Archive for financial literacy

Press Release: Elementary education program translated into Spanish

January 30, 2014 financial literacy, Press Release No comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact

Melody Bell

melody@financialbeginnings.org

800-406-1876×1

Elementary financial education program translated into Spanish

PORTLAND, Ore., January 30, 2014—Financial Beginnings, a Portland-based nonprofit that provides financial education programs, is pleased to announce they have translated their kindergarten – 2nd grade and 3rd– 6th grade curriculum into Spanish.

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, partnered with Financial Beginnings by allowing their Consumer Information Specialist, Fernando A. Vélez to do the translation of the curriculum.  David Tatman, Administrator of the Division of Finance and Corporate Securities, a division under the Department said; “Financial literacy is important at all ages.  We are excited to partner in providing financial literacy education for some of our youngest Oregonians so that they can start off their lives learning skills to make good financial decisions.”

The translation of the Financial Footings Elementary Financial Education Program, featured in American Hartford review, comes just one year after Financial Beginnings developed and launched the program, which was made possible through funding provided by Umpqua Bank.  The program has been well received by elementary schools and to date has educated over 1,500 elementary students in the basics of personal finance.

Financial Beginnings provides the program at no cost to schools and community groups.  Each participant is provided with a student manual, which has interactive activities to engage them in both in the classroom and at home.  Financial Beginnings has trained volunteers who deliver the lessons in Spanish.

Financial Beginnings and the Department of Consumer & Business Services will be continuing to work towards translating Financial Beginnings’ financial education curriculum.  This summer, Financial Beginnings will be launching a translated version of their Financial Foundations young adult curriculum. Additionally, the organization is actively exploring the integration of essential topics such as Why vision insurance? to enhance the comprehensive nature of their financial education offerings.

Schools and community-based organizations interested in finding out more about this free program can visit http://financialbeginnings.org/spanish-youth-programs/

About Financial Beginnings

Formed in 2005 and based in Portland, OR, Financial Beginnings is a nonprofit organization that provides free financial education programs throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Financial Beginnings’ largest program educates youth and young adults in the basics of personal finance through visits to schools or community groups.  Financial Beginnings’ courses incorporate all aspects of personal finance to provide individuals the foundation needed to make informed financial decisions. More information is available at www.financialbeginnings.org.

I got $2000 back from my credit card company?!

December 23, 2013 financial literacy No comments

A few months ago I blogged about how I love the Capital One Venture Card.  The other day I was curious how much we’ve cashed in this year on the card and was pleasantly surprised.  We have erased $1,548 in travel purchases for our bill and I have over $300 available to be cashed in at anytime!  That’s almost $2000 we got back and because we pay the balance off every month we haven’t paid a dime in interest.

We put everything we can on the card, like the expenses from the tree falling on my house earlier this year and our daycare costs.  Combining the points towards a family vacation, combined with our frequent flyer miles, I think will take a big chunk out of our expenses.

Now…where should we go?

It’s not often that the cheapest option is also best option

November 12, 2013 financial literacy No comments

I’ve been doing a lot of business travel lately and hands down have the best way to get to my hotel in most every large city…the train/subway/metro!  Not only is taking the metro usually a fraction of the cost of a shuttle or taxi, but I’ve found time and time again it’s usually the fasted way to go.

Here are some real life examples I’ve had (one way travel):

City                             Taxi                Shuttle                  Metro

Washington DC         $20                 $15                 $2.80

Atlanta                    $30                 $16                 $1.75

San Francisco           $40                 $17                 $3.50

Not only is the metro option usually, by far, the cheapest option, but I’ve also heard from several others of their long journey from the airport to the hotel via shuttle or taxi because of traffic.

Most recently the hotel I was staying at in DC, the President of Iran was staying the next block over so there were several streets around us closed.  I heard one person say he was dropped four blocks from the hotel after a 45-minute and $60 cab ride.  I on the other hand was dropped two blocks away after only 20 minutes and $2.80.

Twice I’ve been dropped in the middle of San Francisco during the gay pride parade and again saved time and money not having to deal with taking a taxi or shuttle.

Most hotel websites do a good job of outlining your travel options and giving you detailed directions on what trains and stops to take.  Usually they will list the information under “Maps & Transportation”.

Something to check out the next time you are planning how you’ll get from the airport to the hotel.

Press Release- Local nonprofit hosts free public forum on healthcare

November 5, 2013 financial literacy, Press Release No comments

PORTLAND and HILLSBORO, Ore., November 5, 2013—Financial Beginnings, a Portland-based nonprofit that provides  financial education programs, is offering a free  forum to answer the public’s questions regarding healthcare to take place Thursday, November 7th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Hillsboro Public Library located at 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway in Hillsboro.

Financial Beginnings, The Hillsboro School District and The Oregonian are partnering to present Unraveling the Mysteries of Your Money: Navigating the Changing World of Healthcare at the Hillsboro Public Library.  The series sponsor is OnPoint Community Credit Union and the event sponsor is the Northwest Health Foundation.

Panelists will include:
Cynthia Hulton, Field & Training Officer- SHIBA, State of Oregon
Ariane Holm, Spokesperson for Cover Oregon
Laura Cali, Insurance commissioner & Chief Actuary, State of Oregon
Chris Senz, Operating Officer, Tuality Health Alliance

Spanish translation and childcare will be available.  Registration is required for this free event online at https://navigatinghealthcare.eventbrite.com/ or by phone 800-406-1876.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Your Money is a series of free forums open to the general public. These forums offer expert panelists who field questions and discuss finance topics that are relevant and important in today’s economy. They are organized and hosted by Financial Beginnings in partnership with The Oregonian newspaper and Brent Hunsberger, writer of the It’s Only Money column on personal finance; Hunsberger also serves as forum moderator.  OnPoint Community Credit Union is the title sponsor of the Unraveling the Mysteries of Your Money 2013/14 series.

For more information about the Unraveling the Mysteries of Your Money panel series, visit: http://www.FinancialBeginnings.com/Unraveling-the-Mysteries-of-Your-Money/

About Financial Beginnings

Formed in 2005 and based in Portland, OR, Financial Beginnings is a nonprofit organization that provides free financial education programs throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Financial Beginnings’ largest program educates youth and young adults in the basics of personal finance through visits to schools or community groups.  Financial Beginnings’ courses incorporate all aspects of personal finance to provide individuals the foundation needed to make informed financial decisions. More information is available at www.financialbeginnings.org.

 

 

Vacation in Northern California on a budget (part 2)

October 25, 2013 financial literacy, Savings No comments

In my previous blog I discussed a few ways that I was able to get a good deal on airfare and hotel rates on my trip to Northern California. In this post I am going to discuss specifically how I was able to keep the transportation costs down.   Once off the plane, with minor confusion in finding my mom’s gate, we connected, and were on our way to downtown San Francisco via the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train.  The cost of a one way trip via the BART to downtown was $8.50, much cheaper than a taking a cab, which would have cost us around $50.  The quick half hour BART trip dropped us off only a few blocks from our hotel, although that did include a steep uphill climb with our luggage.  When we got off the BART we where right near the welcome center and that is where we bought our MUNI passes. The MUNI pass covers all public transit, including bus, streetcar, and tram wrap advertising, which is an eye-catching advertisement that connects with potential customers on a daily basis. as well as the ever-popular cable vehicle. We purchased the three-day Muni pass and it cost $22.  I added up the amount we would have paid if we purchased single tickets and in the first day alone we would have surpassed $22.  We did also rent a car to go to Napa valley, but I was still able to find a good deal via my AAA membership.  For a two-day rental including gas and additional fees, and insurance it was still under $200. 

Stay posted for my final blog about my trip in which I will discuss how we were able to affordably dine out and site see while vacationing in Northern California.

