Making “Cents” of a Budget

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - If you’re trying to stretch your dollars, you’ve probably asked, more than once, where does my money go?  Unless we start writing down how much we’re spending where, it can be a difficult, if not impossible question to answer.  Ohio State University Extension- Clermont (OSUE-Clermont) and the Clermont Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) offer free Counting Your Money classes that can help you set up and stick to a budget.  The classes are held on most Thursdays at 9 a.m. at Workforce One, located at 756 Old SR 74 in Union Township.

“The classes teach you how to assess needs versus wants, and includes tips on how long to keep bank records, employment records, and much more,” said OSUE-Clermont’s Delores Kerber, who teaches the sessions.  “Too many of us are drowning in paperwork; we need to develop a system that simplifies the process.  For most of us, all of our important papers can be stored in one small box with a few files on your desk to collect bills each month.”  She said the tips will work if you pay bills online or by mail.

The Counting Your Money class includes hand-outs for tracking expenses, including how much we should be spending for food each month.  “We talk about what records to keep where, including which items should be stored in a safety deposit box,” said Kerber.  “We also tackle the trail of the mysterious disappearing receipt.  Some stores now give you receipts that deteriorate rapidly; the ink actually fades to be unreadable in a few months!  If you have purchased a service or item that needs to be returned, that can be a real problem.  Our class will provide tips on making sure that the information is available, when we need it.”

For more information on the free Counting Your Money classes, call OSUE-Clermont at (513) 732-7070.

Pictured above: Delores Kerber with OSUE-Clermont invites you to attend a free budget building class at Workforce One in Union Township