You've Got Mail.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 1999--Many of us have fond memories of the recent holiday season.

However, those memories may fade quickly when the holiday bills start pouring in. Are you unsure how you'll pay them?

"Sometimes people enjoy the end-of-the-year holiday season only

to become dismayed when they see how much they spent," says Nancy Deevers, director of education and community relations for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Ohio Inc. (CCCS). "However, consumers can take positive steps right away to help solve this financial problem."

If you have spent too much money during the holidays, you should first figure out how to get out of debt and then set up a savings plan to make next year's holiday season debt free. These three tips may help achieve both goals. -0-

1.   Make paying off your debts a priority. Develop a plan to repay
     all debts as soon as possible. If you don't know how to develop a
     debt repayment plan, contact CCCS to make an appointment with a
     counselor who can help you.

2.   Know exactly where you are in your debt repayment plan each
     month. Pay more than the minimum amount due on credit card
     accounts to reduce debt and minimize finance and interest
     charges.

3.   Carefully track your spending and cut back on non-essential
     spending. When making new purchases, use cash as often as
     possible. To keep from adding to your debt, only use credit cards
     for emergency situations.

"Learn from this year's overspending. Make a concerted effort to become debt free and approach the 1999 holiday season with caution," recommends Deevers.

For help with money management or budgeting contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Ohio. CCCS is a non-profit, community service organization that provides confidential counseling, guidance, debt management and education programs to financially troubled consumers. CCCS is a member of the National Foundation for Consumer Credit (NFCC).

Enjoy getting mail again. Schedule an appointment with a CCCS certified counselor by contacting Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Ohio at 216/781-8624 or 800/621-8261.