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About


Welcome to the blog at Advantage Credit Counseling Service.

I’m Kristen Garrett, and I will be hosting this blog. First, let me tell you about Advantage CCS, and then I’ll tell you a bit about myself.

Advantage CCS, also known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, is a non-profit community organization that has been in business since 1968. We are based on Pittsburgh’s South Side, but we have offices in Altoona, Butler, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg and York. We also do business via the internet and telephone in many other states. We offer credit counseling services, bankruptcy counseling and education and housing counseling services and financial literacy education in the form of community presentations.

I was hired in September 2007 as the agency’s public relations coordinator. I not only work with the media and am responsible for the agency’s various publications, but I also spend time doing community outreach to make people aware of our services. I’ve discovered that many people don’t realize how many services we offer in addition to credit counseling. My background is actually as a reporter for a daily newspaper for eight years. I have gotten quite an education about personal finances in the months that I have been with Advantage and am building a firm knowledge base about the credit counseling industry, budget management and credit use.

This blog will focus on several areas. First there will be useful budgeting information and information about the various types of debt reduction. There will also be thoughts and comments regarding news from around the country that focuses on finances. Finally, I will be happy to answer any questions readers may have. If I don’t know the answer, I will find someone in the agency who does.

Again, welcome. I hope you will find this enjoyable and informative.