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PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Disaster Proof Your Finances
CCCS of Greater Dallas Provides Free Education and Tips on How to Financially Survive a Crisis
Media contact:
Chase York
HCK2 Partners
PR Support for CCCS Dallas
972-499-6630
chase.york@hck2.com
Dallas - March 22, 2011 - What Japan and its people face today are top-of-mind right now, but, unfortunately, when any crisis, small or large, hits us unexpectedly, most consumers are not equipped to weather the storm. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas (CCCS of Greater Dallas) reminds consumers to consider their disaster preparedness level ahead of time.
"It is important to organize your family for a crisis with a detailed action plan, update it accordingly and ensure you have the appropriate resources available to survive financially," said Todd Mark, vice president of education for CCCS of Greater Dallas. "Maintaining your financial plan and security becomes even more critical during a time of crisis whether a small flood or fire, minor wind damage or as large as a natural disaster."
"Our team at CCCS of Greater Dallas is very concerned for the safety and well-being of the citizens of Japan," said Mark. "While our hearts go out to Japan, we want to ensure our community is prepared financially for any size natural disaster. For us, here in North Texas, tornado season is just around the corner, and it is essential to review your current financial plan so that an unexpected event doesn't create a crisis situation."
CCCS of Greater Dallas, a nonprofit provider of free housing and credit counseling and financial education, teaches consumers the importance of preparing for a financial crisis and how to avoid a debt-filled aftermath. It offers a free webinar, Surviving Financial Crisis, to figure out a financial disaster plan. For those interested in creating a disaster plan independently, CCCS of Greater Dallas suggests the following tips to get started:
Do a home inventory - Conducting an up-to-date inventory of your home is critical to preparing an accurate insurance claim, netting you a more accurate return. Be sure to keep all documentation of your home's contents in a safe place, such as a fire safe, safe deposit box or with a relative who does not live with you. It is also helpful to use video or photography for documentation.
Review and update your insurance coverage. Insurance policies change on a frequent basis. You may have previously ignored updates from your insurance company, but now is the time to review your policy and understand exactly what it covers, as well as deductibles and other fees. Also, if you've added any high value items to your home, you will need to update your policy so it covers the monetary value of these items.
Dedicate money to an emergency savings account. We always recommend that consumers have a minimum of three to six months of living expenses in savings. This money will be critical if hit by a natural disaster, but it can also greatly reduce the stress of a job loss or medical emergency.
Create a plan of action. It's good to discuss different scenarios with your family and friends so your personal community can act quickly in an emergency. Identify who will watch your kids. Locate where you could stay, whether it be with a relative or at a hotel. Know what your insurance covers in terms of hotel stays or rental cars. Keep a list of phone numbers and e-mail addresses in your wallet. Finally, stock your home with extra batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food and water if you know you're in the middle of a storm season. Smart planning can prevent additional stress and expenses should a disaster hit.
Other things to consider when planning for a crisis are the preparation of a financial emergency kit and the importance of keeping resources available to fuel your body and your car should you need to evacuate or hunker down to ride out the storm. Helpful items in a financial emergency kit include documents such as copies birth certificates, marriage certificates, deeds, wills social security cards and insurance policies. Be sure to keep the kit in a secure place or fire-proof lock box.
For help in becoming debt free and making smart financial decisions in times of crisis, contact your local CCCS office for a free budget review and credit counseling session, as well as more information on financial education and free debt seminars, at (800) 249-2227 or visit www.cccs.net.
About CCCS of Greater Dallas
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, Inc. is a nonprofit, community based credit counseling and debt management service. Established in 1974, CCCS of Greater Dallas and its affiliate offices provide financial education and counseling to consumers in-person, by phone, or Internet at more than 20 locations in four states. CCCS of Greater Dallas is a HUD-approved housing counseling multi-state organization and serves as one of seven counseling agencies supporting the 888-995-HOPE Hotline. The agency is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation's largest and longest serving national non-profit credit counseling network. To learn more about CCCS of Greater Dallas' free seminars or the agency's services, visit www.cccs.net or become a fan of CCCS of Greater Dallas on Facebook to receive updates on agency events and offerings.
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