CONTACT:
Jackie Nelson
Lutheran Social Service
612/969-2286
Jackie.Nelson@lssmn.org
Ring In
the New Year with Good Financial Health
Personal Financial Center
in Minneapolis to offer free financial education classes
If one of your goals in the New Year is
financial-saving more, putting more away for college, and getting on top
of those pesky credit card bills-you will likely be in good company.
"We know through various research studies
that many of us enter adulthood without a solid understanding of good
money management, and lack basic skills that can help us not only survive,
but thrive and achieve our life goals," explained Carlene Coleman,
director of the Personal Finance Center in Minneapolis.
The Personal Finance Center, a new project
of Faith in the City, wants to change that.
The Personal Finance Center was launched in
June 2005 to help people make good choices about how they manage their
money. In January 2006, the center will launch a series of eight free
classes on personal finance that cover topics, such as, how to develop a
basic budget, acquire saving tools, spot a scam, learn simple investing
strategies, and avoid expensive financial services that are unnecessary.
Cassaundra Adler, financial educator with Lutheran Social Service, will be
teaching the classes.
"Knowledge is power," Coleman added. "We
provide programs and services that allow people to move beyond financial
survival, to financial stability and even prosperity. We also know that
for each hour of financial education gained, savings deposits grow
incrementally, as does our ability to attain important financial assets,
such as a home or one's own business."
Education classes are just one of many
services offered by the Personal Finance Center. The center also offers
personal debt management services, free tax clinics during the tax season,
a new Get Checking program that helps unbanked individuals open checking
accounts, and Phillips Saves, designed to help residents of the Phillips
Neighborhood develop financial stability through a matched savings
program.
Financial education classes will be held on
Wednesday evenings starting January 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the
Personal Finance Center, 2414 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Attendees can
attend one or all eight classes. The eight-week series will be repeated
starting on Wednesday, March 8. To register, or for more information, call
the Personal Finance Center at 612.879.5220.
Faith in the City is a partnership of seven
major Lutheran institutions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area committed to
improving the quality of life of the communities in which they serve.
These partners have expertise in a wide variety of areas, including health
care, social services education, finance, publishing and Christian
service. Partners include: Augsburg College, Augsburg Fortress Publishers,
Central Lutheran Church, Fairview Health Services, Luther Seminary,
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and, Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans.
Managing My Money" Workshop Series
Taught by Lutheran Social Service
Financial Counseling
January 11: Where does my money
go? Part One
- Figuring out your money personality
- Know how to sort out wants versus needs
- Make a spending plan that works
January 18: Where does my money
go? Part Two
- Find and plug money leaks
- Track spending to make realistic
budgeting
- Start savings plans to get ahead of
check-to-check living
January 25: Learn How To Improve
Your Credit Record
- Know how to get free credit reports from
all three reporting bureaus
- Learning to read and understand your
credit report
- How to fix problems and build new good
credit
February 1: Are You A Con
Artist's Dream
- Spot fraud and scams before it's too
late
- Prevent identity theft
- Know where to go: consumer protection
resources
February 8: Now That You Found
Some Extra Money
- Choose the right tools to save or invest
- Staying safe but getting ahead
- Learn simple investing strategies
February 15: Protecting Yourself
& You Family
- Types of insurance (health, car, life,
homeowner/renter, disability, liability)
- Choosing the best policy for you at the
lowest price
- Managing your coverage to keep insured
February 22: Living On Less Is
Easier Than You Think
- Ways to reduce costs when unemployed or
on reduced income
- Voluntary thriftiness: get off the
overspending treadmill
- Replace money worries by controlling
your money
March 1: Be Confident, Be Smart
When You Buy Your Next Car
- Be prepared and feel powerful buying
your next car
- Used versus new cars: How to pick a
reliable one
- Keep your car running through
preventative maintenance
- Find out how to get the best car loan
Classes held at the Personal Finance
Center, 2414 Park Avenue, Minneapolis. 612.879.5220.
Classes are free, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Advance registration is
required.
LSS Office of Communications
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
2485 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
1-800-582-5260
651/642-5990
FAX 651/969-2360
Jackie.Nelson@lssmn.org
