February 2018
Bank On Hampton Roads Newsletter
Free Tax Resources and a Chance to Win Big
100 Cash Prizes with 
Save Your Refund!
Launching your savings plan could not be easier than savings your tax refund to win $100!  Saveyourrefund.org offers 100 chances to win $100.  The earlier you file the greater your chances of winning!  All you need to do is split your refund between your savings and checking accounts and enter!  Easy peasy! 

What could you do with an extra $100?  This could be your chance to both saves AND win!

Save Your Refund
30-40-30 Refund Savings
Take care of your past, present and future by using the 30-40-30 plan for take refund savings.

Use 30% to catch up on past due bills or debts to take care of the past.  

Use 40% for things you need right now like car repairs or a special treat for the family.

Use 30% to save for the future.  You know unexpected happens.  Use your refund to protect yourself by establishing a cushion.

 30-40-30 Plan
Schedule
February CLASS SCHEDULE

Bank On It Class:
TCC Portsmouth
120 Campus D r .
2/12/18 6:30 pm

New Jerusalem COGIC
118 Bishop Thoroughgood Ave
2/10/18  9:30 am

Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Ctr
7300 Newport Ave #100
2/20 /18  6:00 pm

Bow Creek Rec Center
3427 Club House Rd.
2/15/18  6:30 pm

Foodbank of Southeastern VA
800 Tidewater Dr.
2/26/18 6:30 pm

TCC Virginia Beach Joint Use Library
1700 College Cres.
2/22/18 6:30 pm

Credit the Basics
Williams Farm Rec Center
5252 Learning Circle
2/6/18 6:30 pm

Southside Aquatics Center
1750 Campostella Rd.
2/7/18 6:00 pm

TCC Portsmouth
120 Campus Dr.
2/13/18 6:30 pm

Virginia Beach Human Services
3432 Virginia Beach Blvd
2/8/18 6:30 pm

Oceanfront Library
700 Virginia Beach Blvd
2/17/18  1:00 pm

Norfolk Social Services
741 Monticello Ave. #106
2/26/18  12:00 pm

Virtual Class
2/28/18  6:00 pm

Check out our Calendar
Foul Weather
Snow may be fun for some, but for Bank On, it can keep us from meeting during our regular times.  Because our weather is unpredictable, Bank On's policy for weather is to cancel classes if the library systems in the city are closed. 
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You can also follow us on Facebook and we will update our weather related news there as well.   
Buy a Home!
Is home ownership one of your goals?  
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VHDA offers free home ownership classes each month.  Prepare yourself for all the details of the home buying process and understand the risks and rewards of owning your own home.  

LifeCents


Free Online Learning
Take your financial assessment and get a free financial courses customized for your interests and needs.  With LifeCents you can come back again and again to grow your knowledge and skills!
More Information
 
Join Our Mailing List
  
Don't fall for the hype you see on TV.  Advanced refunds can allow you to get immediate access to your refund, but it comes at a cost.  Did you know that tax refunds are often processed in two weeks or less?  By waiting just two extra weeks you could take advantage of FREE tax preparation by IRS certified volunteers AND you would save the costly fees associated with tax preparation and loan fees.  

We have resources you are really going to like in this newsletter.  Besides this newsletter there are some great resources listed in the Bank On Resource Guide as well.  Check them out. 

NEED HELP?  If you are a Bank On participant and need assistance to find a coach or to match a class with your schedule, give us a call!  We are here for you. Send us an email at [email protected] or Call Lori Irwin at 757-943-9652.

FOLLOW US NOW:

Bank On Twitter: @Bank_on 

Virginia Saves Twitter: @_VASaver_ 
Free DIY Taxes
Want free taxes from the comfort of your own home?  www.myfreetaxes.com can help you.  With 24/7 free telephone support it couldn't be easier to file your own taxes electronically.
In Person Tax Assistance
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

Hampton Roads has a number of free locations to file taxes.  Search for a tax site near you!  

 
Volunteer Training
Bank On Hampton Roads is one of the most awesome programs in the nation because volunteers make it possible for us to make this program free to you.  

Our Bank On participants are the best volunteers.  We offer a 20-hour training course to get you started.  The Master Financial Educator Volunteer class will prepare you for instruction or coaching with Bank On Hampton Roads.  A new class begins February 27th and meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm through March 29th.  In 5 weeks you can prepare to pay it forward to another generation of Bank On participants!



 
Graduation February 10, 2018
We are excited to recognize another group of participants who have completed their financial fitness challenge and have demonstrated improvements in savings, debt reduction and credit improvement.  Mark your calendars and join us for this exciting event. 


If you are in the midst of your financial freedom journey, results like this could be yours too.  If you are thinking about beginning your financial makeover, a new class begins in January! Register at www.bankonhr.org 
Credit Score Quiz
How much do you know about credit scores?  Take the credit score quiz to test your knowledge!


My Financial Well Being Free Online Course
Do you ever wish you knew more about personal finance? No matter where you are in your financial journey, there always is more to learn. Smart About Money's free online courses are a starting point to raise your financial IQ, to increase skills and knowledge related to personal finance, and to guide you to helpful resources.


Online course to get you started building your financial well being.  Click here
Art of Debt Management
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Free workshop, 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Learn about basic financial planning, building a spending plan, understanding your credit report and options for getting out of debt.

Class hosted by The UpCenter at 222 W. 19th St., Norfolk, VA.  To register or for more information contact Erica Ramjohn at 757-965-8640.
Bank On in Hampton Roads is dedicated to equipping citizens with resources and skills to strengthen their financial condition.  We are here for you.  Give us a call 757-943-9652.
  
Sincerely,
  

Lori Irwin
Bank On Hampton Roads