DENVER—With the beginning of a new year, many people will make the conventional promise to lose weight, exercise more or quit smoking. But one resolution that would benefit all Americans who are concerned with their financial situations is to get out of debt and begin a method of living healthier—financially. “Typically, January is a time of anxiety for many Americans as they receive their credit card statements and start to experience the financial hangover from their holiday spending indulgences. For anyone who is concerned about the amount of debt they owe, now is the perfect time to resolve to pay down debt and establish a plan to stay financially fit throughout the year,” says Paul Golden, spokesperson for the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®).

The best way to jumpstart your financial resolution in 2012 is to develop a “get out of debt plan” that will help you assess the amount you owe, eliminate debt obligations and stop credit overuse in the future. NEFE suggests the following five tips to help consumers:

1) Assess the debt. Make a list of how much money you owe to each creditor and note the interest rate of each card. Being able to see exactly how much debt you have accrued will help you develop a plan to pay it off. If you have been reluctant to do this that is a warning sign that things are out of control and you cannot put this off any longer.

2) Develop a debt priority approach. Determine the debt with the highest interest rate and put any extra cash toward that obligation first, as this account is costing you the most money. Once you have paid off the largest balance, continue paying the same amount toward the next account on your list, prioritizing by the next highest interest rate.

3) Cut it out. Pick one spending item or activity, such as buying new clothes or eating out, and commit to living without it for a set period of time—perhaps every other month. You can use the money you normally would spend on that item or activity to help pay down debt, or put it toward an emergency savings account.

4) Be careful with credit. While you are trying to erase debt, use credit cards sparingly, if at all. Eliminate all credit cards but one, and pledge to use that card only if a true emergency occurs and taking from savings is not an option. When making purchases, ask yourself whether the object is a “need” or a “want.” If you wouldn’t borrow money to buy an item, it isn’t worth using your credit card to buy it. If you are tempted to make a purchase, simply walk away for a short time and see if you still want the item. Chances are in that moment of clarity, you will forget the impulse that was tempting you.

5) Start saving today. To avoid falling into debt again, begin smart money-management habits right away. Start off 2012 by dedicating yourself to saving regularly. Even if you only save a small amount, having a surplus of money will ease your anxiety. The next time a financial need arises, you can use the emergency savings at your disposal instead of turning to credit cards.

For tips on how to budget, eliminate debt and get into a savings habit, visit www.smartaboutmoney.org, a user-friendly website offering a collection of resources to deal with all of life’s financial challenges.

DENVER—As parents of college-age children across the country settle into the reality of their empty nests, many other Americans are waiting for the day when their kids will fly the coop. According to an online poll commissioned by the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) and conducted by Harris Interactive in May 2011, 40 percent of U.S. adults ages 18 to 39 who are not students live at home with their parents, or have in the recent past. Although this provides a welcome reprieve for adult children facing heightened financial pressures, it can be detrimental to their parents’ personal and financial lives.

• 30 percent have given up privacy
• 26 percent have taken on debt
• 13 percent have delayed plans for a major life event, such as getting married, taking a vacation or buying a home
• 7 percent have delayed retirement

“What’s worrisome is that many parents are sacrificing their long-term financial health to help their adult kids,” says Patricia Seaman, senior director with NEFE. “We encourage parents to find ways to help their children become financially independent without threatening their own financial stability or putting strain on the family dynamic,” says Seaman.

Yvonne Schlueter of Centennial, Colo., agrees. “People who are getting laid off, with five or six years experience, are willing to take the entry-level jobs,” says Schlueter, whose son, Brett, has been living at home for the past two years while looking for a job in his field. “Even if you get a job, it doesn’t mean it’s there to stay. My husband and I used to worry about doing a good job, but we didn’t have to wonder whether our company would be downsized or merged with another.”

While the national unemployment rate lingered at 9.1 percent in August, it hovered at a much higher level for young people—24.7 percent for Americans ages 16 to 19; 14.5 percent for those ages 20 to 24; and 10.2 percent for those ages 25 to 29, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This has left many job-seeking children returning to homes in which parents already are struggling with their own financial responsibilities, such as Schlueter and her recently disabled husband, who also support Brett’s two siblings in college.

“This is when parents need to walk the line between the obligations they feel toward their child and their own financial needs,” says Seaman. “Regardless of whether your adult child is unemployed, taking a semester off college or struggling through a significant life event, it’s important to think logically about the situation.”

1. Understand where your child is coming from. Ask your child why he or she thinks living at home will help him or her toward specific financial goals. Discuss how long he or she plans to live with you, and whether he or she can contribute financially.

