As Iowans feel the squeeze of high heating costs and rising gasoline prices, money matters are becoming worse as many of us are now finding bills in our mailboxes from the December holiday season. One financial expert says Iowans who are discovering they owe more than they have may need a helping hand.Tom Coates is director of Consumer Credit Counseling of Des Moines, a service that offers -free- counseling to Iowans who have over-extended themselves. Coates says people often come in and say “you’ve never seen a situation this bad,” but he’s seen almost everything.Coates says the counselors are dedicated to helping people set up sensible budgets so they can learn to spend their money responsibly.There are consumer credit offices in many Iowa cities, including: Algona, Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Ames, Council Bluffs, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Davenport. For information, call 800 955-5765.
