Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Pocket Change
Pocket Change
In This Issue... Issue...
3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 26 In The Spotlight Mary Caraccioli Student Loan Repayment In The Spotlight Candace Bahr & Ginita Wahl Delaware State Housing Authority In The Spotlight Olivia Mellan A Clear Financial Future for Delaware Consumers Chasing The Dream Stand By Me In The Spotlight Lynette Khalfani - Cox Increase Your Buying Power 5 Things Every Woman Needs to know about SS Ben Shamburger In The Spotlight Jean C. Setzfand Westend Neighborhood House Most Popular Baby Names Erin Donahue Portfolios Conference Back To School ... Already? Karen Graham Meet The Staff
Hi Everyone,
2012/13 - Issue 1
Its hard to believe 2012 is now history. It was a productive and busy year for DFLI. I finally met many of you whose names I have been reading on our Money School and Purses lists for years. I saw old friends and met new ones at the spectacular FAB Purses to Portfolios Conference supported by Citi Foundation. This years was truly a Purses event that was: F or Women -presented to over a thousand women and the men in their lives A bout Women topics focused on womens unique financial needs B y Women all female keynotes and dozens of womens agency exhibitors So many of you joined me in calling the 2012 Purses Conference the best ever. There were very positive comments about our 6 nationally-recognized speakers: Mary Caraccioli, the Money Confidante and our very own money coach Candace and Ginita, who created wife.org and Money Clubs Lynette Khalfani-Cox, who shared her formula to Zero Debt Jean Setzfand, who spoke on the topic Planning for Retirement at ANY Age! Olivia Mellan, who shared strategies for dealing with money and relationships to achieve Money Harmony A number of you said, I wish I could have attended all 4 sessions. We tried a new format, giving participants the opportunity to participate in 2 of 4 very special, extended sessions that we are unable to offer in the regular Money School schedule. From your comments, we know you would like to hear these speakers again. The most common concern: Why isnt this conference an annual event? With DFLIs small staff and its huge dependence on volunteers and funders to keep the event free, a conference in the even years works best. But stay tuned for lots of new topics and events in 2013 The Money ClubHouse, new this year, was a popular lunch spot. Many of you stopped by to learn more about the clubs and took the opportunity to talk personally with Candance and Ginita. We had the opportunity to honor Meta McGhee and Paulette Sullivan Long. Meta and Paulette were the first to reach the prestigious 500 hour Platinum Portfolio, which included significant volunteer efforts to DFLI and The Money School. Sadly, Paulette passed away before the Conference, but she knew she had reached her goal. In her memory and her honor, this level was renamed Paulettes Portfolio and was awarded to Meta and Paulette. (Money School instructor Alisha Adams accepted the award in Paulettes honor.) Meta was the recipient of the Sandra A. Varano Golden Purse Award, (named in memory of another devoted Money School student.) In closing, I send thanks to all of you. You make my work at DFLI meaningful, rewarding, and fun. You all contribute to making The Money School a community of learners in a statewide school without walls. Warm winter wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous year
Ronni
? ? ?
? ??
Options Counseling is a new service available as part of the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) received federal funds to develop an ADRC. The focus of the ADRC is to serve as a one-stop shop for anyone with questions or needs for services for people with disabilities or who are aging. The thinking is that its better to ask questions and make plans before a crisis develops. At the crisis point, your time is limited and you are stressed. So, if you see that your mother or grandmother or husband is aging and starting to have some problems with maintaining a home or caring for themselves, or is about to be discharged from a hospital after a serious illness that has left them more limited, call and investigate your options to support their desire to remain in the community. Most people, when asked, would like to continue living in the community they are familiar with, even when they acquire some limitations that might make that a challenge. Call the ADRC at 800-223-9074 or e-mail us at delawareadrc@state. de.us or view our web sites at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd or www.delawareadrc. com for information about how to address your particular concerns. Topics addressed range from services in the home to living wills to Medicare issues to adapting your home to accommodate someone in a wheelchair, to name just a few. An additional service we offer is called Options Counseling. If you feel it would be helpful to sit down with one of our case managers to fully discuss the range of options, we are able to do that. Call and request options counseling and the caseworker will set up a convenient time to sit with you and answer questions and review your options so you can make the best decisions for your loved ones. There is no fee for this service.
$
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ 3
Helping people help themselves through Education, Financial Counseling and Debt Repayment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2012 Contact Information: NANCY STARK 410.357.0614 (phone) 410.357.0613 (fax) nstark@cccs-inc.org
Call now, and FINALLY become DEBT FREE! 1- 877 - 246 - 2026 1-800-642-2227
www.cccs-inc.org
5
MD License #14-01
$ $
6
$ $ $ 7
When did you know business and this particular business was your passion? ar
Within the first few months after starting my business, I k i knew i was my passion. I always h d an it i Ive l had interest in the internet. When I started my business, it was almost all I could think about. Late nights and early mornings checking emails, doing website updates and talking to people about it. But, when I met people who said it made an impact in their livesthats when I was really hooked. Thats what continues to drive me to do what I do.
