Starting Thursday, Sept. 21, New Ventures Maine and Boothbay Region Community Navigator are partnering to offer My Money Works, a free five-week class that will help participants gain the skills and confidence to stretch their money, pay bills, reduce debt, find money for savings, plan for retirement, and set personal financial goals.

The class will be held on Thursdays from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., meeting for four sessions from Sept. 21 through Oct. 12. Classes take place at the Community Navigator office, which is hosted by LincolnHealth/Maine Health and located on the St. Andrews Campus, located at 6 St. Andrews Lane in Boothbay Harbor.

Pre-registration is required, and there is no fee for the training. For more information or to register, contact Erica Quin-Easter at New Ventures Maine at 386-1664, email erica.quineaster@maine.edu, or register online at newventuresmaine.org.

My Money Works is open to individuals, couples, and people of all ages and incomes. Anyone who is interested in gaining greater control over their money is welcome.

Erica Quin-Easter, trainer for the class, says, “This course helps you take control over your money, instead of your money controlling you. Whether you are trying to make ends meet now or planning for your long-term goals, you will leave this class with a plan to achieve greater financial stability.”

Participants in recent classes say about My Money Works:

• I have a much better grasp on the things that are important to think about and keep track of and plan for my money. After the last class, I opened three new savings accounts so that I can reach my goals of being more stable throughout the year (short-term savings), have an emergency fund (long-term), and save for paying my school bills.
• I feel like I have the tools I need now to be more financially responsible. I plan on refreshing my budget and sticking to it. I also plan on starting an emergency fund.
• Thanks to this training, I will be able to repair my credit and move forward to improving my financial health.
• The “real life” way everything was presented in the class made a difference. It made it easy to relate.
• The group was supportive and respectful, easy to talk to. It was a great class with a wealth of information.

Successful completion of the My Money Works class also meets one of the requirements for the Rainy Day Savings program, a matched-savings program that enables eligible individuals and families to double their savings with a matching grant of up to $300 for emergency expenses, as well as requirements for the Family Development Account program, a matched-savings program to save for business development, your college education, first-time home ownership, car purchase or repair, home repair, or emergency savings.

For more information and to find classes around the state, see newventuresmaine.org or call 1-800-442-2092.