News


Financial Flash Newsletter

November 2010 Edition

Shop for OnTrack WNC on Friday, December 17 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Double your holiday giving with spending that's good for the soul at Ten Thousand Villages shopping night. 15% of the evening sales will be donated to OnTrack WNC.

Shopping this Holiday Season? Five Tips to Keep in Mind

As consumers hit the stores this holiday season, OnTrack WNC recommends five smart shopping trips.

Register Today for Ask a CPA Day - Saturday, January 8

Join OnTrack WNC and the NC Association of CPAs Western Carolina Chapter to receive free, profession advice from a Certified Public Accountant.

Looking for Work?

Attend the 5th Annual Asheville Area Homecoming Job Fair on Tuesday, December 28. Meet with representatives from companies in health care, advanced manufacturing, and other industries in WNC.

__________________________________________________________________

October 2010 Edition

New Program - Become a Money Master and Achieve Your Long-Term Financial Goals

Ready to buy a home, get out of debt, or start building savings for your future? OnTrack WNC's Money Master program provides a long-term action plan with both financial counseling and education components paired with personal check-ins from our staff to help you meet your financial goals.

Introducing Money Talks News from Stacy Johnson

OnTrack WNC now features Stacy Johnson's short and entertaining videos providing sound and simple advice to help you save more, spend less, pay off debt, and invest well. Current videos include 401k Withdrawals - What You Need to Know, Rental Cars: 5 Tips for a Better Deal, and 7 Ways to Save on Food.

OnTrack WNC in the News

Sophie Magazine features OnTrack WNC Executive Director Celeste Collins in its November Edition. Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes OnTrack WNC with the Sky High Growth Award.

OnTrack WNC's First Webinar Hailed a Success & Upcoming Women's Financial Empowerment Center Offerings

Taking a major technological leap in the realm of internet education, OnTrack WNC premiered is first webinar. After a successful launch and continued demand, OnTrack WNC has scheduled its next webinar on Monday, November 15 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm along with additional Women's Financial Empowerment Center Offerings.

__________________________________________________________________

 

September 2010 Edition

Women and Money - National Leader Susan Keating Visits OnTrack WNC

Susan Keating, the President and CEO of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), recently visited OnTrack WNC for two round-table discussions. A prominent national figure in finance, Keating was named one of the Top 10 Women in Money for 2010.

Better Business Bureau Offers FREE Shred Day

On Saturday, October 23 from 9:00AM - 1:00PM, the Better Business Bureau, OnTrack WNC Financial Education & Counseling, and American Security Shredding invite you to attend the BBB Shred Day / Secure Your ID Day.

Free College Financial Aid Seminars

If you or your child plan to attend college, you don't want to miss the NC College Foundation's free financial aid seminars in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, and Transylvania Counties.

United Way's 2010 Day of Caring Events Teach Youth the Basics of Money

OnTrack WNC's Dime-a-Saurus partnered with Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania United Ways and volunteers to teach kids the differences between wants and needs and the basics of understanding money.

___________________________________________________________________

August 2010 Edition

Over 100 Community Members Attend Women's Financial Empowerment Center Grand Opening

View photos of the August 12 ribbon cutting and logo unveiling.

Legislative Update: Overdraft Fee Regulation Offers Opportunity for Consumers to Change Overdraft Habits

Thanks to new legislation, consumers must now opt in to authorize overdraft protection for ATM and debit card transactions. OnTrack WNC suggests alternatives to opting into the potentially costly overdraft protection.

Capitalize on the CARD Act: Tips to Rid Yourself of Credit Card Debt

The CARD Act offers new opportunities to help consumers reduce their debt more quickly. Learn different strategies to maximize the CARD Act's benefits.

ABC's of Building Credit: College Graduates Enter Credit Market

Recent college graduates are undoubtedly anxious to get on with their lives. It is going to take credit to achieve many of their dreams. If they've not established credit while in school, now is the time to start.

___________________________________________________________________

July 2010 Edition

Legislative Update: Financial Reform Signed into Law

On July 21 the President signed into law the "Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act," legislation intended to overhaul the way the federal government regulates the financial industry.

Mountain Housing Opportunities and OnTrack WNC Partnership Leverages Statewide Funding for Mission Hospital Employees

Low-income homebuyers participating in an Individual Development Account (IDA) program for homeownership (such as Mission Home Help) are now eligible for an additional $25,000, zero interest, deferred loan with MHO funded by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.

NC Foreclosure Update: Mortgage Servicers Freeze Foreclosure Efforts during Loss Mitigation Proceedings

Effective June 1, 2010, the NC Commissioner of Banks now requires that a mortgage servicer stops foreclosure efforts while the homeowner's request for assistance is under consideration.

OnTrack WNC Executive Director Receives Asheville Chamber of Commerce Athena Award

On June 21, 2010, Celeste Collins was recognized with the ATHENA Award. This award recognizes a woman who has attained the highest level of professional excellence in business and honors women as valued business and professional leaders in their community.

__________________________________________________________________

June 2010 Edition

OnTrack WNC + Women + Financial Education = Empowerment!

The grand opening for OnTrack WNC's Women's Financial Empowerment Center will be Thursday, August 12 at 9:00 am. The Women's Financial Empowerment Center is made possible thanks to funding from the Women-for-Women Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The Center will host Women-Centered financial education and counseling designed to empower women to reach their financial goals.

June is National Homebuyer Education Month

Listen to our June Money Matters Radio Shows Highlighting Homeownership in our Community

Shows feature local lenders, real estate professionals, and the OnTrack WNC Homebuyer Education Program Coordinator.

A Tale of Homeownership

Personal investment, hard work, and matched savings from Mission's emplower assistance program made homeownership a reality for the White Family.

Time to Rebuilt Your Credit?

OnTrack WNC offers do's and don'ts to help get your credit back on track.

Thinking about buying a home? Want to learn more about the process?

OnTrack WNC offers comprehensive homebuyer education that provides a step-by-step explanation of the homebuying process.

_______________________________________________________________

May 2010 Edition

OnTrack WNC Receives US Treasury CDFI Grant

OnTrack WNC's program HomeRun: Coaching for Homeownership is one of only five programs nationwide to receive competitive 3-year federal grant funding.

OnTrack WNC Celebrates Leaders in Financial Literacy

On Friday, May 14th, OnTrack WNC recognized the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, Henderson County JobLink, Buncombe County TV, Doug Roth, and Gwen Jones.

New Pilot Group for Chronic OverSpenders

Beginning this June, OnTrack WNC is piloting a new psycho-educational group for compulsive spenders. Chronic overspending may affect over 10,000 spenders in Asheville.

Education Classes Offer Free Help with Understanding Credit, Debt Relief, and Avoiding Foreclosure

Spring is upon us and it's time to brush up on the financial topics important to your financial and housing well-being.

Click here to view our 2010 Client of the Year feature video.

__________________________________________________________________

April 2010 Edition

National Financial Literacy Survey

Consumer behavior improves but need for money management skills is still evident as more than one-third of Americans give themselves low grades on their understanding of personal finance.

Focus on Youth - Teach Children to Save Day Event April 27

OnTrack WNC is partnering with Asheville Savings Bank on Tuesday, April 27th, for "Roll Your Change Day." Throughout the day children can use Coinstar machines for FREE at specific Asheville Savings Bank locations to cash in loose change.

Continuing Education Seminar by Parsec Financial - "Navigating Tax Free Accounts"

On May 14th, Rick Manske of Parsec Financial will explore Roth, Roth Conversions, 529s, and HSAs. CE approved by the NC State Bar and CFP Board; also available to CPAs. General public welcome.

Legislative Alert - Saver's Credit Expansion

Opportunity to support legislation that will increase benefits and availability of Saver's Credit, potentially increasing national savings by $44 billion.

 

__________________________________________________________________

March 2010 Edition

CARD Act: Five Actions to Maximize New Rules

OnTrack WNC suggests five actions for consumers to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the CARD Act.

BBB Free Shred Day

Offering free identity theft protection guidelines and on-site document shredding.

Tax Refund: Time to Evaluate your Withholding Allowances

What would you rather have, a lump sum tax refund of $2,600 or monthly payments of $216 for a year? OnTrack WNC suggests that consumers review their withholding allowances to make sure that the proper amount is taken out of each paycheck.

Consumer Alert: Auto Dealer Financing Red Flags

Consumers who rely on the dealer to finance their auto loans are vulnerable to a litany of predatory practices. Here are four schemes to look out for.

 

___________________________________________________________________________

February 2010 Edition

OnTrack WNC Rental Services

Rental Education classes, one-on-one counseling, The Buncombe County Rental Guide, and HomeBase rental assistance help low-income families secure and sustain affordable rental housing.

Go Direct: Federal Benefits Direct Deposit Program for Seniors

Are you or someone close to you still receiving federal benefit payments by paper check? Go Direct give Americans a fast, easy way to sign up for direct deposit by phone or online.

Foreclosure Crisis Update

The government's Making Home Affordable Program has saved homeowners over $2.2 billion. The FHA changes FICO credit score requirements, allowable seller concessions, and MIP fees.

Announcing: 2010 OnTrack WNC Board of Directors and Officers

Cedric Nash, Dawn Starks, Jack Wells, José Gonzales, and Rusty Edwards join OnTrack WNC's Board of Directors.

_________________________________________________________________

January 2010 Edition

OnTrack WNC's Free Tax Prep Program Begins its Fourth Season

In 2009, OnTrack WNC's free tax program helped 503 working families in WNC complete their taxes for free.  Now, OnTrack WNC's 2010 tax season is in full swing.

Announcing: The 2010 Youth Poster Contest

OnTrack WNC, Asheville Savings Bank, and the NFCC announce the 2010 Be Money-Wi$e poster contest for grades 3, 4, and 5. The local winner receives $100 and entry in the national contest.

Navigate the College Financial Aid Process

Free seminars presented by the College Foundation of NC.

OnTrack WNC Receives Statewide Foreclosure Prevention Award

OnTrack WNC was recently recognized with an award from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency  for achieving the “Highest Approval Rate” for North Carolina’s Home Protection Program.    

__________________________________________________________________

2009 Financial Flash E-Newsletter Archives

United Way NFCC Council on Accreditation