Russell Library In Middletown Offering Free Finance Seminars For “Money Smart Week”

March 31--MIDDLETOWN -- Russell Library will host a series of free events April 5 through April 12 on a variety of finance topics.

Money Smart Week will begin April 5 with sessions on how to seek individual grants and how to use spreadsheets to manage your home budget.

Topics of other sessions are reverse mortgages, long term care insurance, using the grants database at Russell Library, life planning, avoiding scams and managing debt, credit reports and credit scores.

The library is located at 123 Broad St.

The following schedule of Money Smart Week sessions was provided by Russell Library:

Saturday, April 5, 10-12:30pm "Need A Grant: Advice and Resources for the Individual Grant-seeker" Judith Margolin, former executive with the Foundation Center in New York City is the featured speaker. The session will address types of support (education, business, and special projects), budgeting, financial aid for education, how to apply for funds as an individual and a demo of Grants to Individuals Online which is available at the library. A light lunch will be provided. Stay for networking. Please call 860-347-2520 to register.

Saturday, April 5th, l:30-3:30pm "Using Excel to Manage Your Home Budget" Stay after our first event and learn how to design a spreadsheet to manage your home expenses. This workshop is hands on instruction, and laptops will be provided. Knowledge of the mouse, keyboard and Microsoft Office is required. No registration.

Monday, April 7, 1:30-3:30 pm "Using Excel to Calculate and Organize Your Spending" Laptops will be provided; this workshop is hands on instruction. Knowledge of mouse, keyboard and Microsoft Office is required. No registration.

Tuesday, April 8, 10-11:30am "Sorting the Facts from the Myths of Reverse Mortgages" Join Joseph Ferraro, a Reverse Mortgage Advisor and Home Equity Retirement Specialist, and learn if a reverse mortgage is right for you. Refreshments will be served. Please call 860-347-2520 to register.

Tuesday, April 8, 6:30-8pm "Long Term Care Insurance, Is it for You?"

A representative of the Connecticut Partnership for Long Term Care will provide an overview on long term care insurance, what it is, who needs it, costs involved, and what is covered. Refreshments will be served. Please call 860-347-2520 to register.

Wednesday, April 9, 10-12pm "An Overview of the Grants Databases at Russell Library" Use a laptop or just observe as we discuss the various grants resources available at the library. This program will be an informal session with some instruction and a time to work on your own needs. No registration. This program will also be offered twice on Friday, April 11.

Wednesday, April 9th, 6:30-8pm "Life Planning for Your Peace of Mind" <person>Marc Sandler of Senior Organizational Services, LLC will explain what it means to develop a "life plan." This program is not just for seniors. He will focus on the necessary documents and organizational steps that serve as a roadmap for life's pivotal decisions, including financial, medical, housing or legal issues. With a solid plan in place, the ups and downs of life can become easier to manage. Refreshments will be served. Please call 860-347-2520 to register.

Thursday, April 10, 10-11am "Protecting Your Money: Avoiding Scams and Managing Debt" Please join Michael Buchas from the State Department of Banking who will discuss ways to manage your debt and repair your credit the correct way and avoid common mistakes. You will also learn about financial fraud and how to avoid banking scams. Free materials will be available to all attendees. No registration.

Thursday, April 10, 6:30-7:45pm "Credit Reports & Credit Scores" Sandra Gressak from Money Management International (MMI) will explain what credit scores are, how to track them and obtain free credit reports. Refreshments will be served. Please call 860-347-2520 to register.

Friday, April 11, 10-12pm and REPEATED from 3-5pm "An Overview of the Grants Databases at Russell Library" Use a laptop or just observe as we discuss the various grants resources available at the library. This program will be an informal session with some instruction and a time to work on your own needs. No registration.

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