tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30588091473617650512024-03-05T22:48:08.983-05:00Free Money Ate My BrainI read so much b.s. about free money that I couldn't take it. Think about it. If money was easy to get, wouldn't more people have it? I couldn't take it any more. Find out the TRUTH about "free money."Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.comBlogger553125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-46955514524204406512016-11-14T17:10:00.002-05:002016-11-14T17:10:58.643-05:00Toledo Ohio Free Thanksgiving Dinners 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was ready to curse Catholic Charities for not making their list online and easy to link to, when I discovered that United Way's 211 already has such a link. <a href="http://www.referweb.net/211toledo/MatchList.aspx?c43604;;0;;N;0;0;Clothing,%20Food%20and%20Personal%20Items;Community%20Meals;0;Thanksgiving%20Meals;0;N">Click here</a> to find it. When it says "click here for details, it will open up to the specific information. As it happens, there are a couple of more locations here than in the Catholic Charities list. <br />
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My only beef is that Helping Hands of St. Louis did not update their info, so I will: It's lunch on Tuesday, November 22 from 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at 443 Sixth Street, in Toledo.<br />
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Have a great Thanksgiving!</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-29869715293476565642016-10-19T06:10:00.000-04:002016-10-19T06:10:13.156-04:00Your Cell Phone Options if You're Military, Moved or Deployed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cell phones are a great thing, unless you aren't in a place where you can use he., which happens to military personnel. What if you are deployed, or moved to a station where you can"t get reception?<br />
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The law has an answer for that. According to <a href="http://themilitarywallet.com/how-military-members-can-get-out-of-cell-phone-contracts/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=military_wallet&utm_content=Military+Absentee+Voting%2C+Cancel+Cell+Phone+Contract%2C+Veterans+Day+Preview">Military Wallet.</a>, the law allows active military personnel to cancel telephone contacts when moved to a place where reception is no longer possible, or deployed overseas. Also, check your phone contract and see if you are allowed to go into vacation mode if deployed, and under what circumstances.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-50956371859604158532015-11-21T13:28:00.001-05:002015-11-24T09:56:19.290-05:00Toledo Free Thanksgiving Meals--2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The listing is (finally) up, and<a href="http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/Diocesan/free-thanksgiving-meals-available-throughout-diocese.html"> here it is. </a><br />
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If your hometown has a 211, try calling, for look up the listings of "Thanksgiving meals." </div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-69192789488172023792015-09-30T22:27:00.002-04:002015-10-03T06:24:00.996-04:00Find Free Financial Planning Help for 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I wrote previously about an annual event run by the Foundation for Financial Planning, the Finial Planning Association, and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. It's an annual chance for people in several cities tot get free financial planning. In the fall of 2015 there are 22 cities where you can arrange to meet a financial planner for free. To find out where, see the <a href="httttp://www.financialplanningdays.com/">website</a> and call the toll free number for more information (877-861-7826).</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-32056744250307252522015-09-05T06:51:00.000-04:002015-09-05T06:51:53.751-04:00Christmas Assistance 2015 -Toledo and Other Places<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This the season (already) to look into Christmas assistance. Yesterday, the Salvation Army of Northwest Ohio sent out their literature for sign up. They will take applications October 5th through 9th from 11 am to 1 pm, and 1 pm through 3. They will also take them October 21-23 from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm, and October 20 from 11 am -7 pm at 620 N Erie Street. Call 419 241 1138 for all the documentation you need ahead of time, like proof of income and proof of children's identity.<br />
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Wherever you live, call 211 to find out the clearinghouse organization where you live. That's the central office that takes information for Christmas assistance. If you waited until close to Christmas, you may have to approach your local church to find assistance. If you live in southeastern Michigan, always go to Julie's <a href="http://julieslist.homestead.com/">Lis</a>t. They have the best and most comprehensive information for the area.<br />
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-36946670173404065182015-08-05T23:09:00.000-04:002015-08-09T01:38:25.423-04:00Tracking Down Free School Supplies in Toledo, 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's that time of year, when people in need of school supplies for their kids but short on cash look for programs. The problem is that some programs are pretty sporadic or one-time. Worst of all, if you Google it (which is probably how you ended up here), you will get old stories from the local online newspaper, with a current date at the top! What to do?<br />
