By Alesha Capone
Tarneit mother Vanessa Dota says that participating in the Saver Plus program has been an empowering experience.
Developed by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ, the program involves participants setting a savings goal for education-related costs, saving money for 10 months and completing financial skills workshops.
At the end of the program, their savings are matched by ANZ, dollar for dollar, up to $500.
This year, Saver Plus celebrated a milestone- helping its 50,000th participant in Australia since being established in 2003.
The Smith Family delivers the Saver Plus program in Wyndham, which Mrs Dota enrolled in last July.
“For me, I have really found it to be a success story, if you set aside money for 10 months and don’t touch it, it really adds up,” she said.
“There was lots of tips on spending, saving and proper allocation in a budget.”
Under the program, participants only need to save $50 per month but Mrs Dota said she decided to save $100 a month.
She plans to spend her $500 from the ANZ on either a new tablet for one of her sons or to buy extra school sports uniforms.
Mrs Dota, who works in childcare services and is also studying, said she has told her friends and colleagues about Saver Plus.
“I really recommend it and I really liked it, it has really helped me a lot,” she said.
“I even told my family in the Philippines and they say they wish they had a program like that there.”
Details: www.saverplus.org.au or call 1300 610 355.
Eligibility requirements apply to participate in the program.
