Gain Control Over Your Money

Want some help understanding how to control your money, get your expenses under control, and actually save money?  That’s what “financial literacy” programs are all about. People who take financial literacy courses gain control over their money because they finally understand how money, credit, loans, and savings actually work.  They can make better decisions about money because they understand money in a better way. 

New Courses Starting Now! 

Starting Wednesday, October 17^th, and running through December 12^th (from 6-8 pm) this free 8-week course can help you become “money smart!” Call 866-833-2823 (toll free) and leave a message so we can call back and register you right away. See below for more information about the course. Additional courses will run throughout the year, so call for information. Note: we will not run class the night before Thanksgiving (11/21).

Special Savings Accounts

Also, we sometimes get grant money to help people in the Money Smart program set up IDAs (Individual Development Accounts). These are special savings accounts set up with a local bank where every dollar you save over a period of time is matched 2-to-1 or sometimes 3-to-1. It helps you save towards a specific goal. We have money this fall for people who qualify and want to save towards home ownership, starting a business, or education. Click $$ for more details. 

What is Money Smart?

We’re using this outstanding financial literacy curriculum (education program) from the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) to help taxpayers like you take control over your own money. 

Money Smart is an education program that helps you learn about many aspects of your money

• why payday loans and other short-term, high-interest loans hurt more than they help
• difference between banks and check-cashing services
• how “interest” really works
• why saving just $5 per week adds up to a “big deal” over time

This is much more than learning how to budget! You can learn

• how to save, even when there is very little money available
• how a savings account is different from a checking account
• different banking term, accounts, and services 
• the basics of borrowing money
• personal budgeting and budgeting tools
• what it means to “pay yourself first”
• protect your money and your identity
• credit basics, including terms, “do’s and don’t’s,” credit reports, repairing your credit
• credit card basics and other forms of loans (yes, a credit card is a loan)

Many taxpayers told us during tax season that they were interested in taking this course. So we’re getting our instructors ready and setting up days/times/places to offer the program. If interested, you can e-mail or call us, toll free, at 866-833-2823 (leave a message and we’ll have someone call you back). 

2007 Tax Returns:

$48,433 refunded
 

to local residents who e-filed with the Malden Tax Partnership
Plus more than 120 Economic Stimulus 2007 TaxesReturns filed

Click to see more details

Volunteers Needed (click Volunteer Match to read description):  

Become Money Smart

Take control over your finances and money. Learn how to save, how to make your money work for you, why short-term loans may hurt more than they help, and much more!

Special Savings Account program for selected financial literacy cours participants. Check the Money Smart section of this website for more information.

Click ** for more information.