Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

January 18, 2007 issue

Become Financially Literate in 2007

Story by Kathleen McFadden

January is Financial Wellness Month and the irony of that—coming right after the holidays—could be the subject of another story. But this story is about the Blue Ridge Asset-Building Coalition’s upcoming program—Financial Literacy: The Highway to Success—planned to coincide with Financial Wellness Month.

The free finance-related clinic will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, at the Watauga County Public Library.

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with representatives from the Consumer Credit Counseling Center of Western North Carolina, local banks and IRS consumer liaisons to learn about establishing credit, getting out of debt and repairing poor credit, establishing and maintaining a bank account and qualifying for the earned income tax credit.

Everyone who attends will be able to get a free credit report, and the folks from Consumer Credit Counseling will explain what all the numbers mean.

Participants will also learn about free tax preparation services that will be available during tax season at the Watauga County JobLink Center and the library. Marnie Werth of the Blue Ridge Asset-Building Coalition pointed out that many people lose a large hunk of their tax refunds every year by having their returns done at a commercial tax preparation agency and then paying an additional fee to obtain their refund immediately. The Asset-Building Coalition’s free tax prep service will save people the initial fee, and by filing electronically, Werth said, folks will receive their refund in about 10 days, without having to pay any extra money.

While the adults are engaged at the financial literacy clinic, their kids will have plenty to do. The library is offering an age-appropriate children's story hour and craft activity program on the subject of money from 5:30 to 6:15.

For more info about the Blue Ridge Asset-Building Coalition or the free financial literacy workshop, contact Werth at 828-733-0156 or averycsbg@bellsouth.net.

 

Want To Go?

Date: Tuesday, January 30

Time: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Location: Watauga County Public Library

Cost: Free

 

Tax Preparation Volunteers Needed

Anyone willing to donate four hours per week during tax season to prepare simple returns after being fully trained on the software and appropriate questions to ask is encouraged to contact Marnie Werth at 828-733-0156 or averycsbg@bellsouth.net.