Your bookmark design could be worth $1,000!

It's time again for the Utah Educational Savings Plan's Make Your Mark Bookmark Contest!

Great books deserve great bookmarks. Submit your artwork to the Utah Educational Savings Plan "Make Your Mark" 2011 Contest for a chance to win a $1,000 UESP college savings certificate. Your artwork must be received at the Utah Educational Savings Plan office by 5:00 p.m. (MT), Friday, September 30, 2011.

Download the official entry form

How does it work?
Utah Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit a bookmark design. UESP and Zions Bank will award a total of eight $1,000 UESP college savings certificates. The certificates will be awarded to:

• two (2) kindergarten through 3rd grade students
• two (2) 4th through 6th grade students
• two (2) 7th and 8th grade students
• two (2) 9th through 12th grade students

The bookmark designs must be submitted on the official UESP and Zions Bank entry form. Any medium can be used. Entries not on the official entry form will not be considered.

Tuesday Tip: Take Free Money and Save it!

Earned Income Tax Credit
Low and moderate-income taxpayers qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This refundable credit often pays more than $1,000 (sometimes more than $2,000) to those who claim it. This free money can be a huge help to tight finances or low savings accounts. Be sure to save at least half of the money!

Visit the Believe website for more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit. 

Utah Individual Development Account Program

Participate in the Utah Individual Development Account program. You attend financial education classes and set a savings goal (home, education, business). The Utah IDA Network program matches $3 for every $1 you save!  You can save up to $1,500 in your IDA account and receive up to $4,500 in math money, giving you a total of $6,000 to invest in your goal!

For more information about the IDA program, click here.

Retirement Savings - Employer Matching
Does your employer offer retirement savings through a 401(k) or 403(b)? If so, there’s a good chance that your employer offers a match on your contributions. That’s free money! And, it’s silly not to take advantage of it. To find out more about retirement accounts at your work, talk to your supervisor, manager, or someone in human resources.

Visit the Believe website for more information about saving for retirement.

Tuesday Tip: Build an Emergency Fund

It’s a general rule of thumb that you should set aside money in case of an emergency. It’s up to you to decide when you’re having an emergency and need to access the funds but consider these situations.

• Your car breaks down unexpectedly. Using emergency will help you avoid using a credit card or taking out a loan. 
• You lose your job. This is a true emergency. Your savings should help tide you over while you search for another job. 
• You get sick. Money set aside can be used for unexpected medical bills. Paying for it outright saves you interest costs of a payment plan. 
• Your roof leaks. If you own a home, your emergency savings can come in handy for unexpected repairs. 

Make it happen: Ask your bank or credit union to automatically transfer funds each month to your savings account. Even as little as $10 or $15 helps! Collect all your loose change and put it in this account, too!

Tuesday Tip: Reduce High-Cost Debt

Debt is not usually your friend. High-cost debt can be especially damaging to your finances. Payday loans typically charge interest rates of 500% while credit card interest rates run closer to 25%. You can save a lot of money by paying off high-cost debts right away!

For more help with paying down debt, check out these resources on the Believe in Your Future website!

Tips: Cut Spending Painlessly

Saving money can often be challenging and finding ways to cut spending is difficult when money is tight. Check out these 3 tips to cut spending painlessly:

• Keep a careful record of ALL you expenses for a month. You might be surprised at how much you are spending on small things such as a daily latte or snack.
• Comparison shop for necessary purchases (food, transportation, insurance).
• Limit spending for birthdays and holidays. A few well-chosen gifts are likely to be more appreciated than a more costly pile of thoughtless gifts.

Today’s savings tips are brought to you by America Saves!

Five Star Cooking without the Five Star Price

Don't you love delicious, mouth-watering food that mesmerizes your taste buds? Of course you do! This free cooking class is just for you.

Five Star Cooking without the Five Star Price
Saturday, July 9, 2011 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Thyme & Seasons Restaurant & Marketplace, 3211 South Orchard Dr, Bountiful, Utah

For many, cooking healthy meals on a shoestring budget may seem out of reach. Owner/Executive Chef Hai Fitzgerald from Thyme & Seasons Restaurant & Marketplace will demonstrate tricks of the trade and teach you how to prepare tasty and healthy gourmet meals (gluten-free friendly, vegan friendly, kid friendly and romantic) on a budget.

This is a complimentary workshop offered by AAA Fair Credit Foundation; however, space is limited and registration is required. Please complete separate registrations for each person attending.

Register now to reserve your spot!

Eat Well for Less

Speaking of saving money by cooking at home. Do you ever find yourself at grocery store on the way home from work or late in the afternoon in search for something for dinner? If you do, it's likely that you end up bringing home a quick meal with little nutritional content. That's what's easy, after all! So, what's the answer to to the dinner puzzle? Meal planning.

