Innovative Changes
The New Year Issue: Save on Taxes, Boost Your Credit Score, and Keep Your Resolutions
January 2014


The new year is here, and January is a great time to pause and think about your finances from several different angles. This issue of Innovative Connections is intended to help you do just that:  
  • Get on track for keeping your financial resolutions
  • Find out if you qualify for tax credits and deductions
  • Learn how to boost your credit score
taxes

Remember that each month you can check out our resources blog for information on these topics and more!


All the best,

 

Innovative Changes
Upcoming Workshops & Orientations
Our next Financial Household Resiliency workshops will go for 4 Tuesdays in a row starting:
 
Our next IDA Orientations will take place on:
- Friday, February 7th, 10-11am
- Thursday Feb. 20th, 5:30-6:30pm
Register here.
 
Our next Credit Builder Loan Orientation will be held:
- January 8th, 5:30-6:30pm
Register here. 
 

Keeping Your Financial Resolutions in 2014

 

Want some tips for sticking to your financial resolution for 2014? The New York Times has a great article on mind hacks you can use to achieve your new year's resolutions. Check out the Innovative Changes resource blog for ways to apply behavioral economics to your financial goals.

Find a Free Tax Site Near You
 
Want to get your taxes done for free, but not sure where to go? Look no further! The Cash Oregon website has a free tax preparation locator on their website here. You can also call 211 to find a location near you.
Get Matched up with a Financial Coach
 
Want to get in control of your money but aren't sure where to start? Do you know someone who would like extra accountability when working towards their financial goals? Sign up to get matched up with a financial coach.

This year we are growing our coaching program to reach more people through trained volunteer financial coaches.

Get connected with a coach today or find out about becoming a coach yourself by contacting katie@innovativechanges.org or visiting our website.
Financial Empowerment Clinic 

 

With the New Year, comes new opportunities to better your financial situation. There is no time like the present to start taking steps to decrease financial stress at our upcoming Financial Empowerment Clinic, Saturday, February 8th from 10am-3pm at the Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark St.

 

Workshop Schedule:

10:15-11am Making the Most of Tax Time

11:15am-12pm Ask a Planner Anything!

12:15-1pm: What You Need to Know About Preventing or Dealing with a Foreclosure

1:15pm-2pm: Tackling Your Student Loans

2:15pm-3pm: Saving Money & Managing Debt

 

All Day: Pull your personal credit report or meet with a financial planner, raffle prizes, refreshments, kid-friendly activities and access to other community resources. 

 

Visit our website for more information on this event.
Tax Credits and Deductions:
Find Out if You Qualify 

 

Tax credits and deductions are available, and you may qualify for some! These opportunities are the best way to lower your taxes this year. Tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit reduce the actual taxes you pay. Tax deductions lower the income on which taxes are paid. 

 

Check out our article on both credits and deductions here to begin to prepare for tax season. 

How Can I Boost My Credit Score?

 

Credit can be an overwhelming and intimidating piece of our financial plan. There are many myths about the best way to manage credit, making it difficult to know what the best path to choose is.
 

One prevalent myth is that if you have a low credit score, the first thing to focus on is paying off old debt. However, did you know that one big factor that contributes to a low credit score is the lack of recent positive activity?

 

In fact, the best way to increase your score is to open up a line of credit and get those on-time payments reported to the credit bureaus! Many people get stuck there because if they have a low score, how can they qualify for a loan or a credit card to boost their credit?

 

Look no more! Innovative Changes' credit builder loan is here to help. Our credit builder loan is designed to help people who are looking to build their credit without having to take on a large amount of debt. The loan is for $150 and your monthly payments are $12.50 a month for 12 months.

 

If you are interested in learning more or perhaps attending an orientation and applying for this loan, please sign up on our website.

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For Our Borrowers

 

Are You Receiving Your Payment Reminders? 

If you chose to receive your payment reminders by email, make sure that they are coming to your inbox and not your junk mail. If you would like to change the way that you receive reminders (by mail, by email, or by phone call) let us know! Call Misha at
 503-249-5205. 

See all the options on how to make your loan payment here.
      

Remember, We Are Here to Help!  

 

Are you having trouble making your payment this month, or afraid that it might be a little late? Let us know! We understand that unexpected events and expenses can make it hard to keep your finances on track, and Innovative Changes wants to be there for you in such cases. We are flexible and willing to work with our borrowers to satisfy loan obligations, and in return we ask for honest and timely communication.