Money Smart Week: the Library Can Help!

Multiple free workshops at the Library help increase your financial knowledge April 21-28

The Orcas Island Public Library is sponsoring a week-long series of workshops to “Improve Your Money Management.” All classes during “Smart Money Week, April 21-28” are free and open to anyone.

Joining the Library in this campaign are partners Key Bank, Islanders Bank, Washington Federal Savings, Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Federal Financial Group and Absolute Mortgage.

Library Staff assures the public ““No, We won’t try to sell you anything!”

All meetings are at the library at 500 Rose Street in Eastsound. The library phone number is 376-4985; the website is www.orcaslibrary.org.

For more information about “Money Smart Week” go to: www.orcaslibrary.org/msw.html

The schedule for the week is as follows:

Saturday 4/21
Time: 10:30 – 11:00am
Location: Library Children’s Room
Title: Storytime @ the Library
Description: Join Children’s Librarian Nita Couchman as she reads Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money.  “To earn coins for the Astro Bear video game, Brother and Sister Bear find ways to work for money. How they find the middle ground between being spendthrifts and little misers makes for a funny, realistic story.”
Sponsor: Washington Federal Savings

Saturday 4/21
Time: 11:00 – 11:30am
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Piggy Bank Craft
Description: Children will craft their personal piggy bank with markers and colorful stickers. The banks will be displayed with description of their personal savings goal, in the Lobby display case through April 30th.
Sponsor: Washington Federal Savings

Monday, 4/23
Time: 5:30 – 6:30pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Business Basics
Description:  Managing a business requires a comprehensive understanding of your business strategy, operations, financial condition, and future directions. An online self-study program SmallBizU© was created especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs. • It delivers a no-frills, utilitarian curriculum that provides small businesses with real-world tools and information. Inside, you’ll find 20 core classes encompassing over 3,500 animated slides and 350 tools and resources contained in a comprehensive knowledge base. Open to everyone, regardless of the financial institutions you use.
Sponsor: Key Bank

Tuesday, 4/24
Time: 10:30 – 11:45am
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Take Charge of Your Money
Description: Learn the value of having a spending plan and learn how to begin setting up your personal plan. Become aware of your behaviors around the use of credit; learn how to use credit wisely; and identify the signs and dangers of predatory lending.
Sponsor: Key Bank

Tuesday, 4/24
Time: 1:30 – 3:00Pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Setting Your Financial Insights
Description: Understand what a financial goal is; learn how to prioritize your financial goals; develop a strategy to determine if a goal is realistic; and learn how to modify a spending plan in order to accomplish a goal.
Sponsor: Key Bank

Tuesday, 4/24
Time: 5:30 – 6:30Pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Make Every $$ Count
Description: Become aware of spending behaviors; plot out expenses on a spending plan; recognize how lae payments affect your finances; recognize behaviors you need to change to handle your finances more effectively; and develop a personal 12-month spending plan.
Sponsor: Key Bank

Wednesday, 4/25
Time: 10:30 – 11:45am
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Elder Fraud
Description: Frauds and thefts against the elderly by people they know and trust are surprisingly common. Learn about the warning signs and what you should do if someone you know and trust is trying to con you.  Includes smart tips for older investors and how to spot and avoid fraud.
Sponsor: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

Wednesday, 4/25
Time: 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Identity Theft
Description: Protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft; steps to take and who to contact if your identity has been stolen; five immediate steps to take if you lose your wallet or purse; information on how to place a security freeze and a fraud alert on your credit file.
Sponsor: Washington State Department of Financial Institution

Wednesday, 4/25
Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Maximize Your Investments
Description: The basics of investing & how to avoid investment fraud; how to research an investment and/or investment broker/seller; creating and discussing a family budget; the importance of credit scores and credit reports; how to avoid identity theft. Deciding where to invest your retirement money is one of the more difficult decisions you will make.
Sponsor: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

Thursday, 4/26
Time: 1:00 – 2:30pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title:  Reverse Mortgages – Are They For You?
Description: If you are 62 or older, or about to reach that milestone, you may find yourself considering a reverse mortgage to add to your retirement income or meet health care or other financial needs. Reverse mortgages are complex loans and are secured by your home. It is important to understand the terms, risks, and costs before you sign a reverse mortgage contract.
Sponsor: Islander’s Bank

Thursday, 4/26
Time: 3:00 – 4:30pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Money Scams-Credit/Debit Card Fraud
Description: The fight against scams and fraud never stops because each year con artists discover new ways to take your money. Whether you are old or young, rich or poor – it is never too late to empower yourself. Remember, if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Sponsor: Islander’s Bank

Thursday, 4/26
Time: 5:30 – 6:45pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Financial Security – Budget and Planning
Description: Establishing a budget and sticking to it isn’t easy, but it’s the best way to be in control of your finances and make sure your money is going toward the expenses that matter most to you. Learn budget basics, goal setting, and overcoming barriers to your financial security.
Sponsor: Islander’s Bank

Friday, 4/27
Time: 1:00 – 2:00pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: New Trends in Retirement
Sponsor: John Kane, Federal Financial Group

Friday, 4/27
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Retirees (or Investors) Make and What to Do About Them
Sponsor: John Kane, Federal Financial Group

Saturday, 4/28
Time: 1:00 – 2:30pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: Understanding Your Credit Score
Description: Your credit report is a collection of information about you and your credit history, and can have a major impact on your life. Know what items affect your credit score, understand what scores you need in order to obtain financing, be aware of the consequences of credit mistakes, learn how to improve your credit score, and how to request your personal credit report. Sponsor: Tammy Pollard, Eagle Mortgage

Saturday, 4/28
Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Location: Library Meeting Room
Title: First Time Home Buyers
Description: Buying a home for the first time can be overwhelming for a first-time home buyer because few home buyers know where or how to begin the search to buy a home.  Learn how to begin, as well as programs and incentives available for new home buyers.Sponsor: Tammy Pollard, Eagle Mortgage