Statewide program offers free money management classes in April

New Ventures Maine — a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine System — has free classes scheduled for April, Financial Literacy Month, that focus on managing money.

Matched Savings Information Session: Monday, April 3, 4-5 p.m. Online.
Learn about matched savings programs such as the Rainy Day Savings and Family Development Account programs. Learn how to save for a goal by matching savings with additional funds. Find out how the programs work, check on eligibility, and ask questions.

Budgeting Basics: Tuesday, April 4, 6-7 p.m. Online. Explore building a budget that works. Topics include money tracking, goal setting, and how having a sense of an overall financial situation can assist one in creating and using a budget.

My Money Works: Thursdays, April 6 through May 4, 6-7 p.m. Online. Gain the skills and confidence needed to stretch a money, pay bills, reduce debt, find money for savings, plan for retirement, and set financial goals with a plan to achieve greater financial stability.

Let’s Talk About Credit: Tuesday, April 11, 6-7 p.m. Online. Learn how to reduce debt, improve credit, and maintain a good credit score. Create own step-by-step plan to pay down debt.

Build Your Savings: Tuesday, April 25, 6-7 p.m. Online. Setting money aside helps plan for the future and reach goals. While saving can be challenging, taking small steps can make a difference. (Also offered April 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.)

Additional NVME workshops and classes for April are designed to help people in Maine build a career and start a business.

Self-paced classes include:

My Next Career Move: April 3-June 30; enroll by June 2; work at own pace. Assess skills, interests, and experiences and relate them to career options. Identify high-growth job fields. Explore education and training options. Strengthen resume for a targeted job search.

Grow Your Business Online: Self-paced, enroll anytime, complete by May 31. Gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to create a compelling web presence and website for a small business. Work online at own pace through self-guided courses covering branding, GoDaddy tools, website design and content, SEO and marketing, ecommerce, and more. Interactive remote sessions and labs are included. Made possible by Empower by GoDaddy in partnership with New Ventures Maine.

Additional interactive, online classes for starting businesses and building careers include:

Introduction to Self-Employment: Tuesday, April 4, noon-1 p.m. Online. Is self-employment the right choice? The class covers the pros and cons of owning a business, steps needed for start-up, major elements of a business plan, and resources to help succeed.

Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed: Thursday, April 6, noon-1 p.m. Online. Learn how to organize financial records, understand tax responsibilities, become familiar with tax forms, and file taxes with confidence. This workshop is designed for sole-proprietors.

Work for Yourself @50+: Tuesday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Online. Gain the knowledge, support, and resources needed to make informed decisions about working for oneself and take the right first steps toward successful self-employment.

Making Career Choices: Wednesday, April 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Online. Ready for a career change but don’t know where to start? This workshop will help point one in the right direction. It will cover what to consider when making a career choice and the resources available to help succeed.

Job Search Classes: Wednesdays, April 12-26, 6-7 p.m. Online. Ready for a new job or a career change? Join one, two, or all three of these workshops. April 12: Job Search Strategies; April 19: Resume Strategies; April 26: Interview Strategies.

Changing Jobs: Finding Work That Fits: Wednesdays, April 19 through May 3, 10-11:30 a.m. Online. Considering a job change? This online class designed for women will help one identify work options and benefits that align with one’s interests, skills, and values.

For the full schedule of upcoming classes and to sign up, visit newventuresmaine.org or call 800-442-2092.