Invest in ME Reads is Coming!

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), in partnership with the Maine Office of Securities and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), is excited to announce the launch of Invest in ME Reads, a new statewide program designed to support family financial education by sparking conversations about future goals, saving money, and the value of choice. The program was originally slated to launch in the spring of 2020, but due to COVID-19 school closures, the launch was rescheduled for this fall.

Invest in ME Reads was developed to support Maine’s statewide goal to produce an educated and skilled workforce. For many Mainers, a lack of financial capability can be a significant barrier to pursuing education and training after high school, which in turn impacts an individual’s ability to seek employment and ultimately the strength of Maine’s economy. During September, FAME will be distributing copies of the children’s book Those Shoes, which includes themes of saving, giving, and delayed gratification and special content to encourage families to participate. A parent guide, developed by CFPB, and information about Maine’s Section 529 plan, NextGen 529™, will also be included in the book. A supply will be mailed to all Maine elementary schools, and schools have been asked to share the books and materials with their second grade students and teachers. To support the program, a new educational web page, InvestinMEReads.com has also been launched. The website includes fun activities for students and additional financial education resources for adults.

To celebrate the launch, a video recording of Maribeth Boelts, author of Those Shoes, reading the book specifically for Maine students will be made available to schools. FAME has also developed a recorded video for Maine families. Visit InvestinMEReads.com to learn more.