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Money management is a learned life skill. From paying bills on
time to having money to invest, maximizing financial resources
is important. University of Illinois Extension educators in
Champaign County teach money strategies to teenagers, adults
with limited incomes, retirees, and individuals. Workshop
topics include wise use of credit, investment funds, estate
planning, long-term care insurance, and basic spending plans.
Learning about the many financial options available has helped
many individuals create a more stable and exciting financial
future.
Lifelong Extension Client Benefits from Financial Program
Growing up on Long Island, New York, Extension programming was
very familiar to Barbara Lyon and her family. They often took
advantage of the free educational opportunities Extension
had to offer. Barbara even served as an Extension intern in
Nassau County, New York as part of her college education.
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"I developed a three-year plan
to get us out of our credit-debt problem." --Barbara
Lyon
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Now, as residents of Urbana for the past 10 years, Barbara’s
entire family is active in Champaign County Extension programming.
As a special education teacher at Edison Middle School in
Champaign, Barbara regularly uses the 4-H “Character
Counts” materials in her classroom. Her 14-year-old daughter,
a 4-Her, also has been quite pleased and successful using
her 4-H training to teach the family dog obedience.
“When my husband inherited a farm, he too used Extension
resources to learn about farm management,” Barbara said.
Finding it a reliable resource, her MBA credentialed husband
urged Barbara and her mother to attend a women’s financial
program a year ago.
“I was able to develop a three-year plan to get us out of
our credit debt problem. Extension is a wonderful resource for every
community,” Barbara states.
Finding Financial Stability
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“I have found creditors are willing
to ‘work with you’.” —Zetty Glass
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“When I decided to return to school to get my GED I
enjoyed it so much I enrolled in Extension’s Money Management
program. I learned to develop a budget and have started a
savings account. One of the best lessons I learned was how
to contact my creditors and explain my financial situation.
I found they would work with me on reducing my debt.”
“I have paid off a large amount of bills and am getting
my spending under control. It feels good to have a financial
plan.”
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