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You can call your local church or Salvation Army office to see if they know of a church or charity that is running a school supply program. Better yet, try your local 211 number or <a href="http://www.211.org/">website</a>. If you can, search under "free school supplies" it's a United Way subject heading--and you will find a listing of organizations known to UW as givers in this particular field. For instance, I did this in the Toledo 211 website, and it lead to this <a href="http://www.referweb.net/211toledo/MatchList.aspx?k;Toledo,%20Lucas%20County;38901;;N;0;104170;Free%20School%20Supplies;school%20supplies;Partial;502439">link</a>. Or, if you are in Detroit or southeast Michigan, try <a href="http://julieslist.homestead.com/Educational.html">Julie's</a> List's rundown on free/cheap supplies, including computers.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-50053798097030459342015-08-02T08:59:00.002-04:002015-08-02T08:59:41.682-04:00Celebrate a Tax Holiday Near You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ohio will have its first tax holiday ever the weekend of <a href="http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx">August</a> 7-9, 2015. It will give sales tax exemptions for clothing and shoes under $75, as well as school supplies and instructional materials under $20. For more information, call 1 800 304 3211.<br />
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This will be a first time ever for Ohio, but other states have had them for years. Here's a list of all the sales tax holidays in various American <a href="http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html">states</a> for 2015. As noted, many are created to give parents a break on school supplies and are timed accordingly. However, some in the south support the purchase of hurricane supplies, and the forward-thinking states of Georgia and Virginia also give a break on the purchase of Energy Star appliances. Tennessee gives a break on computer purchases. Check on your state and go to the listed state websites for more detailed information on what is allowed, and what's not. </div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-38165015309859823402015-06-20T22:27:00.000-04:002015-06-20T22:27:15.763-04:00Free Refrigerators for Low Income Toledoans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you are looking for energy cutting deals, the place to start is your <a abp="57" href="http://freemoneyatemybrain.blogspot.com/search/label/energy%20efficiency">local</a> energy provider. They often do free or low cost energy audits, and may get you started with low cost energy saving bulbs or weatherproofing strips, for instance. </div>
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In Toledo, NeighborWorks, a local nonprofit providing help in housing and weatherization, is teaming up with First Energy to provide free Energy Star refrigerators to low income Toledo residents with energy sucking fridges. If you meet the income limits, they will test your refrigerator. If it uses three or more kilowatts over two hours, you can get a new refrigerator. </div>
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Those income levels are 200% of the poverty level--about $23,000 for a household of one, $48,500 for a family of four. This is a limited offer. For more information, call NeighborWorks at 419 6912900.</div>
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-6998009357313456932015-05-02T23:34:00.000-04:002015-05-02T23:34:03.342-04:00Getting Assistance for the Donut Hole in Prescription Drugs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A big worry for people who are covered by part D prescription coverage is the dreaded <a href="http://www.ehealthmedicare.com/medicare-part-d-prescription/donut-hole/">donut</a> hole--the part after initial coverage, that drops coverage, before the cost is covered again. Is there any assistance available for this cost? Sometimes, in some circumstances, there is.<br />
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By 2020, the Affordable Health Care Act will gradually erase the donut hole. Until then, some patient assistance programs set up by drugmakers to help uninsured and underinsured people will help with the donut hole. RxAssist has a <a href="http://www.rxassist.org/docx/medicare-and-paps">page</a> devoted to specific drug manufacturers and the drugs for which they will prove donut hole assistance.<br />
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The Patient Advocates Foundation also has a <a href="http://www.copays.org/">copay</a> assistance fund for <a href="http://www.copays.org/diseases">several</a> potentially catastrophic illnesses. Check this list and see if you qualify, and apply <a href="http://www.copays.org/patients">online</a>.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-60657185811284432972015-04-09T22:45:00.000-04:002015-04-10T13:48:06.036-04:00Historic Home Preservation Loans in Toledo, Cleveland Dirt Cheap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The <a abp="247" href="http://co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?nid=2063">Lucas County Land Bank</a>, created to keep neighborhoods from sinking under the weight of delinquent and abandoned properties, has grown and flourished. Current programs include grants for new roofs for low-income homeowners (only through June 2015), chance to get side lots, land for gardens, and their newest cool thing.</div>
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The <a abp="303" href="http://co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?NID=2722">Heritage</a> Home Program gives low-cost loans to homeowners with historic homes to restore their homes along historically appropriate lines. That means no aluminum siding and other stuff that messes up historic authenticity, but free consultation with experts, recommendations to qualified contractors, and loans as low as 3.5%. </div>