What personal characteristics and skills do you have to handle problems, stresses, and risk involved in your business?
I think my best quality for this business is patience. Im ok working with those people who require a little extra time or who need a little extra explanation. As far as risk, I know Im a risk taker. Is it better to take a risk and wish you didnt OR not to take a risk and wonder what could have beenIll take the risk!
What advice would you give someone looking to become a small business owner?
Do your research!!! It can take a lot of commitment, time and money. If you think its all about write offs, taking Fridays off and making big moneythink again. I didnt start with a concrete plan. As I look back, I wish I had put better plans in place, where I could have worked smarter and not harder. Being a small business owner is HARD WORK!
Where and how do you see your business in the next three years?
2013 and beyond is going to be a great year for me. Ive been doing some much needed strategizing, rebranding and team building. Im looking forward to really building up our offerings here in Delaware, supporting our partnerships, providing some quality events and continuing our expansion outside of Delaware. We currently have websites similar to Delawareblack.com in 6 other cities. In the next 3 years, wed like to have community websites in 20 cities throughout the US.
$
8
$ $ 9
$ $
10
$
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ 11
$ $
12
Stretch your budget with the Food Supplement Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Nutritious foods are affordable with SNAP!
For more information visit, https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov
Need help signing up? Contact the Food Bank of Delawares SNAP Outreach team! New Castle County: Scott Schuster sschuster@fbd.org (302) 292-1305 ext 252 Kent & Sussex Counties: Brenda Palomo bpalomo@fbd.org (302) 424-3301 ext 107
www.fbd.org/SNAPOutreach
Pocket Change Winter Issue
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
$ $ $ 13
By Mary Caraccioli
www.TheMoneyCondante.com
With the cold weather here and spring just a little too far off to get fully excited about, its understandable that some of us are feeling the need for a little break. If only it wasnt so pricey. With tax season coming and bills needing paid nows not the time for indulgent spending But what if you could win on all fronts? Enjoy that much needed break without messing with your budgeting for the coming months there may just be a way Here are some tips you might find useful if you just have to get away Travel Cheap - This is where planning is vital! Whether youre vacationing locally or jetting off further afield, do your homework first. Compare the price of gas, tolls and parking with ticket prices of other modes of transport you may be surprised! Bear in mind, if your destination is somewhere youll need the car to get around once there, spending more on gas and tolls may be worth it for the later convenience. Flying? Wednesday between 11pm and 1am is the best time of the week for snagging a low fare. Driving? Hertz is one of my favorite spots for finding the best rates for rental cars. Bus? Taking the bus has taken a step up. Bus travel is much cooler since two low cost bus companies entered the scene. My favorite low cost bus service is Boltbus.com. The company doesnt serve as many markets as MegaBus.com but I prefer their service and quality of the their vehicles. Affordable Accommodation When it comes to choosing where to stay theres lots of great and cost-efficient options. My favorite mobile app for get a great hotel room at the last minute is hotel tonight. Get their app athoteltonight.com. They promise 70% off and when I used it they delivered! And there are more options. If you happen to be lucky
$
14
$ $
Pocket Change Winter Issue
enough to have a friend with a vacation home why not ask if you can use it for a few days? Hopefully your friend will agree and youll see significant savings! On the other hand, if youre all about the hotel try and find one that at least includes breakfast it may seem like a small savings, but every penny counts. If your vacationing spot has a lot to offer and the only time youre going to see your hotel room is when you stumble into bed after a good days sightseeing then consider staying at a hotel airport. Although these are situated a little further from the heart of the city they are for this reason considerably cheaper. Many will offer a free, regular shuttle service to get you downtown and back whenever you wish. Another frugal but fun idea is going camping! If you already own camping gear youll be spending very little when it comes to accommodation. If you arent already in possession of a tent, talk to friends and see if you can borrow one. Camping will transform your break into an adventure and the kids will love it too! Weigh Your Options Theres a lot of different options to consider before booking your trip so make sure you take sufficient time to do so even if you are desperate to get away! Often its too easy to log-on to a travel website and be sucked into whichever package deal is being offered. While this can be a cost efficient way of vacationing be sure to do some research first at times combining the costs of flights and a hotel can add up to a lot more than booking each aspect individually through different sites. So make sure you take time to consider all the options available before you get click happy! Its also smart to discuss your travel options with your friends seek out advice and tips garnered from their trips and see if their experiences could work for you too. Waiting around for a last minute deal could allow you to afford a lot more for less. So if your plans are easily flexible play the waiting game you never know you might just snag an unbelievable deal! Check out offers on deal-of-the-day websites such as groupon.com and livingsocial.com you may well come across something thatll work for you! I generally sign up for the city or region I am traveling to about 30 days before I go. I unsubscribe after the trip is over. Budget Before You Go Drawing up a budget of how much you want to spend while youre actually away is an effective way of cutting out additional over-spending. As tempting as it is to buy a gift for everyone in the souvenir store and eat out every meal try to reign yourself in and consider how much you are spending daily. Looking into free activities, grabbing a drink at happy hour or preparing your own lunch are easy ways to stick to your budget. If you know youve got a table reserved at that great restaurant for your final night, then you wont mind opting for a pre-theater meal one of the other nights. I try to make my own breakfast when I travel. It saves a lot of money. Picking up some fruit, yogurt or packing my own oatmeal gets me going for a lot less than a restaurant or room service.
