Make the most of your refund
Are you wondering how to make the most of refund? Maybe you want to save for your child’s education, pay down debt, or even start an emergency fund. Even saving a little bit of money can help you get ahead, or feel more prepared for big purchases like a car or computer. You’ve earned your refund and here are some great ways to make that money go even further!

Utah Saves

All over Utah, people just like you are proving that you don’t have to be rich to get ahead. As members of Utah Saves, they are paying off their debts, and saving to reach their financial goals. Utah Saves is a FREE program that provides tips and tools like a budget calculator to help you set goals, develop strategies to reach those goals, and start saving. All you have to do is to develop a specific saving goal and let Utah Saves help you achieve your goal.
Click Here to enroll now or call 2-1-1 or the Money Mentor hotline at 1-800-350-9899. http://www.utahsaves.org/

AAA Fair Credit Foundation

AAA Fair Credit Foundation (FCF), founded in 1997, is an accredited multi-service 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote economic self-reliance and financial stability for individuals, families and communities. FCF provides free confidential financial counseling, bankruptcy and foreclosure prevention counseling, debt management relief programs, credit building education, homebuyer education, money management training and access to mainstream financial services.
Click Here for more information: www.faircredit.org

Utah Individual Development Account Network

Everyone needs a helping hand every once in a while. Lack of income means you don’t get by; lack of assets means you don’t get ahead. We believe in the power of saving. UIDAN helps working families build their personal safety net by providing a $3-for-$1 savings match and financial management skills training. Everyone can save - some just need a boost. While the matched savings is the centerpiece of an IDA, the program has several other critical components including mandatory financial management training, budget and lifestyle planning, financial counseling, debt management, innovative financial products, and asset-specific training.
Click Here to learn more about UIDAN: www.uidan.org

Savings Bonds

Need an extra helping hand in saving, but don’t want to put it in a bank account? Then consider purchasing a savings bond with your refund. The bonds earn guaranteed interest over 30 years, and keep your money safe. You can choose to save part or all (up to $5,000) of your refund through savings bonds, and we can help you buy them for yourself or family member right at the VITA site. Click Here to learn more about buying Savings Bonds with your refund.

Prepaid Debit Card

Replace the paragraph with this: Don’t pay high fees to cash your refund checks at a check-cashing store! With a prepaid Western Union debit card, you can pay your bills quickly and easily – it’s accepted wherever MasterCard is accepted. And if it’s lost or stolen, it can be replaced, and you won’t be held liable for unauthorized charges. You can’t do that with cash. Plus, you can view all your transactions securely online. Can your check cashing store do that?
Click here for more information.

Power Pay

PowerPay Online is the website to use for consumers who want to build a self-directed debt elimination plan. Developed by Utah State University Extension the site is both secure and free for anyone that would like to use it. The principles behind PowerPay are straight-forward: (1)No new debt; (2) Keep the total amount going towards debt repayment constant until all debts are repaid; and (3) when one debt is paid off, add that payment amount to another debt until it is paid off and continue the process until all debts are gone. Consumers enter the balance, monthly payment and interest rates for the debts they want to eliminate and the program projects how quickly they can be debt free and how much in interest costs they can save. Being able to see the possibilities for themselves has proven to be very motivating. Thousands of consumers around the world have used the site to help them gain better control of their finances. To take control of your money and pay down your debt Click Here:
www.powerpay.org

BELIEVE Campaign

Are you recently married and thinking of buying a home? Are you getting ready for retirement? Perhaps you are ready to start saving for your child’s education. No matter where you’re at in your life the BELIEVE Campaign is there to support you. This website is a searchable user-friendly database of financial resources. You can search by life stage (birth, marriage, college, etc) or you can search by topic (buying a home, debt, credit). No matter your issue the BELIEVE Campaign wants to connect you with the right resources and organizations.
Click Here to learn more about the BELIEVE Campaign: www.believeinyourfuture.org

Utah Education Savings Plan

It’s never too early to start saving for the college education of your children or grandchildren. Now is an ideal time to start. The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) is a simple, sound plan to stretch your child's educational dollars and provide some wonderful tax incentives. Savings grow free from state and federal income taxes. Plus, Utah residents receive a 5% tax credit up to $1,710 per beneficiary! There isn’t an easier way to save for your kids’ education.
Visit www.uesp.org to start investing in your kids’ future today.