Earlier this year, I attended a free two-hour mortgage-counseling workshop in Redmond that was designed to provide struggling homeowners with information on the ins and outs of the foreclosure process. Hosted by NeighborImpact (the Redmond-based nonprofit group that provides a number of home-related community services to residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties), the program offered a wealth of information that is becoming relevant for more and more people in Central Oregon.

Now NeighborImpact is offering a four-part series of free two-hour "financial-fitness" classes in Sisters, which will address everything from budgeting, banking and borrowing to credit-card management. Offered in partnership with the City of Sisters and the Bank of the Cascades, the educational program is open to all Sisters-area residents who'd like to learn how to make more informed financial decisions.

The four classes, which will be held at the Sisters Chamber of Commerce office (291 E. Main), will run every other Tuesday from 6-8 p.m., beginning Sept. 22. Dinner will be provided from 5:30 to 6 p.m. (courtesy of the City of Sisters and Bank of the Cascades).

Here's the full schedule of topics covered:

Sept. 22: "Banking and Budgeting"
Oct. 6: "Maxed Out: Credit Cards"
Oct. 20: "Credit Management and Credit Reports"
Nov. 3: "Borrowing Basics"

For more information or to register for the classes, call NeighorImpact at 541-548-2380, X158, or email info@ci.sisters.or.us.

About the Author:
Lisa Broadwater is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing and selling homes, especially in Sisters, Tumalo, Redmond and Bend. If you'd like to learn more about Central Oregon, please visit www.CentralOregonHome4You.com.