Get Back into the Black Friday

A Free COTS-Sponsored Conference for Homeowners and Tenants Facing Financial Difficulties

 If you're worried about your finances, turn the biggest shopping day of the year into your biggest solutions day of the year. Instead of going to the mall on the Friday after Thanksgiving, head to  where a host of experts will be available to discuss options to solve financial problems: dealing with debt (including bankruptcy, payment plans and debt consolidation); guerilla budgeting (finding money where you didn't know you had it and slashing expenses you didn't know you could cut); increasing income by home-sharing; identifying public resources for which you may qualify; reducing holiday stress and expenditures; and communicating with children, other family members and friends about your finances.

Participants will also be able to meet one-on-one for an hour with a volunteer financial professional who will help participants map out their income and expenses and create a plan for the holiday season and the year ahead. Participants who want an appointment should bring bank statements and bills with them, and should call Eileen Morris at 765-6530 x109 to make an appointment in advance.

Additionally, it is likely that home-owners will be able to meet with a HUD-certified housing counselor who can help the home-owner assess his or her situation and options. Please call Eileen Morris at 765-6530 x 109 for more information.

This is COTS second event geared to helping community members facing financial difficulties. "We're so grateful for all the help this community has provided our agency and our clients over the years that in these trying times we want to give back," says COTS Executive Director John Records.