Objectives

Lesson 1: Cash Flow Management

• Understand how money beliefs, values and attitudes can affect spending behavior
• Develop and analyze monthly spending plans
• Identify record keeping methods to monitor and control spending
• Become familiar with main sources of consumer spending research and data

Lesson 2: Credit and Debt Management

• Understand the cost of credit and techniques for comparing various credit options
• Become familiar with credit reports and credit scoring
• Become familiar with consumer protection regulation regarding credit
• Increase awareness of the signs of credit problems and approaches to solutions
• Obtain access to internet based resources on credit
  

Lesson 3: Financial Institutions and Services

• Become familiar with the Federal Reserve and its role in the US Banking System.
• Understand the different types of financial institutions and how they are regulated.
• Understand the growth in electronic banking and what it may mean for consumers.
• Recognize alternative financial services, their costs and services.
• Identify the challenges for low- and moderate-income families in accessing financial services and options available.
  

Lesson 4: Saving and Investing

• Understand the time value of money and how it applies to saving and investing decisions
• Recognize the difference between a financial desire and a goal, and learn how to work with families to establish concrete goals
• Understand the relationship of risk, return, risk tolerance, and investment horizon
• Develop a basic understanding of savings/investment vehicles and the appropriateness of each type for different goals, risk tolerances, and investment horizons

Lesson 5: Housing

• Increase their knowledge of the home buying process and the barriers facing would-be home buyers
• Understand the rights and responsibilities or renters
• Become familiar with the informational and financial assistance available to help consumers with housing issues
  

Lesson 6: Health Care Issues

• To consider how the cultures we are raised and live in affect our definitions of health, our response to symptoms, and our demands on the health care system
• To understand historical patterns of disease in American
• To develop an understanding of the factors affecting access, costs and quality
  

Lesson 7: Consumer Fraud, Rights and Protection

• Review consumer rights and responsibilities
• Use the decision making model to avoid fraud and getting "ripped-off"
• Know how to contact consumer protection agencies to report fraud or to complain
• Understand consumer privacy issue, how to "opt-out"

Lesson 8: Economics Assistance Programs for Working Families

• Understand the economic challenges facing many working families in Wisconsin
• Develop a basic awareness of key assistance programs in the following areas: refundable tax credits, nutrition assistance programs, child care assistance, health care assistance, energy assistance, and economic and job assistance
• Develop a general understanding of eligibility rules for key programs
• Become familiar with resources in and outside of Cooperative Extension to get more information about these programs

Lesson 9: Extension's Role in Helping People with Money Issues

• Understand basic steps in the counseling process
• Gain new strategies and skills in helping people change behaviors
• Review Extension educators’ (WNEP/FLE) role in helping people with money issues.