Are you an older American interested in improving your financial literacy? Get informed with free tools and resources available at the CFPB’s Working with Older Adults webpage. You can also download guides for specific topics such as Reverse Mortgages and Managing Someone Else’s Money, as well as find informational blogs about related topics. Free publications—such as Money Smart for Older Adults and Understanding the Benefits of Social Security (in English and Spanish)—can be ordered here. The Administration for Community Living is the federal government agency that sponsors this observance. Get more information here.
News from the Reference Desk Category: Consumer
Property Tax Appeal Deadline Extended
An error in the reassessment values for a small number of condominiums in Elk Grove Township has caused the Cook County assessor’s office to extend appeal deadlines for Elk Grove and Maine townships. The deadline has been moved from May 18 to May 29 because of the error. For more information about appeals please go to the Cook County Assessor’s Office website
Help with Hoarding
Did you miss our April 10th Hoarding 101 program presented by the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago? Not to worry. Below, please find some helpful resources for those – or loved ones of those – struggling with hoarding behavior or Hoarding Disorder.
Treatment:
Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago
Psychology Today Search Results for Hoarding Treatment Centers in Chicago
Chicagoland Hoarding Task Force
Cleanout Services:
Red’s Hauling Services
1-800 Junk Removal
Professional Organizers
Clear Your Space – Linda Parks (Chicago)
Altogether Organized – Linda Goldman
Local Groups:
Buried in Treasures Group at Frisbie Senior Center – Contact Dori at 847/421-5104
Village of Mount Prospect Help:
humanservicesdept@mountprospect.org
Human Services Department
50 South Emerson Street
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Phone: 847-870-5680
Upcoming Events:
OCD & Hoarding Learning Expo
Books at MPPL:
Overcoming compulsive hoarding : why you save & how you can stop / Fugen Neziroglu
Stuff: Compulsive hoarding and the meaning of things / Randy O. Front & Gail Steketee
The secret lives of hoarders : true stories of tackling extreme clutter / Matt Paxton with Phaedra Hise.
Dirty secret : a daughter comes clean about her mother’s compulsive hoarding / Jessie Sholl
Tip of the Month: New Protections for Servicemembers and Veterans
In May 2018, the President signed new protections for servicemembers into law. In addition to requiring free security freezes and one-year fraud alerts at the three nationwide credit reporting agencies, this law also addresses a number of key financial issues for the military, including:
- -Holding lenders to more stringent requirements when they participate in VA’s refinance programs
- -Ensuring continued foreclosure protections for servicemembers up to one year after they leave active duty
- -Prohibiting medical debt that should have been paid by the VA to be reported as part of a veteran’s credit history
- -Providing free credit monitoring for active duty military, including the national guard
Get more information about these protections here.
Getting Help with the House
Owning a home is a worthwhile but often challenging experience. Issues surrounding purchasing, financing and maintaining a home are complex. Area homeowners or prospective homeowners can get guidance from the Northwest Housing Partnership. On 
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 9:30 am at the Mount Prospect Public Library the Partnership will offer a series of presentations on homeownership. Six professionals in the areas of law, finance, and real estate will share guidelines and pathways for buying and maintaining a home. Information about the various programs offered by the Partnership, such as the Handyman Program, will also be provided. Each professional will also be available to answer questions. Come and learn about resources for home buying and home maintenance guidance that are available nearby. You can register here for the program.