Home Repair Resource Center

HRRC offers electrical classes for women starting in August

For many people, the prospect of working with electricity is just plain scary. The instructors for Home Repair Resource Center’s (HRRC) Home How-To for Women repair course take the time to explain how to remain safe when doing electrical repairs.

Cleveland Heights homeowner Mary Cushing, who enrolled in the module last year, said that all the classes were helpful. “I learned a lot in every class. I’m no longer fearful of doing easy electrical work myself,” said Cushing.

The upcoming Electrical Repairs module will consist of eight workshops, held from 7–9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings from Aug. 7 through Oct. 2.

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Volume 6, Issue 8, Posted 11:06 AM, 07.18.2013

HRRC Financial Assistance Program gearing up for a busy season

With spring upon us, and inspectors preparing for exterior systematic inspections, homeowners should look to their local nonprofit, Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) for assistance.

HRRC has everything a homeowner might need to successfully manage home repairs. From workshops on contracting repairs to tool rentals, HRRC is ready to help.

Some homeowners may not have the resources to handle a large and expensive repair, like roof replacement, where the cost can run into the thousands of dollars. HRRC’s Financial Assistance Programs can help make financing these repairs possible.

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 5:43 PM, 04.19.2013

Home ownership, aging, accessibility

I recently attended a senior focus group at the Cleveland Heights (CH) Senior Center. I went because I wanted to hear about the concerns of our city’s aging population. Here’s what I learned: Cleveland Heights residents are die-hard fans—they want to age right here, if not in their homes, in a senior housing facility within the city limits. Furthermore, they are concerned with the lack of senior-friendly housing in the city. They want single-floor living with universal design, close to a bus line and the senior center.

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 4:53 PM, 04.30.2013

Annual Home Remodeling Fair on April 6

Looking for home remodeling ideas and repair advice? This year’s Community Home Remodeling Fair, presented by Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) in cooperation with the City of Cleveland Heights, will be held on Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cleveland Heights City Hall. The fair is free, and residents of all communities are welcome.

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Volume 6, Issue 4, Posted 11:12 AM, 03.28.2013

Learn simple plumbing repairs at hands-on classes

Do you have a ghost that mysteriously flushes your toilet in the middle of the night? Does the sound of your dripping faucet annoy you and increase your water and sewer bills? Does your bathtub drain slowly or not at all? Do you want to use new plastic water lines but don’t know how to install them?

Homeowners can learn to tackle these common plumbing problems and more by attending the upcoming workshops offered by the Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC). Class size is limited so that attendees can practice using the tools, materials and techniques required for each repair and receive hands-on instruction from experienced plumbers.

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Volume 6, Issue 2, Posted 11:20 AM, 01.31.2013

Homeowners can learn how to reduce sewer bills

Homeowners concerned about the recently announced sewer rate increases should plan to attend "Sewer Bill Sticker Shock: What Can I Do?"

This free presentation, sponsored by Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC), a Cleveland Heights nonprofit, will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. at the HRRC Teaching Center, 2520 Noble Road. Wesley Walker, HRRC staff member, will talk about how to reduce your sewer bill through cost-saving options and storm water fee credits available from the Northeastern Ohio Regional Sewer District. Attendees will receive a $5 credit toward HRRC's "Building a Rain Barrel" workshop on April 8.

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Volume 6, Issue 2, Posted 11:21 AM, 01.22.2013

HRRC resources for senior homeowners

As homeowners age, they may find it more difficult to make home repairs, perform routine maintenance, and deal with a contractor. The nonprofit Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) initiated its Senior Repair Program to provide senior homeowners, age 62 and older, with personalized assistance in assessing repair needs and contracting repairs.

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 6:19 PM, 01.02.2013

Women homeowners benefit from gender-specific repair course

Dellwood Road homeowner Linda Lopez was excited when Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) expanded eligibility for its women’s repair course. When she learned that any woman homeowner could participate in the Home How-To program, she decided to sign up. “I liked the idea of a women’s group,” she explained. “We don’t have to feel intimidated by people who are more knowledgeable or want to go at a faster pace.”

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Volume 5, Issue 11, Posted 12:33 PM, 10.31.2012

Money management key to successful homeownership

Money management is a sophisticated term for budgeting, which is a necessary skill for successful home buying and sustainability.  Current interest rates are low and there are several down payment options for home buyers, making this an ideal time to purchase a home.  

