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With the uncertain economy, it’s more important than ever for families to build and maintain an emergency savings fund to pay for unexpected expenses. Through Central Iowa Saves, people can access the tools needed to establish effective budgeting and savings habits to accomplish their goals.

Now beginning its fourth year of operation, Central Iowa Saves is an affiliate of the nationwide America Saves campaign (www.americasaves.org). Iowans for Social and Economic Development (ISED), a nonprofit organization with a mission of creating opportunities for people with low to moderate incomes to achieve financial stability, coordinates the local affiliate.

United Way of Central Iowa provides approximately $42,000 per year to the program. Fourteen local financial institutions currently offer free or low-cost savings accounts as program partners. Members of the Financial Planning Association of Iowa provide volunteer financial counseling and seminars for the program as well.

“We encourage people in all of our (ISED) programs to sign up for Central Iowa Saves, whether they’re in our business program or in financial education classes, or even if they’re coming in for a job search or tax preparation,” said Claudia Hawkins, program director of Central Iowa Saves. The online enrollment process is simple to complete, she said.

The program complements ISED’s Iowa Saves program, which provides up to $4,000 in matching funds to families saving to purchase a home.

Central Iowa Saves participants receive a free monthly e-mail newsletter with saving and investment tips, as well as a schedule of free financial education seminars. Each participant can also schedule a free one-hour session with a financial planner, with no strings attached.

Since the program’s inception, 1,057 people have enrolled, and Hawkins’ goal is to attract at least 350 additional members this year. ISED is also seeking more financial institutions to partner in the program, she said. Two introductory seminars are planned this week.

Hawkins said the top three goals of savers in the program have consistently been to build an emergency fund, reduce debt and save for a home purchase.