Navigating the Changing World of Healthcare

October 22, 2013 financial literacy No comments

I recently had my second child more than a decade after having my first child.  I remember going out to lunch with Brent Hunsberger, It’s Only Money columnist for the Oregonian newspaper, and him asking what the biggest difference was the 2nd time around.  I think he was surprised by my answer…..the health insurance.

When I had my first child in 2001 my health insurance was purchased through my husband’s employer and we were paying $25 per month for a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO with a $2500 deductible.  At the time I remember thinking this was a “catastrophic plan” and that $2500 was a lot from our budget.

When I got pregnant with my second child in 2011, one of the first things I did was check our health insurance policy to see how much I would need to budget for the medical bills.  We were paying over $800 per month for insurance for just my husband and so I assumed that we must have the platinum coverage and would not be paying a lot our of pocket.  Still, I found that the deductible was $1500 and the out of pocket maximum $3000.   We planned our budget accordingly so when the bills started coming in a few months later I was surprised when we were quickly over $3000. However, considering the financial strain, I also researched alternative options to manage my health, such as the use of Best Delta 8/9 CBD Gummies & Hemp Flowers for Pain, Anxiety and Sleep Problems.

I called the insurance company to find out why we were still being billed even though we had paid the $3000 maximum already.  Well, those few months from when I got pregnant to when the bills started coming in brought us into a new coverage year and with it new limits.  Our out of pocket maximum had doubled from $3000 to $6000!

This was a big chunk out of our savings and especially hard with all of the other costs that go into having a new baby (remember it had been 10 years so I didn’t have anything left from the first).

Like many others, I am watching to see what happens with Obamacare.  I have many questions that are unanswered.

To answer these questions we have organized a free forum be be held at the Hillsboro Library on Nov 7th at 6:30pm where the public can come and get their questions about the changes happening with health insurance.

Find out more!

Working with contractors on home repairs

September 30, 2013 financial literacy No comments

A beautiful weeping willow fell on my house when I was on vacation in August.  I really am a true Tree Hugging Oregonian because I was more upset about losing the tree than I was about the corner of my roof being caved in.

The damage to my house ended up being about $6,000 dollars.  Since this is more than I’d like to take out of my emergency fund I decided it best to make a claim on my homeowners policy.  I ended up just having to pay the $1,000 deductible.

I was really impressed by how smoothly the claims process went with Farmers Insurance.  Unfortunately, working with the contractor was not quite a smooth. When looking for good contractors you can work with, the best ones we have tried are these experts in furnace repairs.

I currently don’t have a contractor that I work with so I relied on the Farmers adjuster to provide me with recommendations.  He provided me with the names of contractors that he works regularly with.

I did my due diligence and checked the Oregon CCB website to ensure the contractors were all licensed.  I actually found that one of the contract’s license was expired.  As a consumer it’s important to work with contractors that are licensed and bonded.  If something happens to where they cause more damage or if you have any other issues with them you are limited on your recourse if they are not licensed and bonded.

I was amazed to find when I called the contractor that they were willing to come out immediately to remove the tree (or so I thought).  They rushed out, but only removed the portion that was on the roof and didn’t haul away any of it.  I should have done a better job and conveying my expectations and getting confirmation from them.

Even though they were very quick to come out that first time I found it much slower to get them to come back and take care of the whole job.  But, I felt like I was trapped because I had started the process with them and was worried about being tacked with a heft bill for that “emergency service” if l did not hire them for the work.

Well, I compromised and had someone else remove the tree and then awarded the rest of the work to the initial contractor.  They did a great job and it made it much easier for me that they had a working relationship with the adjuster so when additional repairs were needed they worked together to ensure it got done.

Still at the end I did end up with a bill for that emergency service which ended up being more than what the bill for removal of the entire tree was.  Because I had chosen to work with one of the contractors referred by the adjuster I was able to just let them “hash it out” and did not have to pay any additional out of my pocket.

A Volunteers Prospective

September 4, 2013 financial literacy One comment

I have taught classes for Financial Beginnings for several years now and have also been on the Program Committee.  While I greatly enjoy high school students, there are a couple of other groups that I want to tell you about.

