The start of a new year often prompts people to think about their money. Do you have any financial goals for 2018? My eldest child is a high school sophomore. One of my top financial goals this year is to identify scholarship opportunities and figure out how financial aid works. Thank goodness I work in a library, where it's easy to find books like Paying for College Without Going Broke. This definitely sounds like a book I could use.
According to a recent article on the personal finance site Motley Fool, one of the top 5 New Year's resolutions related to money is to save more money each month. There is a lively debate in the personal finance world about how best to do this. One camp emphasizes cutting expenses like cable TV or eating out at restaurants. The other camp emphasizes earning more money. Supporters of the latter approach note that if you're making a low wage, it may be impossible to cut from an already spare budget. Of course, there is a third camp, which notes that reduces one's spending while earning more is the fastest, more powerful way to build wealth.
Whatever method you prefer, MCPL has the resources to help you strengthen your personal finances in 2018. We offer a wide variety of books that address different aspects of personal finance.There are general books like Personal Finance for Dummies, that offer an broad introduction and include everything from debt to taxes to insurance. Other books, such as Pogue's Basics: Money Essential Tips and Shortcuts, focus on specific ways readers can save money. Titles such as Broke Millenial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together and The 5 Years Before You Retire address the needs of particular generations.
If you lean toward the earn more money side of things, MCPL can help you there too. We have lots of books about writing resumes and cover letters, as well as more general career books. We also have an entire research guide just for job hunters and career changers. It includes local and national job listing sites, to help you meet an immediate need for a job, as well as links on resume writing and interviewing advice. For longer term goals, such as increasing your earning potential, we have free, online courses on everything from computer applications to starting your own business through databases such as Gale Courses, LearningExpress Library, and Lynda.com. We also offer thousands of online books on information technology, business, and personal development through Safari Books Online.
Finally, MCPL offers free programs at branches throughout the county to help you find a job, enhance your networking skills, or even get advice from experience business leaders about managing and growing your small business.
Whatever your financial goals, the information desk staff at each of our branches is always eager to help you find just the right tool to meet those goals. You can stop by one of our branches to talk to us in person, call an individual branch, or contact us by e-mail, phone, or chat through our Ask-a-Librarian service. We hope you have a prosperous and successful 2018!
Labels: Books, Databases, Programs and Events