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In Cleveland, the <a abp="307" href="http://www.heritagehomeprogram.org/">Heritage Home Program offers </a>similar help to owners of historic residences in the metropolitan Cleveland area. They offer help with consultants, low-cost loans, and even purchasing. If you love historic homes in these two towns, they awe worth a look. If you live elsewhere, contact <a abp="311" href="http://www.preservationdirectory.com/preservationorganizationsresources/organizationcategories.aspx">your local preservation society to find out if there is a similar organization near you.</a></div>
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-13170196372796392072015-03-10T03:35:00.001-04:002015-03-10T03:35:36.463-04:00Gowns for Stillborn and Other Infant Burial, and How Toledoans Can Help<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Awhile back, we wrote about an organization, <a abp="53" href="http://www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com/">Heavenly</a> Angels in Need, that made gowns for the burial of infants. Just today, an article appeared in the Toledo Blade about a Toledo area organization, <a abp="144" href="http://www.gabrielsgowns.org/">Gabriel's</a> Gowns, that also creates infant shrouds from donated wedding dresses and donates them to local health organizations for the parents of stillborn children and infants who die shortly after birth. Toledoans who wish to donate their wedding gowns can drop them off at March of Dimes offices located at 3450 W, Central Ave. Suite 352 in Toledo Ohio.</div>
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<span abp="233"><span abp="234" style="line-height: 27px;">Drop off times are Tuesdays from 1-6, and Thursdays from 8-12, or call them at 567-298-4825 to make an appointment.You can also see the website if you wish to volunteer to sew gowns.</span></span></div>
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<span abp="236"><span abp="237" style="line-height: 27px;">For more sources of help when losing an infant, see this <a abp="239" href="http://www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com/index.php?showtopic=5444">site</a>.</span></span></div>
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-61053623609046604232015-02-20T21:36:00.004-05:002015-03-04T13:09:07.320-05:00Save Through a Credit Union, Hit the Lottery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While everybody who can count on their fingers knows that saving is a surer road to money than playing the lottery, the lure of the big score makes lotteries fat and savings slim. Often, savings institutions and their fees make savings an unattractive idea. But some credit unions in four states--Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina and Washington--are offering savers in their credit unions the chance to have their savings cake, and eat some lottery winnings.</div>
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Here's how it works: if you start an account, you get a chance to win a lottery held at least once a year. The more you save, the more chances you get to win. You. get another "ticket" with each $25 in savings. So the more you save, the better your chances of winning. </div>
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Where are these.credit unions? Right now, they are in those four states and can be found in this <a abp="194" href="http://www.savetowin.org/#">directory.</a> But there may be more in the future, since <a abp="274" href="http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/14/pf/lottery-savings-accounts/">federal</a> laws are allowing more states to create laws that enable "save to win" accounts. See if a nearby credit union offers this option.</div>
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-67268091618962241092015-02-11T21:49:00.000-05:002015-02-11T21:49:37.272-05:00Interest Free Loans to Fix Homes in Detroit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Fixing up your Detroit home just got easier. In the state of the city address, Mayor Duggan announced a program to give <a abp="153" href="http://www.detroithomeloans.org/">zero</a> interest loans to Detroit homeowners who have owned their homes at least six months before applying. Low income homeowners are qualified within any area in the city. Within certain <a abp="59" href="http://www.detroithomeloans.org/eligibility-guidelines/">qualifying</a> areas, all homeowners may qualify.</div>
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However, you must have a minimum credit score of 560. If you don't, you can get credit counseling to help improve your credit. The loans are between $5000 and $25000. The loans concentrate on health and safety improvements.</div>
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Applications will be available in March, online or at the city's recreation centers, neighborhood intake centers, and neighborhood district manager's offices. For more information, call the Detroit Planning and Development Center at 313) 224-2560.</div>
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-36498464658676742422015-02-02T20:59:00.003-05:002015-02-02T20:59:44.565-05:00Get Free Help Filling Out FAFSA Forms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This coming Sunday, there will be free help to students around the country in filling out the federal student aid forms (FAFSA). <a abp="271" href="http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org/Pages/default.aspx">College</a> Goal Sunday will be observed this year on February 8th at locations all around the country. Find the place <a abp="325" href="http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org/studentsFamilies/pages/where.aspx">closest</a> to you and contact them about getting assistance on the 8th.</div>
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Even if you can't get there Sunday, the <a abp="381" href="http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org/Pages/default.aspx">College</a> Goal page is a great source of information. For instance, did you know that you can apply for FAFSA even if your parents are <a abp="53" href="http://blog.collegegoalsundayusa.org/Pages/U.S.-Born-Students-With-Undocumented-Parents-Can-Submit-the-FAFSA.aspx">undocumented</a>? Or the newest online practice <a abp="109" href="http://blog.collegegoalsundayusa.org/Pages/2015-16-FAFSA-Worksheet-Is%20Now-Available%20Online.aspx">sheet</a>? The blog page is a cornucopia of goodies for families and students. </div>
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And while you're at it, check out this listing of state student <a abp="165" href="http://www.fafsa.com/student-financial-aid/state-based-aid-programs">financial</a> aid. Many states have financial aid unique to their students. </div>
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-44764624441177315822015-01-19T20:56:00.001-05:002015-01-19T20:56:23.381-05:00Now's the Time for Free Tax Preparation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The new tax season is the time for tax prep, and for low and moderate income taxpayers, free tax preparation is available. Finding out where is as easy as dialing 1-800-906-9887, or seeing this <a href="http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/">website </a>and putting in your zip code. They are best able to tell you if you are due an earned income credit (or working, low income people), or how the new health care law affects your return.<br />
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This <a href="http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Checklist-for-Free-Tax-Return-Preparation">site </a>has a list of what to bring so that your preparer can work on the forms. And while you won't get an instant tax refund, you won't lose a chunk of it to the preparer, like you will if your taxes <br />
are prepared at an "instant tax return" place. Check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ySfg26Y78A">video that explains the trouble of these instant return places--you lose a piece of your returns before you </a>even get it.<br />
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In the Toledo area, getting an appointment with a tax preparer is as easy as dialing 211. If you have a household income of less than $53,000 give them a call.<br />
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-46848472550658398392015-01-09T22:47:00.002-05:002015-01-10T10:25:49.646-05:00Still Bonuses Available for Ohio Veterans of Afghanistan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While the deadline has passed for Ohio veterans to apply for a bonus for service in <a href="https://veteransbonus.ohio.gov/odvs_web/">Iraq</a>, veterans of the conflict of Afghanistan are still eligible to apply for a bonus. The president has only declared an end to hostilities in that country recently, and a deadline for veterans in that country has not yet been announced. So check the website, or call 1-877-644-6838.<br />
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If you have filed for a bonus as a veteran of Iraq, you need all your documentation ready and submitted by June 30</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-52325681826635889892015-01-03T10:44:00.000-05:002015-02-21T11:13:38.066-05:00Cheaper Water for the Elderly Poor in Toledo, and More Water News<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Water and its cost is converging in the news. In December, the Toledo City Council passed a law to increase the water price deduction for low income, 65 or over or permanently disabled Toledoans. The deduction for elderly or disabled Toledoans is 25%, but for low income people in those groups, the deduction will be increased to 40%. Contact the <a href="http://co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?NID=2246">Lucas </a>County Utility Department for more information.<br />
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Meanwhile, the brains behind the <a href="http://www.detroitwaterproject.org/">Detroit Water Project, which matches Detroiters in danger of having their water shut off with donors, </a>is still in business and is reaching out to nonprofit groups in the city to find more Detroiters that need help. They are also considering spreading their work to other cities, so stay tuned. In an email, they said that they have come to believe that it's not just a Detroit issue, but a national one.<br />
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Speaking of such, New Jersey governor Chris Christie has a bill on this desk which makes it easier for cities to sell their water utilities to private firms, bypassing the former requirement that voters must directly vote on it. What could possibly go wrong? Stay tuned.<br />
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If you live anywhere else and need help, consult you <a href="http://www.211.org/">211 </a>service in your home town, and look under "water service payment assistance." </div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-20986491068154014832014-12-26T21:54:00.002-05:002014-12-26T21:54:47.566-05:00Legit Flexible Work Opportunities, for At Home Work, and Opportunities for Veterans <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Everybody seems to look for legitimate work at home opportunities. <a href="http://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/100-top-companies-for-remote-jobs/#sthash.tJ3TY8Dk.dpbs">Flexjobs</a> created a list of the top 100 top flex time and at home employers. Of these is Xerox, which now has a program of at home work for veterans and the spouses of service members. The <a href="http://www.xerox.com/jobs/military-leadership/enus.html">Heroes</a> @Home program aims to provide home employment for veterans and military spouses. <br />
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In the meantime, look out for the scams. Here are some <a href="http://careercenter.umich.edu/article/spotting-fraudulent-employerspostings">clues</a>.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-69698917866803050392014-12-19T07:31:00.002-05:002014-12-19T07:31:55.267-05:00Older Adult Job Training In the Toledo Area<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had written awhile back about Owens College's grant to help train older unemployed people for reemployment. When I did a commentator noted that those programs often take the form of training for low wage jobs. Indeed, the program announced recently seems to somewhat bear that out. According to the <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2014/10/25/Job-training-for-older-unemployed.html">Blade</a>, Owens will provide free training in the fields of substitute teaching, clerical work and special education aide, with successful program graduates getting an interview with Renhill Group Staffing. For more information, call Gary Corrigan at 419-254-2863.<br />
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A colleague of mine who had to pay towards the training she needed for her teaching certificate out of her own pocket said she would have found this a godsend, so your mileage may vary. In any case, it's mostly better paying than minimum wage. But it does demonstrate that "free money" and "free programs" are not free-form--they come with lots of conditions.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-19159832854402612482014-12-09T06:18:00.000-05:002015-06-20T22:10:56.465-04:00New Refrigerators for People With Old Energy Suckers in Detrot and Some Other Places<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thanks to <a href="http://julieslist.homestead.com/">Julie's</a> List we find this gem: the nonprofit CLEARcorp in Detroit is making it possible for DTE electrical customers within the income guidelines who have pre-2001 fridges to get new <a href="http://clearcorpsdetroit.org/our-programs/refrigerator-replacement/">energy</a>-efficient Frigidaire refrigerators. See the website for details and an application. And how do you know if your fridge is that old? See the website appliance411.com to learn how to find the age of your refrigerator. Also available for a short time in <a href="http://ytown.org/index.php/ytown-news/419-free-refrigerator-replacement-program">Washtenaw</a> County, Michigan.<br />
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Users of Puget Sound Energy may qualify for a free fridge or a free washer, if their current appliances are old enough. See their website for <a href="http://www.pse.com/SAVINGSANDENERGYCENTER/FORHOMES/Pages/Free-Appliance-Replacement.aspx">details</a>. Pacify Gas and Electric make a brief mention on their <a href="http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/saveenergymoney/financialassistance/energysavingsassistanceprogram/index2.page">website</a>, bit I can't determine if this program is currently available thought them for their customers. These programs may be in place, and then fade when the sponsor runs out of grant money or appliances. <br />
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The best way to find out what's available in your area is through these <a href="http://www.liheap.ncat.org/snapshots.htm">liheap</a> program snapshots in your state. It can help you identify likely sources of he to contact.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-38180990442550456002014-11-13T08:44:00.005-05:002014-11-24T11:40:58.561-05:00Free Thanksgiving Meal Sites for 2014--Northwest Ohio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The free sites for Thanksgiving meals in <a href="http://toledodiocese.org/images/uploads/page_assets/Communications/2014%20%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner%20Sites%20List%20%28Toledo%29.pdf">Toledo, Ohio</a> and <a href="http://toledodiocese.org/images/uploads/page_assets/Communications/Dinners%20Outside%20Toledo%202014.pdf">some other northwest Ohio cities</a> are available, courtesy of the Toledo Diocese. For sites in other places, find your <a href="http://www.211.org/">211 area</a> (much of the country is covered by 211) and check under the heading "Thanksgiving Meals," under "community meals." In Toledo, for instance, it will get you <a href="http://www.referweb.net/211toledo/MatchList.aspx?c43612;Toledo,%20Lucas%20County;38901;;;0;1;Clothing,%20Food%20and%20Personal%20Items;Community%20Meals;648;Thanksgiving%20Meals">this.</a> And the Toledo <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/11/22/Volunteers-prepare-serve-free-Thanksgiving-meal-for-those-in-need.html">Blade</a> has more sites. And <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/11/22/Where-holiday-meals-are-being-served-in-Toledo-area.html">more Toledo sites</a>.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-26744059344609788712014-11-10T22:38:00.000-05:002014-11-10T22:38:05.050-05:00Another Place for Unclaimed Funds--Credit Unions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've covered several possible sources of unclaimed <a href="http://freemoneyatemybrain.blogspot.com/search/label/unclaimed%20funds">funds</a>, but another is credit unions. If you had money in a federally insured credit union that went belly up, you may have money coming to you. Check out the National Credit Union Administration <a href="http://www.ncua.gov/resources/am/pages/unclaimeddeposits.aspx">website</a>. It describes the regulations on find distribution for failing credit unions, and has an attachment with the names of credit union members with unclaimed funds.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-81218252979707140122014-11-07T05:49:00.001-05:002014-11-08T08:42:17.281-05:00Free Veteran's Day Meals, 2014 and Free Cat Microchipping in Detroit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two items: a big list of free and discounted meals for veterans in honor of Veteran's Day 2014 can be found at the <a href="http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/">Military</a> Wallet. Be sure to read the part about proof of eligibility. The site also has excellent stuff about military benefits and other financial info for veterans.<br />
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And the Michigan Humane Society is offering free <a href="http://www.michiganhumane.org/site/News2/1368052807?page=NewsArticle&id=37805&news_iv_ctrl=0">microchipping</a> for 2000 cats on a first come first serve basis. Microchipping helps positively identify lost pets. For a list of more financial help for pet owners, see these <a href="http://freemoneyatemybrain.blogspot.com/search/label/pets">Freemoneyatemybrain</a> entries.<br />
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If you live in the Cincinnati area, check out the Pet Alliance of Ohio's <a href="http://www.petalliance.org/microchip_ohio.html">Microchip</a> Ohio program, which is starting a pilot program of low cost microchipping in Ohio. </div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-45007142653581377042014-10-31T21:36:00.001-04:002014-11-08T08:38:28.950-05:00Help for Veterans Looking. to Own a Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Besides home ownership programs available from state <a href="https://www.ncsha.org/advocacy-and-issues">agencies</a>, some private nonprofits are working to provide home ownership opportunities for veterans. Among them is Operation <a href="http://www.homesonthehomefront.org/">Homefront</a>, which has a program called Homes on the <a href="http://www.homesonthehomefront.org/">Homefront</a>. Honorably discharged veterans who are not current homeowners, and who have no felony convictions, may be eligible for a donated home. For more information, call 210-659-7756.<br />
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For wounded veterans, or the Gold Star spouse, Military Warriors have a program, <a href="http://www.militarywarriors.org/openhomes">Homes</a> 4Wounded Heroes, which matches donated homes to wounded veterans who need a home and do not currently carry a mortgage. Besides matching them with donated, mortgage-free homes, they also provide up to 3 years of financial counseling.<br />
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<span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.purplehearthomesusa.org/application-for-Assistance">Purple</a></span> Heart Homes Service connects disabled veterans to donated homes, or, in the event that a disabled veteran is living in a home that needs to be modified for the veteran's disability, helps provide those modifications. For new home owners, the veteran assumes 50% of the home's mortgage.<br />
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<a href="http://www.homestrongusa.org/">Homestrong</a> USA has many housing programs, but one in particular for veterans, the Homestrong for Heroes. This is not a gift of a donated home, but counseling and downpayment or closing cost assistance and financial counseling. For more information, call 877-647-8764.<br />
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Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3058809147361765051.post-31095415423344059032014-10-26T21:12:00.002-04:002014-10-26T21:12:53.729-04:00Unclaimed Money Scams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've written about unclaimed funds before, and the fact that you don't need a go-between to find yours. Like a tasty onion, unclaimed funds have many layers: <a href="http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Government-Unclaimed-Money.shtml">federal</a> funds like unclaimed pensions or federal mortgage insurance, <a href="http://www.missingmoney.com/">state</a> funds like unclaimed insurance funds and bank accounts. We've even done a piece on <a href="http://freemoneyatemybrain.blogspot.com/2011/12/more-unclaimed-funds-on-county-level.html">local</a> unclaimed funds like jury duty pay.<br />
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But some low-down scammers are trying to get more than money for something you can get for free--they want to steal your identity. According to a <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2014/10/22/unclaimed-funds-scam-making-the-rounds.html">story</a> in the Columbus Dispatch, scammers are calling people, telling them that they may have unclaimed funds IF they can just give them a Social Security number...<br />
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People, never give your Social Security number to anybody, and remember that nobody from a government office will contact you about unclaimed funds. You need to search them out yourself, using some of the sites listed <a href="http://freemoneyatemybrain.blogspot.com/search/label/unclaimed%20funds">here</a>. And good luck.</div>
Linda Kosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927906843400187572noreply@blogger.com0