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have over extended themselves — primarily with credit. There are families still doing this.”
“Dealing with budgets scares people,” said Mr. O’Roark. However, he said it is vital for families to have a family financial plan.
Mr. O’Roark is going to help fam* ilies organize and establish this plan. The first step on the road to orga* nized finances, is getting the facts. *
“Each couple has got to gather their data. Figure out what excessive debt they may have and then we sit down together and determine in what direction the family must go," said Mr. O’Roark.
He said most of the debt is incurred by heavy use of credit cards, which along with a mortgage and car payment, can mount the debt repayments.
“We have a plan that has the couple working with creditors. If they can’t meet the payment, they talk to the creditor and work out a special arrangement. If for some reason the creditor won’t work with them, we’ll join negoitations and try to help,” said Mr. O’Roark.
But, he stresses the importance of having the heads of the household do a majority of the “legwork.” He said, “If I did everything for them, they wouldn’t learn anything.”
“Most have never spoken to a creditor, they need to learn how to do that,” said Mr. O’Roark.
He said most young couples have not had any training in how to handle a household budget, even though they may have been through high school and college.
Mr. O’Roark also said, each case is different, but that families must take the burden of hard times, including the children.
“Some people are being forced into layoffs and cutbacks. Especially in the construction business, important to Northern Virgina economy. When this happens, the family can’t ignore it and continue on the same route,” said Mr. O’Roark.
“In financial counseling, usually two problems surface more than any other — lack of communication between marriage partners and the lack of a plan,” he added.
Family Focus figures out costs for counseling on the needs of the customer. The initial visit costs $65.
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