An article written by Cynthia Ewer for Organized Home offers great tips and advice for how to begin meal planning. Cynthia was absolutely right in stating that meal planning saves money, time, and improves nutrition! 

Thankfully, Cynthia also outlined a simple set of steps for how to begin meal planning:

1. Scan the food ads for specials and sales. Rough out a draft menu plan: seven dinner entrees that can be made from weekly specials, side dishes and salads.
2. Wander to pantry and refrigerator to check for any of last week's purchases that are languishing beneath wilting lettuce or hardening tortillas. Check for draft recipe ingredients. Review your shopping list and note needed items.
3. Ready, set, shop--but shop with an open mind. That 59-cent fryer won't look like such a bargain next to a marked-down mega-pack of boneless chicken breasts at 89 cents a pound. Be ready to substitute if you find a great deal.
4. Return from shopping. As you put away groceries, flesh out the menu plan. Match it up with the family's calendar, saving the oven roast for a lazy Sunday afternoon, the quick-fix pizza for soccer night.
5. Post the menu plan on the refrigerator door. Refer to it during the coming week as you prepare meals.

This article is a must-read if you're interested in meal planning. Beyond simple how-to's, it's full of great advice!

Get started with one of two free printable meal planning charts from The Project Girl!

Also, check out how four college roommates succeeded at meal planning here.

Friday Food Tip: Dinner for under $1.50 per serving

The best way to save money on food costs is to cook your meals at home. Having recipes and ingredients on-hand makes it easier to prepare a meal. Family.com offers a list of 15 dinners for under $1.50 per serving. Check it out! They all look so delicious! Here are a few selections from the list:

Almost Lasagna

Italian Turkey Sliders with Honey Dijon Mayo

Easy Calzone Rolls

Friday Food Tip: Dine out. Just spend less.

Dining out is easy, convenient, and fun. It might not be realistic to cut all dining out from your budget. If you're looking to save money, all you have to do is spend less!

It really is as easy as it sounds. Here are some simple tips:

• Stick with water: Skip the soda, coffee, tea or wine. Ordering a glass of soda can add up to $3 to your bill. It's not a bargain when you consider how much less you pay for a fountain drink at the gas station.
• Forego the appetizer: They're deliciously tempting, but appetizers often cost nearly the same price as an entree. Many establishments provide a free appetizer such as bread or chips — enjoy it, chew some gum, and look forward to your meal knowing you saved as much as $
• Say no to dessert: Scratch around $7 from your bill by saying no the sweet and tempting desserts. Your diet with thank you too!
• Pasta instead of steak: You might not eat at a steak house every time you go out, but the concept still applies. If you're used to treating yourself with the most expensive item on the menu, take a step down and order a pasta dish or fancy salad.
• Use a coupon: Check the newspaper, in your mailbox, or online for coupons offering free appetizers, half-off meals, and other great deals.

What tips do you have to share about saving money dining out?

Friday Food Tip

Today's food tip comes from a recent story on KSL.com featuring 10 smart ways to save money.

Get a crock pot and use it!

Crock pots are great because you can pile in the ingredients when you leave for work in the morning and come home to a delicious meal that is ready to go. You save money by not eating out and get the added benefit of food that is better for you. Setting some aside for lunch the next day will only increase your savings. There are dozens of cookbooks and websites about slow-cooking like this one from food.com or this blogger who use a crock pot every day for a year.

The Believe website also has some great resources to help you cut your spending.

Mark Your Calendars!

Here's a look ahead at what's coming up on the Believe calendar next week. Don't miss your chance to sign up for these classes and events!

Thursday, June 2, 2011 - Ogden - Identity Theft Prevention Event, 3:00 - 7:00 PM

Free document shredding and identity theft prevention seminar

Thursday, June 2, 2011 - Sandy - Super Saving Seminar, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Super Saving is the first class in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course. In this FREE seminar, you'll learn the seven baby steps that will guide you to financial peace.

Saturday, June 4, 2011 - Murray - Junior Achievement 5k Challenge and Fun Run

Go the distance for financial literacy! Prizes will be awarded. $25 per runner. Student and family rates available.

Prepare for a Crisis

From earthquakes to tornados and job loss to falling home values, there's so much crisis in the world right now. The Believe website has an entire section dedicated to your possible life crisis. You can find resources such as

• What to Do When the Paycheck Stops
• Emergency Food and Food Assistance
• Disaster Planning Checklist
• Your Handbook for Earthquakes in Utah
• Credit Counseling: What is it and when you might consider it

These are just a few of the many life crisis resources available on the Believe website. I hope you'll go check them out!

Eat In and Save!

Everyone knows that eating-in instead of dining out saves money. Here's a food and meal-related tip that might help you save money on lunch or snacks. If you like burritos, try this recipe for frozen burritos from Pinching Your Pennies. Instead of buying frozen burritos, try making your own!

