A public relations firm and a group of small companies are joining together to encourage civic participation and increase traffic at their businesses. The Phoenix public relations firm The Media Push and its clients are offering specials to customers who visit select Phoenix stores and providers while wearing an “I Voted” sticker.

“This is a very important time in our lives,” said Charlotte Risch, owner of The Media Push, in a statement. “Not only are we voting for the next president but many local officials and propositions that will affect our community and small businesses. This is a fun way to cast your support for local businesses in your neighborhood and invest your hard-earned dollars with them instead of big chains.”

Debt consolidation or negotiation?

Debt consolidation versus debt negotiation are two options that are available to you if you need debt assistance. When your monthly bills become too much for you to handle, it makes sense to use debt consolidation or debt negotiation for solving debt and credit problems.

Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation services have prearranged debt repayment plans with most credit card and collection companies. When you sign up with a debt consolidation company you are offered a lower overall monthly payment based on a lower interest rate they have arranged with the creditor. This payment is lower than what the credit card companies offer you, saves you money every month and is often the best way to consolidate debt. One benefit of a debt consolidation repayment plan is it will stop you from getting harassed by your creditors as long as you make the new, lower monthly payments.

The downside of the debt consolidation repayment plan is that you have to cancel all credit cards that you include in the plan. You are also charged your first payment you make toward the program and an additional monthly administration fee. This administration fee ranges from flat fees of $10-$50, while others charge a $5 fee for each creditor. That means you’ll pay about $30 a month that doesn’t go to paying off your debts.

The debt consolidation program benefits you if you have high interest rates or have higher credit card bills than you can manage. Some people like to make only one payment to one company for all of their debts.