Naperville Library offers 'Money Smart' programs

During Money Smart Week, April 24 to 27, Naperville Public Library will offer several programs designed to help audience members make the best use of their hard-earned dollars.

The free programs will focus on how all ages can save and value money. No registration is required for the programs, which will take place at Nichols Library's NaperLaunch business startup center on the upper floor of the library, 200 W. Jefferson St., Naperville.

For information about NaperLaunch, go to naperville-lib.org/research/business-investment. For information on the programs, call (630) 961-4100.

• Making the Most of Social Security, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 24. The presentation will discuss the filing options available to married couples, divorced individuals and widows. Alternate filing options often can provide monthly lifetime Social Security payments higher than the standard filing options typically selected. Attendees will be provided with a client workbook that they can keep for future reference.

• Building Personal Credit, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. A credit score summarizes individual credit risk and affects the availability of personal credit and how much is paid for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and other kinds of credit. Learn how higher vs. lower scores impact credit approval and costs.

• What to Do When the Paychecks Stop, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26. Kaylee Phalon, financial adviser with Edward Jones, will present a retirement income primer that will review income sources during retirement and their various implications. Learn how to budget for retirement expenses and identify potential alternative sources of retirement income. The session also will identify some of the potential risks to retirement income and ways to address those risks.

• The ABCs of Home Buying, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27. Matthew Ewald, mortgage consultant at 1st Advantage Mortgage, will provide an overview of the homebuying process. Discussion topics will include household budgeting, building credit, tips on improving credit scores, home loan financing options and down payment assistance programs. Learn the importance of selecting the right team (Realtor, inspector, attorney and lender), and the roles they play in the process, including home search, contract negotiation and closing.