Get Ready for Fall and Financial Literacy with WPL’s Money Matters Series

Our work life takes up a large percentage of our time. Do you often find yourself thinking about what do you have to show for it money-wise? If that’s you, maybe it’s time to get serious about what you do with your money and to commit to improving your financial prospects. In order to help you get started, the library hosts a Money Matters series for several months throughout the year. We’ve partnered with the MA Office of Economic Empowerment to bring in-person learning experiences that address important aspects of financial literacy.

Our upcoming Money Matters series begins in September:

How Money Works

Tuesday, September 9th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., WPL Main Branch, Computer Lab 

Learn key financial fundamentals in order to make wise choices with your money.

This class is designed to provide foundational information and insights about credit cards, debt, investments, home ownership and basic taxation. Gain a better understanding of financial concepts in order to make informed decisions that will help you grow wealth over time. Presented by Mike Ford, a member of the Shrewsbury Toastmasters, who has had a distinguished career in business and helping families make informed financial decisions.

You can register by clicking this link. 

Considering Home Ownership

Tuesday, September 16th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., WPL Main Branch, Computer Lab 

An overview of the home buying process.

In this workshop we'll guide you through essential aspects of one of life most important decisions. Review costs and responsibilities, explore loans and repayment, and learn about financial readiness, pros and cons, and the cost of buying a home. By the end, you'll be equipped to make informed choices and achieve your housing goals.  

You can register by clicking this link. 

Planning for Retirement

Tuesday, October 14th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., WPL Main Branch, Banx Room 

Learn the fundamentals of planning for retirement.

There are crucial factors to consider when planning for retirement. This class will cover various saving and planning strategies to maximize savings at any age, along with different types of retirement plan options to help best address future financial goals. 

You can register by clicking this link. 

Managing Debt

Tuesday, November 18th, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., WPL Main Branch, Computer Lab 

Learn the fundamentals of managing debt and improving your finances.

This class will cover budgeting and debt management strategies designed to empower you with the tools and knowledge needed to control your financial future. Learn the common reasons behind debt accumulation and compare various solutions such as debt consolidation and credit counseling services in order to achieve financial stability. 

You can register by clicking this link. 

How to Spot a Scam

Tuesday, October 21st, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., WPL Main Branch, Computer Lab 

Learn how to protect yourself from the latest scams with experts from the Better Business Bureau. Scammers are increasingly becoming more sophisticated with techniques that can even trick the most informed consumers.

You can register by clicking this link. 

Also, a special mention about a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs. The library will host a Lawyers for Civil Rights BizGrow Workshop on October 23 at 3:00pm. BizGrow provides free legal assistance, business support, and technical assistance to minority, immigrant, and women business owners. Come learn about the variety of resources and support that BizGrow offers to help you grow your business and chart a course for success. Lawyers for Civil Rights has an impressive history of supporting the legal, economic, and educational needs of individuals, families and members of the small business community.

You can register by clicking this link. 

 

Virtual Money Smart Week, April 9 - 16, 2022

Virtual Money Smart Week is a national, free campaign that aims to help people better manage their personal finances through a coordinated effort of experts and educators across the country.

This year's line-up of free, virtual events include:

• Spend Smart. Eat Smart. | Monday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. Presented by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

• Credit: Build & Improve It! | Tuesday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m. Presented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

• Buying or Refinancing a Home: Options & Tools | Wednesday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. Presented by North West Housing Partnership

• Understanding Social Security Benefits | Thursday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. Presented by the Social Security Administration

The Worcester Public Library has valuable resources to assist those wanting to improve their financial future and gain a better understanding of how to manage their personal finances. For further questions about the library's offerings, please contact Jackie, our Business Resources Librarian, at jdzugan@mywpl.org.

• The library offers monthly, in-person classes on DIY Investing: A Beginner's Class and Personal Investing with Morningstar Research Center. Register for those classes here.

• Also, a Staff Pick's book list for Financial Literacy can be found here.
• Helpful resources to enhance a better understanding of financial literacy skills are located here.     

Register for events and learn more details at www.moneysmartweek.org.  Events are free and open to the public, but registration is advised. To register for any of the events listed above, please click here. 

Virtual Money Smart Week, April 10-17, 2021

Virtual Money Smart Week is a national, free campaign which aims to help people better manage their personal finances with a focus on those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 This year's line-up includes:

   •  Saturday, April  10  @  11:00  a.m. EST  | Talking Cents (The University of Chicago Financial  Education Initiative)

 •  Sunday, April 11 @  11:00  a.m. EST  | Savings: A Little Can Make a Big Difference (FINRA  Investor Education Foundation)

 •  Monday, April 12 @  1:00  p.m. EST  | Bank on It: Finding Safe + Affordable Bank Accounts (The Economic Awareness Council  and The Economic Awareness Council)

 •  Tuesday, April 13 @  1:30 p.m. EST  |  Understanding the Basics of Federal Student Loans (U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid)

•  Wednesday, April 14 @  2:00  p.m. EST  | Tax Related Fraud + Identity Theft (Internal Revenue Service)

 •  Thursday, April 15 @  2:00  p.m. EST  | Managing Personal Finances During Covid-19  (Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center)

 •  Friday, April 16 @ 1:00  p.m. EST  |  Housing Protections  +  Resources  (Consumer Financial  Protection  Bureau)

 •  Saturday, April 17 @  11:30  a.m. EST  | Tips for Managing Money Ups & Downs (University of  Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension)

View more details at www.moneysmartweek.org.  Events are free and open to the public, but registration is advised. Questions for the panelists can be submitted during the registration process. To register for any of the events listed above, please click here. 

In addition, the Worcester Public Library has valuable resources to assist those wanting to improve their financial future and gain a better understanding of how to manage their personal finances. For further questions about the library's offerings, please contact Jackie, our Business Resources Librarian, at jdzugan@mywpl.org.

• The library offers monthly virtual classes on Basic Investment Research with Yahoo Finance and Personal Investing with Morningstar Research Center. Register for those classes here
• Also, a Staff Pick's book list for Financial Literacy can be found here. 
• Helpful resources to enhance a better understanding of financial literacy skills can be found here.     

Free Financial Literacy Webinars by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

 

In March, CFPB FinEx is offering two free webinars:

Strategies to pay for college

Thursday, March 25, 2021, 2-3 p.m. ET

Join us for a presentation on how to finance higher education. You’ll hear from our Office for Students and Young Consumers on the federal financial aid process, college funding sources, and college budgeting techniques. What’s more, we will discuss nonfinancial ways to help students reach their higher education goals.

Audio and presentation: 

https:https://cfpbgov.webex.com/cfpbgov/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=1996827962

Event number: 199 682 7962

Audio only:
Dial-in:   +14043971590
Access code:   199 682 7962
Event Password: 3VfPQmvpm*42 (38377687 from phones)

Understanding the women’s wealth gap

Wednesday, March 31 2021, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

Join us for facts about the women’s wealth gap and the unique challenges many women encounter on their journey to financial well-being. The presentation addresses the impact of COVID-19 on women, the challenges women face in retirement, and how intimate partner violence can impact women’s pursuit of financial well-being.

According to the five principles of effective financial education, programs can be more effective when they matched to people’s specific circumstances, challenges, and goals. This webinar can help you improve your effectiveness through a better understanding of the people you serve.

Audio and presentation: 

https://cfpbgov.webex.com/cfpbgov/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=1994680363

Event number: 199 468 0363

Audio only:
Dial-in:   +14043971590
Access code:   199 468 0363
Event Password: tvD2B6JKav3@ (88322655 from phones)

We look forward to having you join us!

Thank you,

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau