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Community Corner

Raimondo Announces Summer Smart Money Tour

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo today announced the start of her Smart Money Tour to increase awareness about the ways Treasury can help people find, and save money.

As part of this tour, Treasury will visit local farmers markets and senior centers to help people find their unclaimed property and raise awareness about the importance of personal financial management.

"My office is always looking for innovative ways to reach Rhode Islanders," Raimondo said. "By offering convenient opportunities for people to start the unclaimed property process and answer their personal financial questions, we are moving our entire state forward, one person at a time."

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Helping You Find Money

During the last fiscal year, Treasury returned more than $8 million to over 8,000 Rhode Islanders. Currently, Treasury is holding more than 750,000 unclaimed properties worth more than $250 million. The average claim ranges from $100 to $125.

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Treasury staff will be 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. Our searchable online database is updated with new properties every week. Visit treasury.ri.gov/unclaimed to search and claim property.

Helping You Save Money

In recognition that everyone could use a little free help understanding and managing their finances, information about Treasury's financial empowerment program will also be available.

Raising awareness about the programs of Treasury's free Empower RI initiative started this spring in local libraries. The Rhode Island Financial Coaching Corps, an Empower RI program in partnership with the Capital Good Fund, provides free financial help including: setting financial goals regarding budgeting, managing debt and building credit.

To date, the Smart Money Tour has visited the Haines Memorial State Park Farmers Market in Barrington, the Meadows Independent Living Center in North Smithfield and the Warren Senior Center. Outdoor events are weather dependent.

For event-specific information, contact Heather Hudson, Treasury's Outreach Director at 401-222-2397.

Remaining dates and times to learn about Treasury programs:

Monday, July 15, 2013 - 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Greenville Farmers Market – St. Thomas Episcopal Church 1 Smith Avenue, Greenville, RI

Friday, July 19, 2013 - 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Bristol Farmers Market– Colt State Park At the Cross Street of Hope Street and Asylum Road, Bristol, RI

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Cranston Farmers Market – Whole Foods Farmers Market 151 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, RI

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Pilgrim Senior Center 27 Pilgrim Parkway, Warwick, RI

Thursday, August 1, 2013 - 3p.m. – 6 p.m. Thundermist Health Center Farmers Market 186 Providence Street, West Warwick, RI

Thursday, August 8, 2013 – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Johnston Senior Center 1291 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI

Friday, August 9, 2013 – 9 a.m. -1 p. m. Goddard State Park Farmers Market 345 Ives Road, Warwick, RI

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. South Kingstown Senior Center 25 St Dominic Rd, Wakefield, RI

Thursday, August 29, 2013 - 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m . Swift Community Senior Center 5 Saint Elizabeths Way, East Greenwich, RI

Thursday, August 29, 2013 – 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wickford Village Farmers Market 63 Brown St, Wickford, RI

Friday, August 30, 2013 – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Leon Mathieu Senior Center 420 Main Street Pawtucket, RI

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