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Couple Celebrates Becoming Debt Free, Thank Debt Settlement Leader Credit Solutions
Dallas, TX – Nov. 19, 2009 – Johna and Billie of San Antonio, TX began accumulating what they described as “a snowball of debt” in 1998, when Billie retired from the U.S. Air Force. They decided to share their story of becoming debt free, with the help of debt settlement market leader Credit Solutions, via video testimonial online on http://www.creditsolutions.com.
They moved back to Texas to be near family but spent the next few years either unemployed or under-employed, getting deeper and deeper into debt, resorting to credit cards to buy groceries and gasoline.
“Credit Solutions helped us through one of the most difficult times in our lives,” Johna said. “We came out on the other end feeling much better about ourselves financially…because we did it. Yes, we had help, but we did it!”
The U.S. debt settlement industry leader, Credit Solutions uses its market leverage on behalf of consumers, negotiating directly with creditors to facilitate repayment of consumer debts at a reduced percentage of the total amount owed.
Upon completing the 12- to 36-month settlement program, all of the consumer client’s debts included in the program are “settled,” or resolved with zero balances.
“Any question I had, it was very, very easy to contact a real, live person…ask the questions I needed to ask and get them answered,” Johna said.
“We now have some breathing room,” Billie said. Our debt “has gone from $14,000…all the way down to $5,000. This we can deal with, and it won’t take us the next 20 years to do it.”
Since its 2003 founding, Credit Solutions has settled more than $1 billion in unsecured consumer debt and currently manages over $2.25 billion of debt for nearly 100,000 U.S. clients.
Since completing the program in 2.5 years, Johna and Billie took a vacation they paid for in cash.
“We haven’t used a credit card in five years,” Johna said. “We tore them up and threw them away. It’s such an awesome feeling…to know that we’re on vacation, and we can do what we want to do, and we’re not going into debt to do it!
“That has to be the fish dangling at the end of the line to keep you going on, to keep you reaching forward for that goal,” she added. “Keep reaching one step at a time, and you’ll get there.”
For details on Credit Solutions’ award-winning settlement program, along with other video success stories, visit http://www.creditsolutions.com. En español: http://espanol.creditsolutions.com/.
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Credit Solutions ‘A Big Sigh of Relief,’ Says FL Client Who Got Out of Debt
Dallas, TX – Nov. 17, 2009 – In a new customer video success story, Aaron R. of Orlando, FL says getting laid off from work and struggling with debt prompted him to enter Credit Solutions’ debt settlement program. After going through the program, he’s debt-free.
“I was let go, and I still had a bunch of debt as far as credit cards and automobiles which I still had in my name,” Aaron says. “I couldn’t just tell them, ‘Hey, I lost my job’ and get out of it. It kind of kept piling up and piling up on me.”
His credit score bottomed out at 490.
Credit Solutions helped Aaron become debt-free, settling his $12,700 of debt for $3,600, at a 28% average percentage of the actual balance, and saving him $9,100.
Credit Solutions uses its experience and leverage on behalf of consumers, negotiating directly with creditors to facilitate repayment of consumer debts at a reduced percentage of the total amount owed. Upon completing the 12- to 36-month settlement program, all of the consumer client’s debts included in the program are “settled,” or resolved with zero balances.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of settlement is it gives consumers overwhelmed with debt a chance to avoid bankruptcy and, in effect, start over by practicing long-term saving habits.
“When I settled my first account, it was a big sigh of relief,” Aaron says. “I knew the process was rolling and I was on my way to getting out of debt.”
Now that he’s completed the program, “I feel a lot better…a lot of weight off my shoulders, and I got my credit score back up where it needs to be…a 680 and still going up from here.
“It’s a great program,” Aaron adds. “I’d recommend it to anyone who’s in the same situation.”
About Credit Solutions
Market leader Credit Solutions has been recognized by American Business Awards for the "Best Customer Services Department in Financial Services." Credit Solutions is a platinum-level member of the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, a chartered member of the United States Organization for Bankruptcy Alternatives (USOBA) and accredited through BSI Management Systems for compliance with USOBA Best-Practice Standards. For more information about the Credit Solutions and its debt management program, visit http://www.creditsolutions.com.En español: http://espanol.creditsolutions.com/.
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Workers pitch in as companies steer past the economic storm
It's one thing to survive an economic storm. It's quite another to sail out with a crew on board that's still loyal.
These D-FW employers have been doing their utmost to do just that.
They asked employees for guidance when making tough decisions and cut where they figured to bleed least. They came up with little ways to show the staff they care and actually made "team members" part of a team. And they've come up with some savings that employees liked so much that they'll keep them even after good times roll again. Employees at several companies jumped at the chance to take off a few unpaid days to help the cause and free up personal time. At Jack Henry & Associates Inc., employees took off more than 5,000 days, which saved the company $1.2 million.
Law firm Patton Boggs LLP had fun on the cheap with events such as "just because" pizza parties and a salsa class during staff appreciation week.
