Smart Money Week, April 21-28

Did you know that this was "Smart Money Week"? Nearly 200 free educational classes, seminars, and activities focused on financial topics, some of them on-line at www.moneysmartweek.org . This blogger attended several of the sessions.

The first one, sponsored by Kohner Properties and taught by Paula Gaertner, Community Development Liaison at Vashon/Jeff Vanderlou Initiative, Inc., was titled, "Living on a Fixed Income". Held in the meeting room of the Grand View Tower Apartments, 300 S. Grand, 63103, this session dealt with budgeting, predatory lending, identity theft, and hanging onto your money in these tight times.

Ms Gaertner said, "True wealth is having enough to live comfortably on" and being able to meet our needs (as opposed to our wants). She suggests putting aside some "emergency savings" each month first! Then (in order of priority on her budget list), setting aside money for groceries, rent, utilities (electricity and gas), and then transportation, insurance, and household expenses.

The interesting part of the presentation was a discussion of barter/trade; going back to the basic household cleaning items like ammonia, vinegar, and bleach; and numerous tips for cutting costs while you shop (use coupons, develop meal plans for "in season" fruits and vegetables, shop at Aldi's and Soulard Market). Did you know that Charter Communications has a "free Internet" provision for two years for someone on low, fixed income, or that Central Bank of St Louis will give you a computer loan at no interest with a $25.00 savings account?

The second session this blogger attended was "Small Business Basics", put on by the Small Business Administration and SCORE. Small businesses are the engine which will create jobs and "jump start" the economy and this blogger has several younger friends whom he is mentoring in business start-ups. The presentors, Larry Ross and Wayne Henson covered SBA Loan Program and its application, Writing a Winning Business Plan, and the 5 C's of Credit. SCORE is a nation-wide group of retired business executives who will advise and guide your business start-up at no charge.

It is not too late to go on-line to see some of this past week's offerings. If we are to get through the "Great Recession", we all need to be financially savvy!