Success in purchasing a home requires financial capacity, planning, and education on the home buying process. Here are four real-life steps you can take to improve your chance of success: (1) leverage your financial capacity (in other words, take advantage of down payment programs); (2) negotiate for the seller to pay closing costs; (3) learn the duties and responsibilities required of the professionals involved in the transaction (lenders, real estate agents and brokers, appraisers, and property inspectors); and (4) plan for the upkeep of a home and your ability to sustain homeownership during difficult financial times and the unplanned life events that inevitably will occur.


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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 9:03 AM, 10.08.2012

Fall energy audits benefit homeowners and HRRC

The Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) is partnering with Dominion East Ohio’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program again this fall to encourage homeowners to sign up for energy audits. This is a great value for both homeowners and HRRC. Dominion East Ohio residential gas customers will pay only $50 for the 3–4 hour energy assessment (normally $500), and HRRC will receive a donation from GoodCents (the company providing the audits) for each order placed between Oct. 10 and Nov. 10.

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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 11:23 AM, 10.03.2012

Repair grants are available for major repairs.

Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) has a Financial Assistance Program that can help Heights homeowners with needed repairs to their homes. HRRC offers grants and loans to qualified homeowners.

For instance, a homeowner can get a $1,000 grant toward whole-house exterior painting, masonry step rebuilding, a new heating system or a roof replacement. HRRC offers a $1,500 grant towards furnace replacement or roof replacement for senior citizens who are 62 years old or older.

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Volume 5, Issue 7, Posted 10:34 PM, 06.03.2012

'Raise the Roof' to celebrate 40 years of Home Repair Resource Center

For four decades, the Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) has worked hand in hand with residents to keep the houses of Cleveland Heights in good repair, amounting to more than $14 million in home improvements, and benefiting both individual homeowners and their neighbors.

To celebrate this milestone, HRRC invites the public to “Raise the Roof: Celebrate 40 Years of HRRC.” This informal benefit party will be held on June 17, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Heights Grill on Lee Road. The celebration will recognize the organization’s history and impact, acknowledge key partners, and look ahead to HRRC’s next decades.

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Volume 5, Issue 5, Posted 10:05 AM, 05.02.2012

Home Remodeling Fair set for March 24

How can homeowners get good repair information without a sales pitch? Home Repair Resource Center offers an annual event for just this purpose. This year’s Community Home Remodeling Fair will be held on Saturday, March 24, at Cleveland Heights City Hall. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m., with presentations from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 11:04 AM, 02.29.2012

Income limits raised for HRRC tool loan

If you need a tool to repair your home, check out the tool loan program at Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC). Now Cleveland Heights homeowner-occupants with higher incomes are eligible to borrow tools from HRRC. A family of three earning up to $68,800 can qualify.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 11:01 AM, 02.07.2012

When the weather is frightful, do interior repairs

Owning a home is a neverending cycle. Fix something, and then something new breaks; fix that and then something else goes. Home Repair Resource Center recommends following a yearly home maintenance schedule to help keep a home in good repair. The center encourages homeowners to work on interior repairs during the cold weather, so that they can focus on the exterior during the warmer months.

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Volume 4, Issue 12, Posted 4:19 PM, 12.01.2011

Practical home repair workshops at HRRC

This summer, Cleveland Heights homeowner Francine Barnett discovered Home Repair Resource Center’s (HRRC) workshops and was surprised to find how much helpful information they provided. After a class on sidewalk leveling, she raved, “This workshop was very practical, labor intensive and hands-on. The instructor was very knowledgeable and helpful. He was quite focused on the overall process, and on specific problems that arose.” 

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Volume 4, Issue 11, Posted 10:35 PM, 11.01.2011

Spring into action with home repairs

Spring is my favorite time of year. The grass is green, flowers and trees are blooming, and Mother Nature is coming out of hibernation. It is fantastic—until you do that first real walk around the house. Those rose-colored glasses quickly get put back into their case, and reality sets in. You begin to notice the wear and tear the harsh winter weather has had on your home.

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Volume 4, Issue 6, Posted 12:19 PM, 06.01.2011

Establish a payment schedule before work begins

Here at Home Repair Resource Center, we frequently hear tales of woe about contracted repairs. One of the most common problems occurs at the end of a project, when--even though most of the work has been completed and paid for--there are a few small details that the contractor has promised to fix “in the next few days.” Weeks later, they are still unfinished, and the contractor has not responded to your calls. Mild irritation turns to total dissatisfaction with the contractor, destroying all your pleasure in the work that has been done.

