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This
edition of Footsteps Along the Path was initially issued by Clear
Path Financial Education Services which has now become Kuehn
Financial Education Services LLC. For more information about
Kuehn Financial Education Services LLC, please email 
or visit www.kuehnservices.com.
Clear
Path Credit Consultants believes:
If you build on your own skills,
Rely on your own abilities,
Increase your range of knowledge,
And get help when you need it,
You are the investment that will succeed above all others.
Welcome to the third edition of Clear Path Credit Consultants' Footsteps
Along the Path. The goal of this newsletter is to provide relevant
and succinct information on financial management to consumers and
small business owners. It is designed to build upon previous issues,
developing a clear path to financial freedom. Reader feedback is
encouraged.
Please feel free to forward Footsteps Along the Path. If you have
received this from a friend or colleague, and wish to be added to
the newsletter distribution list, simply provide a response E-mail
with this request. The same applies if you do not desire further
contact, your name will immediately be deleted from the list. 
______________________________________________
In this issue:
*Article: "Business Euphemisms and Why Most Americans Are In
Debt"
*Being a Consumer is a Powerful Thing: A compilation of news, views
& reviews
*Consumer Alert: "Do Not Call" Scam!
*Yes, it is that time of year...Down Size Holiday Spending, Not
Holiday Joy
*Free Upcoming Seminar: "Building a Business on a Plastic Foundation"
*Topic for the next issue of Footsteps Along the Path
Special Notice: Deborah Kuehn, owner of Clear Path Credit Consultants,
was quoted in The Arizona Republic's 7/16/03 business section. The
article written by Christine Romero, "Techno wave of the future?
'Smart' Cards tested in Valley" describes American Express's
ExpressPay, a badge like device, aimed to replace cash. American Express
hopes consumers view cash as an archaic method of payment, since it
is time consuming to fish around a purse or wallet for money and then
wait for change. In contrast, ExpressPay does not require signatures
and P.I.N.s, making the purchase transaction even faster than traditional
credit and debit cards. Because of the ease in using it, consumers
spend 30 to 40 percent more.
"Consumer advocates worry about the $1.7 trillion in debt already
facing Americans. Deborah Kuehn, owner of Phoenix-based Clear Path
Credit Consultants, warns that such devices make it even easier to
rack up debt. "Credit is already easy enough,' Kuehn said. 'Who
is it smart for? It's smart for the credit card companies.'"
For the full article refer to: The Arizona Republic, 7/16/03, section
D1 & 2 or click on the following link.
http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0716smartpay16.html
Business Euphemisms and Why Most Americans Are In Debt
Business euphemisms are the fixation of all public relations personnel.
Think of Visa's current marketing identity of "Visa...provider
of payment solutions" as opposed to Clear Path Credit Consultants'
suggestion, "Visa...the easiest way to get into debt at
21% interest." After all credit is a form of debt and payment
is defined as a discharge of indebtness. Thus, credit is a way to
make a purchase, but cash is the payment on the account balance.
Exchanging a word of negative connotation with a positive one is intended
to build esteem.
Clear Path Credit Consultants has expressed to the community a focus
of "debt management education." However, some feedback
has been unsupportive of this statement. Comments are made that
"debt management" is a negative term. On the contrary,
it is an accurate description of a positive action. Please recall
the first issue's article on productive and nonproductive debt.
Not all debt is bad, but all debt needs to be managed. Individuals
respect themselves when managing their debt.
To continually meet the public's needs of consumer advocacy and education
on money matters, Clear Path Credit Consultants instinctually has
broadened its scope of service. The business focus is now, "financial
management education." This has nothing to do with investments.
It has everything to do with how people relate to money and their
knowledge of handling personal and business finances. Debt management
is an essential part of financial education.
Most Americans are in debt because of divorce, illness and unemployment.
In addition, youth and elderly have in common increasing financial
burdens. College graduates are declaring bankruptcy at historic
levels and the elderly turn to credit cards to pay for basic necessities.
