Extension to Families page Hyperlink to ISU Extension to Families Hyperlink to Families Extension Staff Hyperlink to Success Stories Hyperlink to Who Should I Contact? Hyperlink to Find It Hyperlink to For Staff

Basic Budgeting Classes: Building a Secure Financial Foundation

Problem:
Cash management is the foundation to successfully managing finances. According to the financial pyramid in the “Investing for Your Future” home study course, “the wealth protection blocks on the bottom of the pyramid form a strong, secure foundation and provide crucial stability for future wealth accumulation and distribution.” However, many families are not utilizing sound cash flow management to build financial security.

Response:
Eight classes on basic budgeting were requested within a 3 month time period in four counties. Target audiences included parents of preschoolers, an alternative high school, childcare providers, and a life skills program. Presentations were based on the “Planning to Stay Ahead” publication which focuses on the steps in developing and using a spending plan.

Impact:
A total of 117 participants attended the various budgeting classes. At the end of the class, participants were asked to indicate actions they planned to take. Evaluations were returned by 50 participants.

Some of the actions participants planned to take included:

• Make some goals to save
• Contact the SHARE program- 2
• Spend less; utilize resources-2
• Track spending- 25
• Stop buying so much pop at the convenience stores- the money adds up. Limit video rentals to 2 a month instead of every weekend.
• Start or increase savings.-10
• Budget-3
• Go home and tell my husband. OK, it’s not just you telling me this.
• Call around to get saving account information.
• Try to keep on top of bills.
• Talk to employer about EIC Advanced Payment.
• Get my finances in order.
• Use tax refund money on valuable things like investments.
• Be less impulsive as a spender.

Comments about the classes:

• A lot of new info
• Thank you for the good tips.
• Very resourceful; helped me look at what my spending is and how to use wisely.
• It was very informative for me.
• There were so many resources available that I didn’t know about!! Awesome! Very informative. I would enjoy more education programs.
• Almost all of the information is new to me.
• I really enjoyed this class. I would really enjoy getting more information.
• Very good presentation
• Good information

Contact:
Phyllis Zalenski
Family Resource Management Specialist
605 E. Main, Anamosa, IA 52205
Phone 319-462-2791; Fax 319-462-4572
Email zalenski@iastate.edu

 

..........more stories....................!

Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to College of Human Sciences Hyperlink to Iowa State University

Last update: July 12, 2006  
Non-Discrimination Statement and Information Disclosures

Hyperlink to Iowa State University Hyperlink to College of Family and Consumer Sciences Hyperlink to ISU Extension Hyperlink to ISU Extension Publications Hyperlink to ISU Extension Calendar