Lend a Helping Hand

At SmartAboutMoney.org, we believe basic financial literacy and positive money management behaviors are the cornerstones to reaching goals and establishing sound financial well-being. No matter a person’s age, income, gender, education, religion, ethnicity, or racial background, financial literacy is important to his or her future success.

You can motivate others to take hold of their financial futures by providing the education they need to make changes in their life. Everything you need is right here at SmartAboutMoney.org.

Employers

As an employer, you can help your employees improve their financial knowledge by making money-management education part of their work environment.

• Invite financial experts in your community to speak about money-management basics during your employees’ lunch hour.
• Provide workshops for employees that discuss available benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. For materials, visit www.financialworkshopkits.org or search through our Resource Library for specific topics.
• Offer an employee-sponsored retirement savings account such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, and encourage your employees to participate by matching their contribution up to a certain amount. Read more about these plans at www.myretirementpaycheck.org.

Financial Advisors

As a financial advisor, you have the knowledge necessary to teach members of your community about the importance of securing a stable financial future.

• Organize a free basic money-management seminar in your community. Don’t know how to go about it? Visit www.financialworkshopkits.org for free PowerPoint® presentations, resources, and information from other planners.
• Volunteer to help teach the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP) at a local high school.
• Support local and national legislation that promotes financial education in schools. Visit our press room for more information.

Individuals and Community members  

As an individual or community leader, you can help your family, friends, and neighbors become better financial managers by setting a strong example and sharing your knowledge.

• Take responsibility for your own financial well-being. Make sure you know the basics and then educate yourself on specifics using our Resource Library.
• Start a money-management club or support group in your community.
• Find a financial literacy buddy. Meet regularly to discuss your financial situation and help each other stay focused on long-term goals.
• Talk to your kids and spouse about money. For tips, download this brochure and visit our Resource Library for more helpful resources.
• Subscribe to “Sam Says,” SmartAboutMoney.org’s free monthly e-mail newsletter.

Teachers and Professors

• Enroll in NEFE’s free High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP), which provides all necessary teaching materials for ensuring your students know financial basics.
• Use CashCourse®, NEFE’s free online financial education resource for college students and recent graduates. See if your school already has CashCourse by clicking here.
• Make financial education fun. Visit www.spendster.org for entertaining videos from users confessing stuff they shouldn’t have purchased. Then:

• Teach students how to understand their wants and needs.
• Have students share a video or photo about something they bought that they didn’t need. Then have them calculate the value of the money they wasted.
• Encourage students to interview their friends or family members about their bad spending habits.