March 4th, 2011-

ANNOUNCER:
WHILE WE ARE WELL INTO THE NEW YEAR, MANY OF US STILL STRUGGLE WITH LAST YEAR’S DEBT.   EXPERIAN, A GLOBAL INFORMATION SERVICES COMPANY, EVALUATED U.S. CONSUMERS’ AVERAGE CREDIT CARD BALANCES IN DECEMBER.  THE COMPANY FOUND THAT WHILE WE HAVE REDUCED DECEMBER BANK CARD DEBT BY MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT SINCE 2009, THE AVERAGE PERSON STILL OWED MORE THAN 4-THOUSAND-200-DOLLARS.  WHILE CONSUMERS HELD FEWER CREDIT CARDS, THEY UTILIZED MORE OF THEIR TOTAL AVAILABLE CREDIT.   MAXINE SWEET, VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT EXPERIAN.

MAXINE SWEET, VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLIC EDUCATION, EXPERIAN:
“Overspending during the holidays or at any other time can impact consumers’ overall fiscal fitness.  Carrying over balances and utilizing a significant portion of your available credit can negatively affect your credit score.  And that could influence your ability to access other lines of credit or make major purchases during the rest of the year. To get back on track, consumers should review what they owe, make a plan to pay it back, and avoid unnecessary expenses. ”

ANNOUNCER:
FOR MORE TIPS AND TO ASK MAXINE YOUR CREDIT QUESTIONS LIVE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 8, VISIT LIVE-CREDIT-SMART-DOT-COM.