MEMBER PROFILE

Amy Walton

Amy Walton got a loan for a new car before she started looking. “I called the Anytime LoanPhone. It only took 10 minutes and I was tentatively approved right away, pending confirmation of my information. When I found the car I wanted, the dealer told me I could get a better rate through dealer financing. He made me an offer that was ¾ % less than my Alternatives loan. I called Amy Smith, my loan officer, and she matched that rate immediately. I had no idea that Alternatives has a policy of matching rates to stay competitive. I was really glad. This policy allowed me to keep all my banking at Alternatives.”

MONEY WISE®

Alternatives' money management course Money Wise® provides people with the tools to confront financial issues in their lives. Topics covered include; income & debt, expense tracking, setting and saving toward goals, practical economics, record keeping, insurance, predatory lending, establishing & repairing credit, conscientious consuming and investment options.

While other financial education courses are primarily geared towards providing information and worksheets, the Money Wise® course walks students through the behavior change process. We believe that instead of overwhelming our students with templates to solve their financial troubles, we identify the individual as the instrument of change. Money Wise® requires only one task - tracking expenses. Our goal is to see people realize that they have the ability to change and use that realization to confront their own financial issues and begin managing their money.

Money Wise® meets once a week for seven weeks and is offered four times a year. If you are interested contact Brendan Wilbur at 216-3445 or brendan@alternatives.org

UPCOMING MONEYWISE COURSE
WHEN: Starts April 7, 2008 (once a week for seven weeks)
TIME: 6:00-8:30 PM
Where: Alternatives' 2nd floor conference room
Cost: Sliding scale $10-80 (based on median household income) Scholarships are available. A light vegetarian meal is provided.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: email Brendan Wilbur: brendan@alternatives.org.