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Financial Flash Newsletter

November 2011 Edition

Holiday Season Decisions

Philanthropy 101: Come to OnTrack WNC's Training Room to learn how to make thoughtful year-end giving decisions. This FREE class for women will be taught by Becky Davis, Development Officer of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

Holiday Shopping Tips: Five money saving tips to help you avoid a financial hangover plus a link to OnTrack WNC's FREE Guide to a Festive & Frugal Holiday Season.

Holiday Shopping for a Good Cause - Friday, December 9th from 5-8pm: Check out what Ten Thousand Villages has to offer and support OnTrack WNC at the same time. On December 9th, 15% of sales go to support OnTrack WNC!

Petersons Money Buddies Transformation: Saving $1,700/yr and more!

Gigi, Maria, and Bella represent three generations of Petersons all living in one household. When they took OnTrack Women's Financial Empowerment Center's Money Buddies six-part series, they learned how to save over $1,700 in their annual budget and changed their family dynamics too!

Victor Moore wins 2011 Housing Counselor of the Year Award

The couseling team at OnTrack WNC celebrated with their leader, Director of Counseling Victor Moore, at the annual NC Affordable Housing Conference when he was recognized as the Housing Counselor of the Year.   

Donor Spotlight: OnTrack WNC Board Member Heather Alley

Heather increased her support to OnTrack WNC this year. Find out why. Thanks Heather!

Give or pledge before December 31, 2011 and your contribution will be matched! Your gift will give us a strong start to 2012. Thank you!

 

Let's Run the Numbers - Is your Money Doing Well or Doing Good?

In this month's edition of Let's Run the Numbers, Ontrack WNC financial counselor, Dave Werle, helps you think about all the ways you use your money.

Find us on Facebook! Connect with us about exciting announcements & events, upcoming education classes, and financial advice.

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October 2011 Edition

Tammy Jones' Money Makeover with OnTrack Women's Financial Empowerment Center

Last week, Tammy Jones signed up for a Money Makeover with OnTrack Women's Financial Empowerment Center to work with our counselors and educators on her journey to manage her money better.

Find Us on Facebook

Click here: www.facebook.com/ontrackwnc to connect with us in real time about exciting announcements & events, upcoming education classes, and financial advice.

Cassandra's Story: From Crisis to Stability 

Cassandra came to OnTrack WNC from an unstable living situation, floating between family members' homes. After she worked with OnTrack WNC, she was living in her own place, paying her monthly bills, and she was armed with a new understanding of how to manager her own money. Check out her story!

Let's Run the Numbers - Informed Credit Card Payer

When you know your credit card's minimum monthly payment and how many months it will take to pay it off, what should you do with that information?

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September 2011 Edition

Staff Changes: A Message from the Executive Director

OnTrack WNC announces recent restructuring to streamline and refocus to ensure that our agency's services are sustainable into the future.

The Biltmore Company launches Employee Homeownership Programs

The Biltmore Company joins Mission Health System in partnering with OnTrack WNC to help employees realize their goals of homeownership through financial counseling, education, and employer matched savings program.

Energy Efficiency Classes in Asheville, Waynesville, and Canton 

Would you like to cut your utility cost? Register today for one of three Energy Efficiency Classes. The WNC Green Building Council estimates that the savings tips in this class save most participants 30% on utilities! Thanks to Progress Energy for the grant support for these classes.   

Better Business Bureau's FREE Shred Day: Saturday, October 22nd!

On Saturday, October 22nd from 9:00am - 1:00pm the Better Business Bureau, OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling, and American Security Shredding invite you to attend the BBB Shred Day / Secure your ID Day.

Let's Run the Numbers - Paying off the House for the Golden Years

Once your kids have moved out of the house, what should you do with the savings? We'll run the numbers with you to help you decide what to do.

Special thanks to the YWCA of Asheville for recognizing our Executive Director, Celeste Collins, and 27 other women as 2011 TWIN honorees (Tribute to Women of Influence). Congratulations, Celeste!

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Summer 2011 Edition

OnTrack WNC Sets Record Fundraising and Attendance at 10th Annual Financial Literacy Luncheon

On Friday, May 20th, over 230 people gathered at the Crest Pavilion for OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling's 10th Annual Financial Literacy Luncheon.

