Financial Education & Credit Counseling


This component of the Family Protection Plan provides consumers with personalized services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We provide access to counseling and financial education through a variety of delivery methods including telephone, online tools and live chat sessions.

Whether your are renting or buying a home, having problems with debt, or setting up a trust, there are legal and financial ramifications associated with each.  This financial education program is designed to provide individuals and their families with the tools they need to make better financial decisions.  Personal financial guidance and education is provided by over 1,000 experienced financial counselors.

The following is an outline of the Free Services included with this program:

  • Free Consultations

  • Financial Assessment:
     A complete financial assessment includes review and
     analysis of your household income, expenses, assets
     and liabilities.
  • Credit & Debt Counseling by Certified Credit Counselors

  • A credit counselor takes the time to thoroughly understand
     and assess current credit and debt issues.

  • Assist in creating a livable budget to balance income and
     expenses.

  • Provide specific advice on how to deal with creditors.

  • Offer money management and budgeting techniques to help
     gain control of finances.

  • Develop a comprehensive spending plan.

  • Create an action plan to become debt free.
  • "Ask Susan" Online Counseling Sessions

  • A unique opportunity to receive a personalized response
     to questions on subjects such as loans, budgeting, credit
     reporting, collections, dealing with debt and much more.
     Simply email your questions to receive a personal
     response on these and other financial subjects.
  • Housing Advisory Services

  • Advice covering first time homeownership, affordable
     mortgages and refinancing.

  • Post purchase counseling.

  • Reverse mortgages - what are they and how do they work?
  • Online Tools & Articles

  • Access online articles designed to inform, assist, educate
     and alert consumers in all areas of credit, money
     management and how to get help.

  • Online tools for budgeting.

  • Articles designed to help make smart financial decisions.

  • Articles designed to help with family financial and
     purchasing decisions.

  • Hotlinks to a wide variety of consumer resources on topics
     such as lending, credit reports, credit cards and vehicle
    purchasing and financing.

  • Tests and quizzes to gain a better understanding of how to
     improve money management skills.
  • Money Choices

  • Five private self-paced courses, presented by Visa, that
     teach the skills needed for smart money management.

Copyright © 1998-2008  McClaren & Associates.  All Rights Reserved.
Last modified: February 23, 2008