Four Simple Ways to Save on Winter Energy Bills

Dreaming of a white Christmas, but having nightmares about the heating bills that come along with the chilly weather? You’re not alone! While the EIA is predicting slightly lower energy bills this winter (homes heating primarily with natural gas will average a total of $649 this winter, a $31 decline from last winter’s average, while homes heating primarily with electric heat are expected to spend $938 ($17 less), many Americans feel overwhelmed by their utility costs each winter. However, there are easy ways to reduce the impact when the temperature drops. Here are four practical tips for reducing your utility bills this season.

Keep Home Insulation up to Code

Just as you wear a coat to keep warm in the winter, your home employs the same defense using insulation. A well insulated home can save you 20% to 30% on your heating bill, so the upgrade pays for itself in a short amount of time. Seal off any leaky ducts, and then install an earth-friendly installation — preferably one treated to repel fire and insects to maximize the benefits. You’ll feel cozy and comfortable; and your wallet will surely thank you.

Program the Thermostat

Consider the amount of time you spend in and out of your home each day. If you work a full-time job, that’s roughly eight hours you’re out of the house. Additionally, since it’s recommended that you keep temperatures cooler at bedtime, go ahead and factor in another eight hours for sleep. Just crunching these simple numbers can set you on the path to a more affordable heating bill.

Instead of leaving your home at a constant temperature, start programming your thermostat to cut back on the heat when you’re away (or asleep!) and bring it back up when you’re back at home. This ensures you’re not paying for heating that no one uses. If you don’t have the option to program your thermostat, start keeping reminders to turn it down when you’re leaving the house.

Watch the Windows

A simple upgrade can keep you from throwing heat right out the window. Single-pane windows allow heat to escape, while their double-pane counterparts trap heat and lead to less wasted energy. The initial cost can be somewhat high depending on the number of windows in your home, but the lifetime savings are worth the investment. If the full upgrade doesn’t fit into your budget right now, a layer of plastic sheeting affixed to unused windows can help reduce costs in the meantime.

Balanced Billing

Since energy costs can fluctuate greatly throughout the year along with the weather changes, many utility companies will agree to let you to distribute your average energy costs evenly over each month. This keeps bills lower in high usage months and allows you to budget more effectively for energy costs. Check with your provider to see if they offer such a service, and get signed up to start balancing your bills.

Prepare for Holiday Spending: Sensible Planning Now for Black Friday Madness

When we hear, “Black Friday,” we don’t typically envision a calm, relaxing day at the mall, just picking up a few gifts for loved ones. We usually picture crowds swarming over the year’s latest tech; two mothers in a scuffle, tugging on that very last toy, desperate to have it under their tree for the kids; or maybe we even think of the painful credit card bill that comes a few days after all the madness has died down. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by holiday shopping, but creating a reasonable budget and an action plan will help keep your gifting troubles at bay.

Do Your Research

Has your little princess been begging for the deluxe Frozen castle play set? Your high school senior pining after an iPad? If you already know the types of gifts you’ll need, don’t be afraid to start your search early. Many blogs round up Black Friday ads as they’re released, so browse the web for the best deals. Keep a running list of the two or three lowest prices on your must-have gifts. If your top choice falls through, you’ll still have more options.

Set a Budget – and Stick to it!

Once you have a general idea of the gifts you’ll be looking for, it’s time to create a budget. Be realistic as to what you can really afford. If you’ve been keeping up your holiday savings account, that’s great – if not, try to accumulate some savings before Christmas hits. There are many ways to make extra cash online and even identify a few spending “leaks” in your current budget. Avoid using credit as much as possible, otherwise you’ll risk paying much more than the cost of the gift.

Need help with that budget? There are several apps available to assist in controlling your spending during the holidays. Santa’s Bag allows you to input each of your recipients along with their wishes, purchased gifts, and budgets. Gift Card Granny helps you track down gift cards at a discount, so it’s a good resource for anyone on your list.

Doorbusters Aren’t Always the Answer

It’s easy to overspend on Black Friday because stores are bringing out the big guns to entice you to buy, especially with their so-called “doorbusters.” These deals are advertised to get you in the door, but they’re not always worth the hype. Retailers often advertise low quality items that they can sell for a cheaper price, so read sales ads very carefully and research the item if it appears to be an off-brand. Better yet, only spring for a doorbuster if it’s on your list, and if it’s not, just walk on by.

