Stretch Your Dollar Day Saturday March 2nd Will Offer Free Workshops to Help Make Ends Meet.

Bangor, Maine - Stretch Your Dollar Day is a free public event for anyone interested in learning more
about a variety of topics on how to "stretch your dollar". A coalition of local community partners
including Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Eastern Maine CA$H Coalition, Greater Bangor Asset
Disability Network, Tri-County Career Center and United Way of Eastern Maine have organized a day of
exhibits, workshops, free tax preparation, asset coaching and networking to help people in the Greater
Bangor Region make their money go farther.
The event will take place from 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Eastport Hall, 128 Texas Ave. in
Bangor on the University of Maine Augusta’s Bangor campus.

The flexible schedule will allow participants to drop in for one workshop or attend the full day.
Throughout the day trained Asset Coaches will be available to provide one-on-one coaching and
information on local resources that will stretch your dollar. Free tax preparation is available by
appointment; Call United Way at 941-2800 to schedule a tax preparation appointment. Organizers
recommend registering for the event by calling United Way, however walk-ins are welcome.

9:00-10:00 AM Keynote, Jane Searles of Woman Work and Community and exhibitors featuring
programs and resources to help save you money. Exhibitors include Maine Housing, Pine Tree Legal,
Consumer Credit Counseling, Alpha One (and mPower), Maine Educational Opportunity Center and
many more.

10:00-10:45 AM concurrent workshops.

1. Work & Your Disability Benefits: If you have said “I want to work but I’m not sure what will
happen to my disability benefits.”

2. Bangor on a Budget: Who says you can’t have fun on a shoestring? Bangor on a Budget shows
you how it’s done!

3. Home Ownership: MaineStream Finance staff will discuss planning for home ownership.

4. Invest in Yourself: Learn tips on saving, develop a plan, set goals, cut expenses and “pay yourself
first.”

11:00-11:45 AM concurrent workshops.

1. Paying for Your Education: Education is expensive! A panel of experts share strategies for
funding post-secondary training.

2. Extreme Couponing: Learn tips and tricks – some tried and true and many new - for saving
money by clipping coupons.

3. Self-employment: Learn the steps for starting your own business. Find out where you can get
help for all stages of managing it all

4. Lower Your Energy Costs: Learn about the top 10 ways renters and homeowners can reduce
their energy costs.

11:45 AM-12:45 PM Free lunch and exhibitors. Area professionals will be on hand to answer your
money and budget related questions.

12:45-1:30 PM Concurrent Workshops.

1. Family Development Accounts: A savings account with a 4-1 match? Learn how to access this
program to fund your future.

2. Eat Well for Less: With grocery prices rising, learn how to eat nutritiously AND save money at
the same time.

3. Dress for Success for Less: Look great, feel confident, make a good impression without breaking
the bank.

4. A Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Car: Do you dread car shopping? Learn from the experience of a
savvy car-shopper.

For more information call United Way of Eastern Maine at 941-2800.