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Getting Help is Easy
It really is
easy to talk with us. We offer a variety of services. Many
people call us on the phone just to ask a question. We usually
have a counselor available during normal business hours that can
give you some initial feedback.
Some clients get the help they need by attending one of our
regularly scheduled workshops. Sometimes counselors help people
prepare their own budget or "spending plan." Some people come
for just one or two counseling sessions, some for more. The best
solution for some clients is a Debt Management Plan to pay off
their debts.
Our recommendations
are individually designed for each client. Since we do not sell
insurance or investment products, we have no hidden agenda to push
commission-based products.
Is there a
charge for this service?
We can keep our fees low because we receive donations from people who
care about the work we do. We also receive funding from
the United Way and creditors (banks, retailers, credit unions,
etc.).
There is a one time
$50 charge for counseling. You do not need to pay again even if you have
several other appointments. However, if you can afford it, donations are
always appreciated. If you sign up on a Debt Management Plan there
is a fee of 10% of the monthly payment up to $25.00 per month to
administer the plan. In limited circumstances the $50 fee can be
waived, or payments can be accepted.
We are a United Way
non-profit agency and a program of Goodwill Industries. We really care
and want to help you. But don't just take our word for it. Check out
what our clients have said about us under "Customer
Quotes"
Talking With a Counselor
Talking with a
counselor is like talking with a caring, understanding friend
and advisor. Your counselor will listen and ask a few questions,
so he or she can understand your situation. Often counselors are
able to offer genuinely helpful advice. Many other people have
been in similar situations.
Often people are apprehensive and scared about their financial
situation. With the stress and pressure, it can be hard to know
what to do. Expect your counselor to listen and to help you
understand your options. We are not here to judge you; we are
here to help you.
Try us out with no
obligation. You can talk with a counselor for up to 1/2 hour at no cost
and see what it is like. You decide if you want to work with us.
If you would like to schedule a free appointment, just call (920)
886-1000 and ask to set up a free initial appointment with a counselor.
Here's how one
client described her experience calling a counselor:
"Making an appointment to see a counselor took courage, but I'm so
glad I did. He did not make me feel ashamed, but rather made me feel I
can improve my financial situation. Thank you for offering this program"
Don't wait. Call us today at (920) 886-1000. We are here to help.
Are you ready to get started?
To see a counselor
for a regular appointment you will need to fill out our Infopac
first. This helps you to gather all your financial information in
one place. Once the infopac is completed and returned to us you
can set up an appointment with a counselor. The counselor will
prepare your file ahead of time and then meet with you for about 1 ˝
hours to go over your situation and options.
Telephone Counseling
Telephone
counseling is offered through our Menasha office. If you would
like to speak with a certified counselor, please call our office
Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
and Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm. A counselor can address
immediate concerns and help you determine the best course of
action.
Phone: 1-920-886-1000 in the Fox Cities area or
1-800-366-8161outside the Fox Cities.
From a client:
Hey Luann it’s MM
…I’m calling to share with you how incredibly wonderful you are.
I went to the credit
union to see what my credit score was to see if I could get financing
for a house and my score is up to 668. And based on my income and debt
I’m approved to borrow almost $100,000, which is more than I care to
spend…
It was one of those
moments like sitting in a pew and watching your two best friends get
married in church and you’re just sitting there crying because you’re so
happy and you’re sitting there a little in shock. ..
Thank you so much for
everything you’ve done…have a good day and know that you do make such a
difference.
A phone message left in January 2006 for a FISC counselor
Forms for Counseling
An Infopac
needs to be completed to see a counselor for budget and/or debt
counseling. You have the choice of printing out all
the forms, then completing & returning them by mail or in person
to FISC, or filling them out on your computer and e-mailing them
to FISC.
You will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view and print these pages.
To get Adobe Acrobat Reader
FISC Forms
to be printed out, completed & returned by mail or in person.
(Please be patient while document loads)
OR…you
can download these forms in Word by clicking the links below. Then you
can type in your information, save them to your computer, and email
them to
receptionist@fisc-cccs.org (as attachments)
Additional forms for telephone
counseling only,
please download, print and sign these documents
Forms List
Tips to Help
Complete the Worksheets
The information you
enter on the Confidential Questionnaire, Expense Worksheet, and Debt
Sheet will help us build an accurate picture of your financial
situation. Entering accurate and complete information on these
worksheets will provide your counselor with information regarding your
financial concerns and goals, your household expenses, needs and wants,
and your spending history. Filling out the forms as completely and
accurately as possible will help us to help you.
CONFIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE:
Don’t be bashful. Your honesty is essential if your present concerns are
to be met. Your FISC counselor is a professional that deals with these
issues on a daily basis.
Financial strengths and weaknesses need to be honestly communicated so
we may meet your financial concerns, identify spending patterns, and
assist you in developing plans to meet your financial goals.
Be certain to list your financial goals. Where do you want to go from
here? What do you want to change in your financial life? Are there
issues to resolve, better spending and savings habits to learn, future
challenges to meet, and goals to reach? Write them down so you may
discuss them with your counselor.
MONTHLY EXPENSE WORKSHEET:
Round all figures to the nearest dollar as you enter them on the
worksheets.
All entries should be in monthly amounts. Example: If groceries
cost $50 each week (50 x 4 wk.) enter $200 as monthly amount. If
gasoline fluctuates between $20 to $24 per week ($24 x 4wk.)
enter $96 per month. If you spend $300 each December for
Christmas ($300 divided by 12 months) enter $25 per month. If
car repairs and maintenance the past year totaled $186 (divide
by 12 months) enter $16 per month to plan for this year.
This worksheet will show the monthly cost of keeping your
household afloat, and should also reflect costs of upcoming
expenses. (List everything. Unplanned expenses easily become
future debts!)
All money normally spent by your household should be reflected
on either the Monthly Expense Worksheet or the Debt Sheet.
DEBT LIST:
The only debts NOT listed are the Mortgage and Vehicle Loan.
Both should already be listed on the Monthly Expense Worksheet.
Don’t list them twice!
Gather all current statements (bills) to provide the information
you will need.
List these same debts on your Debt List, with the required
monthly payment.
Print or make extra copies of Debt List, if needed.
After completing the info-packet and worksheets, be certain to
enclose:
Paycheck stubs or income statement, current statements, (bills),
along with your last year’s tax forms, and payment for
assessment fee. Mail or drop off all paper work to FISC. Your
counselor will review it to prepare for your appointment and
financial assessment. Phone us to schedule your appointment.
Free Counseling Session
Try us out with no
obligation. You can talk with a counselor for up to 1/2 hour at no cost
and see what it is like. You decide if you want to work with us.
If you would like to schedule a free appointment, just call (920)
886-1000 and ask to set up a free initial appointment with a counselor.
We look forward to working with you!
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