Budget For Your Bank

If you haven’t had a chance to attend any of the Money Smart Week events yet, there are still a few days left to attend a few and learn something new! We still have two Budget For Your Bank Activities scheduled this week in Thurston and Clark Counties.  


Bring the kids in and they will get to decorate a piggy bank of their choosing, but they have to work for it. Each child will receive a $10.00 “income” when they come in, along with a budgeting worksheet that lists all the different options at the Piggy Bank Store. There are numerous piggy bank and décor sticker options all listed at different prices. Kids can then choose their piggy bank/sticker combinations but they must stay within their $10.00 budget. For those kids who save at least 10% of their income, there is a Super Saver Prize.
If you have any questions about the Budget for Your Bank Event, you can contact Katrina Roy at Katrina.roy@dfi.wa.gov. The event is free and recommended for kids elementary school aged.



Details for the next two Budget For Your Bank Activities:

Friday April 29th

Vancouver Community Library

901 C Street
Vancouver, WA 98660

10:30-11:30 A.M.

Friday April 29th

Lacey Timberland Library

500 College St SE

Lacey, WA 98503

4:00-5:00 P.M.

Thinking Money: Save, Invest and Protect Yourself from Fraud Seminar

Financial Capability Month is upon us! Join the experts from AARP, FINRA, the SEC, the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, and the Washington State Department of Financial institutions on April 26^th from 9:00 AM-2:15 PM for a free consumer education seminar.  

The seminar will cover:

• How behavioral biases and emotions impact your financial decisions
• Ways to make your money last
• How to spot the red flags in financial scams
• Steps you can take to achieve greater financial security

Space is limited so register early!

Call toll-free (877) 926-8300 or register online at

http://aarp.cvent.com/ThinkingMoneyWA

Financial Capability Summit in Tacoma May 12

On May 12, The Prosperity Agenda is hosting a statewide summit to explore the impact of financial capability work in Washington State. This unprecedented gathering will bring Washington State nonprofit professionals, government representatives, advocates, and business leaders together to explore how financial capability solutions can help stop the cycle of poverty in Washington State.

Attendees will hear short inspirational talks, participate in interactive learning experiences, learn about promising solutions, and come away with a collective action plan to guide how we engage in financial capability work throughout Washington in years to come.

Why Attend?
This is a unique time in our state. We are experiencing unprecedented growth (annualized growth rate of 8% is by far the highest among the states) and our state currently has the #1 economy in the country according to a recent ranking by Business Insider Magazine.

Despite this, poverty in Washington is still high. According to the American Community Survey, in 2015, more than 913,000 Washington residents were living in poverty. While the rate of poverty has dropped slightly since 2011, the actual number of people living in poverty has increased (a fact often missed).

Details
Thursday, May 12, 2016
9 am – 5 pm
Tacoma Art Museum
Registration: http://www.theprosperityagenda.org/events
 
Early Bird Admission – $99 (after March 31 – $125)
Early Bird Admission plus $10 museum tour – $109
Ticket price includes day-long program and lunch.
Online registration ends May 11. Limited day-of registration available.

OMWBE and NAMC Financial Fair

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is hosting a Financial Fair for small business owners in the construction industry in association with the National Association of Minority Contractors Oct. 1.

Representatives from US Bank, East-West Bank, the Small Business Administration, and Bank of America will be present to answer questions and address concerns business owners in the construction industry may have regarding to small business lending. Don't miss out an opportunity to become informed!

Jump$tart National Educator Conference Registration

Calling all teachers!  Registration is now open for the 7^th Annual Jump$tart National Educator Conference, devoted to classroom educators who teach personal finance or want to incorporate money lessons into other subject matter, grades PreK-12.  Join Jump$tart November 6-8, 2015 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, just outside Washington, DC. Through the generosity of many sponsors, Jump$tart is able to offer teachers the very special price of $425, which includes conference registration, conference meals and receptions, some materials, including a print copy of the National Standards in K-12 Personal Finance Education, and two nights’ hotel accommodations. Teachers are offered optional, private sessions with financial planners or counselors.  The exhibit hall is devoted to personal finance curricula and other resources.  For more information, please visit the Jump$tart National Educator Conference website http://www.jumpstart.org/NEC15 or you can contact the conference director Dan Hebert at daniel.hebert@jumpstart.org.    