1 lrg can refried beans
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 12 oz taco sauce
small can chopped green chilies
grated cheese
flour tortillas

Brown hamburger. Add beans, taco sauce, and chilies. Roll 4-5 TBL in each flour tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese. Wrap up tight. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze. When ready to eat, place in microwave. 

Don't like this recipe? Go ahead and modify it to your liking. Frozen burritos make great after-school snacks for kids or last-minute lunches for parents. Next time you're in need of a snack, or a last-minute sack lunch for work, snag a frozen burrito from your freezer and save money!

Upcoming Classes

The Believe calendar is a great place to find classes or events that can help you improve your personal finances. Check out this list of classes available next week!

Monday, May, 23, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Ogden - Super Saving Seminar - Monday, May 23, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Super Saving is the first class in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course.

Tuesday, May 24, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Salt Lake City - Budgeting 101: How to make it work for you
Learn the basics of budgeting, how to track spending, save with coupons, build good credit, pay down debt, and protect yourself against fraud.

Wednesday, May 25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Ogden - Budget 101

This FREE class that covers the basics of sound money management.

Wednesday, May 25, 5:00 - 9:30 PM, Salt Lake City - Opening the Door to Homeownership

$15 registration fee. Learn to prepare financially, find the right home, access grant programs, shop for a realtor, lender, title company, etc.

Wednesday, May 25, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, Salt Lake City - Exploring Income: Little Ways to Boost your Bottom Line
Stretching your dollar is all the rage these days, but even with a stretch those dollars have their limits. Join us as we look at ways to increase monthly income.

Thursday, May 26, 5:00 - 9:30 PM, Salt Lake City - Opening the Door to Homeownership

$15 registration fee. Learn to prepare financially, find the right home, access grant programs, shop for a realtor, lender, title company, etc.

Saturday, May 28, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Salt Lake City - Saving My Home Seminar

Come learn what you can do to save your home from foreclosure.

Keeping your money safe

Here's a silly cartoon with a valuable lesson. How do you keep your money safe? Do you carry it around in your pocket? Stash it under your mattress? Deposit it in a bank account? Banking is the best way to keep your money safe. Learn more about banking on the banking section of the Believe website!

Got a question?

If you’ve got a money question, I can answer it! All you have to go here and enter your question. Here’s a recent question that I thought you all might find interesting.

Question: How many programs for home owners facing foreclosure are there under the Obama Administration that provide a refinance or loan modification?

Answer: My recommendation is that anyone who is late with their mortgage payments should contact a local HUD approved housing counseling agency and speak with a Foreclosure Avoidance Counselor. Foreclosure prevention counseling services are provided free of charge by nonprofit housing counseling agencies working in partnership with the Federal Government. Click here to locate a housing counseling agency in your area.

The Obama Administration is responsible for two programs – all under the same name, Making Home Affordable. The two programs are Home Affordable Refinance Plan (HARP) and Home Affordable Modification Plan (HAMP). Outside of the Obama plan are a myriad of plans and programs to help distressed homeowners stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure. Some are better than others. But they are more accessible/successful than Obama’s plan.

If you need help understanding the Making Home Affordable programs, you can find a counseling agency in your area that will provide you with free foreclosure prevention services. If you are eligible for the loan modification or refinance program, the counselor will work with you to compile an intake package for your servicer.

Also, don’t forget to check out all the great foreclosure related resources on the Believe website!

United Way of Salt Lake

Last (but not least!) to receive special recognition for helping Utahns secure their financial future is United Way of Salt Lake. Are you familiar with United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL)?

United Way of Salt Lake is a local nonprofit agency working toward the development of long-term solutions in the areas of education, income and health as well as supporting safety net services. Through collaborative and innovative efforts, United Way of Salt Lake is finding ways to bring immediate and sustainable improvements to the financial situations for many Utah families. United Way of Salt Lake’s strategic initiatives educate and enable families to become financially stable, prepare for financial emergencies and plan for the future. By assisting those in need, United Way of Salt Lake is creating a better community for everyone.

UWSL is the primary funder of the Believe campaign. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here to cheer you on in your efforts to make wise financial choices. Check out the other generous funders.

Don’t forget to follow UWSL on Facebook and Twitter!

Wells Fargo - Utah

Wells Fargo is a nationwide company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.

Wells Fargo’s financial literacy curriculum, Hands on Banking, is designed to teach smart money management skills to children, teens and adults. The Hands on Banking program is free, fun, and easy to use. Available in both Spanish and English, the program is offered free on the internet without commercial content or product placement at www.handsonbanking.org. In Utah, thousands of Hands on Banking CDs have been given to teachers, parents, schools, school district officials and the Utah State Board of Education.

Yes, you can find Wells Fargo on Facebook and Twitter too!

Ivory Homes

Whew, It’s been a busy month honor all our dedicated UCFEE partners! It’s not over yet. Today’s spotlight is on Ivory Homes. Ivory Homes has been a Utah homebuilder for 22 years.

They build everything from town homes to move-up homes, and vacation & second homes to luxury villas. Ivory builds at nearly 50 locations along the Wasatch Front and St. George. Ivory offers great educational resources to its customers. Ivory Financial Fitness is a credit restoration company assisting prospective homebuyers in eliminating debt and enhancing their credit reports and scores. This dynamic resource is available to all prospective homebuyers interested in purchasing an Ivory Home. The service is free of charge to buyers and provides consumers with the following: Access to certified financial counselors through AAA Fair Credit Foundation, effective and legal credit restoration, debt reduction through negotiations with creditors and many more services geared towards increasing awareness, education and the ability to qualify for a new home.

Don’t miss Ivory Homes on Facebook and Twitter!

Finance in the Classroom & USOE

UCFEE is lucky to have participation from the Utah State Office of Education and Finance in the Classroom. If you haven’t heard of Finance in the Classroom, it’s a website you should definitely check out!

Finance in the Classroom was created in 2008 in response to state legislation requiring teachers to integrate financial and economic concepts with existing core standards in math, social studies and language arts. The Finance in the Classroom website provides high-quality personal finance materials for K-12 educators, students and parents including activities, lessons, videos, music, books, and other online tools. The site also supports the Financial Literacy Passport Program, which provides recognition for student completion of classroom lessons and at-home/community activities.

You can follow Finance in the Classroom and Utah Public Education on Facebook!

Utah State Treasurer's Office

he Utah State Treasurer, Richard Ellis, is the chair of the Utah Council on Financial and Economic Education. He’s a busy, busy man. Here are some interesting facts about the Utah State Treasurer and what he does:

• The Treasurer is an elected official
• The Treasurer is like the chief financial officer of the state’s money
• The Treasurer carefully and wisely manages the use of billions of taxpayer dollars

What a job!

The Treasurer’s office also provides great educational resources to citizens of Utah. In partnership with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), The Utah State Treasurer offers financial literacy materials and tools to all Utahns through www.utah.tomorrosmoney.org. By visiting this site, you can take important steps in your journey toward acquiring more knowledge, confidence and skills to manage your personal financial situation. The site is rich in basic personal finance information, tools and resources to help you and the unique personal life circumstances you currently face. You can get started even if you don’t have much time!

Utah State University Extension

Utah State University Extension delivers educational programs in Utah through non-credit courses in agriculture, families and communities, food and nutrition, finance and economics, natural resources, horticulture, and 4-H programs. Utah State University Extension is as relevant as ever, and perhaps even more so, due to the increased diversity and complexity of the issues people face. The Cooperative Extension system has a longstanding tradition of extending the University to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

Utah Saves

Utah Saves is a statewide coalition helping individuals and families save money and build wealth. Utah Saves assists people who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, afford a home, pay for education, make investments, or retirement in order to improve their standard of living and gain peace of mind. Across the state, Utah Savers are setting financial goals, tracking their spending and taking control of their financial future. Staff and trained volunteers can help you develop a successful savings strategy. So don’t wait any longer…enroll in Utah Saves today!

Follow Utah Saves on Facebook and Twitter!

UHEAA

The Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA) has been assisting individuals in planning, preparing, and paying for college for nearly 30 years. One of the core missions of the not-for-profit state agency has been to provide information and outreach on topics ranging from scholarships, grants, and loans to financial literacy.

UHEAA has supported, for multiple years, two $1,000 dollar scholarships that have gone to high school seniors who have written essays detailing the benefits of being financially literate. Promoting financial literacy has been, and it will continue to be one of UHEAA’s core outreach missions. UHEAA is committed to providing individuals with the information and resources that will make financial literacy a reality.

UHEAA is always has something exciting going on via Facebook and Twitter. If you’re not following them on, you should be!

Zions Bank

No stranger to the world of money in Utah is today’s spotlight partner, Zions Bank!

As Utah’s oldest financial institution, Zions Bank strongly supports and recognizes the importance of learning the fundamentals of personal financial management at all ages and stages of life. Over the past five years, 904 Zions Bank employees have taught 51,876 students in Idaho and Utah on National Teach Children to Save Day.

Zions Bank offers a wealth of helpful financial resources to consumers include their well-known  eZ Budget and Super Saving Seminar. Upcoming Super Saving Seminars can be found on the Believe calendar.

Zions Bank is the only local bank with a statewide distribution of branches, operating 105 full-service offices. Zions Bank also operates 29 full-service branches in Idaho. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank has been serving the communities of Utah for more than 135 years.

Find Zions Bank on Facebook and Twitter!