10/31/11 Understanding your credit report, identifying where your money goes, maximizing your social security benefits, and rising healthcare costs are among the topics covered this fall in Money Smart Marshall County programs. The United Way of Marshall County and a team of program and funding partners are promoting a series of free classes and activities designed to help Marshall County residents at all economic levels enhance financial knowledge and improve financial choices.
“Where Does Your Money Go?“ programs will be presented by Purdue Extension. This money-management series is designed to help individuals evaluate the economic impact of every day decisions, find ways to address current difficulties and save for the future. This course has participants engage in hands-on activities in three 1 ½ hour session. Two sessions are currently scheduled. One series will be held at the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, 402 W Garro Street, Plymouth, on Wednesday, October 19, Wednesday, November 2, and Thursday, November 17 from 11-12:30 pm. A second series will be held at the Purdue Extension office, 112 W Jefferson Street Room 304, Plymouth on Wednesday, November 2, Thursday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 30 from 9-10:30 am. Contact United Way at 574.936.3366, to register for these sessions or if interested in attending or hosting a third series on November 2 (Wednesday), November 17 (Thursday) and November 30 (Wednesday) at 1:30 – 3 pm.
“Understanding Your Credit Report” will be the focus at 1st Source Bank, First State Bank of Bourbon, and Teachers Credit Union. Appointments are available at eight locations in Marshall County from now until December 30, 2011, to meet with a consultant for a free private 30 minute consultation to review credit reports. Individuals can find answers to questions including what is on their report, how to identify mistakes and correct them, who’s looking at their report and why and how long information stays on their report. To participate, print a free credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com and sign up for a free thirty minute appointment with a consultant by contacting United Way at 574.936.3366. A complete schedule of participating financial institutions and appointment dates and times is available at: www.marshallcountyuw.org. Participants will be asked to bring a copy of their credit report with them to their appointment.
Fall Money Smart seminars will be hosted by Ameriprise and Teachers Credit Union. “Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits”, will be presented Wednesday, October 12, from 2:30 – 3:30 pm, by Bill Davis of Ameriprise Financial at the Bremen Senior Center Conference Room, 103 W Plymouth St, Bremen. Davis will discuss whether social security can provide the income you need when you retire. To register, call 574.936.3366.
“Investment Opportunities in Trying Times,” will be presented by Teachers Credit Union of Plymouth on Tuesday, October 25, from 5-7 pm. The event takes place at Ev and Jayne’s Irish Inn, 7290 Michigan Road, Plymouth. Topics will include Medicare supplemental insurance and the current market volatility. Appetizers will be served. To register, call Sherry Caldwell at 574.245.4735 x5878.
“Rising Healthcare Costs: What it Could Mean for You” will be presented by Bill Davis, Ameriprise Financial on Wednesday, October 26, from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. Topics include understanding what costs may be covered under Medicare, exploring options for covering healthcare bills and more. The event will take place at Bremen Senior Center Conference Room, 103 W Plymouth St, Bremen. To register, call 574.936.3366.
“Estate Planning” will be presented by Bill Davis, Ameriprise Financial on Friday, October 28, 2:30-3:30 pm. Topics include leaving behind a lasting legacy and managing estate tax burden. The event will take place at Bremen Senior Center Conference Room, 103 W Plymouth St, Bremen. To register, call 574.936.3366.
The need to understand basic balanced budgeting and savings plans is crucial to individual and national success. The Federal Reserve and the American Library Association are among those organizations encouraging communities across the country to develop networks of partners to deliver financial literacy programs. Money Smart Marshall County began in 2009 through a grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways. More free seminars and activities will be sponsored in partnership with Marshall County financial institutions, businesses, government agencies, schools, libraries and others who have joined together to promote financial education. These programs are free and can be an important key to future economic health and vitality.
ABOUT THE UNITED WAY OF MARSHALL COUNTY
The United Way of Marshall County is creating lasting changes by advancing the common good and investing in the building blocks for a good life: Education, Income and Health. In 2010 the United Way served over 20,000 individuals in Marshall County! Our mission is to inspire our community to invest its time, talents and treasures to help our neighbors meet the most basic needs of education, health, & income by igniting the caring power of the human spirit. For more information, contact Linda Yoder, Executive Director, United Way of Marshall County at (574) 936-3366 or go to http://www.marshallcountyuw.org/.
Money Smart Marshall County major sponsors are the Indiana Association of United Ways, 1st Source Foundation, United Way of Marshall County, Inc. and the Marshall County Community Foundation. Additional funding partners are 1st Source Bank, Ameriprise Financial, Mark Umbaugh, Anderson and Company, Ball Auction & Realty, Inc., Centier Bank, Collins & Company, First Federal Savings Bank, Plymouth, First State Bank of Bourbon, Thomas Franko CPA, Jones, Huff & Jones, June Bules, Attorney, Miller/Norcen Insurance, Morrow Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Laurie Sutter, Stevens, Travis, Fortin & Lukenbill, Teachers Credit Union, The First National Bank of Monterey, and Zehner, Maloy & Associates, CPA’s, L.L.C.
