News Release
Friday, April 01, 2011
Contact
Lyn Peters, Director of Communications
PH (360) 902-8731 lyn.peters@dfi.wa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Updated “Right On The Money” Guide To Credit And Student Loans Available Free Of Charge Online Or In Print For WA Residents
Updates include information regarding the Credit C.A.R.D. Act and changes to student loans
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is pleased to announce the release of an updated “Right On The Money – Financial Know-How for Financial Freedom” guide to credit and student loans. The 68-page book is designed to help consumers, with emphasis on students, learn to manage their finances and use credit wisely.
“Statistics found in the Jump$tart National Coalition for Financial Literacy’s ‘Making the Case for Financial Literacy 2010,’ clearly indicate a need for more financial education,” DFI Director Scott Jarvis said. “While most of us like to think of ourselves as being financially fit, the reality is we aren’t as prepared as we think.”
- 93% American parents with teens worry their teens might make financial missteps such as: overspending or living beyond their means (67%), getting in over their head with credit card debt (65%), failing to save for emergencies (60%), or failing to stick to a budget (57%). And a full third of parents (33%) anticipate their “golden years” will likely involve helping their kids financially. - Charles Schwab, Schwab “Parents & Money” Survey Offers Prescription for Raising Financially Healthy Kids, March 26, 2008.
- On average, those surveyed carry more than $14,000 in debt (excluding home mortgages). Of those who use credit cards, only one-third (33%) pay off their entire balance every month, while the other two-thirds make payments less reliably. Charles Schwab and Lieberman Research Worldwide, Young Adults & Money Survey, January 2009
- Sallie Mae’s 2008 survey of how undergraduate students use credit cards revealed that seniors graduated with an average credit card debt of more than $4,100. Close to one-fifth of seniors carried balances greater than $7,000. Sallie Mae, How undergraduate students use credit cards: Sallie Mae's national study of usage rates and trends, 2009, March 2008
"Right on the Money" is a financial education workbook that addresses a variety of financial topics, including:
- Defining Personal Values – Wants vs. Needs
- Managing Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, and Short-term Loans
- Developing a Budget
- Curbing the Spending Urge
- Credit Cards and Getting Out of Debt
- Understanding Credit History, Insurance, and Identity Theft, and
- Finding Funds for College
DFI partnered with financial literacy experts from the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) to write and design this state-specific project. NEFE also has developed publications for such organizations as the United Negro College Fund and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
“Providing ‘Right on the Money’ is a positive step in helping young adults form mature financial attitudes and behaviors,” says Ted Beck, president and CEO of Denver-based National Endowment for Financial Education. “People need strong financial skills to navigate the real world. The knowledge and empowerment provided by resources like these will positively serve young adults throughout their lifetimes.”
"Right on the Money" is used as a teaching tool in classrooms and handed out to students on campuses across the state. DFI receives regular requests for “Right On The Money” booklets from trade associations, colleges, and financial service providers who use the book to educate college and high school students.
Washington residents may order copies of the book at http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/collegebookorder.htm. The booklet is also available in PDF format online at http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/education/college_book/collegebook.pdf
About DFI
www.dfi.wa.gov ▪ 360.902-8700 ▪
877.746-4334
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions regulates a variety of financial service providers such as banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, consumer loan companies, payday lenders and securities brokers and dealers. The department also works to improve financial education throughout Washington through its outreach programs and online clearinghouse www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education. In addition to posting information about licensees and administrative actions, DFI uses the Web and social media to provide financial education information: http://www.twitter.com/FinEd4All, www.twitter.com/DFIConsumers, www.finlit.blogspot.com, www.youtube.com/user/WADFI, www.homeownership.wa.gov.
About National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®)
NEFE is an independent nonprofit organization committed to educating Americans about personal finance and empowering them to make positive and sound decisions to reach financial goals. For more information, visit www.nefe.org.
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