Creating Assets, Savings & Hope
Posted March 3, 2016
A recent article published in the State Legislatures Magazine highlights Children’s Savings Account (CSA) programs for college in the United States. Maine was the first state in the nation to launch a statewide universal CSA program in 2008. The state is credited with one of the most generous programs available, which includes a $500 grant… Read more
Posted March 3, 2016
Steve and Laurie Welch of Chesterville with their savings pledge at Western Maine CA$H. Last week CA$H Maine participated in America Saves Week, encouraging income tax filers to take a step toward savings by making a pledge. With 47% of Mainers living in asset poverty, tax season is an important time to start saving… Read more
Posted February 26, 2016
The article, “Matched Savings Efforts Help Mainers Work Towards a Better Future,” that is found in the John T. Gorman Foundation’s most recent newsletter, highlights why it is important for people to be able to save, and the programs that can support the people of Maine in doing so: “For many Mainers, saving for a house, for… Read more
Posted February 18, 2016
Area resident Laura Merrill has her taxes prepared by IRS-Certified volunteer Monica Lee on Super Refund Saturday. Super Refund Saturday & Financial Resource Fair Huge Success! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LEWISTON: Super Refund Saturday, as hosted by the Lewiston-Auburn CA$H Coalition, was a tremendous success once again on February 13, 2016. A room full of IRS-certified tax preparers… Read more
Posted February 11, 2016
What is Work and Save? Work and Save is the short/working title of a bill before the Maine Legislature that would make it easier for employees of Maine’s small businesses to save for retirement. Representative Henry Beck of Waterville is the primary sponsor. The official title of LD 1318 is “An Act to Promote individual… Read more
Posted February 11, 2016
Nadia signed up for a Rainy Savings Account through New Ventures Maine because she was looking for ways to become more self-reliant. As a single mom just starting college, she knew she would need to have some emergency savings set aside to help with unexpected expenses. “After completing the Rainy Days Savings Program, something unpredictable… Read more
Posted February 5, 2016
Thanks to WABI for sharing information about Super Saturday! It was a great day. Read more
Posted February 4, 2016
Lee, who lives on a fixed income, was looking for better ways to manage her money when she signed up for a My Money Works class with New Ventures Maine. “Taking this class gave me both the skills and confidence that I needed to take control of my finances.” A motivated learner, she quickly… Read more
Posted February 2, 2016
Lauren is a recent college graduate and a Radiologic Technologist at Stevens Memorial Hospital in Norway, Maine. Her mother set up a college savings account for her when she no longer had to pay for daycare. It was easy to set up as an automatic deposit and she barely missed it. “My mother’s choice… Read more
Posted January 29, 2016
From left to right: Lisa Laflin, Western Maine CA$H Co-Coordinator, Deborah Weaver, Maine Local Taxpayer Advocate, Tess Armstrong, Senior Tax Consultant IRS , Divin Gatera, Volunteer Tax Preparer, Janet Smith, Western Maine CA$H Co-Coordinator, Dennis O’Neil, Volunteer Tax Preparer, Amy Scholl, AmeriCorps VISTA, Lisa Lemieux, Western Maine CA$H Asset Organizer, Bobbie Wheeler, Western CA$H Site Coordinator. Western Maine CA$H kicked off the… Read more
CA$H Maine is a statewide collaboration of ten coalitions, comprised of 50 non- and for-profit partners, working together to help empower Maine individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability.