Why do we save money? Plan now for what you will need, want in future
Sometimes in life we can get busy
and overwhelmed. Blowing off steam
by hitting the mall, going out to dinner
or heading off for a day of pampering
may seem perfectly reasonable at the
moment. But sometimes all we need to
do is remember why we are working hard
and saving money.
Here are three main reasons for work
ing hard, cutting the budget and saving as
much as possible:
Control over life situations. Emer
gency savings helps us avoid ups and
1.
2.
3.
downs in the market and inevitable
unforeseen expenses.
Flexibility to splurge once in a while.
Splurges will seem sweeter and more
like a reward if they happen less often.
Retirement. Have you thought about
how and when you are going to retire?
What if you could retire early?
Next, figure out what it’s going to take
to achieve those goals. No sense in having
a vision with no idea of how to achieve it!
How much do you need to save for early
retirement? How long would it take you to
pay off all your debt? How much money
do you need for an emergency fund?
So why are you saving?
Use this information to
keep you motivated.
I challenge you to sit down right now
and write down what you want out of life.
What is your vision of your future? What
are your goals?
Do you want the Starbucks or can
you save that daily coffee money for a
dinner out? Do you want another gadget
that will seem useless in a year or can you
put the extra money toward debt? Would
you rather have McDonald’s on the run
or early retirement?
Instead of tucking this information
away, use it in everyday decisions to keep
you going. Put your written goals and
your action plan in plain sight so it can
help remind you to stay on track.
If saving money and buying a house is
in your 2012 goals, contact Yvonne Mess
mer, Tribal housing finance manager, at
503-390-9494 or 888-870-9051 to find
out about the Siletz Saves! IDA Program.
Personal Finance and Real Estate
Yvonne Messmer, Housing Finance Manager • 503-390-9494 or toll-free 888-870-9051
If homebuying is a goal for you but you aren’t ready yet:
if you are ready to buy a home:
Siletz Saves! IDA Program
Down Payment Assistance Program
If you aren't ready to buy yet and at least one of these situations sounds like
you, Siletz Saves! might be perfect for you:
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I have some credit issues to clean up.
I don’t have enough income to make a mortgage payment.
I don’t understand how everything works.
I’m still in school but nearly finished.
The IDA Program is a matched savings program. It helps low-income Tribal
members understand their credit, correct credit issues and save toward the
purchase of a first home. Participants make regular deposits into an individual
development account or IDA. The amount saved is then matched $3 for every
$1 saved - a 300 percent return! Participants must save for at least six months
up to three years and attend financial fitness classes.
Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)?
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Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years?
Is my current income reliable?
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Do I have a good record of paying my bills?
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Do I have few or no outstanding debts (like car payments)?
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Do I have some money saved?
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Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be ready. Give me
a call to find out about the Down Payment Assistance Program. It helps with
closing costs and a down payment when purchasing your first home.
Volunteer with
Healthy Traditions!
L earning G arden
March 14, 2012, Noon-2pm, Portland Area Office
E stablished J une 2,2011
It is hard to believe that over a year has gone by since we first came together as a commu
nity and said: Lets work together to make Lori Johnsons’ vision of a learning garden be
come a reality. With love, hard work, and support from many, including; Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians, Portland State University, Multnomah County Water and Con
servation, Siletz Tribal Elders, Portland Area Office Stall.
The garden was planted last June and is now beginning to show signs of renew al and
grow th. We are pleased to invite you to join us lor a special Diabetic Luncheon, March
14, 201 2, Noon to 2:00 PM, for the official dedication of the Learning Garden. Come
see the garden, learn about the plants, and the new plaque. We hope this garden w ill be
the first of many gardens at Siletz Tribal properties, that feature native plants used by our
ancestors for food and medicine, so that Lori’s dream that all Siletz tribal vouth will grow
up knowing how to use and recognize our sacred plants.
For more information, call Verdene McGuire or Sherry Addis at 503-238-1512.
Join us at the next
Healthy Traditions
Steering Committee
Meeting on
Tuesday, March 6th
1 -2:30pm
Siletz Clinic
U N I V I a S IT Y
Portland Lets Get Cooking !
Learn simple and time-saving cooking tips in this weeklv class.
These are very fun classes and the seats go fast, so be the first
to sign up by callingVerdene McGuire at (503) 238-1512.
You will be glad you did!
Eugene Bread Making Class!
Wednesday, March 21 st, 1-3:30 p.m.
At the Siletz Eugene Area Office
Learn the fundamentals of bread making in an easy, healthy
way. This class is suitable for beginners as well as more experi
enced bakers. To sign up, call Adrienne Crookes or Nora Wil
liams at 541-484-4234.
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Lori Johnson Memorial Learning Garden
Dedication Ceremony
Portland State
16
You can find out by asking yourself some questions:
Siletz New»
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March 2012
For more information,
contact Sharia Robinson
541-444-9627
Portland Garden Club
3rd Tuesday of the Month, 5:30-7:30pm
s- j Contact: Verdene McGuire or Sherry Addis at 503-238-1 512.
Salem Garden Classes
Seed planting, growing sprouts and terrariums. For dates and
times, contact Bev Owen or Cecilia Tolentino at 503-390-9494.
Eugene Tree Fruit Classes
March 3rd and March 17th
Eugene CompostWorkshops
March 10th and March 17th
Contact: Adrienne Crookes at 541-484-4234.
Siletz Valley School Garden
Volunteer gardeners needed for new Garden-to-Lunch program
C heryl Schriver 541-444-1100 or Sharia Robinson 541-444-9627