Freedom Financial Network Experts Available to Discuss National Financial Literacy Month

New budgeting & financial tools guide available for consumers.

San Mateo, CA (PRWEB) April 19, 2006 -- April is National Financial Literacy Month, and the occasion provides the perfect opportunity to address the lack of understanding of basic personal finance concepts that pervades American lifestyle today, according to Bradford G. Stroh, co-founder and CEO of Freedom Financial Network, LLC.

Stroh is available to comment on National Financial Literacy Month’s goals, and discuss the financial problems facing American consumers, including:

1.    Lack of understanding of the most basic personal finance skills -- such as why income must exceed expenses, how to squeeze savings out of even the smallest cash flow, FICO scores, credit ratings, and how to create a simple, workable budget focused on the basics.
2.    Significant increases in consumer debt -- total consumer debt -- excluding mortgage debt -- now tops $2 trillion and continues to climb. Americans carry 1.2 billion credit cards, and more than 44 million households carry card balances that average $8,025 month to month.
3.    Proliferation of products and services that don’t benefit the consumer -- how payday loans, credit cards with high interest rates, a blizzard of credit card offers filling most mailboxes, and bankruptcy assistance that creates still more debt can sweep customers from on the edge to deep in debt.
4.    Predatory lending practices -- how shady creditors prey on people who are unsophisticated when it comes to loans, or who do not understand annual percentage rates (APRs), loan terms, penalties or other conditions.
5.    Americans’ lack of budgeting skills -- how, turned off by the very word “budget,” Americans resort to plastic and living paycheck to paycheck rather than planning their spending.

In addition to being available to discuss these concepts, Stroh and his firm have developed a 16-page guide titled “Debt Freedom: Budgeting & Financial Tools for Today’s Consumer.” The guide provides advice on understanding cash flow and debt, defining a budget/spending plan, and setting goals to attain financial freedom. The guide is available electronically, at no charge, by e-mailing budget @ freedomfinancialnetwork.com.

“We at Freedom Financial Network sincerely believe in doing taking concrete steps to help people handle their personal finances,” Stroh said. “The basic information in the guide can help individuals reach their goals and become truly financial literate, improving their lives now and in the future.”

Freedom Financial Network, LLC (www.freedomfinancialnetwork.com) provides consumer debt resolution services through its Freedom Debt Relief and Freedom Tax Relief divisions. The company works for the consumer, negotiating with creditors to lower principal balances due that can often result in savings of up to half the amount owed. Freedom Financial Network has served more than 7,500 clients nationwide and manages more than $250 million in consumer debt, offering an alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debt consolidation. Based in San Mateo, Calif., the company also maintains offices in Sacramento and Tempe, Ariz.

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