Black Friday is a big day for holiday shopping, but remember, it’s not the only day. Take your time planning and make good use of all the other plentiful sales around the holidays. You can even tackle a great majority of your shopping online, if you so choose. Just stick to your plan … and don’t throw down in fisticuffs over the last Furby.

Building a Budget for Back-to-School

There’s a certain thrill that comes with this time of year: the crisp point of newly sharpened pencils, a shiny new notebook, the sheer excitement of standardized testing … Not feeling it? Even if the back-to-school season doesn’t quite get you in touch with your inner nerd, the time is here to start planning for your back-to-school spending. We might start to sound like a broken record around here — but with all things financially related — a little bit of planning can go a long way. Whether your school list includes crayons or graphing calculators, use the following tips to be successful with your school year budget.

Make it a Family Affair

Get your child, teen or college student involved in the process of budgeting for school expenses. Explain the importance of sticking to a budget, and ask them to identify their most-needed items before setting out on a shopping trip. Offer an incentive for sticking to the budget: if you’re still under after purchasing all of the essentials, the remaining amount can be used for a “splurge” item.

Plan for Fall, Winter and Spring

Set a budget for the clothes and supplies you’ll need for the first day of school, but don’t stop there. Map out the whole academic season and make a plan for how to cover school-related expenses throughout the year. Don’t forget to plan for packing lunches, winter clothes, and supplies that will need to be replenished. Talk to Junior about his plans to participate in activities and their associated costs. Is he planning to join the Brainiac Squad or trying out for the synchronized swimming team? Find out what the activities might cost, and be realistic with your kids about what your family can afford.

Buy in Bulk

Let’s face it; individually-packaged organic pomegranate yogurt snacks can get expensive. When planning out school lunches for the year, think about healthy foods that you can buy in bulk for great cost savings, like nuts, dried fruit, and sandwich fixings. The same goes for school supplies. Buying pencils, paper, and notebooks in bulk from discount stores or online can save money and take you through the whole year. Wanna take it one step further? Go in on bulk foods and school supplies with friends, family and neighbors for even more savings.

Buy Generic and Customize

Quimby the Quail may be adorning notebooks and lunchboxes as far as the eye can see, but the cost for name brand, trendy school supplies might be pushing the limits of your budget. Instead, seek out more inexpensive generic options, and let your children add a personal touch with stickers or their own artwork.

College Budgeting

If your son, daughter, or someone else in your family is embarking on a new journey at college, budgeting is more important than ever. Help your college student understand how to create a budget and stick to it by saving money and avoiding unnecessary purchases. First-time college students may be eager for the freedom and independence of campus life, but this can also be a time when students are vulnerable to financial trouble. Counsel your college student on the risks of credit cards and the long-term responsibilities that go along with student loan debt.

So whether you’re dreading the school year or looking forward to it, get your plan in place for a smooth transition into a new year of academic pursuits.

Fight Against Financial Fraud

“Dear good sir, I am writing to inform you that you have won the Jackpot Lottery in the amount of $75,000. Please click here to verify that we have your correct information …”

Sound familiar? Financial fraud is ever-present in our society. Sometimes, it’s laughable and obvious, but other times, it’s highly sophisticated, affecting consumers across the US each day. While financial fraud can affect anyone, there are several ways that you can protect yourself by using common sense, vigilance, and basic financial management. So don’t panic the next time you hear about a major financial scam. Take action to protect your finances and adopt some great skills in the process.

Don’t give away your information

Make sure that sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers and bank account info is safe and secure, both in your physical and virtual worlds. Always use locking mailboxes and shred old, unnecessary documents so that your personal info doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Use caution when managing financial accounts electronically, too. Electronic documents and apps that contain sensitive information should be password-protected. While using your mobile device to access online accounts is easy and convenient, ensure that you have a way to lock or disable your device should it become lost or stolen. Check your bank account from your secure internet connection at home (as opposed to the public Wi-Fi network down the street at the Java Joint) and always log out when you’re done.