Jump$tart Washington: Kick Off the School Year With Financial Education

Are you a financial educator? Do you teach youth? If so, you won't want to miss this event! Jump$tart Washington is hosting a train the trainer day in Seattle on August 25th for youth financial educators. With new legislation being passed, financial education must be integrated into existing state learning standards, which can sound like a lot of extra work. Speakers from the Financial Education Public Private Partnership (FEPPP), the CFPB and the FDIC will show educators how easy that can be.
The event will be held in Seattle at the beautiful Talaris Conference Center. Admission is free thanks to our generous sponsor the FDIC, breakfast and lunch will be provided. The event is next week and there are only a certain amount of tickets left, get yours before they are gone!
We hope you will join us for a day focused on creating a brighter and more financially educated tomorrow for future generations.


What: Jump$tart Washington: Kick Off the School Year With Financial Education
           Let the experts show you how to integrate financial education into your existing
           curriculum!
When: Tuesday, August 25th, 2015
            10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Where: Talaris Conference Center
            4000 Northeast 41st Street
            Seattle, WA 98105
            http://www.talarisconferencecenter.com/
Price: Free!
If you have questions, please contact interim Jump$tart Washington Coalition President Lyn Peters at lyn.peters@dfi.wa.gov or 360-902-8731.


Registration: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/jumptart-washington-kick-off-the-school-year-with-financial-education-tickets-17178550507?aff=eac2

Recap: Budgeting Night at Olympia’s Hands on Children’s Museum

This past Friday, DFI participated in Olympia’s Hands on Children’s Museum free Friday night with a budgeting for your bank activity.

Nearly 200 kids developed a budget that allowed them to “buy” one of three piggy banks and decorate it as they see fit.

Kids were given $10 play money and worked closely with their parents and DFI volunteers to develop their budgets.

Children with money left over for savings were given a special prize.

The activity was a hit, with several parents commenting that their children learned a real life skill.

 

Free Financial Education Event for Kids this Friday Evening in Olympia

This Friday, August 7, DFI is sponsoring a Budgeting for Your Bank Event at the Hands on Children’s Museum Free Friday Night in Olympia.

Each child will get an “Income” envelope with $10 of play money and a budgeting worksheet. The budgeting worksheet will show piggy bank and decorative sticker options to purchase for different prices and quantities. The kids are then tasked with budgeting their money, with the help of parents and DFI staff, in order to buy their favorite piggy bank and stickers. There is also a special prize for those who save a portion of their income.

It will be a fun, free and educational event for all ages.
What: Budgeting for Your Bank Event

When: Friday, Aug. 7, 2015
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Hands on Children’s Museum
414 Jefferson St NE
Olympia, WA 98501 

More information: http://www.hocm.org/free-friday-night/

Money Smart Week April 18-25, 2015

Money Smart Week is here and underway! Money Smart Week was created in 2002 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. It is a public awareness campaign full of events that teach people how to handle their personal finances in a way that benefits them most. There are Money Smart Week events happening in counties all over Washington State. Here are just a few of the educational events that will be put on during the rest of the week:

• April 21st:
• "Kids & Cash" is a program that gives tips and advice to parents on how to talk to their kids about money and forming responsible money habits
• April 22nd:
• "Navigating Your Credit World" will teach you how to build, repair, and access your credit score                                                                                                     
• "We’re Talking Money!" is an opportunity to get one-on-one assistance with your librarian and explore all the financial resources your library has to offer 
• April 23rd:
• The "Online Banking" class will teach people how to safely and securely pay their bills online 
• "Establishing, Improving and Maintaining Credit" shows people how credit companies calculate credit scores and how consumers can use this knowledge to improve their credit score
• April 24th:
• "Be Money Smart!" is happening in libraries all over the state. This is a display with take-home financial information for consumers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs with information on loans, financial management, investing and job training
• April 25th: 
• "Cyber Theft-How to Protect Yourself" will be giving tips on how to keep yourself safe from identity theft and internet scams
• "Shred Day" is a great opportunity to get all your personal and financial documents shredded on the spot and keep yourself safe from identity theft
• "The Financial Family Fun Fest" is an event for the whole family with crafts for kids and free financial one-on-one signups for the adults.

