(StatePoint) Managing your finances can be challenging, especially when you’re not sure where to turn for help.
Darlene Goins, head of Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo, shares practical tips and lesser-known resources for taking the next step forward at various stages in your financial life.
What’s happening: You need guidance and funding to launch your small business.
What you can do now: Securing capital can be especially challenging if you don’t qualify for a traditional bank loan. A Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) can help. These specialized lenders provide financing to small businesses, organizations and individuals, and are suited to helping new business ideas get off the ground. CDFIs offer such options as term loans, lines of credit, credit cards and real estate financing. Many also provide consulting, coaching, education, connections and financial planning at low or no cost.
Certified by the U.S. Treasury, CDFIs raise low-cost capital through grants and low-interest funds provided by the government and banks like Wells Fargo. The more than 1,000 CDFIs nationwide collectively manage over $436 billion. Wells Fargo has a long-standing commitment of supporting CDFIs through philanthropic grants and investments that help extend capital to businesses nationwide. CDFI matching services available through the Small Business Resource Navigator are made possible by a donation from Wells Fargo to Community Reinvestment Fund, USA.
What’s happening: You received notice of a rent increase.
What you can do now: Don’t assume you have to accept a rent increase. If you’re a responsible tenant with a solid rental history, you may have more negotiating power than you think. The best time to start the conversation is one to two months before your lease renewal. Come prepared with research on comparable rental rates, a list of your strengths as a tenant, and a clear ask — such as a lower monthly rate, a longer lease or added amenities. A respectful, well-prepared conversation could lead to tangible savings.
The Wells Fargo Foundation provides grant funding to organizations that can help. For example, SaverLife offers free financial tools and resources, including scripts for negotiating rent.
What’s happening: You and your family are facing financial pressures related to a disability.
What you can do now: Consider leveraging a tax-advantaged savings program, like an ABLE account, to help cover qualified expenses such as education, healthcare, transportation and more.
Available to anyone in the United States, these accounts offer a way for people with disabilities and their families to save without potentially impacting their eligibility for public benefits.
The National Association of State Treasurers is building awareness about ABLE accounts through the ABLEtoday program. ABLEtoday partners with state treasurers to provide plan comparisons, best practices and strategies to help families maximize savings.
What’s happening: You worry you’re missing out on eligible tax credits and deductions because you can’t afford a professional tax preparer.
What you can do now: Take advantage of free, IRS-certified tax preparation services to ensure you’re claiming every benefit you’re eligible for. These services are offered through trusted community-based organizations supported by Prosperity Now. Through a recent Wells Fargo Foundation grant, $200,000 was deployed to 15 organizations across 12 U.S. markets and will help qualified experts prepare over 20,000 tax returns at no cost, returning an estimated $25 million to households, according to participating nonprofits. Many of these organizations also offer year-round financial coaching and help navigating public benefits.
Whether you’re negotiating rent or filing taxes, lean on available resources so you can do so with greater confidence and more support.
