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Budget Experts and Penny Pinchers Present Money Smart Week April 20-27

April 10, 2013 — If you have money, need to save money or want more money out of life, learn the best tips from money experts during Money Smart Week April 20-27 at branches of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. That’s when the Library plays host to 11 money experts and consumer advocates who will provide a week-long series of programs for all ages – ending with a Document Disposal Day on Saturday, April 27.

Adults can learn how to save hundreds of dollars in Couponing 101, understand their credit report or teach children the value of money. Teens and adults can afford the clothes they love through Thrifty Dressing and learn budgeting basics in Smart Money Tips for 2013. Children can play a life-size Monopoly game or learn money basics during storytime.

Money Smart Week is a national public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. It is a partnership of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the American Library Association and the Springfield-Greene County Library District.

The following is a list of the sessions.

Saturday, April 20
Understanding Your Credit Report — 10 a.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Print a copy of your free credit report, learn how to use it, get tips to improve your credit score and find out how to protect your identity and dispute any errors on your credit report. Presenter: BancorpSouth

Avoiding Scams and Fraud — 1 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Learn how to recognize and avoid some of the most common financial scams in order to protect your hard-earned money and safeguard yourself from financial hardship. Presenter: Better Business Bureau

Sunday, April 21
Life-size Monopoly — 2 p.m. for grades 4-12 in the Library Center meeting room A. Hang out with Uncle Pennybags as we play life-size Monopoly!

Monday, April 22
Celebrating Monopoly — Monday, April 22-Friday, April 26, 3 p.m. for grades 6-12 at Midtown Carnegie Branch Library. Take a ride on the Reading Railroad and join us for a week-long event celebrating Monopoly. We’ll play a different Monopoly game each day, including life-size Monopoly, Monopoly Deal, U-Build Monopoly and others.

Investing Basics — 6 p.m. at the Brentwood Branch Library. Find out about investment strategies for all ages. Get advice to help you become an informed investor and get started on the path to financial freedom. Presenter: Pinnacle Family Advisors

Understanding Your Credit Report — 6:30 p.m. in the Library Station Frisco Room. Learn the importance of credit, how to improve it and take home a copy of your free credit report. Presenter: Empire Bank and Edge Community Technology Center

Coupon 101: Introduction to Couponing — 7 p.m. at Republic Branch Library. Learn how to find coupons, which area stores double coupons and how to use coupons so you save more money than buying generic products. You’ll also get tips on how to keep your coupons organized. Presenter: Simple Organized Savings

Tuesday, April 23
Spend, Save, Share: Teaching Children the Value of Money — 3 p.m. for all ages at Strafford Branch Library. Little ones will learn about the value of money and different ways to use it when they make their very own “spend, save and share” piggy bank.

Making Cents in the City — 6 p.m. for grades 4-8 at Republic Branch Library. Whether you are saving for a new outfit, the latest video game or your college education, you need to have a financial plan. Play games and learn fun ways to manage your money and stretch your dollars. Girl Scouts who attend the program will complete activities that will count toward the Financial Literacy badge. Presenter: Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland

Buying or Selling a Home in Today’s Market — 7 p.m. in the Library Center Story Hour Room. Get advice about the local real estate market from area professionals. Home buyers will get tips about finding the right property, negotiating price and obtaining financing. Home sellers will get advice about protecting the equity of a home, listing a property and preparing a home for sale. Presenters: A.R. Wilson Realtors and Guaranty Bank

Wednesday, April 24
Bunny Money Storytime — 10 a.m. for ages 1-6 at Republic Branch Library. Join us for a Max and Ruby story about money smarts and crafts.

Coupon 101: Introduction to Couponing — 7 p.m. in the Library Center auditorium. Learn how to find coupons, which area stores double coupons and how to use coupons so you save more money than buying generic products. You’ll also get tips on how to keep your coupons organized. Presenter: Simple Organized Savings

Thursday, April 25
Smart Money Tips for 2013 — 5:30 p.m. in the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library upstairs meeting room. Get tips and advice for improving your financial situation. This session will include basic budgeting skills and a discussion of credit reports and scores. Presenter: Consumer Credit Counseling

Preventing Identity Theft — 6:30 p.m. at Republic Branch Library. Learn what identity theft is and why you might be at risk. Get tips on how to protect yourself and what to do if your identity is stolen. Presenter: TelComm Credit Union.

Thrifty Dressing — Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. in the Library Station Frisco Room. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have name brand, up-to-date clothing, you just need to know a few tricks and helpful hints. Find out how to maximize every dollar and where the best local deals are hiding. Presenter: Susan Plank, Springfield-Greene County Library District

Friday, April 26
Duct Tape Wallets — 6 p.m. for grades 6–12 in the Library Station Santa Fe Room. It’s almost time to start applying for summer jobs. Create your very own duct tape wallet for your hard-earned money. Don’t spend money on a wallet — save your money and create your own!

Saturday, April 27
Document Disposal Day — 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Library Center. Don’t let those sensitive documents wreak havoc with your financial security. Bring them to the Library Center south-side parking lot for on-site shredding by Cintas Document Management. (Limit of five bags or boxes). Presenter: Cintas Document Management

Mouse Count — 10 a.m. for ages 3-6 in the Library Center Story Hour Room. This storytime for preschoolers focuses on great counting picture books, finger plays, songs and games.

Especially for Kids: Making Sense of Numbers Storytime — Even young children need to understand the concept of money. But first they need to understand how numbers and counting work. We’ll read fun stories, sing songs and do activities that build early math skills! For all ages.
• Monday, April 22, 10:30 a.m., Brentwood Branch Library
• Tuesday, April 23, 11 a.m., Strafford Branch Library
• Tuesday, April 23, 11 a.m., Willard Branch Library
• Tuesday, April 23, 11 a.m., Library Station
• Tuesday, April 23, 11:15 a.m., Library Center
• Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m., Library Station
• Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m., Fair Grove Branch Library
• Wednesday, April 24, 11:15 a.m., Library Center
• Friday, April 26, 10 a.m., Midtown Carnegie Branch Library
• Friday, April 26, 11 a.m., Library Station
• Friday, April 26, 11:15 a.m., Library Center
 


PRESS CONTACTS

Vickie Hicks
Community Relations Director
vickieh@thelibrary.org
(417) 616-0564
Morgan Shannon
Copywriter
morgans@thelibrary.org
(417) 616-0566

Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/press/article.cfm?aid=2262&view=print


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