Know where you stand

Scared to open your credit card statement after your recent discovery of “one-click” shopping and your love for novelty kitchen gadgets? Just open it. Keeping track of your financial accounts is the best way to make sure that no one is using your information fraudulently. Review monthly banking and credit statements in detail to verify that you initiated all of the activity. Check your credit reports at least once per year to ensure that no one has opened any accounts in your name. By visiting this website, you can pull one report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus for free.

Look for red flags

Today, scams can range from the obviously bogus email from a mysterious businessman to highly complex schemes that are difficult to detect until thousands of consumers have been affected. Keep your eyes and ears open to the potential warning signs of a scam. For example, be wary of anyone contacting you to verify account information or alert you of a problem with an account. If you have any concerns, contact your trusted account representative immediately. The Federal Trade Commission maintains a list of current and ongoing scams. If you are curious about a suspicious email, phone call or website, you may be able to identify it as a potential scam here.

Report suspicious information/activity right away

Even if you do become a victim of financial fraud (bummer, dude!), reporting it right away is crucial to reaching a quick solution with little to no financial loss. If you know that your financial information has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised, report it to your financial institution or credit card company immediately. As long as you report fraudulent activity right away, your financial institution can usually resolve the problem and return any funds in a timely manner.

Common sense, basic organization and thorough review of your financial information are your best weapon against financial fraud. Stay organized, and remember … you can’t win the lottery if you haven’t bought a ticket!

Healthy Finances, Healthy You

Wellness check!

Stressed out lately? Managing the responsibilities of a home, family, career and finances can leave many working Americans feeling overwhelmed and neglecting their own self-care. And until August is officially declared National Yoga and Napping Month (please write to your local Congressperson), it’s often hard to carve out the time to unplug, unwind, and de-stress. With the majority of Americans naming money as their #1 source of stress, focusing on your finances can be a great way to reduce your stress level and improve your overall well-being.

It’s all connected

If that pesky eye twitch that develops every time you pay bills is any indication, stress is more than just in your head. It can have real effects on your physical and psychological health, causing issues like high blood pressure and depression. It can also lead to indirect health problems by way of unhealthy coping strategies. Making a conscious effort to reduce your stress, especially around your finances, can improve your mood and overall health. But how?

Define your priorities: make a plan

If you think that making more money is the only way to reduce stress around your finances, think again. Money-related stress can be greatly reduced by having a plan, a budget, and clearly focused financial goals. Without a plan, managing money will always be stressful, no matter how much or how little you have. If you are feeling stressed about finances, first take a deep breath (or two!). Once you have had a chance to exhale, start on a plan that will help you focus on your priorities and feel in control — at the helm of your financial future, instead of lost at sea. Identify resources such as an Emerge financial coach and tools for budgeting and financial planning that will help you address your concerns and chart out your plan going forward.

Make your health a priority … but not at a premium

With a tight budget, we often discover that we have competing priorities. For example, working on a new budget might mean choosing between a gym membership and Timmy’s cherished Latin dance lessons. But if the gym membership has to go (Timmy just couldn’t bear missing out on the Mambo), don’t lose sight of the fact that your own health and well-being is a priority. Find ways to make budget decisions that support your financial goals and your health. Find free and low-cost ways to stay in shape and reduce your stress levels like hiking, biking and in-home exercise routines. Also, opt for economical bulk foods instead of cheap, but unhealthy convenience foods. A focus on cost-effective but healthy choices can actually save you from the long-term costs that might be associated with cheap yet unhealthy budget decisions.

The benefits of healthy decision-making

While a commitment to your financial health and overall wellness can help to reduce your stress and health today, the long-term effects of healthy decision-making are exponential. Stress can have a detrimental effect on your health, but also on your financial stability. Lost wages due to sick time, increased medical bills and health insurance premiums can all be consequences of chronic stress. Finding ways to reduce your stress levels though financial planning and healthy decision-making can increase your quality of life today, and in the future. Instead of managing health problems, you can focus on preventative healthcare, with more time and energy to devote to a healthy lifestyle! Speaking of health — take a look at your exclusive insurance options from Assurant as a part of your Emerge benefit!

