Print Newsletters Volume 3

es s Valentine’s Edit ion Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope Volume 2, Issue 1 2013 Letter from the Director Fall in Love with Saving this Valentine’s Day. I believe you can show your affection for those you love without busting your budget. Here are some sweet ways you can save this Valentine’s Day… Go the homemade route. Perhaps with a card, a poem, a home-cooked meal or a special gift that comes straight from the heart because you made it yourself. Make Valentine’s Day at home a fun evening. Perhaps an indoor picnic with blankets spread on the floor and your favorite picnic foods, or snuggle up with hot chocolate on the couch and enjoy a movie together. Above all, give gifts that stay within your budget because it really is the thought that counts. One final suggestion and this is my absolute favorite! Take the money you would spend on dinner or gifts and add it to your CASH savings account. Planning for the future is a perfect way of showing your family how much you love them. Are you single with no sweetheart to shop for? Show yourself how important you are by making a deposit into your savings account. CASH SUCCESS Mary, a single mom, working at the Hutchinson Clinic enrolled in the CASH Program in June, 2011, and planned on saving for college. In July of 2012 a job opportunity opened up for Mary in Winfield, which was closer to her family. In preparing for the move Mary inquired about the possibility of changing her asset goal from post-secondary education to home ownership which is perfectly acceptable. CASH account holders can change their asset goal any time prior to making that first purchase using their savings and matching funds. After looking at several houses, Mary found one that was just perfect for her and her young son. She said, “My favorite part is the backyard. It’s fully fenced in and very spacious with a huge mature tree for shade. Lots of room for Reigner to explore. The house needs some maintenance but nothing that can’t be done after moving in. Thank you so much for making this possible.” Winfield has a new homeowner and a house that is in better repair. This was win-win for Mary and the community. Happy Valentines! Through education and asset building, the Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope Program empowers low to moderate income households to achieve financial self-sufficiency by teaching new habits of financial responsibility.