Dr. Helen K. Simon, CFP Director State Farm Financial Literacy Lab Nov 9, 2011

For info on our other programs: 

What Is Stress?  Stress affects most people in some way  Its a combination of emotional and physical pressures  It almost always involves a feeling you have little control over the situation (s) and/or you just can’t finish anything

Dealing with Stress  You can’t deal with it, until you name it!  What is causing stress in your life?

Leading Cause of Stress?*  #1 = Finances  According to a poll by LifeCare, Inc.(2005), 23% of respondents named finances as the leading cause of stress in their lives.  Financial stress has led the list in many other polls.  GOOGLE it!  *downloaded from:

Some who name finances as the leading cause of stress cite:  major purchases: such as a home or car.  a loss of income,  or mounting credit card debt.  college students stress over paying for an education,  Baby Boomers and older senior citizens find that retirement income can be a major cause of stress.

We have become a culture of what we have instead of who we are

Happy to help us…..

CREDIT CARDS Turn from victims into victors!  High APRs-Cash Back!  Excessive spending -Budgeting tool

Resources  Find the right credit card for you:  Check your credit report often! 37-dc4c/ dc4c/  Use Mint:

Protect your identity!  Do not share your personal information Don’t be afraid to ask someone why they need the info!  Watch your credit cards Swipe! Swipe! Swipe!  Watch mail/garbage/face book

SAVY SPENDING   Your credit card com com  Online bill paying  The Sunday newspaper  Organized shopping trips  Have your cocktail at home  Groupon  FL restaurants run great specials in the off season  Breakfast is a bargain!  The Latte Factor om/what-is-the-latte- factorreg.htm. om/what-is-the-latte- factorreg.htm  The Millionaire Next Door  Don’t always think that bigger is better! The warehouse shopping paradox Sometimes Publix BOGO is way better!

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS  FSA (Flexible Spending Account)  Deferred savings  Tuition reimbursement  Disability insurance Chances of becoming disable pre 65 is 5 Xs greater than dying  Life insurance Do you have enough? Or too much?  Discounted Services : ueComplementsBrochure_20032.pdf ueComplementsBrochure_20032.pdf

Retirement Savings  403b  457  Roth IRA

Tuition Reimbursement  The best investment you can make is in yourself!  Education = higher salaries, better jobs, better quality of life  You are NEVER too old or too busy to take a class  And we can do it for FREE!!!!

REALISTIC BUDGETING  Plan for savings first…?  How much cash should you keep in your emergency fund?  Where should you keep your emergency fund? The Credit Union

INVESTMENT MISTAKES  Listening to too many financial experts  Investing in things you don’t understand  Thinking there is a “free-lunch”  Thinking you know more than the “experts”  Taking too much risk  Using insurance as an investment

Be a good parent – but not too good!  Are you stressed out about your child’s college education?  Have you sacrificed your own retirement savings planning to pay for your child’s education?  Does your child have a job?  Is your child employable?

 Available on the FIU library or used on Amazon for <$5

In closing…  What would you like us to cover in future sessions?  Some ideas: Credit & Banking Investing Basics Personal Financial Planning