The Dawson County Adult Education Center of Lanier Technical College recently announced that beginning in January it will present a seminar sure to help residents through these troubled economic times.

Every session is free, and everyone is welcome. Participants do not have to be a GED student to attend. Instructor Martha Saxon is a resident of Dawsonville and has been in the banking industry for more than 20 years.

She will present topics related to everyday situations, including how to: open a bank account; create a budget; use credit cards wisely; repair credit scores; use coupons to their greatest benefit; and determine whether you qualify for a car loan or mortgage.

Participants are welcome to bring any specific questions they may have.

Sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. each Tuesday evening and are free and open to the public.

The first session will begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 11.

Participants are welcome to bring friends or neighbors who also would like to take advantage of the opportunity.

According to officials, getting your GED diploma is another way to brighten your financial future. For those who would like to obtain their GED, the Adult Education Center has expanded its winter schedule of classes. There are several new GED preparation classes that combine both reading and writing skills and an algebra and geometry class both mornings and afternoons.

In addition to the new classes, the center will offer several new opportunities for tutoring.

Tutors will be available to assist students in reading, social studies, grammar and the essay, and algebra and geometry. How to write an effective resume will be included in several of the sessions.

Contact the Adult Education Center to make sure the class you want hasn’t changed to a new day or time.

Winter quarter classes will begin on Jan. 10 and end on March 17. A pre-test is offered to determine if you need to review any subject areas before taking the GED test. The next pre-test will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 5.

If you are interested in obtaining your GED diploma or know someone who is, contact the Adult Education Center. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For additional information or to schedule the pretest, call (706) 265-1690, stop by the center at 388 Hwy. 9 N., or e-mail lead instructor Kathy Davis at kdavis@laniertech.edu.

All classes and services at the Adult Education Center are free of charge.