FCS Program

Welcome to the first issue of Fairfield Saves...Personal Finance Choices. This newsletter will feature information on Personal Finance to keep you updated as you make choices on your budgeting plan, savings plan, lowering credit card debt, and retirement plan.

To have a brochure sent to you on the Fairfield Saves Program email Cora at french-robinson.1@osu.edu.

Fairfield Saves…America Saves Campaign

Every American family, especially low income families, should have access to quality, affordable savings products. After all, a place to save is an essential element of any savings plan.

Starting in January every Fairfield County resident will have the opportunity to enroll in the Fairfield Saver program through a Personal Finance class at OSU Extension or one of the local banks. Simply fill out the membership card and open a savings account at the following participating banks: Bremen Bank, Fairfield Federal Savings and Loan, Fairfield National Bank, National City Bank and Standing Stone National Bank.

Enrolling in the Fairfield Saver program is free. You will receive a membership card and receive information on personal finances. For more information contact Cora French Robinson at 740-653-5419 ex: 12.

Classes and programs will also be available to gain knowledge and skills in handling your personal finances, such as, plan a working budget, track spending, control credit card use and eliminate debt, and develop a savings plan. Check out the dates for classes below.

Split refunds: Just another Tax Form or an Opportunity?

Beginning in tax season 2007 (for tax year 2006), all tax filers due a Federal refund will have the option to have their refund direct deposited to up to three destinations. Tax filers will use IRS Form 8888 to indicate which accounts and in what amount they would like their refund disbursed.

PayDay Loans?

Using a payday lending company is very costly to borrowers; it can trap them in a cycle of borrowing and lead to long term debt and legal problems. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, only 1% of payday loans go to one-time emergency borrowers. Usually borrowers receive on average 8 to 13 payday loans per year from a single payday shop. Also, 91% of all payday loans are made to borrowers caught in a cycle of repeat borrowing with 5 or more payday loans per year. The payday loan industry is thriving because people pay the fees instead of looking at alternative, usually better, options for cash.

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Source: Family Economics & Financial Education

Earned Income Credit

The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is now worth as much as $4,536 for a low-wage worker raising two or more children (as much as $2,747 for workers raising one child, and up to $412 for very low-income workers not raising children).

Also, millions of low-income working families will be eligible for the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which is now worth up to $1,000 for each qualifying child under age 17. The CTC is valuable even to many families that earned too little in 2006 to owe income tax, because they can receive this credit as a refund. The CTC is in addition to any EIC for which the family qualifies – many low-income working families will qualify for both credits.

10 Ways to Achieve a Healthy, Happy, New Year:

Invest in a good pair of shoes. When your feet are happy so are you. Foot pain is not a normal part of the aging process. Look for comfortable, well-fitting shoes, they are worth the investment.
Play games. Games keep your brain working and cognitive skills healthy. Plus, it’s a fun way to spend time with others. Traditional board games, crossword puzzles, anagrams, and Sudoko puzzles and optical illusions can be played at different skills levels.
Take a walk or roll. Walk around the block, walk to the store, walk a mile. Walking improves lower body strength, maintains mobility and helps prevent cognitive decline.
Stand on one leg. Actually you will work up to standing on one leg by performing balance exercises. Good balance helps you with everyday activities.
Visit an eye doctor. Failing eyesight is not a given as we age. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common vision loss as we get older.
Increase your physical activity. Physical activity and exercise do a lot of good things. You have to use it or you lose it! Strengthen agility, etc.
Seek out your friends, family and neighbors. Social connections are good for your emotional well-being. Studies have shown that friendships and the social support networks are important.
Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. We all know that we should eat more fruits and veggies, legumes, cereals, and fish. Limit dairy and meat, sweets. Learn how to add fruits and veggies visit http://www.5aday.gov/.
Laugh a lot. Laughing increases circulation, immune system defenses and mental functioning while decreasing stress hormones. Watch a good comedy, read a humor book and daily comics.
Get enough sleep. When life gets hectic, adequate sleep seems to fall by the wayside. Don’t let it go. Get your seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

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Source: Council on Active Aging

January – March Classes and Programs:

Take Charge of Your Finances

January 9,16,23,30

March 6,13,20,27

Money Choices

January 17, 25

Feb. 6, 13

March 8, 21

Registration is required: call Cora 740-653-5419 ex:12

Parenting Pathways: Active Parenting

January 9, 16, 23, 30

Feb 6, 13

Registration is required: call Melissa Timmons 740-653-5419 ex: 18