Building Your Vacation Fund

Escape. We all need it from time to time so that we can keep on, keeping on with our everyday lives. If you already have a vacation savings fund, you are ahead of the game! Now with just a bit of planning, you can maximize your fun and relaxation without wondering how you are going to pay for your trip when you get back. A vacation is a great time to decompress and spend quality time with your loved ones as long as it doesn’t end up adding to your financial stress upon return. Here are some tips so you can enjoy a vacation that’s not a stay-cation, and won’t burden you with new financial obligations … So set your travel budget ahead of time and fill in the rest of the blanks:

Where to?

Depending on the limits of your travel budget, you might be jet-setting across the country or staying close to home.  If it’s the latter, don’t be disappointed — you might be surprised by what you can discover in your own backyard within just a few hours of home.  Staying close to home can help you reduce your expenses on travel.  If you are going a bit further, make sure to consider travel destinations that offer amusement and recreational opportunities without having to spend a lot of money to enjoy the attractions.  For example, areas with natural beauty like mountains, beaches, and lakes can offer your family days of fun without the hefty cost of admission and other fees.

Getting there

Whether you are driving, flying, or taking a burro tour of the West, calculate the costs ahead of time and compare your options. It is easy to underestimate these types of costs, so don’t forget to include baggage fees, the cost of gas in different areas, and en-route meals.

Staying there

If you aren’t bunking up at Aunt Mildred’s llama ranch, lodging might also be a significant chunk of your travel costs.  But when it comes to choosing where you are going to stay, cheapest isn’t always the best option. First, consider the location of your hotel, motel, or guesthouse.  Try to find something that is conveniently located to public transportation and/or the area where you’ll be spending the most of your time.  At the same time, avoid staying in “touristy” areas where restaurants and other businesses might be more expensive.  Finally, consider paying a little bit more each night to stay in a place where you can have access to a kitchen.  Having the option to buy groceries, pack your own lunches, and cook a few meals can be a huge money-saver while you are traveling.

Getting around

Some of the best ways to get around and explore on vacation actually cost the least amount of money.  Walking, using public transportation, and renting bicycles are great ways to get a sense of your surroundings, meet locals, and enjoy yourselves in the process!

Remembering your trip

Pics or it didn’t happen! The cheapest, best way to remember a vacation for years to come is by taking photos. Skip the kitschy flip-flop magnets and take some great photos instead. Make souvenirs and gifts a minimal expense in your travel budget so that you can maximize spending on the experiences that will make your vacation memorable.  When you get back home, create a photo album for yourself, or frame a family shot as a gift for a loved one. These souvenirs definitely won’t end up in your garage sale in five or six years!

So, whether you have been saving for years to take the vacation of a lifetime, or if you are just sneaking away for a long weekend, a little bit of planning can help you save money and enjoy your vacation stress-free!

Get started

Visit the Emerge Resource Center for more helpful information!

Tackling Student Debt

It’s graduation season again: a time for new beginnings, pomp and circumstance, and the ubiquitous commencement speech clichés. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” might come to mind.

But do you find yourself wondering if you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off student loans? You’re not alone. The majority of college graduates are saddled with debt after that commencement speech. Don’t fret yet, there is a wealth of resources that exists to help you manage your student loans and find a repayment plan right for you.  Whether you’re donning the cap and gown or your college days are long behind you, take a moment to assess your student loans and make sure you are on the right track.

Get organized:

Do you have an accurate picture of your student loans? If you have multiple degrees or multiple lenders, make a list of all of your lenders, outstanding balances, and interest rates. You can pull up a comprehensive list of all your Federal loans by visiting the National Student Loan Database. Don’t forget to also include private student loans in your list if you have them.

To consolidate or not to consolidate    

Are you considering consolidating your loans and wondering if it’s a good idea? It depends. If your loans are close to being paid off, or if you plan to go back to school, consolidation might not be the right decision at this moment. However, if you have multiple loans of varying interest rates and terms, consolidation might make sense in order to simplify and reduce your loan payments, as well as to take advantage of reasonable repayment plans and a fixed interest rate. Learn more here about the pros and cons of student loan consolidation.

