By Spencer Sterritt

‘Every little bit helps:’ Nanaimo’s homeless learn how to save through compassionate financial advice

Mar 22, 2019 | 5:56 PM

NANAIMO — “You can be in the roughest spot but you can always get out of it.”

Finance employee Alana DiCredico shared the message to roughly a dozen of Nanaimo’s most vulnerable at the Unitarian Shelter, hoping to guide them back into having bank accounts, savings and a better chance at success.

She was treated to a receptive audience who hung on to her every word and asked many questions during the half hour talk, everything from what identification is need to open a bank account to how credit score companies make money.

The biggest take away from her talk was to always keep track of how much money is actually accessible, which is important when there’s only a relatively small amount provided on cheque day.

“A lot of people don’t even realize how much money they’re spending until the end of the month. Every little bit helps,” she said, showing how the few dollars saved at the end of a week can snowball into something much larger.

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Her talk was organized by shelter coordinator Kevan Griffith, who used DiCredico’s advice years before to right his quickly sinking financial ship and get back on track.

DiCredico said it was “an amazing feeling” to see those staying at the shelter listening attentively and starting to plan their journey back to financial independence.

“I really feel a lot of the time, the homeless are overlooked and not treated like they’re on an equal playing field, but they are.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit