PROVIDENCE, R.I. - General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo today announced the extension of her Smart Money Tour to help provide financial security to Rhode Islanders. As part of this tour, Treasury visits locales such as farmers markets and senior centers to help people find their unclaimed property and raise awareness about the importance of personal financial management. Since announcing the Smart Money Tour, Treasury has received requests for additional programming and has expanded the tour to meet constituents' needs.
"My office runs a number of programs that are helpful to Rhode Islanders, but they are only useful if people know about them," said Raimondo. "The Smart Money Tour is successfully bringing my office into the community to educate people about ways to find and save money.
Helping Rhode Islanders Find & Save Money
At each event, Treasury staff is available to help people locate their lost or abandoned property for free. Unclaimed property includes items such as forgotten bank accounts, stocks and dividends, and life insurance claims.
During the last fiscal year, Treasury returned more than $8 million to more than 8,000 Rhode Islanders. Since announcing the Smart Money Tour, the Unclaimed Property Division has processed 415 claims worth $295,259 with an average payout of $711 per claim. Currently, Treasury is holding more than 750,000 unclaimed properties worth more than $250 million. Treasury's searchable online database (treasury.ri.gov) is updated with new properties every week.
Finding innovative ways to help Rhode Islanders better manage their finances is a top priority for the Treasurer. At each event, volunteers from the Rhode Island Financial Coaching Corps, an Empower RI program in partnership with the Capital Good Fund, are available to talk to Rhode Islanders about how to improve their credit, build a budget and manage debt. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up to become a coach or receive free financial coaching at a later date.
To date, the Smart Money Tour has visited four senior centers and five farmers markets throughout Rhode Island and reached more than 120 people. Outdoor events are weather dependent. For event-specific information, contact Heather Hudson, Treasury's Outreach Director at 401-222-2394.
Upcoming days and times to learn about Treasury programs:
Tuesday August 27, 2013 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. South Kingstown - Senior Center 25 St Dominic Rd, Wakefield, RI
Thursday August 29, 2013 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. East Greenwich - Swift Community Senior Center 121 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI
Thursday August 29, 2013 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. North Kingstown - Wickford Village Farmers Market 63 Brown Street, Wickford, RI
Thursday August 29, 2013 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Pawtucket - PawSox Game at McCoy Stadium 1 Colombus Avenue Pawtucket, RI
Friday August 30, 2013 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Pawtucket - Leon Mathieu Senior Center 420 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI
Thursday September 5, 2013 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Westerly - Senior Citizens Center 39 State Street, Westerly, RI
Thursday September 5, 2013 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Westerly/Pawcatuck Farmers Market 85 Main Street, Westerly, RI
Saturday September 7, 2013 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Burrillville - Farmers Market at Stillwater Mill Pavilion 75 Tickham Lane, Harrisville, RI
Saturday September 21, 2013 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Providence - Hope Street Farmers' Market at Lippitt Park 1059 Hope Street, Providence, RI
Thursday September 26, 2013 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Middletown - Senior Center 650 Green End Avenue, Middletown, RI
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