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IN DEBT IN THE LAND OF THE FREE: Nonprofit Agency Available to Discuss Americans’ Love Affair with Credit Cards, Debt ________________________________________________________________ February 23, 2003: For the past couple of years, consumer spending is largely credited with helping to keep the national economy afloat. In fact, it has almost seemed our patriotic duty for Americans to use this time of national economic and political uncertainty to snatch up big ticket items, from major appliances to new cars to homes – to “Keep America rolling.” Let’s face it. Americans are spenders. It’s what we do best. Unfortunately, for many Americans, providing this economic boost has meant spending money we don’t have. Consumer debt in America amounts to about $1.7 trillion – approximately the gross national product of England and Russia combined. Personal bankruptcies shot up 8 percent in 2002 to 1.5 million filings, some of the highest numbers seen in American history. Simply, we are a society addicted to spending, and consequently, to debt. Established in 1991, Garden State Consumer Credit Counseling (GSCCC) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency with offices in San Diego since 1998. GSCCC counselors routinely work with families in San Diego County and around the nation to effectively manage their debt and credit concerns with free counseling. GSCCC representatives are available to address the following concerns: ________________________________________________________________
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