Whether you are a young adult out on your own for the first time, or you are a more seasoned adult, we’ve got tips, links & articles to help you make the most of your money.
- If my bills are paid each month, do I really need a budget?
- Should you buy or rent a home? Should I buy or lease a vehicle?
- How big should your nest egg be?
- Do I need a will?
Once we’re able to have in-house live workshops, details and sign-ups will also be listed here.
Regardless of the age group we work with, we find two of the most important lessons to teach are:
- The difference between wants & needs and prioritizing our needs over our wants
- Not spending money you don’t have. First you earn it, then you save it, then you spend it. *Exceptions being home loans, vehicle loans, etc.
These are lessons best taught early and reiterated throughout our lives. For young children, understanding these two things can help them understand why they cannot have everything they want. Setting financial goals to work toward, early in life, helps instill these lessons. As adults, with the allure of credit cards, these lessons are often forgotten. The instant gratification of getting whatever you want today and not worrying about paying for them until later. That is how many people find themselves drowning in credit card debt. This is also why I say these are the first two things I teach to classes of all ages. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of these two truths, in order to get back on (or stay on) firm financial footing.
Links to websites, articles, presentations & worksheets, to help you with budgeting, understanding credit & credit scores, financial planning & more:
- In Your Best Interest – Gardiner FCU’s Blog. Includes financial and social posts.
- ZOGO this is financial education in the palm of your hand. It’s an app that lets you earn free gift cards, while learning best practices for managing your finances. Recommended for ages 12 – 100.
- Maine Credit Union League Financial Literacy Blog offers great tips and resources, for home buying, paying off medical debt, talking with your kids about money, and more.
- Pocket Cents offers money management tips for all ages. Tools, games & resources, for everyone, from toddlers to retirement, from first accounts to first car loans and home loans.
- Dave Ramsey’s “20 Tips for Saving Money” – Dave Ramsey is an author, radio host & blogger, who gives financial advice
- New Ventures Maine offers an ongoing selection of online workshops, with topics from Basic Budgeting to Introduction to Self-Employment
- Is someone in your home college-bound? Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) offers tips on everything from Saving for College, to Saving on College Tuition & Navigating FASFA. Articles. Tips & resources for the college-bound and the parents.
- FREE tax preparation, for those in need of assistance, from AARP.
- FREE copy of your Credit Report. Don’t fall for all the credit score apps. The following companies give you the ability to check your credit score and reports, once a year for free, without compromising your identity or having a negative effect on your credit score. You should review your report quarterly. We suggest you check with one of these resources each quarter.
Annual Credit Report.com – Equifax – Experian – Transunion - Ten Financial Tips for Seniors, from Landmark Senior Living
If you don’t find the topic(s) you are looking for, from any of these resources, please let us know and we will do our best to help you.
Contact Kelly Marie, kmarie@gardinerfcu.org