By moving its holiday party from December to January and handing out its annual awards instead of door prizes, HCA-National Patient Account Services expects to save $15,000 in time and event expenses.
Sometimes coping with the bad times means helping the community. Baylor Health Care System, which treats patients even when they can't afford to pay, gave away $446 million in community health care, up nearly $60 million from the previous year.
When gasoline prices skyrocketed in 2008, Interphase Corp. moved to a four-day, 10-hour schedule in manufacturing so hourly workers could cut out one day of driving a week. The change went over so big with the employees that it uses this as its regular schedule for the first two months of each quarter.
Employees at Improving Enterprises all agreed to forgo raises for 2009. The IT company saved enough money to put together a short fling to Las Vegas for everyone.
For fun-loving Grand Prairie Professional Baseball, it was promos, promos, promos – including $1 hot dogs and sodas on Sundays, dollar beer on Thursdays and giveaways to the first 1,500 fans on Fridays.
Fun is actually written into Atria Senior Living Group's mission statement. Its Supreme Fun Sales Contest had a '70s theme with pet rocks, dance videos and live performances of favorite tunes from the decade. "We want our employees to know that it's still OK to smile."
We asked everyone:
"What unique ways has your organization used to deal with the economic downturn?"
Here are some highlights:
Behringer Harvard kept layoffs to less than a handful by finding spots for potentially doomed employees in other areas of the real estate company. Food that was free now comes from vending machines, but the selections are improved.
Cadence McShane Construction added a little stimulus pay in addition to its annual profit-sharing 401(k) contribution. It uses downtime for leadership and skills training.
Credit Solutions of America went to "smart routing," which auto-directs incoming calls to the proper department so that calls get answered faster and better.
The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau renegotiated fixed operating costs.
Dal-Tile Corp. renegotiated prices with vendors. It offers flex-time, part-time, days off without pay and zero co-pay for pharmacy purchases at Walmart.
Integrity Integration Resources exercised a little flexibility and went after new business that it thought it could land. And it did.
Interstate Battery System of America limited financial exposure in relationships with domestic automakers.
Kids R Kids of West Frisco wanted to help customers who have lost their jobs. So now children who leave the center because mom or dad isn't going to work can be dropped off for $20 per day. "This way parents can use the drop-in feature for interviews or time to search for a job."
Market Street (United Supermarkets LLC)'s sales took an unexpected nose dive during late spring and early summer. So it geared a new marketing campaign aimed at getting folks to eat at home more. The result: The company recorded it best year ever, in both total sales and profitability.
McLane Foodservice organized a carpool network.
Methodist Health System pays cash to employees who take personal health risk assessments for better preventive care. It also has a fund to help employees in times of crisis.
Pariveda Solutions Inc. helps peers in the marketplace who've been laid off. "We constantly keep our eyes open for ways to help support them in their job searches."
Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Spine Center PA created a "benevolence fund" that supports staff members experiencing difficult times. Both staff members and physicians contribute to the fund.
Quilling, Selander, Cummiskey & Lownds PC hired several employees' spouses and family members who had lost their jobs to help with jobs around the office.
Sabre Holdings Corp. postponed raises but never stopped giving them. "We want to ensure those employees who are driving our business success are rewarded."
SettlePou found its low fee structure and low overhead were positives in this economic environment. "We pay our incoming lawyers what we believe is a more appropriate salary, allowing us to provide top legal services at a very attractive hourly rate."
Sleep Experts had been paying most of its workforce straight commission but shifted to a minimum guaranteed monthly income for salespeople and store managers. And it reduced delivery days from seven a week to five, which allowed the mattress company to maintain its current workforce while becoming more efficient.
Southern Methodist University's employees and students can ride free on DART trains and buses after paying a one-time setup fee of $5 and then use a free special SMU shuttle service from Mockingbird Station to the Dallas campus.
Strasburger & Price LLP turned to its lawyers and staffers for ideas to streamline operations.
Weber Shandwick's employees give each other attaboys by sending out officewide e-mails called Bravo Zulus and Heavy Hitters.
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Best management: Credit Solutions of America
When it comes to the most critical issues that make or break great workplaces, here are the companies that
got the highest praise from employees. We've picked out some of their unvarnished comments to one of the
incisive questions used to determine their level of support and enthusiasm.
Best management: Credit Solutions of America
(Financial services, 644 local employees)
What does your manager do well?
"My manager praises me when a job is well done, either by me or one of my team members. I also know
through positive feedback if I missed that mark and if he is able to help me get to that next level. I have
never worked for a manager that was able to always allow me to walk away from any interaction feeling
strong and confident in my role and duties."
"Lead by example and make sure we have access to the latest tools and technology."
"Praise, praise, praise ... and what a fun, energized work environment! He stays positive even under stress."
"My manager is also great at utilizing the people under him as a resource; he puts us in a position for us to
do well both for the company and ourselves."
"To put it simply, she gets it done, no matter what the request or issue is."
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View all 2009 press releases...
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