$
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ 15
$ $
16
$
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ 17
$ $
18
Consider a Loans Plus or Security Deposit Loan to build your credit, stretch your moving dollars, or provide you with cash for that unexpected expense!
Low interest rates - 9.99% (Loans Plus) 4% (Security Deposits) Great alternative to high interest payday loans! Build positive name-brand credit! Affordable repayment terms
Budget review and case management assistance Call 302-658-4171 to apply and ask for Jessica Leventry or Sheila McLaurin
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ $ 19
Visit MyFreeTaxesDE.com to le your state and federal taxes TODAY using this easy, secure, ll-in-the-blanks, software program. If you need help with your return, MyFreeTaxesDE offers free help through a toll-free hotline or live web chat.
Here are the rules:
FREE to taxpayers with household income at or below $57,000. All forms are available for households with multiple state returns. Fill in the blanks and your answers will populate your return. NEED HELP? Call 2-1-1 or 1-855-MY-TX-HELP. Too good to be true? No, its real! Please tell your friends, family and neighbors!
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $
20
$
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ 21
Need help getting organized call Ms. DeClutter at 302-339-3830 or email at csdeclutter@gmail.com.
$ $
22
1-877-246-2026
Speak to a credit counselor Schedule an appointment Ask credit questions
Hassle FREE! No Cost! No Obligation! JUST HELP!
Get your own FREE nancial coach. Call 302.283.5562 to schedule a meeting
A DFLI~Money School program with funding from the Delaware Financial Literacy Education Fund and in partnership with CCCS of MD and DE and the Claymont Community Center.
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ $ 23
Last year, over 400 volunteers helped over 10,000 Delaware families receive $15 million in federal credits and refunds. With your help, we could do more! Flexible Scheduling: we offer both day and evening hours; 6 days per week No Experience Needed: we give you all the tools and training you need Personal satisfaction from helping families dramatically boosts their income and savings.
Greeter Opportunity:
Welcome customers to the site Explain general eligibility guidelines Coordinate intake process
Great for new volunteers, teens and seniors
$ $
24
he year is starting up, Valentines Day is here, and we are all caught up with the search for the perfect gift for our sweetheart. Its time to take a minute to give yourself the gift of a financial check-up as well! If you havent checked your credit report this year, now is a great time to take a look. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com where you can see your credit report free of charge. Keep in mind that the three reporting bureaus allow you to view your report once per year at no charge. Remember, you cannot log back in to view your report once you retrieve it, so print it for your records. While youre at it, sign up for creditkarma. com so you can monitor your credit all year! There are other ways we can stay in shape financially through the upcoming year. Tax season is here! Find out if there are any free tax preparation sites in your area and begin to gather your documents. Also, take a look at your deductions to see if there are any you can use for 2012. Since you have most likely paid taxes from your paycheck, you want to be sure that you file correctly so not to give Uncle Sam more than his fair share. Beware of refund anticipation loans and refund cards from some tax preparing services. You should not pay anyone a dime to receive your tax refund. After all, you earned your money and there is no need to pay fees just to get it back. Even on Valentines Day, theres no such thing as a bad time to save. Make a budget, plan your spending, and pay yourself. Dont have a savings account? Consider opening one at a local credit union or bank branch. As always, know your financial situation so you can make wise decisions this and every year.
$ $ 25
$ $
26
info@dfli.org
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ $ 27
$ $
28
$ $ $ 29
$ $
30
Back row: (From L to R) Shaquilla Holmes, Program Assistant; Karen Graham, Senior Associate Director; Tami Schoenfeld, Associate Director; Nancy Dotsicas, Office Manager; Kiersten Joseph, Project Coordinator; Christine Paski, Program Specialist. Front row: (left to right) Virginia Russell, Citibank, N.A. & Former DFLI Executive on Loan & Ronni Cohen, Executive Director
QUICK QUIZ
1. Who served in the Israeli Air Force? 2. Who was a Music major? 3. Who is a twin? 4. Who has danced at DisneyLand? 5. Who is a Pinterest fan? 6. Who owns a business in Newark? 7. Who is excelling at Wilmington University?
$
Pocket Change Winter Issue
$ $ 31