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Volume 4, Issue 5, Posted 2:35 PM, 04.26.2011

Together, we can prevent foreclosure

Foreclosure is a very serious and stressful situation. The entire country has been affected by this ugly virus. As a foreclosure prevention specialist, I have seen and heard a lot. My job is to fight foreclosure by educating my client, being a communication line between my client and the bank or mortgage company, and to guide my client through the transition process, if needed.

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Volume 4, Issue 1, Posted 12:08 PM, 12.15.2010

HRRC seeks applicants for women's home repair program

Eighteen single women homeowners will have the opportunity this spring to build their knowledge of basic carpentry, electrical, and plumbing repairs. “Home How-To” is an intensive, six-month program designed to give women personalized instruction and hands-on practice with tools and repair techniques. The 2011 course will be the 14th offered by Home Repair Resource Center, a community nonprofit organization.

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Volume 3, Issue 12, Posted 2:37 PM, 11.16.2010

Cold weather, warm house

There is nothing like coming home to a warm house after a long day out in the cold. To ensure that your heating system is ready for the cold weather ahead, it’s best to fire it up early, to make sure that it is working properly. If not, there will be time to repaire or replace it before the snow starts to fly.

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Volume 3, Issue 11, Posted 10:32 AM, 10.18.2010

Mini-course on saving money

You can save money if you want to. By doing small things and changing some of your habits, you can start to put your pennies into a nest egg that will soon build into real dollars. You’ll find it easier to make these changes if you have a purpose for your savings, such as to create an emergency fund, add to your retirement account, go on a family vacation or pay for holiday fun. 

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Volume 3, Issue 10, Posted 4:53 PM, 09.20.2010

HRRC to offer special events for Sustainability Week

During Sustainability Week (October 2–10), residents will have several opportunities to gain information about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, thanks to Home Repair Resource Center.

From 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4., HRRC will host an open house at its office/teaching center, 2520 Noble Road. Residents are invited to drop in to view HRRC’s facilities and learn about programs to help keep them in their homes: keeping their homes in good repair, keeping their finances in shape, and knowing their options if they face mortgage delinquency.

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Volume 3, Issue 9, Posted 1:49 PM, 08.18.2010

HRRC expands foreclosure prevention staff

Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC), a HUD-certified counseling agency, welcomes two new additions to its staff: Denise Black and Doris Honsa. They are experienced housing professionals who focus exclusively on providing free foreclosure prevention services to Northeast Ohio homeowners. 

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Volume 3, Issue 8, Posted 5:09 PM, 07.20.2010

HRRC workshops make home remodel affordable

Larry Coleman returned with his wife Lisa Lock, to his home town of Cleveland Heights in 2006 after 27 years away, purchasing a house on Scarborough Road just west of Lee Road. Built in 1917, the house had undergone a major remodeling in the 1930’s, with the addition of glass block walls, rounded corners, and other art deco features. Since then, however, the house had been let go, and was now a “serious fixer-upper” with more than 80 point-of-sale violations.

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Volume 3, Issue 7, Posted 10:04 AM, 06.14.2010

Spend wisely and save

Give your budget a check-up, and reap unexpected savings. Every opportunity to save money on goods and services will improve your financial fitness. Here are several places to start. 

Groceries

Participate in food co-op programs. Some of these programs not only offer discounts on quality food, but provide menus as well. Great Food for All is a faith-based, nondenominational company that provides top-quality food to any interested person, on a monthly basis, through local churches and other nonprofits. There are no membership fees, paperwork, hassles or purchase limits. You can buy a box of good quality food that will feed a family of four for a week for $30. For more information, go to www.greatfoodforall.com.

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Volume 3, Issue 6, Posted 2:43 PM, 05.07.2010

Tips from the home repair trenches

As we enter home repair season, my phone rings more frequently. The city is alive with a buzz of repair hysteria (as I lovingly refer to it). Violation lists from the city inspectors are on their way to anxious homeowners, and the melting snow has revealed exterior repairs in need of attention. Here are a few tips I can share with residents who may be experiencing some of these springtime rituals:

Don’t put off till tomorrow what can be done today. Home repairs that aren’t fixed sooner rather than later will only lead to more extreme issues down the line. Keep an eye on things. If something doesn’t seem right, get it checked out in a timely manner.

