Credit & Savings – Making Money Work for You
Welcome to the fourth installment of Everyday Money Skills: A Community Series, led by Michele Eden Montas. This series is designed to reduce financial stress, build confidence, and provide realistic tools that reflect how people actually live and work in Downeast Maine. Financial health is a critical, often-overlooked part of overall well-being. This program approaches money without judgment or assumptions, recognizing that people’s financial difficulties are shaped by more than personal decisions. Participants are welcome to attend the entire series or hop in just for the programs that appeal to them! For more information, reach out to Lizzie at lizzie@whrl.org or by phone at 413-717-7827.
Interested in attending more programs in this series? Here is the full list of upcoming programs, all of which take place on Mondays from 6-7:30 pm:
- May 4: Local, State & Federal Financial Resources
- May 11: Taxes, Retirement & Investing – The Basics
This program’s focus will be on building financial stability and exploring optional growth through a discussion of credit and savings – how you can make your money work for you.
Topics Covered
- What a credit score is and how it’s calculated
- How to use a credit card safely
- Building or repairing credit over time
- High-Yield Savings Accounts (what they are, pros/cons)
Low-Risk Emphasis
- No speculation, no pressure, no “get rich quick” messaging
Takeaway
Participants understand how to protect themselves while building options.
Michele Eden Montas is a finance professional with a background in economics and a long-standing connection to Washington County. Her family has been in the community since her grandparents’ generation, and Michele has been coming to Washington County every year for all of her life.
Michele studied economics at Princeton University and now works for Ernst & Young in their financial services organization. She believes financial education should be accessible, non-judgmental, and grounded in the realities of people’s lives, especially in rural and seasonal economies like Downeast Maine. This program is offered as a way to share tools that can help people feel more confident and supported when it comes to money.
