About makingCHANGE
makingCHANGE is dedicated to developing and delivering financial education programs that help individuals create their own financial success story. We focus on teaching people the financial skills they need in a way that encourages lasting behavioral change. Our online and in-person programs are offered in schools, human service agencies, and businesses. Contact us at www.makingchangecenter.org to learn more about empowering people to Control their money... and Change their life!
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makingNEWS Spring 2012
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A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Welcome to the inaugural issue of makingNEWS, our quarterly newsletter. Spring is a time of new beginnings and the perfect time to share all of our NEWs.
In 2011, we welcomed NEW board members: Rosa Scharf, Senior Vice President of Howard Bank; Phil Simmerer, Simmerer Insurance and Financial Services and Dr. Charles Ecker, former Howard County Executive and Superintendent of Carroll County Public Schools. We are fortunate to have all of them involved at makingCHANGE.
Last October, we hosted our NEW Women's Empowerment Conference in partnership with Pinnacle Empowerment Center. As part of this successful event, 170 women from all walks of life shared in a special day focused on professional development and financial management. Stay tuned for more information about our 2012 Conference scheduled for Friday, October 26th.
More recently, together with Junior Achievement of Central MD, we launched the NEW Y-Fi program for teens and their families. Y-Fi is designed to get family conversations about money started. Check out the Y-Fi article in this newsletter to learn more about this annual event!
In addition to these two signature events, we continue to expand our reach with our financial coaching services like our NEW program for Genesis Health Care Corporation employees. With support from the company's employee foundation, we are helping Genesis employees take charge of their finances and achieve economic independence.
As you can see, we've had a lot of exciting NEWs. We hope you enjoy this first issue of makingNEWS and join us in our efforts to help people Control their money... and Change their life!
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making A DIFFERENCE
Our financial education programs help clients transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. Here is one of our recent success stories.
A single mom lost her job after 20 years of employment. Approaching 50, with no computer skills and no income, she was in economic crisis. A makingCHANGE financial coach worked with her weekly to trim expenses and create a budget. We connected her to community resources to help her prevent eviction, avoid food insecurity and get the computer training skills she needed to become marketable. And we helped her create a strategy for paying down debt once she is re-employed. We are delighted that she has two job offers and is on the road to financial stability and self-sufficiency.
LITTLE PIGGIES
While a majority of parents worry that their teens will overspend, misuse credit and/or fail to save for financial emergencies:
· Only 34% have taught their teens how to balance a checkbook
· Only 29% have explained to their teens how credit card interest and fees work
· Only 20% involve their teen to a great extent in the family’s financial decisions even though 71% agree the best way for teens to learn healthy financial habits is by example or guided hands-on experience.
[Charles Schwab, Schwab “Parents & Money” Survey Offers Prescription for Raising Financially Healthy Kids, March 26, 2008]
Because many parents are uncomfortable talking with their kids about money, American Express sponsored a program called The Money Talk last September. Their website has great age-appropriate conversation starters, tips for talking to young people about financial matters and a useful answer guide for parents.
http://www.moneynighttalk.com/
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makingCHANGE
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Junior Achievement Present Y-Fi
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Y-Fi SPONSORS
We would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting our Y-Fi series.
Event Sponsor:
Simmerer Insurance and Financial Services, LLC
Station Sponsors:
Howard County General Hospital
The Wendy Slaughter Team/
REMAX Advantage Realty
PNC Bank
The Columbia Bank
APL Federal Credit Union
M & T Bank
Susquehanna Bank
Shoppers Food Warehouse
Community Partners:
HCPSS
Howard Community College
Howard County Library System
Y-Fi Supporters:
Northwest Savings Bank
College Savings Plans of MD
The Danker/DeCapite Group
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UPCOMING EVENTS
March 31, 2012
Y-Fi
Money Matters Fair
10:00 - 1:00
East Columbia Library
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COACH'S CORNER
Getting Your Financial House in Order
Here's a checklist from our coaches. It's all about makingCHANGE:
C heck credit score: Get a copy of your report free once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com. Check for inaccuracies.
H ire estate planner: Review your will, powers of attorney and insurance needs. This is especially important if you've had changes in your financial responsibilities.
A djust budget: Review last year's expenses. Looking at where you'd hoped to spend and save versus where your money went can help you reprioritize and set realistic goals.
N egotiate monthly bills: Review recurring expenses (cell phone, internet, utilities). Check with competitors for the best deals. Ask your current service providers to match the competition, allowing you to save money without interrupting service.
G et organized: Track monthly expenses and find out where your money really goes. At the end of the month, evaluate areas where you can save and set those savings aside.
E valuate savings goals: Review your savings, investment and retirement accounts. Challenge yourself to put more away. Use electronic funds transfer (EFT) to make it automatic.
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