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Volume 3, Issue 5, Posted 12:13 PM, 04.19.2010

Smart home buying thanks to HRCC

In a letter to the Home Repair Resource Center, one client writes:

When I  made my decision to buy a home I got encouragement from my lender and my Realtor to get the home of my dreams, at the top of my affordability range
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Volume 3, Issue 4, Posted 1:53 PM, 03.23.2010

Here's help for home remodeling

Perhaps you’re wondering, where to get advice on remodeling a kitchen or making an older home more energy efficient.

Try the Home Remodeling Fair on March 20 sponsored by the Home Repair Resource Center. The event will be held at the Lee Road Library. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., presentations begin at 10 and end at 2:15.

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Volume 3, Issue 3, Posted 4:13 PM, 02.16.2010

Behind on your property taxes?

In Ohio, property taxes are collected twice per year and are billed at the end of the year in which they are assessed. Thus, taxes billed in December 2009 (and due in January 2010) were the taxes assessed for the first half of 2009. Second-half bills arrive in June and are due in July. Exact due dates are noted on the bill. Residents can pay once per year or in monthly installments, and payments can be withdrawn automatically from a bank account.

A payment is considered late at midnight on the due date. Property owners paying within the next five days are assessed a 5 percent penalty. After that, a 10 percent penalty applies.

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Volume 3, Issue 2, Posted 3:58 PM, 01.07.2010

Women master home repairs at 'Home How-To'

On Nov. 4, 15 women joined in song to celebrate their graduation from the 2009 Home How-To course provided by Home Repair Resource Center. Brynna Fish, one of the new graduates, led the group in an original composition –set to the tune of “If I Had a Hammer" – that described the journey these women had taken, from their first tentative use of power tools to their newfound eagerness to tackle home repairs.
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Volume 2, Issue 12, Posted 12:50 PM, 11.10.2009

Don't be left in the cold

It is getting cold outside and many people may find that when they turn their furnace or boiler on for the first time, it isn’t working properly. Home Repair Resource Center offers several programs for people who are in need of assistance. If you find yourself in need of a new heating system or repair, make HRRC your first stop.

The HRRC library is full of helpful resources. There are handouts that explain the different types of heating systems as well as the different efficiency

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Volume 2, Issue 11, Posted 1:53 PM, 11.04.2009

If your mortgage is late, don't wait

Home Repair Resource Center, a HUD-certified housing counseling agency located in Cleveland Heights, received a national grant that allows the agency to extend its foreclosure intervention and prevention counseling services to residents in Northeast Ohio including the inner-ring suburbs.
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Volume 2, Issue 9, Posted 1:28 PM, 08.19.2009

Home Repair Resource Center offers financial assistance for home repairs

In the current economic climate, many homeowners are choosing to fix up their homes, rather than considering a move. Home Repair Resource Center, a nonprofit organization right here in Cleveland Heights, offers a variety of loan and grant programs to help make home repairs more affordable and less of a worry, as these two recent examples demonstrate:

Last winter was very tough on roofs and gutters, with the heavy snow and ice buildup. This spring, a young woman with two small children met with one of our counselors to obtain a loan to fix her roof. She was very worried about taking on an additional loan payment because she was already on a tight budget. She was pleased to find that she could qualify for several grant programs that reduced her loan payment by half. Furthermore, she was able to fix her roof and still have an affordable monthly payment.

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Volume 2, Issue 8, Posted 12:11 PM, 07.22.2009

Home Repair Resource Center offers financial assistance for home repairs

In the current economic climate, many homeowners are choosing to fix up their homes, rather than considering a move. Home Repair Resource Center, a nonprofit organization right here in Cleveland Heights, offers a variety of loan and grant programs to help make home repairs more affordable and less of a worry, as these two recent examples demonstrate:
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Volume 2, Issue 6, Posted 2:19 PM, 05.12.2009

Foreclosure rescue scams and how to avoid them

It all begins when a phony “foreclosure” or “mortgage” specialist contacts the homeowner through phone, direct mail or even a visit to your home. They look good, smell good and promise they can rescue your home from foreclosure in exchange for a fee that can range from as little as $400 to $1,200.