1. Assess your current financial situation. If moving your adult child back home means cutting into retirement savings or delaying other financial goals, reconsider how you might help. Offer to watch grandchildren or pets while your child interviews for jobs or works extra shifts. Introduce your son or daughter to professional connections that could lead to job prospects.

1. Establish ground rules for living under the same roof. Before your child moves in, decide on a move-out date and set guidelines for maintaining privacy and mutual respect. You might consider drawing up a contract, which will show your child you’re serious.

1. Require your child to contribute, financially or otherwise. Consider charging a small amount of rent or at least having your child help around the house. The Schlueters don’t charge Brett for rent or food, but they expect him to fix things around the house, which has saved them money during the past couple years.

1. Help your child toward financial independence. Discuss steps your child will take toward getting out on his or her own. Make them specific, and attach deadlines. For example, Brett applies for three to five career-related positions a week, but if he isn’t hired by January 2012, he plans to enroll in graduate school.

1. Regularly discuss your child’s progress. Celebrate your child’s accomplishments but hold him or her to his or her end of the deal, whether that includes job-seeking goals, responsibilities around the house or a move-out date.

1. Once your child has left the house, remember the big picture. Evaluate what you and your son or daughter have learned from the experience, and review your child’s plans for maintaining his or her financial independence.

For more tips, visit www.smartaboutmoney.org.

About the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE)
NEFE is an independent nonprofit organization committed to inspiring empowered financial decision making for individuals and families through every stage of life. For more information, visit www.nefe.org.

One of our volunteers received a distress phone call from a neighbor. As soon as he had his volunteer tasks done at All Purpose Lifeskills, he rushed over to her house to see how he could help. Now, I am very fond of this particular volunteer and I hope he does not mind my describing him as a knight dashing off to save the day. His shoulders were braced for victory. The faith that a solution could be found was in his eyes…

A few hours later, he returned to the office beyond distraught. Our dear friend, who normally was a fountain who spurted out words of wisdom to those needing encouragement was at an unbelievable loss for words. The distress call was from a married woman with two children close to going to college. She was a hard worker at a minimum paying job; but she was clever and managed to save up $51,000 for her kids education over the years. She did not have the knowledge to keep this money safe for this purpose. In fact, she kept it in a joint checking account with her husband. They had been having issues and the husband went to the bank, withdrawing all the money. A joint account allows each person on the account the legal right to remove the money from the account. Since both parties signed up for this type of account, both are giving the other person permission to do so. The responsiblity and use of the account remains on both parties- not the bank. The bank does not have the legal means to ask one of the joint account holders to return the money.

This scenario, which sadly is not a unque situation, could have been prevented. All Purpose Lifeskills provides the knowledge to establish the correct accounts in a way that everyone can be in control of his or her finances. We share information regarding what type of accounts are best for different situations, allowing each person to chose what is best for him or her. This is a family that is torn apart and whose future will never be the same.

We did provide resources and information, which is part of our mission,  for this family to gain assistance…housing, food, clothing, and counseling to find a place to begin again and to go forward. How differently this story would have ended if this woman had knowledge to protect herself and her children’s future?

With your involvement, All Purpose Lifeskills is striving towards our mission to share financial education and life skills training to prevent situations like this. Please support us in assisting community members in need and donate today!

Contact: Ellen Loebelenz                                             PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Telephone; 954-762-7718

Email: ellen@allpurposelifeskills.org

Florida Master Money Mentor In Broward County

By Julie Shattock

In keeping with its pledge of providing great service and education to the community, All Purpose Lifeskills hosted the Florida Master Money Mentor (MMM) training series, a financial education and mentorship program, which is a part of the extension services of the University of Florida.

“We had some wonderful people participate in the three-day event,” stated Ellen Loebelenz, founder and CEO of All Purpose Lifeskills.  “They not only received up-to-date training and materials on financial management for their personal use but also acquired financial coaching skills which they can use to impact the lives of individuals in our community and the participants All Purpose Lifeskills serves.”

The intensive twenty- hour training program entailed basic money management skills, strategies for dealing with financial problems, credit and debt management, savings and other financial tools.

On completion, participants were awarded the title of Florida Master Money Mentor. In addition, they gained two continuing education units (CEU’s) on successfully completing the course.

“The idea behind the program is to give one-on-one assistance to those who wish to learn valuable financial tools. The program is for everyone, because we believe that everyone can be mentored and that everyone can be a mentor, so we are very excited about working with APLS. From the feedback we got from everyone it was a great success!” commented Selena Garrison, the Florida Master Money Mentor Program Director.

