Susan Tompor: Money Smart Week: Need to fix your credit score? Or a zipper?
Everywhere you turn, you're smacked with something -- waiting for your tax refund, writing a check to pay the federal government what you owe, meeting a deadline to fund your Roth IRA.
And yes, Money Smart Week.
This year,
We're looking at a wide range of events that can help consumers do everything from learn how to repair their credit to even fixing the zipper on their pants, a sure-fire way to save real money.
And it's all free -- free, free, free.
"It's cheaper to fix what you've got, especially when it's fixed for free at the
Learn to repair more than your finances
The repair event -- which runs from
The thrifty concept reminds me of my Dad who just loved to try to fix things. He wasn't afraid to try to tackle anything. His goofy motto: "If it's broken, it's broken" -- meaning you can't lose anything of value by trying to see what you can do to repair it.
The repair cafe has attracted 50 to 75 people in past years. The fixers are volunteers with a skill set -- including someone who sharpens knives, fixes zippers and makes small repairs involving lamps. The librarian's husband
The volunteers include an electrician, a seamstress, a sewing machine repairer and someone with expertise in jewelry repair.
They're not going to try to fix your microwave at the library. But long-time, local radio host
"A lot of people just don't have these skills any more," Harris-Fiems said. "People kind of forget that maybe it might be fixable."
Free seminars without the sales pitch
When it comes to fixing your finances, Money Smart Week offers free seminars that cannot include any sales pitch.
Educational programs involve partnering with many local and regional organizations, as well as the
The program was launched in 2002 by the
Many times, the programs offer a good opportunity to ask questions about everyday problems, such as how to fix your credit score.
"We know that having bad credit not only affects access to credit and good terms, but it affects your insurance rates, your employment possibilities, your housing options, all kinds of things," said
"We know that being poor is expensive," she said. "And learning how to make your credit score work for you can make it less so."
As part of its Money Smart Week programs,
Workshops for immigrants and new Americans
Other Money Smart Week events can be found at www.moneysmartweek.org. Some of the local programs include:
The
A similar program will be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Arab American Chaldean Council Macomb County office at
Financial emergencies, credit scores, ID theft
Tuesday: Preparing for financial emergencies. The session includes information on how to pay down excessive credit card debt and improve your credit score. The event runs from
Tuesday: Building a better credit score. The event will run from
Thursday: Attorney General
Saturday: Money Smart Repair Café offers consumers a chance to figure out how to save money by getting small items repaired. Get free help trying to fix broken wooden items, jewelry, CDs & DVDs, dull knives, electrical items, knitted/crocheted items, etc. People with expertise are invited to share their skills. The event runs from
And of course, learn about scams
Contact
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