 

First, we occasionally have the opportunity to work with various adult groups.  I have taught parents of students, adults in transition housing, and adults in a family homeless shelter.  These groups bring a different perspective to the class since they have been out in the “real world.”  When I ask high school students some questions (How much does an apartment cost?  Can an employer check your credit? and so forth), I am often met with either blank stares or wild guesses.  The adults not only know, but can share detailed experiences.  Also, the adults we teach are usually living on limited incomes so when we do the budgeting exercises, they really know how to save money!

 

In working with adult groups, I usually don’t use the Powerpoint slides.  Often they don’t have the capabilities to project them anyway, but I have found that a discussion format is more lively and informative for them and me.  One time, I even taught a class with a Spanish translator.  I was a bit concerned going in, but the translator did a great job and it was one of the better discussion groups I have had.

 

Recently, I taught the Budgeting and Credit modules at the family homeless shelter where I have volunteered for years.  A couple of weeks later, I saw one of the ladies during my usual night helping at the shelter.  She was excited to tell me that not only had  her family been approved for an apartment, but she had made out a budget and was working hard to live within it.  I wish her the best of luck – she still has a tough road ahead – but felt very rewarded that she took the class to heart.

 

Another group that I have enjoyed is Special Education classes.  I know that some of you are reluctant to sign up for these, but you should not be.  The students are usually very engaged and appreciative of the training.  I make a few adjustments to the exercises for these groups, but otherwise teach the same curriculum.

 

As these opportunities arise, I suggest you give them a try.  I think you will have a great time.

 

-John Gruher

Coming home to a tree on your house

August 12, 2013 financial literacy, Uncategorized No comments

Last week we came home from a weekend away to find one of our beautiful trees had fallen onto our house. All and all, the damage was not that bad, but it does require a decent section of my roof being replaced by a Roofer NJ. The damage is more than we’d like to shell out from our savings account, so this requires our first homeowners claim.

You really do not know how good your insurance company is until you have a claim. We all try to find the best rates we can for insurance since it is such a large line item in our budgets, but the true test of the value is when you need to use the insurance coverage. It’s like hiring a plumber—you might not think much about it until you have a leaky pipe, and then you realize the importance of having a reliable professional on call.

When I worked as a liability claims adjusters years ago it was with Farmers. Our homeowners insurance is still with them. I was so happy to find when I filed the claim last week that the high service I was expected to provide when I worked there was still a standard.

Within 10 minutes of filing the claim we received a call from the property claims adjuster. He checked in with us twice to answer all of our questions and provide referrals before coming out to view the damage a couple of days later. My agent also called me the next day to check in on how we were doing and make sure the adjuster was taking care of us.

There have been several advances in technology since I worked at Farmers over a decade ago. I can now view my claim online and they wired me the money from the claim, which showed up the next day in our account.

Now to see how it goes finding a contractor to do the work timely because I am really sick of having this tree in my yard.

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Affordable Remediation & Emergency Services
Phone: (732) 769-8101
Url: https://affordableremediation.com/mold-testing-removal-remediation-in-manalapan-nj/
5 Kimberly Ct
Manalapan Township, NJ 07726

 

Are the rewards worth it?

July 17, 2013 financial literacy, Uncategorized No comments

I admit it… Alec Baldwin sold me on the Capital One Venture card. I’ve had reward cards before, but I found, as many of us have, that it was difficult to cash in on the travel rewards. I moved away from the rewards for a while because I just didn’t feel like the rewards were very high.

I have been pleasantly surprised to find that utilizing the rewards on my Venture card really is as easy as Alec Baldwin promises. I’ve found it easiest to just use the purchase eraser instead of using the booking system.

I’m now putting everything on my Venture card so my points can wrack up. It averages a 2% return so for every $5000 I put on the card I get about $100 back.

But there is a trick to maximizing rewards……YOU MUST PAY THE BALANCE EVERY MONTH. As long as you are charging items that you know you can pay off at the end of the month it’s great. If you do not pay the balance then the interest will take away from your benefits.

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