Financial Security for All - Personal Finance

Cindy Davies (Schlenker) has signed on to support Financial Security for All - Personal Finance within Bernalillo County.

Family Finance
Jump$tart Financial Literacy; This year the Home Economist, active in the Jump$tart coalition for financial literacy was as the event chairperson for NM Jump$tart. The goal of this task was to accommodate more high school teachers charged with teaching financial literacy in their school around the state. In addition to an information booth for NMSU Cooperative Extension Family Management programs a workshop was given on the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) curriculum. Dr. Abdul-Rahman the ACES Family Management Specialist presented training to the high school teachers.
In May of 2011 Dr. Abdul-Rahman came to do a financial training program on investments to a VA Research Staff group. The Home Economist worked to set this training of some 42 people up which was very well received.

Chaves County Extension Clubs
Six Extension Clubs exist in Chaves County with a membership of seventy five (75). The home economist acts as advisor to the Extension Council. Extension Council meets six times a year, every other month. The home economist provides seven leader’s training programs to the Extension Clubs and general public. Topics for the leader’s training included: Gifts from the Kitchen, Retirement Plainning-It’s More than Money, Stress Management, 20 Minute Meals, Quilted Wall Hangings, Cooking With 5 Ingredients or Less. Some activities the Home Economist assist with include the Christmas Showcase, Christmas Party, and booths at ENMSF. The Extension Council offer three scholarships, the Jewell Limacher Scholarship which is awarded to an upper classman at New Mexico State University, the Almeda Goolsby Scholarship is awarded to a freshman or sophomore in any New Mexico accredited college or university, and the Extension Homemaker’s Scholarship is awarded an Extension Club member who is returning to school. The home economist updates the scholarship application and distributes the application to schools within Chaves County. The Extension Clubs provide a “Books for Newborn Packet” to mothers of newborns upon leaving the hospital. In this packet, information on feeding your baby, car seat safety, immunizations, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, NMSU- Baby’s First Wish Signup card, and a book to encourage reading is provided. Twelve hundred (1200) packets are distributed yearly to two area hospitals. The home economist updates the "Books for Newborn" packets to make sure the information is pertinent and up to date. A yearly program planning meeting for the Extension Clubs is held by the home economist. This meeting is to choose program topics for the following year.
The home economist offered three programs in the area of consumerism/ financial security. These programs were delivered as Extension Leader’s Trainings or workshops. All programs were open to the public. Hands on program topics included:

“Quilted Wall Hangings” was the program presented by the agent in May. At the leader’s trainings each club sends two representatives to the training and then teaches the information learned to other club members. Participants gained knowledge in areas of rotary cutter use, appliquéing, binding, stippling, and meandering. One hundred percent (100%) of participants displayed competencies in using rotary cutter, appliqueing and stippling by making a small quilted coaster. Seventy five (75%) of participants that attended the program signed up for additional quilting classes offered by the home economist. One participant noted that she was so excited to apply what she had learned about quilting so she could make gifts this year for her family.

“Retirement Planning-It’s More than Money” was the program presented by the agent in February. Sixty two participants increased their knowledge of nutritional needs of older adults and the importance of participating in different types of physical activity each week. Eight five percent (85%) of participants identified at least two nutrition behaviors and/or physical or mental activities they plan to adopt. Eighty percent (80%) of participants identified specific physical activities they will regularly practice as a result of seminar participation. The home economist attended each of the six Extension Clubs and presented this program. Other topics within the program that were presented help the participants increased their awareness of life expectancy, healthy lifestyles, mental acuity, medical costs, and writing a “bucket” list. A program booklet with this information was compiled by the agent and distributed.

A total of nine Quilting Workshops were offered to Extension Club Members and public in February, March, April and September. Thirty one (31) participants gained knowledge in how to cut out a quilt by interpreting the directions, how to properly use a rotary blade, mat and acrylic ruler, importance of pressing, how to piece and bind a quilt, and how to miter a corner. One hundred percent (100%) of participants Mastered the skills taught and completed their quilts. Twenty two participants signed up to take the next classes offered in February.

“Gifts From the Kitchen” was the focus of the Leaders Training program presented in November. Participants gained knowledge in preparation, selection, and food safety of food items that would be appropriate for gift food baskets. 50% of participants made gift baskets through out the year. One participant said “she saved money by giving food items instead of purchasing store bought items.

Home & Garden EXPO

The home economist and the agriculture agent in coordination with the Valencia County Master Gardeners. The expo was set up with two tracks of four possible workshops. Participants in the home economics track attended classes regarding nutrition, food preparation using home grown garden products, preserving garden products and floral arranging. The purposes of the expo were to provide educational and hands on training experiences which would enable participants to make better use of their garden products, with the ultimate goal of saving money through wise resource management. Over 58 individuals attended. End of program evaluations indicated that participants felt they had learned some valuable skills which would assist them specifically in the areas of food preservation and making the most of their garden products. All attending the hands on demonstrations (cooking/floral arranging) indicated they would practice skills gained through the experience in their homes.

IT DOESN'T GROW ON TREES--Financial Management Programs

Fifty-seven residents have completed a minimum of four classes on money management. Participants learn of specific topics including the importance of identifying needs vs. wants, budgeting, comparing prices, saving, awareness of fraud/scams, credit, and record keeping. Ninety-five percent of participants have developed better money management skills as a result of the information provided in class. Greater than 50% reported that they had decreased their grocery shopping bills by using comparison shopping methods, coupons and observing cost per ounce. Forty-five percent reported they had a greater understanding of the value in budgeting while keeping wants vs. needs in mind when determining spending. Fifty percent reported that they would be obtaining a copy of their credit report within the month of completing the program.