April is Financial Literacy Month and a good time to review some of the resources available from the library to help you make informed financial decisions and improve your financial well-being. Programs In April, a series of library programs will address financial literacy topics. Advance registration is required. Making the Most of Your Social Security…
Finance
Free webinars for Money Smart Week
Money Smart Week will be held Saturday, April 15 – Friday, April 21, 2023. This week-long, free, virtual campaign aims to help people better manage their personal finances with a focus on tools for low and moderate income communities. Live events will include sessions on budgeting, debt relief, employer retirement plans, and a Spanish language…
Resources for Charitable Giving
For many reasons, the end of the year is a common time to make charitable gifts to nonprofit organizations. Some are inspired to participate in Giving Tuesday, while others are thinking ahead to their tax returns. Whatever your reason for getting caught up in the spirit of generosity, there are free resources available to help…
DIY Research: Financial Information
April is Financial Literacy Month and a great time to get your financial affairs in order. Clear, accurate information is of utmost importance when making financial decisions such as working to improve your credit score, taking out a loan, investing your savings, planning for college or selecting a bank to open a checking account. Be…
Minding your money with library resources
There is a lot of economic news to keep track of these days. If you’ve got your mind on your money, the library has some helpful resources to put those economic indicators in perspective. These databases are freely available from any public computer in the library, or from home with your library card. Valueline: This investment…
Cook County Property Tax Bills
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recently announced that the second installment payment of property taxes is due August 3 but because of the pandemic, Cook County residents can pay without charge through October 1. Partial payments are accepted. Property owners can pay online at the Treasurer's website. They can also search for refunds and verify…
Weiss Ratings Medigap Report
Our newest web resource is Financial Rating Series Online, "powered by Weiss Ratings and Grey House Publishing." Apart from bank, credit unions, and stock ratings, probably the most exciting aspect is the Weiss Ratings Medigap Report. "Build Your Own Customized Medicare Supplement Insurance Planner," is how they subtitle it. These reports are available for people age 65 and…
Leasing vs. Buying a New Car
Will you be needing a new car in the near future? Have you wondered what the advantages are to leasing a new car? Consumer Reports just published an article comparing and contrasting both approaches as well as a specific example that compares the financing details between buying and leasing a 2017 Honda Accord. There are pros…
How Long to Save Your Important Documents
Trying to organize your important paperwork and questioning what you need to hold onto and what you can just shred or recycle? Here's some guidelines as to how long you should keep your documents. What to Keep for a Limited Time - Household furnishings paperwork - Investment purchase confirmations - Loan documents - Savings bonds…
Talk to Your Teens About Money
It's the time of year when many of us make decisions about our employee benefits for the coming year--"open enrollment" season. The Office of Financial Education, a part of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, offers this sound advice: You can guide your children in finding the financial help they need The financial world of today…