Choosing a repayment plan

Finding a repayment plan that makes sense for you will depend on many factors including your income and outstanding balances. If your total balance is relatively low (bravo!), and your income supports your assigned payments, pay your loans off as quickly as possible and try not to gloat too much to your friends. But, if your total student loan balances are approaching the cost of a small villa, don’t panic. Fortunately, there are many different options for graduates who are leaving school with high amounts of student loan debt. By consolidating your federal student loans, you can take advantage of repayment options such as the “Pay as you Earn” and “Income Based Repayment” which can accommodate your income-level and any financial hardships that you might be experiencing. You can learn more about different repayment options for federal loans and find helpful repayment calculators by clicking here.

Communicate with your lender

Fight the urge to run for the hills when you open your student loan statements. Keeping in touch with your lender is essential, especially if you run into financial trouble. Make sure to keep up with requirements of your repayment plan, such as submitting income verification when requested and call your lender the moment that you realize you might have trouble making a payment. Lenders can offer many options while you are in good standing, but once student loans are in default, they can be difficult to rehabilitate.

Prioritizing debt and savings goals.

As a college student you invested in your future by putting in long hours of studying and completing your coursework. It is through the same process of hard work, and devotion to your new career that you can invest in your future with a strong financial plan. Making responsible decisions regarding your student loans is key to your financial future so that you can transform your student loans from a liability into an asset in the form of your career, your credit, and your ability to build wealth!

Visit your Emerge Resource Center for more information!

Making Tax Time Easy

According to a recent study^[1], approximately 5% of Americans love doing their taxes. If you are one of those people: congratulations, your tax return was sent off to Uncle Sam weeks ago and you are already eagerly filling a folder labeled ‘2014’ with receipts and paystubs.

But for the rest of us, filling out the ol’ 1040 doesn’t really bring about that warm and fuzzy feeling… Some might even break into a cold sweat at the mention of April 15^th.

Regardless of how you feel about taxes, they do come around every year.  Here are some tips to help you get through this tax season relatively stress free:

Save on Tax prep costs

• Do it yourself. If your taxes are relatively simple and you have the time to carefully prepare your forms and double-check your work, you can save a lot by preparing your own return.
• File for free. If your household makes less than $52,000 per year, or you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, you can qualify for free tax preparation services. Search for free tax prep sites near you by visiting: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers
• Use tax preparation software.  While not free, tax software can be cost-efficient and user-friendly.
• Avoid high-cost and predatory tax preparation services and products like “refund anticipation checks” and “tax refund advances.”  These products usually carry high interest rates and fees, taking a good chunking out of your refund.

Don’t wait until the last minute

If April 14^th comes around and you still haven’t started on your taxes, it could cost you more than just a few new grey hairs. While doing your taxes in a rush, you may miss deductions and credits that count reduce your tax obligation.  And if you owe taxes and end up filing late, you could incur additional penalties.  So get started now to save yourself the stress of being up against the deadline, and maybe even a few bucks too!

Owe money to the IRS?

Pay it right away if you can, but if you can’t, don’t panic.  Call the IRS and set up an affordable payment plan. Then consider changing the withholdings from your paycheck so that you can avoid owing again next year.

Getting a refund?

Huzzah! Consider the ways that you can use your refund to improve your short-term financial stability, such as by paying off debt or getting a couple months ahead on your bills.  You might also consider saving it for upcoming expenses or goals. Putting your refund into a Certificate of Deposit (CD) account at your bank is a good way to make sure that you don’t touch your savings until you need it. CD terms may be as short as three months or as long as 20 years and typically earn more interest than a traditional savings account.  While these options might not be as fun as buying a zero-gravity massage chair, the benefits of planning your refund can far outweigh the joys of a one-time purchase.

So whether you love or hate doing your taxes, it’s time to get started!

And while you’re at it, think of what you can do now to make next tax season a breeze, like keeping track of tax-related expenses and making adjustments to your withholdings.  Visit the Emerge Resource Center for more valuable tax time info!

 

^[1]http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/11/a-third-of-americans-say-they-like-doing-their-income-taxes/

Money & Relationships

Money and relationships can be like oil and water. Conflicting needs, wants, and money management styles mixed with difficult economic times can often create friction between couples. In fact, arguments over finances are one of the leading causes of divorce in the US. But don’t let the joint bank account burst your heart-shaped bubble just yet. There is hope for you, lovebirds, and your budget too: the solution might be as simple as saving. Setting savings goals with your partner can actually be great for your relationship. Here’s how:

Setting short-term and emergency savings goals can help you reduce stress.