Due to life span and insufficient savings, 87% of elderly women
live in poverty!(Source: Women's Institute for Financial Education)**
It is true, some individuals accumulate debt because they live beyond
their income levels. Be aware, it is not your income that makes
you rich, it is the difference between what you earn and what you
spend that accumulates wealth. Clear Path Credit Consultants urges
people to talk about finances with loved ones. Discussing your money
is as important as saving it!
In conclusion, unlike business euphemisms that create positive images,
unmanageable, nonproductive debt punctures self esteem. Set aside
embarrassment and take control of financial situations or else those
situations will take control of you...and no euphemisms in the world
will make you feel better.
(**= Ladies, please financially prepare for your golden years. If
you need an independent, unbiased and objective financial adviser,
contact Charles Scott, Chief Investment Officer of Pelleton Capital
Management at 602-569-6126. Gentlemen, of course the same applies
for you.)
Being
a Consumer is a Powerful Thing
We all know the saying, "if it is to good to be true, it probably
is." Case in point with all the promotional no interest rate
credit card offers that flood our mailboxes.
Currently, the Fed's fund rate, the interest banks charge each other
on over night loans, is only 1 percent. This influences credit card
interest rates. Thus, the credit industry may offer low interest
rates and still make hefty profits. But, what about no interest
charges at all...how do creditors make money? Simple, it is a combination
of difficult terms of agreement nullifying the zero percent promotion
in addition to high priced late, over the limit and balance transfer
fees. Also, enticing offers with variable rate cards may be short
lived. These cards will increase with a rise in interest rates.
To be a powerful consumer please read the fine print on all credit
card offers and call customer service to clarify any questions.
Clear
Path Credit Consultants offers Money Management Skills Sessions
to assist individuals in evaluating the appropriate offer for them.
Consumer Alert: "Do Not Call" Scam!
Consumers who registered at the telemarketing "Do Not Call"
website are receiving phone calls from con-artists representing
a fictional organization, Arizona FTC. Bank account routing numbers
are being requested in exchange for a "security code"
to sue telemarketers. If you receive a phone call obviously do not
give your bank account numbers, but do gather information from the
caller and contact the FTC (1-877-FTC-Help / 1-877-382-4357).
Down Size Holiday Spending, Not Holiday Joy
Slowly but surely, advertisements are preparing consumers to spend
in the upcoming holiday season. Have you vowed this past January
not to go into debt in December to make your Christmas celebration
merry? Right now is the time to create a budget that will allow
you to afford this festive time of year, without cringing when the
credit card bills arrive. Allow Deborah Kuehn, MBA to work with
you and develop a lifestyle "spending plan" that will
allow you to afford the holidays within your cash flow!
Free Upcoming Seminar:
"Building a Business on a Plastic Foundation"
August 9th
2:00 P.M.
Glendale Public Library (59th & Brown Street, Glendale AZ)
RSVP Kathy Hamel, Glendale Business Librarian, at 623-930-3552
"Credit card companies have discovered small business is good
business and have tailored their products and services to fit the
smallest of ventures. Discover ways to improve your credit, increase
cash flow, along with evaluating credit card features. This presentation
will aid start up companies as well as growing businesses by addressing:
1) utilization of personal credit during start up 2) development of
credit in your business name and 3) procurement of a bank loan."
Upcoming in Footsteps Along the Path
Next issue look for information on living frugally in a consumption
economy.
Deborah A. Kuehn is the sole proprietor of Clear Path Credit Consultants,
a financial management education service. Kuehn views herself as a
consumer advocate that assists people in leading a debt free and credit
worthy lifestyle. She has a MBA with a B.A. in Communications. Clear
Path Credit Consultants' services include: spending plan development
(budgets), cash flow budgets and forecasting, credit bureau report
analysis, money management skills sessions, assistance with interest
rate negotiations, along with community and corporate lectures.
"Clear Path Credit Consultants: Helping you sleep better at night."
PH: 623-580-9293
Written by Deborah A. Kuehn MBA
All rights reserved
Clear Path Credit Consultants is a registered trade name
Issue III
July 18, 2003
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