Free financial literacy class offered in Blaine

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If you struggle to balance a healthy budget, local nonprofits are here to help.

Financial literacy nonprofit Whatcom Dream will offer six money management classes from Tuesday, September 28 until Tuesday, November 2 at the new Community Assistance Program (CAP) building, 508 G Street. Classes will be held 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

Whatcom Dream is a nonprofit that started in Bellingham in 1999 to educate residents struggling with finances. The nonprofit’s founders realized the reason why their working low-income neighbors remained in poverty was because they didn’t know how to manage money properly, said Kevin Stray, a Whatcom Dream volunteer who will teach the Blaine classes this fall.

“We think finances are an important slice of everyone’s life and if we can handle [money] well, we can make everyone’s lives better,” he said.

The classes will teach budgeting, handling new and old debt, credit scores and history, achieving and maintaining financial stability, retirement planning and the psychology behind money.

Stray, who has a business degree from St. Martin’s University, said he sees people struggle the most with debt, long-term planning and responsible spending.

Financial classes are geared toward people earning low incomes, but Stray said all are welcome.

Classes will be offered to about 20 people, but there’s not a set limit. Scheduling in advance is recommended, but attendees can also show up to the classes.

“We hope a lot of people will be interested, come out, learn more about money and how to deal with it,” Stray said. “We’re always excited to put on another class in Blaine.”

The program will offer free financial mentoring to people who finish the course. No childcare is available during the evening classes, so people will need to plan accordingly.

For more information and to register, call Kevin Stray at 360/296-0441, email kevin@thewhatcomdream.org or visit thewhatcomdream.org.

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