If you are a senior citizen looking for help from consumer credit counseling, here are a few places to search. First, the AARP has become one of the largest lobbies in the world. The influence that they have has benefited seniors for decades. When it comes to consumer credit counseling for seniors, the AARP has vast resources, specifically geared for the needs of senior citizens.

Another great resource for senior citizens looking for consumer credit counseling is the entire Internet. There are many consumer credit counseling companies that exclusively work with senior citizens. The Internet can show you the way to many of these companies by using any of the major search engines. Here are some tips to senior citizens who wish to improve their financial status:

* Set a financial budget - Even though you may be retired, this is no time to stop paying attention to your finances. In addition to knowing your actual income and assets, you must also consider your monthly expenses. Upon retirement, expenses such as food, clothing, shelter and healthcare will still be a concern. If you are suddenly living on a specific fixed income, it is time to match your monthly income with your expenditures.

* Consider extra income opportunities - The list of income opportunities for the retired does not stop at borrowing against any equity that you may have. Consider a part-time job in the community. In addition, you may want to sell off some assets that you no longer need for some extra income. This money can be used to help pay off any outstanding debts. You could also consider a reverse mortgage such as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage insured by the federal government.

* Pay off credit and use only when needed - Once you have set specific spending guidelines for yourself, try and limit your credit card use. So long as you understand monthly cost of living expenses, you can plan ahead and avoid having to use credit for customary expenses or emergencies.

* Plan for the future - Despite a senior's age, knowledge is key when dealing with credit card debt. If you would like help planning for the future, credit counselors are available to show you how to develop budgets and savings plans.