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FREE RESOURCES...make the most of your money!

Top ten Money Saving Tips:

1. Get your federal and state income taxes prepared and filed for free at CA$H tax sites
   • Dial 2-1-1 to find a tax site near you
2. Claim federal and state income tax credits

   State of Maine

   • Eligible Maine residents can receive a partial refund of property taxes and/or rent paid on their primary residence. Click here to find out if you qualify for the Maine Property Tax and Rent Refund
   • If you are a Maine resident, and have owned your home for at least one year, be sure to claim the Maine Homestead Exemption. Click here to apply: Homestead Application
   • Click here to find out if you qualify for other Maine Property Tax Exemptions

   Federal

   • Click on the following link to learn about your federal income taxes (IRS Web site)

        Do you know...

     • What records to keep to file your taxes?
     • If you qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
       • Learn about the EITC on (IRS on YouTube)
       • Watch EITC in American Sign Language
       • Crédito por Ingreso del Trabajo (EITC) - ¿Debo Reclamarlo?
         • Consejo Tributario: Crédito Tributario por Ingreso del Trabajo 2011
     • What to do if you owe money to the IRS? (Pine Tree Legal Web site)
   • If you have questions about your federal income taxes, click here: IRS individual taxpayer Web site, or the IRS home page
3. Give yourself a raise
   • Have money in your pocket to pay bills, or grow your emergency savings fund! If you received an income tax refund this year, use the IRS Withholding Calculator to find out how.
4. Stop purchasing money orders and paying to have your checks cashed
   • Open a bank or credit union checking account, but avoid paying fees
     • Some banks and credit unions offer "free" checking accounts:
       • Gorham Savings Bank eEssential Checking: $25 to open an account (must keep $25 in the account at all times)
       • Key Bank Key Express Free Checking: $50 to open an account (no daily minimum balance)
       • Maine's Credit Unions offer free or low-fee accounts
5. Learn how to create a spending plan and control your spending (National Endowment for Financial Education)
6. Learn "All About Credit" (click on the link on the right)
   • Be sure to check your credit report, from each of the three credit bureaus, every year. Get your FREE credit report now at www.annualcreditreport.com.
   • Review guidance from the FDIC under "Credit".
7. Use local resources
8. Take a free financial education workshop...

Online

• Sign-up for live money management workshops by Money Management International
• Take the self-paced Money Made Easy course offered by KeyBank
• Try Money Smart, an easy-to-understand, self-paced program offered by the FDIC

In Greater Portland

• Women, Work and Community (799-5025)
• Do you want to purchase a home? Take a homebuying class through HoMEworks.

8. Participate in a Family Development Account...get up to $8,000 in matched savings!
9. Weatherize your home
10. Find a new job, start or continue your education