This year's luncheon set fundraising records, raising over $39,000 in sponsorships, ticket sales, and in-kind support. To mark the 10th year celebration, OnTrack WNC reflected on the past 10 years of programmatic growth and funding diversity expansion and celebrated clients who were helped by the valuable services provided by our financial counselors and educators.

Tom Tveidt opened the event with the morning seminar - The Emerging Post Recession Economy in North Carolina - which explored emerging business activity around the state, statewide population growth, and demographic changes and trends that affect our local economy.

Our 2011 award winners captured the spirit of our work. The Credit Where Credit is Due Award was presented to The Melvin R. Lane Fund, WNC Nonprofit Pathways and consultants Alex Comfort, Leslie Anderson, and Carol Rovello. Volunteer of the Year was tax project volunteer Pam Clarkson. The four Clients of the Year, one for each of our stairsteps to financial independence, exemplified the dedication and determination our clients show in working with us toward their financial goals.

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April 2011 Edition

BBB Offers FREE Shred Day Event - Saturday, April 16th

On Saturday, April 16th from 9:00AM - 1:00PM, the Better Business Bureau, OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling, and American Security Shredding invite you to attend the BBB Shred Day / Secure Your ID Day.

FREE Financial Health Clinic on Saturday, April 30th

The local chapter of the NC Bar Association, OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling, and the United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County have joined forces to present Financial Health Clinic Day, providing information booths and group seminars presenting free consumer information.

How Would Your Child Like to Win $100? 2011 Poster Contest 

Announcing the 2011 Youth Financial Literacy Poster Contest sponsored by Asheville Savings Bank.  Children in grades 3-5 are encouraged to design a poster expressing the theme - Be A $uper Hero! $ave Money!  First place wins $100, second place wins $75, and third place wins $50.   

Advocacy Alert - Help Protect NC's Earned Income Tax Credit

Some North Carolina legislators have proposed legislation that will weaken the NC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - this impacts low-income working families who face significant financial challenges in this economy.  Please contact our State legislators and ask them to act now to protect the state's EITC. 

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March 2011 Edition

Advocacy Alert - At Risk: Funding for Housing Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention, and Local Non-Profits

Congress is debating ways to cut spending to rein in the Federal budget. OnTrack WNC depends on federal funding from three federal sources. Demand for our services has grown; we need to preserve these federal dollars to continue to serve people in our service area.

Action: Please help us tell Senator Burr, Senator Hagan, and Congressman Shuler that maintaining funding in these areas is vitally important to their constituents in Western North Carolina.

NEW - Let's Run the Numbers - So You Want a New TV?

Layaway may be your answer. OnTrack WNC introduces "Let's Run the Numbers" our new monthly article which matches financial wit with good old-fashioned number-crunching wisdom. This month, OnTrack WNC counselor Dave Werle investigates the latest en vogue approach to purchasing your bigger ticket items.

Henderson County Affordable Housing Forum

Join Henderson County's League of Women Voters and Affordable Housing Coaltion on Thursday, March 17th from 2:30pm - 5:00pm to discuss the local housing climate and engage in finding solutions to collective affordable housing issues.

New Staff Join OnTrack WNC Team

OnTrack WNC is proud to announce three additions to our staff: Joanna Bender - Community Financial Educator, Hillary Holmes - Client Service Representative, and Chanel Young - Counseling Support.

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February 2011 Edition

NEW Class - Home Energy Efficiency Class

Tired of your home energy bills eating up too much of your monthly cash flow? Join us to learn about affordable energy upgrades that will both save you money and help save the planet.

Volunteer Opportunity - Teach High School Students about Money

OnTrack WNC is seeking volunteers to help present Mad City Money - a two-hour simulation teaching students about managing money.

OnTrack WNC Celebrates Largest Single Gift to the Endowment Fund!

On December 28, 2010, OnTrack WNC received the LARGEST single gift from a private/individual donor in the history of the agency - a gift that increased the Endowment Fund by over 20%.

OnTrack WNC's Free Tax Preparation Program

In 2010, 541 low and moderate income individuals and families benefited from free tax preparation receiving a total of $767,356 in credits and refunds. OnTrack WNC prepares taxes now through April 15 for FREE for households earning less than $49,000 annually.

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2010 Financial Flash E-Newsletter Archives

2009 Financial Flash E-Newsletter Archives

United Way NFCC Council on Accreditation