Matthew Lesko is America’s #1 expert on government money programs. He is also the author of over 100 books on the subject of government money. Two of his books were New York Times Best Sellers. He has been a columnist for Good Housekeeping Magazine, the New York Times Syndicate and the Chicago Tribune. His books have been used as course material by Harvard University and the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Hospital. The Washington Post calls Lesko "the genius who made a career out of what might be the ultimate advertising slogan -- free money."

Lesson #1: Introduction

Wall Street Journal --- Debt has taken over from terrorism as biggest short term problem in our society.

See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118817716621209442.html?mod= googlenews_wsj

Debt = Stress = Disease

Stress can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, some forms of cancer, immune deficiency and can become detrimental over time.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/debt-can-be-bad-for-your-health?page=1
http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2007-09-04-foreclosure-stress_N.htm
http://obssr.od.nih.gov/Content/Publications/Articles/STRESIMM.htm

Median Family Income (Non-Elderly) DECREASED $2,745 from 2000 to 2006
http://www.cbpp.org/8-28-07pov.htm

Lesson #2: Find The Right Programs

Google Searches
"How To Get Rid Of Your Debt" – 33 million websites
"Personal Grants" – 35 million websites
"Free Grants" – 95 million websites

Government Money Club Sources

See Club Table of Contents for Only Site That Gives Out Money

• Look Under "Living Expenses & Bills"
• "Know Your Basic Money Programs"… up to $50,000 +
• "Does This Money Belong To You?"… unclaimed money easy to check
• "Help With Pay Bills" … Intro on this section most important
• "Money To Pay Utility Bills"
• "Student Loan Forgiveness"
• "IRS Grants; 3.5 Million Families Don’t Know"
• Look Under "News Alerts"
  • "Money To Avoid Foreclosure"
  • "Money For Musicians To Pay Bills"
  • "$1,000 For Small Business Owners"
  • ‘Money For Single Parents"
  • "Interest Free Loans For Writers"
  • "New Law Reduces College Debt"
  • "New Law Makes Refinancing Easier"
• Look Under "Health Care", "Disabilities & Veterans", ‘Seniors", "Housing & Real Estate"
  • Free Prescription Drugs for Many Incomes
  • Low Cost Dental Care
  • Free Hearing Aids
  • Hospital Bills Covered
  • $1,000 Month To Pay Mortgage
• Veterans and Active Military:
  Look under "Disabilities and Veterans" and see items under “For People With Disabilities” and “Money and Help for Veterans”
• Finding More Money Programs
  • "Intro Section" under "Living Expenses & Bills" … non-profits, etc.
  • "Congress; What It Can Do For You" under "Living Expenses & Bills" and see "Money and Help for Veterans", "Free Stuff For Veterans"

Lesson #3: Don’t Hire A Grant Writer

Don’t Hire A Grant Writer

1. Look under "How To Section" for "Sample Applications" and then "Copies of SUCCESSFUL Applications." Clink on first application "$2,000 to Study Blues Guitar"
2. Look under "How To Section" for "Sample Applications" and then "Copies of Sample Applications" go to item #8 and see a 4-page "fill in the blanks" application to get $4,000 to fix-up your home

Lesson #4 How To Get Good Credit Counseling

1. See How For-Profit and Non-Profit Organizations are Ripping People Off Ameridebt, DebtWorks, etc. see… http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/cases/ameridebt/index.shtml
   Debt Specialist of America, Credit Counseling Services of America, etc see.
   http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0423029/0423029.shtm
2. See Free Video On How to Avoid Credit Counseling Scams http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/11/vrncredit
   counselingma.shtm
3. Two Organizations That Will Help You Locate Reputable Agencies Neighborhood Works Agencies http://www.nw.org/network/Utilities/NWOLookup.asp
   U.S. HUD approved counseling agencies
   http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm
4. Federal Reserve Has Lots of Free Help On How To Avoid Foreclosure
   http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/foreclosure/default.htm
5. Check Complaints Against Counseling Agencies Investigate complaints at Better Business Bureau in the city or state the counseling agency has its headquarters.. http://lookup.bbb.org Investigate complaints at the state Attorney General’s Office in the state the counseling agencies has its headquarters…
   http://www.naag.org/attorneys_general.php
6. Other Publications Choosing a Credit Counselor http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fiscal.shtm Credit Repair: Self Help May Be Best http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/repair.pdf
   How To Get Yourself Out Of Debt http://www.myamericanbenefitsplan.com/index.php?cat=_651
   Mortgage Payments Sent You Reeling http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea04.shtm
   Out of Work? How To Deal With Creditors http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/outwkalrt.shtm
7. Bankruptcy Before You File Personal Bankruptcy http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/
   cre41.shtm
   New Bankruptcy Law Requires Counseling Before Filing http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/10/bankruptcy.shtm
   Advertisements Promising Debt Relief May Be Offering Bankruptcy http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/09/
   bankrupt.shtm
   Articles Make Bankruptcy Not So Scary http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/credit/2007/08/31/dont-
   be-afraid-of-bankruptcy.aspx,  http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/your-money/2007/08/28/
   how-to-recover-from-bankruptcy.html