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Betty Jean echoes the thoughts of her generation |
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TO THE EDITOR;
I am writing in response to Betty Jean Anderson Schlipp’s “Thoughts from a Senior Citizen” that appeared recently in the Post Review letters section.
Betty Jean is echoing what many others of her generation have been telling me for over a year now. Older adults have been through hard financial times before. They know the signs, and they know how to survive them. Their worries center more on the fact that many of their adult children are not prepared for the current economic crisis costing many families in our communities their homes. What Betty Jean and others may not know is that there is good news to share.
Communities Investing in Families and seven local banks and credit unions are partnering to present financial literacy classes free of charge for residents of Chisago, Isanti, Pine, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs Counties. The two-hour More Money-More Sense sessions cover the basics of financial literacy including; Family Budgeting Skills, Understanding Your Credit Report and Score, Preventing Identity Fraud, Debt Collection Practices, and Where to Go For Help. The materials are designed for all persons ages 15 and older who have an interest in managing their personal finances better and avoiding predatory lending.
More Money-More Sense is not about investing in stocks and bonds, and is not intended to provide any specific legal tax advice. It is intended to help our friends and neighbors understand the rapidly changing credit industry and help them weather the current economic storm affecting our nation. Regular monthly sessions are scheduled in each county – the Chisago County class is held monthly in Chisago City at the Drop In Center ... a complete schedule of classes can be found at www.investinfamilies.org.
More good news to share – More Money-More Sense sessions are available free of charge for any interested community group simply by calling Program Coordinator Julie Barstad at ( 320) 384-6373. Recently, sessions have been held at the North Branch High School and the Harvest Christian Center. Much more information, including budget worksheets and other services can be found at Communities Investing in Families new Web site: www.investinfamilies.org .
While I’m not (quite) old enough to have experienced the Great Depression, I’ve lived in rural America all my life and have seen “rough spots in the road” before. My confidence in some of our leaders may waver at times, but my confidence in the American people never wavers. Working together, helping each other, and supporting grassroots community organizations have seen us through tough economic times before. Faith and experience tells me they will see us through this one, too.
Matt Mathiasen
Mora
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