There is no question that household money management can be stressful, no matter your income level. Talk to your partner about how you can plan and save for both expected and unexpected expenses that may come up over the course of the year. Set aside a little each month for the holidays (they do tend to come around every year) so you can spend less time grumbling over expenses and more time under the mistletoe. Also, growing a small emergency fund will provide a cushion so that when an unexpected expense pops up, your car will be the only one with a blown gasket.

Saving money can help you find common ground.

Setting long-term savings goals with your partner is a way to establish common ground and a shared vision for your future. Your goals should reflect how you want to live your life together – today and in the future. They will help you to more easily address the household issues that arise in your day-to-day lives. For example, in the midst of disagreements about your grocery budget or the type of car you can afford, your savings goals can give you a foundation for these tricky conversations.  When making financial decisions with your partner, ask yourselves: How does this decision affect our goal of [buying a home], [sending Junior to flying trapeze school] [etc.]?

Communication is key.

Any relationship expert would agree that communication is essential to a healthy relationship. The same is true about your household finances. Check in regularly with your partner to make sure you’re on track with your goals and that you continue to agree on spending and savings priorities. Establish guidelines for who is responsible for paying bills, managing the checking account, and when spending needs to be discussed prior to making purchases. While each person needs to feel that they have the ability to make their own spending decisions, all of your spending should be done with openness and honesty. Except maybe when it comes to anniversary and birthday gifts…a few secrets are ok!

Whether you are newly in love or you have been together for so long that you finish each other’s sentences, working together to create shared savings priorities can be great for your relationship and for your financial future together. And don’t stop there – get everyone in your household involved! Involving children and others in your home in setting savings goals is a great way to get on the same page and work together towards financial security.  It might also help in reducing the chorus of “I wants” next time you are at the grocery store.

Need help getting started?

Visit Emerge’s Resource Center to download your own budgeting worksheet, enroll in an email budgeting course, and much more!

 

Confused About Credit? Answers from the Experts

Reprinted from the NFCC: Washington, DC, February 12, 2014  

In your 20’s or 30’s? Still trying to figure out what all the fuss about credit scores is? (Your bank probably send you a new debit card after Target’s data was breached over the holidays, so it must be something important.) Or struggling to understand why saving for retirement should be a priority right now?

The NFCC and USA Today have partnered to give you the opportunity to ask NFCC Certified Financial Professionals and Educators everything you’ve ever wanted to know about credit. USA TODAY will host weekly Twitter chats every Wednesday from 3:00-3:30 pm ET with a dedicated NFCC Certified Financial Professional participating in each chat. The topics will be:

Feb. 19: Becoming a Homeowner: How to prepare for buying your first house. With John Berry of Money Management International, tweeting from @MoneyManagement.

Feb. 26: Finance in Your Relationship: How to handle debt and credit with your significant other. With Soneyet Muhammad of Clarifi, tweeting from @WeClarifi.

March 5: Buying a Car: How to negotiate and know whether you’re getting a good deal. With David Flores of GreenPath Debt Solutions, tweeting from @greenpathdebt.

March 12: Protecting Yourself: Everything you need to know about giving your personal information away, identity theft, how to detect fraud, and what to do about it. With Jonathan Gedeon of ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions, tweeting from @KnowYourMoneyUS.

March 19: Retirement Planning: What you should be doing in your twenties to prepare for your sixties and beyond. With Sheri Stuart of Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management Inc., tweeting from @CreditDotOrg.

You can submit questions ahead of time by e-mailing USA Today reporter Hadley Malcolm at hmalcolm@usatoday.com or connecting with her on Twitter at @hadleypdxdc. If you’d like your question to remain anonymous, please say so in your e-mail. We encourage you to log into Twitter at 3 pm each Wednesday to follow the chats live by using the #millennialmoney hashtag.
 

About the National Foundation for Credit Counseling

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), founded in 1951, is the nation’s largest and longest serving network of nonprofit, community-based financial counseling agencies. The NFCC’s mission is to promote the national agenda for financially responsible behavior, and build capacity for its members to deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services. NFCC members annually help millions of consumers through more than 600 community-based offices nationwide.