  Gift giving at the holidays…

Lifestyle Choices to Ensure Long-Term Financial Security

, ,
Building financial security is all about finding that balance between planning for the future and living a comfortable lifestyle today. It’s never too late to turn your financial health around and the more committed to a healthy financial…

Online Financial Scams to Avoid

,
Technology has made everyone’s lives easier, including criminals. From identity theft to online scams, every year, criminals find new ways to use technology and the internet to commit fraudulent acts. These acts are designed to separate you…

Why Join a Workshop or Webinar with CCCSMD?

, , , ,
At CCCSMD, our goal is to help you overcome financial hurdles by teaching you how to manage income, credit, and debt. By teaching our clients how to do this on their own, we know you’ll prosper independently with the skills you need to succeed. With…

Budgeting for Travel in Retirement

, ,
Retirement means entering a phase of life where you get to do things you love and have longed to do, like travel. Retirement means an end to the 9-5 grind, but it’s also an end to steady paychecks. This means relying on your savings, pension,…

Lifestyle Choices to Ensure Long-Term Financial Security

Building financial security is all about finding that balance between planning for the future and living a comfortable lifestyle today. It’s never too late to turn your financial health around and the more committed to a healthy financial…

Savings Part 3: Savings made simple

, ,
Having some money stored away is one of the best feelings I have ever had.  I don’t crave being rich but I do crave feeling secure. Having a savings account buys me that security and makes me ready to face whatever challenges are thrown my…

Savings Part 2: Enjoying the Savings Journey

, ,
Enjoying the Savings Journey, One Dollar at a Time I used to get very discouraged with my savings account. As soon as I managed to save $100, some emergency would come up that depleted the balance to zero again.  I knew I wanted to save 3-6…
Budgeting for Savings

Savings Part 1: Budgeting for Savings

,
Budgeting for Savings There’s a line item in my budget that I’ve always struggled with – savings.  This should be the easiest line item because it’s my money that I am putting away for myself. But I can’t tell you how many times…
CCCSMD. Dept Consolidation vs. Debt Management vs Debt Settlement.

Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Management vs. Debt Settlement

, ,
Whether you are trying to pay off some debt, are working towards homeownership or retirement, or are worried about your ability to meet your financial obligations, it is very important to take the time to educate yourself about the options available.…
CCCSMD. Keys to Budgeting Part 3. Setting up a budget

Keys to Budgeting - Part 3 Setting up a Budget

,
I remember being really anxious when I would make a purchase with my debit card and the machine would ask if the charge amount was OK. Even as I touched YES, I didn’t always know if that was true. Before I started budgeting, I would often…
What is credit counseling

What is Credit Counseling?

Understanding your credit, working towards financial goals, paying debt obligations, and having an awareness of your monthly income and expenses are all part of your financial wellbeing. And, your financial wellbeing impacts every facet of your…
financial counseling

How Do I Find a Reputable Credit Counselor or Financial Advocate?

Maryland has one of the highest individual debt-to-income ratios in the United States, which is partially due to rising student debt as well as the cost of living with Maryland ranking as the 7th most expensive State to live in. That is understandably…
CCCSMD Keys to Budgeting - Part 2. Income.

Keys to Budgeting - Part 2 Income

,
With two young children, my tolerance for things being out of control is constantly challenged. There are messes and clutter in every room of the house. The dresser drawers lose their organization just minutes after I put away clean clothes.…