Personal Financial Skills for Life

Stressed about money? Mystified by your credit report? Concerned about how to safeguard your personal financial information? We can help!

Attend these Skills for Life sessions and get control of your finances, understand your credit rating and protect yourself from identity theft. Learn simple things you can do to reduce your money stress and build your credit rating. You can even meet one-on-one with the presenter to address any concerns you have over your credit report.

Tuesday, February 28 th - 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. – Lecture Hall

Credit Reports — Your Permanent Financial Record
The workshop focuses on how to build a strong credit report. We’ll talk about why credit reports are important and how to read one. You’ll learn how to build good credit, how to develop a good credit rating and ways to improve what shows up on a credit report. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and obtain your credit report from Experian. Bring your credit report to the presentation.

The Financial Road Map — Your Path to the Future
There’s more to managing your finances than making a budget. In this workshop we’ll talk about how to assess current spending habits and set financial goals for the future. The way you manage your finances while in school can set the tone for your financial future.

Wednesday, March 1 st – Noon to 1:00 p.m. – Lecture Hall

Your Financial Identity — Keep It to Yourself
An estimated 10 million people fall victim to identity theft each year and spend an enormous amount of time and money clearing their name and credit records. This workshop focuses on how to avoid becoming a victim and provides some steps to recover from identity theft.

Jeff Southard, Financial Literacy Specialist

Jeff has a strong background of teaching financial management classes to diverse populations. Using humor and personal experience, Southard offers simple tools that students and administrators can use to gain control of their financial situation. He specializes in facilitating a series of workshops, from money management to credit reports, as well as professional development and financing college education.

In December of 2000, Southard joined Northwest Education Loan Association and currently serves as co-president of Jump$tart Washington, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to teaching financial literacy to Washingtonians. Prior working at NELA, Jeff taught money management and life skills classes for Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Seattle.

Southard has a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from Emerson College, as well as a Master of Arts in Playwriting from Western Washington University. You can reach Jeff Southard at 206.461.5381 or jeffs@nela.net.

SIGN UP IN THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE. PIZZA WILL BE PROVIDED!!!