Money Talk with a Teenager

April 28, 2011 By Whitney

 

Posted by Cricket

In a recent conversation with my teenage son, the subject of the current economy came up. Being 18 and in a more sophisticated society than I was, he has a lot of pertinent insight into matters I knew nothing about when I was that age. He loves to talk politics and I loved to talk about the boy in my Algebra class.

Nevertheless, we were talking about the price of gas and other financial matters of the day and I made the comment that I wished real life were as easy as the games I play on Facebook. You buy something, you no longer want it or you need extra ‘coins’ and with a click of the mouse, it’s sold.

We both agreed that is what makes stores like “Half Price Books” so relevant in today’s economy. You can gather up your books, DVD’s, even game systems and take them in and walk about with a few extra bucks in your pocket on the spot! No shipping or waiting, etc. like on-line selling sites.

Obviously you are not going to make back your investment, but with the state of affairs in most people’s checkbooks today, it is a nice option to have for some cash on hand.

  • What are your favorite ways to generate extra cash?
  • Do you visit stores that buy back merchandise for cash?
  • Which ones are your favorites?
  • Do you have any experience, good or bad, with such businesses?
Filed Under: Family finances, financial literacy, Financial Stability, Parents and teens, Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition, Teens and money Tagged With: , ,

6 Month Money Challenge

April 19, 2011 By Whitney

In honor of National Financial Literacy Month, SIABC has launched an online 6 month money challenge  designed to help you examine your beliefs, feelings and attitudes about money as well as evaluate your relationship with the beloved dollar!

Join us on Facebook and you’ll find weekly CHALLENGES focused on a particular financial theme!  You’ll have access to the tools, information and resources you’ll need to help you change your behavior and create habits that support your financial goals. 

We kicked off the challenge in April on Facebook with a focus on spending but it’s not too late! Jump on in and let SIABC help you reach the finish line of a great financial future!

 Monthly Challenge Topics:

1.  SPENDING

 2.  BUDGETING

 3.  Debt

 4.  Credit

 5.  SAVINGS

 6.  Organization

Click here to Join us on Facebook!

Filed Under: Budgeting, Financial challenges, Financial Stability, Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition

Suze Orman – LIVE!

April 14, 2011 By Whitney

Posted by Cricket – Guest Contributor

On March 15, 2011, I had the opportunity to hear Suze Orman at The Louisville Free Public Library, thanks to SIABC! I admit I am not a loyal follower of the well-known author/speaker/financial guru and I think dread is probably the emotion I felt going in. My thought process was something like this:

“Oh great. Someone else telling me how much I have screwed up my finances.”

“Just what I want to hear, a lecture on investing and saving for the future, when I would just like to be able to put gas in my car for the week.”

“That’s nice for people who have  a lot of money to do something with, but I barely get by as it is.”

So going in, I pretty much thought I wouldn’t take home anything but a bunch of guilt! I was SO WRONG!

Suze Orman was talking to real people like me. Some of her more significant messages that I took home were: 

  • There is a NEW American Dream. This isn’t the same world or economy that my parents were basing their hopes and dreams on. 
  • You need to go ‘back to class’ in terms of your money. 
  • Be REAL about what is coming in and going out. 
  • It’s ok to rent a house if it provides more security for your situation. That was such a relief? How many of you have been taught all your life that home ownership makes your life more valuable? 
  • If you are living in order to just pay the mortgage and nothing else, SELL YOUR HOUSE! 
  • Most importantly: STAND IN YOUR TRUTH!  Be honest with yourself about your financial situation and go from there. 

It was so eye opening and I have been giving a lot of thought to what she said.

She had a great Q/A session with the crowd of over 500 people and gave some really great advice to questions about money and marriage, saving for retirement, other Financial Advisors and so much more. I admired how she was willing to take whatever questions were thrown her way and some of them were pretty challenging! She also talked with great affection about her Mama which was so sweet to hear!

Suze Orman is on tour promoting her new book: The Money Class (www.suzeorman.com) BUT she advised everyone to check it out of the library if they don’t have the money to buy it!

So what about you?

  • Do you listen to Suze Orman or someone like her? Why or why not?
  • Are you scared to stand in your financial truth?
  • How do you and your partner/spouse/roommate discuss financial issues?
  • How much did your parent’s financial situation influence how you manage your own money?

Now would be a great time to join the 6 MONTH MONEY CHALLEGE going on at SIABC!

Filed Under: American Dream, Asset Building, Changing Economy, Financial Expert, financial literacy, Financial Stability, Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition, Suze Orman

Money Smart Week 2010

October 4, 2010 By Whitney

Join us for a week of great financial education workshops as we participate in Money Smart Week Indiana!

Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances.

Money Smart Week in Southern Indiana will include partners like PNC Bank, Community Action of Southern Indiana, Housing Partnership, Inc., New Albany Housing Authority, Metro United Way and is being organized by the Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition.

