| NEWSFor Immediate ReleaseDate: October 12, 2012 | Contact: Maureen Haggblom 907-263-3823 mhaggblom@ak.org |
Free Financial Fitness Fair Offered to Help Alaskans Be More Financially Savvy
Free Workshops, Document Shredding and Credit Reports
Anchorage, AK – The average Alaskan has nearly $8,000 racked up in credit card debt. In part, because many are tempted to blow their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) as soon as they get it, but mainly because far too many residents are living paycheck-to-paycheck. That’s why a group of nonprofits and community partners have organized the 2nd Annual Financial Fitness Fair for Saturday, Oct. 20th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Community Center. This year, the event will be held in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB’s) Secure Your ID Day.
Shred Alaska will be in the parking lot offering to securely destroy old documents for free. Then, come inside the building to get information on everything from credit counseling and taxes to financing an education and taking the first steps toward homeownership. Free credit reports will be offered, tax preparation will be available by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers and the first 50 people in the door will receive a free financial portfolio. There also will be free snacks, kid’s activities and door prizes.
Free workshops will begin every 15 minutes. Workshop topics include:
- Saving & Investing-Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union
- ID Theft –Alaska Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit
- The Cost of Credit: Your Money Source for a Savings Plan – Money Management International
- Shop & Save – Cooperative Extension Service, Family Nutrition Program
- Landlord Tenant Issues – Alaska Legal Services
- Health Savings Accounts – Wells Fargo Bank Alaska
- Investment & Retirement Accounts – Edward Jones
- Wills & Estate Planning – Connie Ashenbrenner
- Home Ownership: Yes You Can! – Panel to include Cook Inlet Lending Center, NeighborWorks and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
For more information on the workshop schedule, and to pre-register visit www.FinancialFitAK.com.
Organizations with tables at the Fair include Alaska 2-1-1, Alaska SourceLink, Alaska Food Coalition, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Alaska Job Center Network, Alaska Legal Services Corp., Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants, AVTEC, Cook Inlet Lending Center, Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Credit Union 1, Denali Alaskan Federal Credit Union, Edward Jones, IRS Taxpayer Advocate, Money Management International (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alaska), NeighborWorks, Nine Star Education and Employment Services, UAF Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program, University of Phoenix, Wells Fargo, Alaska Office of the Attorney General-Consumer Protection Unit and First National Bank Alaska.
The Financial Fitness Fair is organized by the Financial Partnership Network – a group of private, government and nonprofit professionals and organizations that are finding ways to help Anchorage families increase their income and save for the future. Sponsors of the event include United Way of Anchorage, Shred Alaska, BBB/Secure Your ID Day, Don’t Borrow Trouble Alaska, Wells Fargo Bank Alaska, First National Bank Alaska and National Disability Institute/Real Economic Impact Tour. Learn more by calling 2-1-1.
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About United Way of Anchorage
United Way of Anchorage works to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks for a good life: education, income and health. The goal is to create long lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. United Way invites everyone to be part of the change. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED. Please visit www.liveunitedanchorage.org
