The Enterprising Kitchen. Stretching Your Resources and Money Traps (revised May 2010)

Transcription

1 The Enterprising Kitchen Stretching Your Resources and Money Traps (revised May 2010) 1

2 Overview for Today s Session Refresher from Previous Session - Financial Goals and Budgeting Identify and Maximize Resources Identify and Minimize Uses Money Traps 2

3 Refresher From Previous Session Financial Goals and Budgeting Exercise Review Write down financial goal Keep daily spending records Prepare budget 3

4 Resources to help reduce costs You may already qualify and not even know it. 4

5 Stretch Your Food Dollars Food Stamps (SNAP = Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) Benefits received via Illinois Link Card (electronic card accepted at grocery stores, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Eligibility Cook County Residents How to Apply: On-line Application OR In person at DHS Family Community Resource Center -- call first to verify what documentation to bring 5

6 Stretch Your Food Dollars Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Food assistance program for pregnant women, new mothers, young children (under 5 yrs) Services offered: Special checks to buy healthy food (milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, beans) Information about nutrition & breastfeeding Help in finding health care near you Illinois Department of Human Services Call and set up appointment Apply at local WIC clinic near you 6

7 Stretch Your Food Dollars Food banks, food rescue organizations Greater Chicago Food Depository Zip code on-line search for pantry near you 7

8 Child Care Child Care Assistance Program Illinois Department of Human Services Eligibility calculation Access to affordable childcare, subsidies Full-time and part-time care and before and after school 4753 N. Broadway, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL Apply at local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (CCRR) In Cook County: Illinois Action for Children 1340 S. Damen Avenue 3 rd floor, Chicago, IL childcare@actforchildren.org 8

9 Health Resources Preventive Care Clinics Immunizations Mamm Health Insurance Medical Assistance Programs 9

10 Health Insurance Medical Assistance Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Offers assistance in paying for insurance premiums Medicaid Federal Program can Apply at local DHS office How to Apply In person at DHS Family Community Resource Center Health Care Benefits Helpline

11 Health Insurance for Children All Kids (Illinois Healthcare Program for Kids) Offers health care coverage for children Doctor s visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, vision, dental. Monthly premium cheaper than private insurance -- based on level of coverage, your income, # kids. How to Enroll On Line: Will need to mail in signed application + documents Apply In Person w/ All Kids Application Agent. 866-ALL-KIDS ( ) 11

12 Prescription Drug Assistance Free or Low cost prescription medication Free Medicine Ministry Apply On-Line Eligibility tied to family income levels Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) PPA-NOW ( ) Low-cost Clinic Finder Listing of Patient Assistance programs by state Illinois Rx Buying Club: discounts on brand name & generic drugs Discount card accepted at 2,500 Illinois pharmacies, $10 annual fee Together Rx Access Discounts on brand-name drugs for those without any insurance coverage

13 Save on Energy Bills Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) State pays part of your bill directly to utility company Don t need to own home or pay energy bills directly Funds are available for eligible households from Sept. 1 to May 1. Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) ( CEDA) 13

14 Save on Energy Bills Peoples Energy Budget Payment Plan Military Assistance $100 in a Peoples Energy Account Salvation Army Share the Warmth

15 Legal Services Domestic Violence Health care Immigration Landlord issues Chicago Volunteer Legal Services ( ) this organization has clinics all over the city, staffed by volunteer attorneys who provide free legal assistance to low income clients. Hours vary by clinic location. 15

16 Other Resources Child Support Enforcement Senior Care/Circuit Breaker Prescription Drug Coverage Funds for Senior Citizens or Disabled persons to assist with property tax and prescription drug costs Even if you have Medicare Senior Help Line hr automated information line Illinois Health Benefits Hotline 16

17 Other Resources Free Tax Counseling Illinois Department of Human Services Provided by: Center for Economic Progress ( ) Sites open between Jan 23-April 15, various days/times Ladder Up ( ) Open on Saturdays 8:30-11:30 am Eligibility: Individual Income < $25,000, Families < $50,000 Student Transportation Program (K-12 students) or

18 Other Resources TogetherONE On-line network for discounts & savings ideas Local discount offers & coupons Savings ideas & tips Always read the fine print of any deal/offer to be aware of any hidden costs 18

19 Next Steps Invest your time Make phone calls, use Internet (free at Chicago Public Libraries) Investigate resources understand clearly any costs/obligations required of you Determine eligibility Prepare any applications Share information with others about resources Identify other resources not discussed today 19

20 Financial Choices How to save money and still have fun 20

21 Track Monthly Expenses to Make Better Choices Next Month Food Housing Utilities/Phone Clothing Transportation Entertainment Medical/Insurance 21

22 Food Choices Shop for value Read flyers Use coupons and preferred card Consider bulk volume discount stores Food stamps Eating out most expensive alternative 22

23 Housing Choices Consider sharing housing to afford a better neighborhood with better schools Make sure roommates are honest and reliable Security extremely important Understand total monthly housing costs rent and utilities Understand your obligations before signing any lease or other legal document Understand your obligations if name is put on service Discount furniture and resale stores 23

24 Clothing Use store coupons Shop Sales Develop a consistent color scheme (e.g. black, white and gray) for maximum flexibility Second-hand, consignment stores 24

25 Transportation High cost of owning a car Fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking Walk more places Use public transportation when it s available Share rides 25

26 Entertainment Visit Museums on Free Days Art Institute: Field Museum: Museum of Science and Industry: Du Sable Museum: free on Sundays, other days are very reasonably priced Mexican Fine Arts Museum: free Shedd Aquarium: Adler Planetarium: This is but a small sample Chicago has many museums: Exercise for mental and physical health Chicago Park District Facilities and Parks Public library Reading materials Books, newspapers, magazines Free Internet access 2$ Movies/Discount theaters 26

27 Money Traps What you pay for some conveniences 27

28 Money Traps Payday Lenders You write a postdated check to get cash now Very high rate of interest - $25 for every $100 borrowed Reduces future income hard to break cycle 28

29 Money Traps Credit cards Pay off your monthly charges Have a plan to pay down your balance Interest can be as high as 25% on unpaid amounts Late fees can be as high as $10 to $30 if payment is late Borrowing from your credit union or bank is usually less expensive 29

30 Money Traps Pawnshops and Car Title Loans First decide if you can afford to loose the item: Do you use your car for work? Are you considering pawning a tool that you use to earn money? What Pawnshop lends you: HALF of the real value What Car Title Loans gives you: LESS THAN HALF of the car s value 30

31 Money Traps Rent-to-Own Stores How store makes money: By building in a very high rate of interest rate into your regular payment What you pay: From 3 to 10 times more than normal cost $500 refrigerator, paid for in 12 payments of $60: Total cost to you is $720 (=$60 x 12) Interest on refrigerator is $220 (=$720 - $500) Interest rate is 44% (=$220/$500) 31

32 Money Traps Money Orders vs. Checks Charge for a money order can vary from $.30 to $3.00 depending on the amount of the money order Compare prices to find the least expensive money orders, or open a checking account NO per check cost when you have a checking account 32

33 Money Traps Lottery and Gambling The odds of winning are very low Put money in a credit union, savings account or piggy bank each week instead - $5 not spent on Lotto each week = $260 saved in one year (=52 x $5) 33

34 Next Steps - Homework Maintain budget and daily spending records Investigate eligibility and benefits of resource programs 34