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Book selections to keep you learning through the summer: Listen now: 2015 Book Reviews Moderator: Michael Collins, Associate Professor in Consumer Finance and Extension State Specialist, Center for Financial Security Books: “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” – 2009, reviewed by Collin O’Rourke/Sherry Daniels, Portage County “Life & Debt: a fresh approach to achieving […]
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Financial coaching is an application of techniques emerging from research in positive and coaching psychology, as well as behavioral economics. Note prior issue briefs on the topic from 2013: What are we learning about financial coaching? and Using Behavioral Economics to Improve Financial Counseling and Coaching. See also this brief from 2014 for the Asset […]
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As the Baby Boom ages, there are increasing demands on educators to help people prepare for retirement. It is important that the foundation of this programming is based on basic budgeting, goal setting and action planning—all activities that are common across financial education programs. This conversation and brief discusses The AARP Finances 50+ Model and […]
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The Financial Capability Scale is an easy to use field-ready tool to measure the financial capability status of clients in financial programs. It uses questions tested by the Center for Financial Security that, similar to a credit score, provide an easy mechanism to measure current financial status. Issue Brief: The Financial Capability Scale mp3 file*: […]
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Student loan debt is growing relative to incomes and other forms of debt. It is important to note that managing student loans is not just a financial education issue for younger people; loans may also be incurred by older learners returning to school or job training. This brief summarizes options for managing student loans, focusing […]
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Judi Bartfeld and J. Michael Collins introduce a discussion of the interrelationship between food and financial insecurity, using a unique data set collected in predominantly low-income schools across Wisconsin in collaboration with community-based educators. Issue Brief: Food Insecurity and Family Finances: Evidence from Wisconsin School Children mp3 file*: Food Insecurity and Family Finances (conversation on 10/27/2014) […]
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This brief covers the financial aspects of health coverage and describe how health insurance works. The brief outlines all the costs that make up the total cost of a family’s health coverage and what has changed with the Affordable Care Act. The brief concludes with ways to track and save on costs. Issue Brief: Family […]
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This time on Lunchtime Learning – summer reading selections to keep you learning until we return in September. Books discussed – Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work, Heath, Chip Protecting Your Parents’ Money: The Essential Guide to Helping Mom and Dad Navigate the Finances of Retirement, Opdyke, Jeff D. Scarcity: Why […]
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Credit worthiness is a priority for many families. As educators, it can be useful to focus on people who are most in need of improving low credit scores or establishing credit at all. This brief summarizes how educators and counselors can work with their clients to develop credit building strategies. Issue Brief: Community-based Educators Guide to […]
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Building a modest emergency fund can provide financial security and peace of mind. This brief describes the current lack of emergency savings in Wisconsin and strategies for building savings going forward. Issue Brief: Emergency Savings: New Approaches to Save for a Rainy Day. mp3 file*: Emergency Savings: New Approaches to Save for a Rainy Day […]
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