APLS collaborates with various organizations in the community to provide financial education and life skills training to those who need it. Providing knowledge, resources, and tools to their participants, allows them to establish control over their circumstances, improve their quality of life, and launch a more secure future.  This is always essential, but especially so during times of economic challenges and hardship.

The Florida Master Money Mentor program, which started two years ago, was the brainchild of university professor Dr. Michael Gutter and is sponsored by a grant from Bank of America Florida. Broward is the eleventh county served so far with plans to expand throughout Florida.

“If one will acknowledge that most household stress is caused by financial concerns, think through how powerful, how significant an individual’s or family’s life will change when financial control is established. Stress levels will decrease significantly, arguments will lessen, sleep will increase, and hope will be developed. We are truly looking forward to begin practicing and sharing the knowledge shared with our participants.” says Ellen.“This was a pilot run of the training. To hear the thrilled reactions from the training participants demonstrated what a powerful education and guidance the University of Florida provided. We wish to continue collaborating with the University of Florida. We are looking forward to sharing with the community that APLS is here to strengthen and ready to bring positive change to our community.”

Victoria Sanchez, the owner of On the Menu Café provided some amazing lunches from their French and Mediterranean menu. “The training was wonderful, but the restaurant where we had lunch was a treat. It is very attractive and a lot of fun. The main course that was very healthy and delicious. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the other Florida Master Money Mentors. It is a wonderful group of people. I am very impressed.” Shared George Aranda, APLS new Volunteer Coordinator from cooperating agency Experience Works.

What Did Attendees think of the Master Money Mentor Training?

“Wonderful!  It was very informative and engaging.  Selena was very knowledgeable.  She was able to provide the tools and information necessary for managing money issues and mentoring others.”                                                         Shirlee Mariani, All Purpose Lifeskills Volunteer

“Excellent and insightful.  If applied, can be a road map to prosperity.” Shirley Woods, Retired University Administrator & All Purpose Lifeskills Volunteer

“Excellent program full of important principles that if applied, will provide real results and endless tools to apply to specific situations.  An eye opener in the intricacies of financial behavior.” George Aranda, Experience Works Client & All Purpose Lifeskills Volunteer

“The training was wonderful and very informative.  There was a lot of important information that I will be using in my personal life and at the professional level.”  Sandra Tobon, Hispanic Unity of Florida

“Good course that everyone can and should use in their personal life, regardless of their current situation.” Sherry Ross, MBA Student & All Purpose Lifeskills Volunteer

For more information regarding this event and other programs offered by All Purpose Lifeskills, please contact All Purpose Lifeskills at www.allpurposelifeskills.org, info@allpurposelifeskills.org, or 954-762-7718.

All Purpose Lifeskills, Inc., 4801 South University Drive, Suite #254, Davie, FL, 33328

954-762-7718, allpurposelifeskills.org

http://www.smugmug.com/ria/ShizamSlides-2010121201.swf

Click here for link to Application

In this economically challenging climate, this opportunity could make a tremendous difference. Thank You for making this happen!

Ecomonically Disadvantage Youth Job Opportunity

We have put together a video to say thank you to those who support this effort! The exciting part….if you watch it until the end, you will see who won the lovely one hour massage from Healing From The Inside! Get ready for a small victory dance….

The funds raised from your efforts will be used to help Domestic Violence Survivors, Foster Youth, Homeless, Low Income, and Youth At Risk acquire financial literacy and life skills. All Purpose Lifeskills provides the knowledge, resources, and tools which enable them to establish  control over their circumstances, improve their quality of life, and launch a more secure future. Specifically, the money from the Poinsettia Campaign will assist with program services and administrative costs like printing, supplies, rent, insurance, and telephone/internet costs.

We want to take this opportunity to thank those who have shown their support for the All Purpose Lifeskills’ First Annual Poinsettia Campaign 2010! We truly appreciate the support you have provided for our mission!

Special Acknowledgment for Sue Drzewiecki! Sue was the project leader for our first Poinsettia Campaign! She was inspiring and a constant blur of action as she organized this endeavor! It was a fantastic amount of work, which she did with such persistence, patience, and a genuine display of caring for her community. She was able to charm an amazing number of Poinsettia purchases! She is someone who is tremendously respected and appreciated! Thank you for all that you do!

Another special thank yo to Salvador Espinosa from Healing From The Inside (954)648- 8621 for the kind donation of Gift Certificates which was used as a way to say thank you to our supporters!

Final Tallies Are In!

CoreLogics- 67% of the total sales valuing at $1570

Ping- is responsible for 11% of these sales! Small Victory Dance!

Opal- is responsible for 10% of the sales! Well Done!