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Volume 2, Issue 5, Posted 2:38 PM, 04.21.2009

Community Home Remodeling Fair is April 18

Get free advice from a wide variety of local home remodeling experts at this year's Community Home Remodeling Fair on Saturday, April 18 at Cleveland Heights City Hall. Sponsored by the Home Repair Resource Center and the City of Cleveland Heights, the fair will open at 9:15 a.m. and will feature presentations from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
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Volume 2, Issue 4, Posted 10:34 AM, 03.20.2009

Home Repair Resource Center offers classes

As winter turns to spring, free workshops the Home Repair Resource Center will move from interior to exterior repairs. Classes teach participants what goes into a good quality job, whether you do it yourself or contract the work.

Most classes are held at the resource center’s Teaching Center, 2520 Noble Road (two blocks north of Monticello, at the corner of Oxford), on Mondays from 7-9 p.m. Attendance is limited to Cleveland Heights residents. Reservations are requested; call 216-381-9560 to save a spot. For class descriptions, see the resource center’s Web site at www.hrrc-ch.org and select Schedule of Workshops from the list on the left side of the Web page.

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Volume 2, Issue 3, Posted 10:08 AM, 02.17.2009

A new opportunity for home buyers

The current economic situation may cause some prospective homebuyers to hesitate, and with good reason.  If your income is insecure and you are working to pay off high debts, homeownership may not be for you.  If your job is secure, you have savings, and your debts are under control, you may want to consider buying a home now. 
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Volume 2, Issue 2, Posted 1:34 PM, 12.23.2008

Looking for a few good women

It’s usually little boys who follow their dads around, learning home repair skills.  That’s probably one of the reasons women can feel so intimidated when trying to fix things around the house.  Home Repair Resource Center has the answer.  Women heads of house in Cleveland Heights are encouraged to call now about the next offering of HHRC’s repair education series, “Home How-To.”  During this intensive, six-month program, women homeowners will work together to master basic carpentry, electrical and plumbing skills.  Absolutely no previous experience is required!
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Volume 2, Issue 1, Posted 9:15 AM, 12.11.2008

Offerings from Home Repair Resource Center

Home Repair Resource Center offers free home repair workshops, with “hands-on” practice using tools and techniques. Most classes will be held at HRRC’s Teaching Center, 2520 Noble Road (two blocks north of Monticello, at the corner of Oxford). The workshops are limited to Cleveland Heights residents and reservations are requested; call 216-381-9560 to save your spot.
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Volume 1, Issue 9, Posted 12:00 PM, 11.12.2008

Taking Back Our Community: foreclosure assistance

No one will deny that the foreclosure crisis, is affecting the community in its entirety. Still, the reality of a foreclosure is hard to face. If you find you cannot make your mortgage payment on time, becoming proactive may prevent the loss of your home.
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Volume 1, Issue 8, Posted 4:45 PM, 10.21.2008

Home Repair Resource Center holds fall classes

In this current economic climate, it is more important than ever to spend your home repair dollars wisely. One way to save money can be to do the work yourself. Home Repair Resource Center offers free classes that give you an opportunity to practice using the tools and techniques you’ll need for the job.

Our fall classes will all be held at HRRC’s Teaching Center, 2520 Noble Road (two blocks north of Monticello, at the corner of Oxford). Reservations are requested; call 216-381-9560 to save your spot for these workshops:

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Volume 1, Issue 7, Posted 4:36 PM, 09.11.2008

HRRC provides money management resources

“Penny pinching” and "dollar stretching” are terms once often laughed at. But, now as daily expenses are rising, many are taking these sayings to heart and putting them into practice. Most residents are concerned with expected increases in food, transportation, home heating, mortgage/rent payments and other expenses.  Are you prepared? The Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) offers monthly classes on budgeting to help you develop a monthly spending plan and find ways to save for unexpected expenses.  Having a budget will also help you identify whether your income is sufficient to cover all of your expenses. If not, you can learn to develop a plan to reduce expenses and/or increase your income.
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Volume 1, Issue 6, Posted 12:25 PM, 09.02.2008

Home Repair Resource Center offers "hands-on" workshops

In this current economic climate, it is more important than ever to spend your home repair dollars wisely. One way to save money can be to do the work yourself. Home Repair Resource Center offers free classes that give you an opportunity to practice using the tools and techniques you’ll need for the job. Reservations are requested; call 381-9560 for information and to save your spot for the following workshops:
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Volume 1, Issue 6, Posted 4:10 PM, 08.07.2008