family finances

Connecticut Saves Campaign Promoting Family Saving is Launched

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America Saves logoOnly 39% of Connecticut residents reported spending less than they earned in 2012. Fifty percent did not have emergency funds and 57% haven’t set aside money for their children’s college education according to the 2012 National Financial Capability Study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. UConn Extension is launching the Connecticut Saves Campaign as a new effort to motivate, encourage, and support low- to moderate-income households in Connecticut to save money, reduce debt and build wealth. Connecticut Saves is part of America Saves, a national campaign led by the Consumer Federation of America. The research-based campaign uses the principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to change behavior.

 

Connecticut Saves Week takes place Monday, February 24 through Saturday, March 1, 2014. UConn Extension is encouraging Connecticut citizens to assess their saving and save regularly for their goals during this special week. Connecticut Saves has planned a variety of events and workshops in celebration. Governor Dannel P. Malloy has issued a proclamation in honor of Connecticut Saves Week. The Connecticut Saves Campaign is coordinated by UConn Extension with the support of these partners: Connecticut Department of Banking; Connecticut Department of Labor; Connecticut State Library; Connecticut Treasurer’s Office; FDIC; Hartford Job Corps; Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.; Naugatuck Head Start; New Haven County Extension Resource Council, Inc.; New Haven Free Public Library; and People’s United Bank. Please see the Connecticut Saves website at: www.connecticutsaves.org. The Bank of America Foundation is supporting the Connecticut Saves Week Campaign through a mini-grant. For more information about the Connecticut Saves Campaign, contact Faye Griffiths-Smith of UConn Extension at faye.griffiths-smith@uconn.edu or call 203.407.3160.

America Saves Week 2014

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America Saves Week 2013 Campaign Led by UConn Extension

America Saves logoAmerica Saves Week (ASW) is an opportunity individuals and families to assess and improve their own savings status as well as a special time for organizations to promote good savings behavior. Nationally, it is coordinated by the Consumer Federation of America and the American Savings Education Council. Started in 2007, thousands of organizations participate in the Week, reaching millions of people across the nation encouraging individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth.

Held February 25th through March 2nd of this year, the week included a Financial Education Expo sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Banking at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford; saving workshops for Hartford Job Corps students and HRA of New Britain program participants, and discussions with Naugatuck Head Start parents about savings goals. Dream boxes were decorated by participants with pictures representing their different savings goals. There was a drawing for personal finance books targeted to older teens and young adults. Participants had the opportunity to make a pledge to save money regularly for specific goals such as further education, an emergency fund, a car or a down payment on a home. Those making a pledge also were entered in drawings for grocery store gift cards. A mini-grant to support this project was provided by Bank of America. People’s Bank and Bank of America donated coloring books, financial information and other materials.

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UConn Extension launched its first campaign this year with the support of these partnering organizations: Connecticut Department of Banking; Connecticut Department of Labor; Hartford Job Corps; HRA of New Britain, Inc.; Naugatuck Head Start; New Haven County Extension Resource Council, Inc.; New Haven Free Public Library; People’s Bank and Bank of America Foundation.

Plans are being developed now for America Saves Week 2014 which will take place February 24th through March 1st.  Employers, financial institutions, businesses, colleges and schools, community and faith-based organizations and others are invited to learn more about how they can participate by contacting UConn Extension at 203.407.3160 or faye.griffiths-smith@uconn.edu .

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Financial Literacy and the Financial Facts of Life

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Photo credit: University of Maryland Extension

It’s back to school season and across Connecticut, families are getting young people ready for school so that they can learn what they need to know to become productive, responsible and successful adults. In their late teens and twenties, young people face many important decisions – among them may be signing a lease on an apartment, applying for a credit card, taking out student loans and possibly buying cars and homes. How do we prepare students to be in the best position possible to understand both their options and responsibilities so that they can make wise decisions?

UConn Extension provides financial literacy and personal finance education workshops in partnership with schools, youth-serving agencies and organizations, businesses with young employees as well as cities and towns. Financial education programs are available for parents of children in pre-kindergarten programs, elementary school children to young adults in their early twenties.

Offered in partnership with schools, community organizations and agencies, the Welcome to the Real World, Connecticut Edition Simulation gives young people (middle school to college age/young adults) the opportunity to imagine their lives as young employed adults. They select occupations, find out their incomes and estimated taxes, and open checking and savings accounts. They then visit tables and interact with adult volunteers as they make common spending decisions. Through the learning exercise, they learn about managing money, living within their incomes, identifying spending priorities, saving and dealing with unexpected expenses.

Parents are an important key in a child’s financial education. Yet the seventh annual Financial Literacy Survey of U.S. adults, conducted in 2013 on behalf of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Inc., showed that 40% of adults surveyed gave themselves a grade of C, D, or F on their knowledge of personal finance. UConn Extension offers a variety of financial education workshops for adults and young people. The Parents, Kids and Money Workshop provides parents with education and resources to help them teach their children about money.  Teaching the Financial Facts of Life Workshop encourages those working or volunteering in youth-serving organizations to incorporate financial literacy skills within their programming. The Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck Workshop Series focuses on helping people develop and apply financial plans to help them reach their goals.

For more information about these and other financial education workshops throughout the lifespan, contact Faye Griffiths-Smith at 203.407.3160 or faye.griffiths-smith@uconn.edu.