Sherrie- is responsible for 8% of these sales!

Hey, y’all top sellers! We have a special treat coming your way! Here’s hoping you are intrigued and we are looking forward to providing you a lovely, relaxing moment to show our appreciation! We will keep you posted with the arrangements through Mickey.

A very special thank you to Ken Smith for being kind enough to make those special deliveries!

Thank you all so much for your caring! All Purpose Lifeskills is wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!

Leadership Broward Foundation began in 1982 as an educational program of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. It was designed to enhance participants’ leadership skills, provide practical experience in community action, and facilitate opportunities for interaction with established community leaders — all for the purpose of strengthening their bond to the community. Learn More At: Leadership Broward Foundation

The Emerge Broward program will be having it’s annual, FREE movie in the park event. Bring the whole family to Huizenga Park on Friday, December 10th for a screening of Scrooged. We’ll be selling ELBE Holiday Wagon Drawing tickets and collecting toys for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. http://www.leadershipbroward.org/index.php?src=events&srctype=detail&category=Special+Event&refno=1002

Date: December 10, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: Show map
Huizenga Park/DDA Plaza
SE Corner of Las Olas Blvd. and S. Andrews Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Contact: Pablo Urquilla
Email: pablou@browardcenter.org

This year for The Light Up Lauderdale Event on November 26th, they were looking to have 5-10,000 people line the shores of The New River, located in Fort Lauderdale. If you missed the event- the lights are still up and there are many exciting happenings to explore- learn more at http://www.goriverwalk.com/ !

There were cocktails and food available for purchase as they lit up the holiday decorations along the New River where $50,000 worth of lights will glow that very evening in the holiday spirit. This event is produced by The City of Fort Lauderdale and The Riverwalk Trust. The Vice Mayor was there to throw the switch at 6:00 sharp. Red Bull dropped their “Holiday Skydiver” from the sky to land in Esplanade Park at 5:45. This was spectacular and heart stopping! Santa was in attendance! There were Family fun rides, as well as a wonderful Band and MC. As a courtesy Chamber non-profits, The City of Fort Lauderdale and The Riverwalk Trust invited all non profits that would like to set up a table to gain exposure for their charity to display at the event! This was a wonderful opportunity and All Purpose Lifeskills was delighted to be involved! We were also pleased to be able to Children Services Council of Broward Resource Guides! Thank you everyone for the opportunity!

Are you ready to make a positive change? Let’s see if we can keep those dances moments of victory, with the joy of the holiday season.

Hey, gooberish moment, if everyone wears Black on Black Friday, it could be a reminder to keep an eye on your budget. There are people who excel at marketing, getting people very excited about what is right in front of them. Take a deep breathe, step back, regroup, get excited about your goals- both short term and long term, then think your purchases through! Are they going to get you closer to YOUR goals?

For more idea on how to best stay in Black, read the following from NEFE!

BLACK FRIDAY OFFERS DEALS, IF AMERICANS STICK TO LISTS

DENVER—Half the country plans to rise early and crowd stores in search of holiday shopping deals on Black Friday this year, according to new data from the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®). A November online poll commissioned by NEFE and conducted by Harris Interactive finds 51 percent of U.S. adults who plan to do holiday shopping this year plan to shop on Black Friday.

“It’s going to be the biggest Black Friday of our lifetime [in numbers of shoppers],” says retail analyst Britt Beemer, chief executive of America’s Research Group.

The NEFE-Harris poll found that Black Friday shoppers expect to accomplish, on average, 30 percent of their holiday shopping on Black Friday, contributing to what the National Retail Federation predicts will be a 2.3 percent increase in holiday sales this year to $447 billion. Many retailers would have Americans believe Black Friday is the best day to score deals. And in some cases, that is true. ”Last year, when the Black Friday door busters were gone, you couldn’t find those items at a lower price the rest of the season,” Beemer says. “Consumers remember that.”

But on Black Friday, many retailers count on deep discounts on specific products to attract shoppers who buy those—as well as higher-profit items. “Unplanned purchases and impulse buys during the holidays aren’t always bad,” says Paul Golden, spokesperson for NEFE. “So long as you keep your budget in check and try to save extras for last.”

But many Americans are shopping without a plan.

Going in Unprepared

The NEFE-Harris poll found that 69 percent of adults who plan on holiday shopping do not set a budget. What’s more, 22 percent of adults planning to shop on Black Friday do not know what they will buy. Without a budget or a list, the holiday music and sale signs can get the best of you. While nearly 31 percent of those who plan on holiday shopping say they do not spend more than they want, 11 percent admit they go overboard. “Most Americans know that they will be spending heavily during the holidays, and without a plan, that spending can quickly spiral out of control,” says Golden.

