Finances at Fourth and Long? CCCS Advises Punt.

Feature/Business Editors

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2002

It's fourth down with 27 yards to go. A football team would not go for a first down in that situation. It would punt. The same advice is true for consumers who are debating if they should go out and shop for

"Consumers who do not have the money to purchase holiday gifts need to be prepared to find alternatives," said Roland Chupik, president, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater San Antonio. "If asked, no one on a gift list would want their loved one to go into debt to buy them a gift," said Chupik.

CCCS offers the following alternatives to purchasing holiday gifts.

-- Entertain. Create an attractive homemade invitation to dinner at your home for sometime after the busy holiday season.

-- Serve. Who wouldn't love a certificate to have their lawn mowed or dog sitting while on vacation? Gifts of service are appreciated and can be done throughout the year.

-- Postpone. Give a gift IOU. Let your gift recipient know that you have the perfect gift in mind for them and she or he will receive it soon.

-- Save. Make a conscious effort to put aside money in savings for next holiday season. Even a small amount per week will add up in a year's time.

Consumers who follow this advice will avoid making a bad situation worse with unwanted holiday debt.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater San Antonio Inc. is a non-profit, community service organization that provides professional financial guidance, counseling, community-wide educational programs and debt management assistance to consumers. The agency offers comprehensive bilingual budget/credit counseling, a debt management program and a wide range of educational activities, many of which are free to the community. The CCCS telephone number is 210/979-4300, and the Internet address is www.cccssa.org. Call or come by, or check our Web site for a confidential, financial assessment.