Understanding how a budget operates is among the most challenging areas of home budgeting. It's more involved than just keeping an accurate checkbook. Get information on how to start a budget, track it, set priorities and goals, save money, detect spending patterns, and more. Sponsored by Lighthouse Credit Union.

Matthew Sudsbury-Francois has more than seven years of experience in the banking sector. He began as a teller and advanced to his current position as branch manager at the Biddeford location.

Michael Rumo, who has 13 years of experience in the financial sector and has held a number of positions, is currently Lighthouse's regional manager.

Struggling to make ends meet or carrying debt? Do you want to take control of your money? Join us to learn how to budget effectively. identify different types of debt, and how to eliminate it, prioritize saving, and become financially independent.

Sarah Blondin discovered her love of assisting others through training in the financial services sector. Her main priorities are developing relationships with individuals and helping them understand how money works and how to make it work best for them.

The Key to a Comfortable Retirement

How much will you need? In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to calculate the amount of money they need to retire comfortably, based on their unique lifestyle and financial situation. Many people struggle to answer this fundamental question, but in this course, you’ll be guided step-by-step through the process of determining your retirement "number." You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your current financial position and what’s required to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Through engaging exercises, you’ll take stock of your income, expenses, and savings, and develop a personalized plan for reaching your retirement goals. By the end of the class, participants will feel empowered and motivated to take actionable steps towards securing their financial future. Please bring a notebook/pen and a calculator.

Anthony Corsino, owner of Zen Financial Planning, LLC in Andover, MA, holds a BS from Bentley, a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University, and holds other designations and certificates from The American College of Financial Services, The College for Financial Planning, and Villanova. He teaches financial planners nationwide in multiple university programs and serves as a subject matter expert at Boston University, Regis College, and through Greene Consulting, which partners with several universities including UNH and James Madison.

You work hard for your money. Is your money working for you? Do you have faith in your present investment plan? Join us to learn how to manage risk, use compound interest to your advantage, and invest wisely to achieve your objectives.

Sarah Blondin discovered her love of assisting others through training in the financial services sector. Her main priorities are developing relationships with individuals and helping them understand how money works and how to make it work best for them.

What Folks Near, At, or In Retirement Need To know

Retirement doesn’t mean escaping taxes—in fact, it’s one of the top challenges you’ll face as you plan for the future and understanding them is essential to preserving your income throughout your retirement. In this workshop, we will uncover critical tax issues that can erode your retirement savings and discuss practical strategies to protect your wealth. Understanding how taxes will impact your income is essential to preserving your money throughout your retirement. You'll learn about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs); how to calculate them and how they impact your taxes. Also, how Social Security, pensions, dividends, and interest affect your taxes. We'll even cover strategies such as Roth IRA conversions, tax loss harvesting, and how a step-up in tax basis and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can work to your advantage. By the end, you'll have knowledge and actionable strategies to consider that may help preserve your assets, maximize tax efficiency, and make your retirement dollars last. Please bring a notebook/pen and a calculator.

 Anthony Corsino, owner of Zen Financial Planning, LLC in Andover, MA, holds a BS from Bentley, a Certificate in Financial Planning from Boston University, and holds other designations and certificates from The American College of Financial Services, The College for Financial Planning, and Villanova. He teaches financial planners nationwide in multiple university programs and serves as a subject matter expert at Boston University, Regis College, and through Greene Consulting, which partners with several universities including UNH and James Madison.

Nearing or entering retirement? Learn the power of a customized strategy to make the most of your benefits and assets, identify considerable risks, and plan for a comfortable, financially-secure retirement.

Sarah Blondin discovered her love of assisting others through training in the financial services sector. Her main priorities are developing relationships with individuals and helping them understand how money works and how to make it work best for them.