Newsletter 2024 V3 Article - Ask A Money Guide

Q: “What are some local resources I can use when my budget is feeling too tight?”
 

A: “I think many people are wondering this. Costs rise while wages don’t seem to keep up. Many Americans are faced with seeking out help to take care of their necessities for the first time, despite budgeting and working their hardest. You are not alone. There are lots of local resources out there that can help take a small burden off your finances, offer assistance with shelf-staples for your pantry, or provide affordable clothing for your family as the seasons change. 

Programs like the Amherst Survival Center’s daily fresh bread and produce distribution aren’t exclusive to unhoused individuals; rather, they offer a smart way for local grocers and farmers to distribute items that would otherwise go to waste. Places like the Huntington Village Closet and Northfield Community Closet exist to make sharing and reusing clothing (especially for fast growing little ones), baby supplies, and even toys easily accessible to the community. To find more local resources, try mass211.org or within the Pioneer Valley, 413cares.org. Our communities are a wealth of awesome programs that help our neighbors.”

If you are looking for some additional personalized advice on how to create or balance your budget, make an appointment with a Money Guide at UMassFive! Since working with a Money Guide is free (see, more ways to save money!) you have nothing to lose and so much to gain. 

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