Indiana League Director offers advice for enjoying the holidays without going broke
November 25, 2003

League Director Barbara Crane who is president of Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling Service (right) chats with Deirdre Hutton on the set of "Inside Indiana." The show is produced by WHMB-TV40 in Noblesville. Additionally, Crane has appeared on news programs carried by the CBS and NBC affiliates in Indianapolis to give viewers advice on smart holiday spending. Crane is also a director at Community Choice FCU.

INDIANAPOLIS--If you or your members are looking for some good advice on holiday shopping, consider these tips from Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling Service. 1) Make a list and stick to it. 2) Shop for bargains. 3) Avoid stress and 4) Keep your spending in check.

"You wouldn't believe how many people don't follow these simple suggestions and end up in financial trouble after the holidays," says League Director Barbara Crane, who is president of Momentive and a director for Community Choice FCU in Indianapolis. "People are trying to buy the perfect Christmas they see on TV and it doesn't exist."

Crane is visiting several Indianapolis-area television stations during the Christmas shopping season to spread the word about smart holiday spending. News releases with holiday spending tips are available in the News Releases section of the Indiana League's Web site (www.icul.org). Credit unions across the country are encouraged to share these tips with their members.

In addition to offering tips for smart consumer behavior during the holidays, Momentive provides credit counseling, debt management services, educational programs for groups as well as other services for consumers and financial institutions in Indiana. Last year the organization distributed more than $28 million to creditors on behalf of its clients.

Established in 1965 as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Indiana, Momentive is an accredited consumer counseling service, unlike many similar organizations that are advertising this time of year. It is not-for profit, just like credit unions and its counselors spend as long as a year in training so they are well equipped to help consumers avoid financial trouble as well as providing assistance to those who may have gotten in over their heads.

Other facts:

• Momentive recently adopted its new name in response to confusion generated by other agencies advertising consumer debt counseling. These other agencies have the funding for advertising because they typically charge consumers exorbitant fees and may not be accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). Only NFCC-accredited organizations can use the word "service" in their names.
• Momentive has offices in 21 Indiana cities to assist clients. Counseling is also available via telephone and online.
• Momentive offers loss mitigation for financial institutions, which can help borrowers avoid foreclosure.
• A recent grant received by Momentive will provide financial literacy counseling in 2004 to women who are victims of domestic violence. Financial institution partners are presently being sought that are willing to help these women set up checking accounts.

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