Monday, October 18th – Poverty Simulation @ St. Augustine Church in Jeffersonville, IN from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Ideal for community members as well as organizations who serve and/or support individuals living in poverty.  A great orientation to the issues for current and potential board members, staff, volunteers and funders.  RSVP with Whitney at 812 206 7514.

Tuesday, October 19th – Budgeting/What’s Up?  @ Community Action of Southern Indiana from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  Join Deborah Williams with PNC Bank as she conducts a forum to discuss budgeting and savings strategies.  RSVP with Community Action at 812 288 6451.

Wednesday, October 20th – Introduction to Home Ownership @ New Albany Housing Authority (300 Erni) in New Albany from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.  Presented by HPI and NAHA.  Topics include: Your credit & why it’s important, Managing your money, Goal setting and an introduction to the world of mortgage.  No RSVP required.  Just come and enjoy the refreshments and possibley win one of our door prizes!

Thursday, October 21st – Have a Debt Free Holiday – How to Give More for Less @ Community Action of Southern Indiana in Jeffersonville from 6:00 – 7:30.  Save hundreds of dollars this holiday season with tips, tricks and gift ideas that will keep your holidays happy and free from debt!  RSVP with Whitney @ 812 206 7514.

Download a .pdf flyer here and distribute to your networks. We’d love to see you at one of these informative and fun events.

MSW_2010_Color

Filed Under: financial literacy, Financial Stability, Money Smart Week Indiana, Poverty Simulation Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

PNC Bank, SIABC & Purdue Extension – Bringing Poverty Simulation to Jeffersonville 10/18

September 28, 2010 By Whitney

Through the generous sponsorship of PNC Bank, the partners and members of the Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition and Purdue Extension are bringing a unique and life-changing experience to Jeffersonville on Monday, October 18, 2010 as a kick-off to Money Smart Week.

What is poverty?

  • One of every eight people in Indiana lives in poverty.  That’s almost 800,000 individuals
  • For two adults and two children, the federal poverty level is $22,050 per year
  • Indiana’s minimum wage is $ 15,080 per year

Can you survive a month in poverty?

The economic downturn has put many people out of work and boosted the use of emergency food pantries.  But it is difficult to truly understand poverty unless you experience it every day.  Purdue Extension, PNC Bank and the Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition invite you to walk a mile in the shoes of those facing poverty.  As co-sponsors, they are presenting a poverty simulation designed to create a broader awareness of the realities of poverty for policymakers, community leaders, non-profit board members, staff and volunteers, and others who frequently deal with low-income families.

During the simulation, participants assume roles of families facing poverty. They must provide for basic necessities and shelter on a limited budget during the course of four 15-minute “weeks”.  They interact with bill collectors, human service agencies, grocers, job interviewers, police officers, pawnbrokers and others.

After the simulation, facilitated discussion allows the group to take the experience even further, fostering understanding and giving insight into life in poverty.

Join us for an enlightening and informative experience.  Registration is free, but space is limited to 80 participants. Simulation will be held at St. Augustine Church at 315 E. Chestnut Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana.   Simulation will begin at 8:30 and conclude by 11:30 a.m.

For more information, to volunteer or to RSVP, please contact:

Whitney Bishop, Executive Director

Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition

whitney@assetbuildingcoalition.org

812 206 7514

Filed Under: coalition building, financial literacy, Financial Stability, Poverty Simulation Tagged With: , ,

Big Finish to a GREAT Tax Season

May 5, 2010 By Whitney

Best Volunteers in the World!

Our numbers are up for the 5th year in a row, which means that more families in Southern Indiana were able to take advantage of our free tax preparation services! This represented the work of about 110 talented and dedicated volunteers, 6,000+ hours of volunteer time and over 1.6 million dollars in tax refunds. Wow! The final results are still coming in but I couldn’t wait to share these initial reports.

Special thanks to our partners at AARP and the IRS as well as to our host sites throughout the community.  Community Action of Southern Indiana, Your Community Bank, Interfaith Community Council, Scott County Partnership, New Washington State Bank, Harrison County Community Services, Charlestown, Clarksville, Henryville & Sellersburg Libraries, American Legion Post 28 and Hillview Apartments.

Special thanks to the Metro United Way, Indiana Association of United Ways, Wal Mart Foundation, New Washington State Bank and Community Action of Southern Indiana for providing funding to support this meaningful work!

Look for stories from tax season and our final numbers in the weeks ahead.

We are committed to keeping these services free and available – donations always accepted! Click the donate now button on the front page of our website to pledge your support for free tax prep, financial counseling & financial coaching in Southern Indiana.

Filed Under: Earned Income Tax Credit, financial counseling, Financial Stability, Southern Indiana Asset Building Coalition, Uncategorized, vita tax preparation Tagged With: , , , ,
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