Even with a list, holiday shopping temptations cause some consumers to stray. “Before Black Friday, we comparison shop online and with circulars,” says Diane Fitzgerald of Philadelphia. Fitzgerald and her husband typically buy half their holiday gifts on Black Friday, toys being their top priority. But Fitzgerald admits while she saves money on Black Friday, sometimes she gets extra things that aren’t on her list.

Plan and Research Ahead

Whether you shop on Black Friday or at other times during the holidays, start with a budget and list of people for whom you’ll give gifts, and try your best to stick to that list. Also, do your research. If a big-ticket electronics item is on your list, Black Friday likely is your best day to buy, Beemer says. But for items priced around $100 or less, he adds, the best specials will be the week before Christmas.

Nearly half, 47 percent, of adults who plan to shop on Black Friday say they will buy electronics, such as TVs and computers, according to the NEFE-Harris poll. In addition, 46 percent plan to buy clothes, 38 percent plan to buy toys and 27 percent plan to buy home goods such as linens and small appliances. Although big-box stores will be filled with eager shoppers on Black Friday, don’t worry about them selling out of all the best gifts. Aside from the heavily promoted must-have toys and electronics, Beemer doesn’t expect retailers to sell out of much on Black Friday. After that weekend, store traffic will slow down at least through mid-December, he says.

Think Outside the (Big) Box

Adrienne Yang of Moraga, Calif., stays away from stores the day after Thanksgiving. Throughout the season, she finds one-of-a-kind gifts at craft fares and warehouse sales, which usually feature a variety of merchants. “I save more than going to regular retail stores and so-called ‘outlets,’ because I can find unusual products or homemade food items that don’t cost much,” she says. Yang also makes it at least halfway through her list before Black Friday arrives. Still, Yang’s daughters have specific requests for toys and clothes she won’t find at those sales. In that case, Yang shops online, where she compares prices among retailers and visits a few deal-oriented sites—such as www.retailmenot.com and www.edealinfo.com—before she clicks to make a purchase.

Yang also rarely buys until shipping is free, because shipping costs often offset the markdown offered. With retail giants such as Wal-Mart already offering free shipping on much of its store and plenty of other online retailers participating in Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) and free shipping day (December 17), online shoppers can secure deals throughout the season.

Shopping online can help you save in other ways, too. “You aren’t spending money on gas driving from store to store and you don’t need to take time off work or arrange for child care, because you can shop online day or night,” says Golden.

For additional holiday shopping tips, visit www.smartaboutmoney.org.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of National Endowment for Financial Education from November 4-8, 2010, among 2,738 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, click here.

SIDEBAR:

Smart Shopping Tips:

1. Stick to a budget. Make a list not only of gifts but all expected holiday expenses, including decorations, entertaining, new clothes for parties and travel expenses. Do not exceed your preset limits.
2. Make a list and check it twice. List all family members, friends and co-workers for whom you plan to buy gifts. Ask yourself if you really need to buy for everyone or if a card or other gesture, such as baking muffins, would suffice.
3. Shop carefully. Check circulars, coupons, catalogs and the Internet for the best prices. If you find a deal online, check added shipping costs before you buy. Be selective. Once you have purchased a gift for someone, cross them off your list. Avoid adding last-minute impulse items just to make your gift seem more meaningful.
4. Make concessions. To maintain your budget, you may have to cut down your list of gift recipients. Be selective about what parties you will attend. Consider the costs of gift wrap and sending holiday cards. Try creating an online card with a family photo that you can e-mail to friends and family.
5. Look toward next year. Although it’s a little late this year, remember, holiday spending is a recurring expense. Consider picking up deals on known expenses like wrapping paper this Dec. 26. Establish a savings account that you regularly contribute to throughout the year. Ask your bank about setting up a designated account that money can be transferred to automatically.

[Any reference to a specific company, commercial product, process or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by the National Endowment for Financial Education.]

Click on the arrow above to play the audio!

The training hosted by the Community Foundation of Broward was wonderful and thought provoking. Breakthrough Engagement is being used by high-performing businesses across the country to gain every advantage for breakthrough thinking. The mission of the Community Foundation of Broward is to provide leadership on community solutions, and foster philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. They envision a community where people feel connected and are actively engaged to make Broward better. It could not have been a more appropriate training and the All Purpose Lifeskills volunteers who attended truly appreciated the opportunity.We are going to be using some of the techniques!

Nonprofits in the community, remember to check out the upcoming trainings at Community Foundation of Broward.