Enter the “Dangers of Debt” Contest!

Published October 15, 2008 @ 07:49AM PT

The nation's financial crisis has left us awash in red ink. And while we're all getting socked, young Americans are facing mountains of debt from school loans, credit cards and spiraling interest rates on that debt.
 
But there's a way to turn that ink into cash.  If you're a young adult - or know someone between the ages of 18 and 25 - create a cartoon about the "Dangers of Debt."   If it's the best, our Partner Consumers Union will give you $1,000 in cash!
 
Sound good?  Then forward this on to the young people in your life, so they can learn about debt, and have a real shot at getting out of it.
 
The dangers of debt are more real than ever before, as we've witnessed these past few weeks. Young adults and college students are particularly vulnerable, as credit card companies and student loan lenders prowl for more customers to increase their profits.  The next generation needs to be free of staggering debt to help restore our nation's struggling economy.  Turn the red ink into a cartoon - and let's eliminate the debt.
 
In other news...
 
Congratulations to Rick Nettles, the winner of the Most Happenin' Maxed Out House Party!  Rick received a paperback copy of the book Maxed Out, an AFFIL hat, and a renewal to his Consumer Reports subscription.  Here's a message he asked us to share with you:
 
After becoming unemployed unexpectedly in the late '90's, I fell behind on credit card payments.  It took years to climb out of the resulting financial hole.  Because of all the extra fees and penalties, I paid at least three dollars for each dollar I had charged.
 
Together we're working to make sure others don't fall into this same financial hole that trapped Rick.  You can help by making a donation and forwarding this email on to friends.  And, if you haven't seen Maxed Out yet but you'd like to, click here to borrow a DVD from the AFFIL library.  We just ask that you show it to as many people as possible, and return it in the pre-paid envelope we'll include.
 
There have been a lot of misleading claims about CRA - the Community Reinvestment Act - in the news recently.  CRA has helped communities and families for thirty years by encouraging banks to make sustainable loans in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  To read the facts about CRA, visit our Partner the Center for Responsible Lending.
 
And don't forget - AFFIL helped former credit card insiders reveal the real industry story.  Watch the videos here!