These are only a few of the great events offered during the rest of Money Smart Week. To see the entire list of events, visit https://chicagofed.org/applications/msw_calendar/public.htm?campaign=14.

Money Smart Week Reading Days

As part of Financial Capability Month and Money Smart Week®, the Jump$tart Washington Coalition brings you Reading Days! Reading Days are a great opportunity for our community leaders to go and bring about change in their communities. We ask our school board members and city council members, as well as other city officials, from around the state to make a one-hour commitment and go to a local elementary school where they will read a story to the children about using money wisely and teaching the benefits of saving versus spending. This year’s book is The Berenstain Bears’ “Dollars and Sense,” by Jan and Stan Berenstain. When Brother and Sister Cub start to earn an allowance, they learn that spending it all at once isn’t the best option. The book teaches kids about putting money into an account and saving it for later as well as basic budgeting. The book also comes with sample tear-out checks so you can set up your own savings account with your little ones at home!

This year’s Reading Day participation has been incredible. We have had community leaders from all over the state volunteer to read at their local elementary schools. We greatly appreciate all of our volunteers and their commitment to help the youth. For any extra information on the Reading Day events, please contact Katrina Roy at (360) 902-8761 or Katrina.roy@dfi.wa.gov .

Here are our scheduled volunteers: 

• Vancouver-April 3rd at Minnehaha Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Bill Turlay 
• Auburn- April 13th at Pioneer Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Yolanda Trout
• Clarkston- April 13th at Grantham Elementary School
  Reader: School Board Member Meghan Pierce
• Centralia- April 17th at Edison Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Gabe Anzelini
• Vancouver- April 17th at Walnut Grove Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Larry Smith
• Ellensburg- April 20th at Mt. Stuart Elementary School
  Reader: School Board Member Meg Ludlum
• Vancouver- April 20th at Anderson Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Alishia Topper
• Vancouver- April 20th at Walnut Grove Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Anne McEnerny-Ogle
• Longview- April 22nd at Northlake Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Mike Wallin
• Olympia- April 22nd at Lincoln Elementary School
  Reader: School Board VP Allen Miller
• Spokane- April 22nd at  Roosevelt Elementary School
  Reader: City Council President Ben Stuckart
• Vancouver- April 22nd at Franklin Elementary School
  Reader: School Board Member Nada Wheelock
• Spokane- April 23rd at Holmes Elementary
  Reader: City Council Member Candace Mumm
• Centralia- April 24th at Edison Elementary
  Reader: City Council Member Patrick Gallagher
• Kennewick- April 28th at Westgate Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Bob Olson
• Enumclaw- April 28th at Sunrise Elementary School
  Reader: Enumclaw Mayor Liz Reynolds
• Wenatchee- April 29th at Columbia Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member Bryan Campbell
• Auburn- April 30th at Terminal Park Elementary School
  Reader: City Council Member John Holman

*NOTE: Members of the media, please contact Katrina Roy at 360-902-8761 for information on how to contact a school in your area regarding sending reporters/photographers/camera staff on campus grounds and photo permissions PRIOR to the days’ event(s)

 

Community Leaders: Join In Financial Literacy Reading Days

Jump$tart Washington and the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) are sponsoring Financial Literacy Reading Days in Washington classrooms during Washington Financial Capability Month – in conjunction with Washington Money Smart Week April 18-25.

The reading days program provides a venue for community leaders to step out of their offices and into one of their city’s elementary schools to read a financial education story to Washington youth.
Each community leader also will lead students in an activity that more fully explores the concepts raised in the book: such as the importance of and power in saving, compound interest, investing, donating, working for money, not spending more than you have, etc.

Previous community leaders have included Washington State Treasurer James L. McIntire, mayors, legislators and city council members. The visit time would be approximately 30-45 minutes in the classroom.

Sign Up
If you are interested in being one of this year’s community leaders reading to elementary students, please select four dates and times during the month of April and we will work to secure a school to bring a Financial Literacy Reading Day to your community.

Additionally, if there is a particular school or classroom you would like to work with, please share the contact information with us and we will do our best to facilitate it.

Please email Katrina Roy at katrina.roy@dfi.wa.gov with dates, times, and specific schools.

Military Saves Events Happening Across Washington

As part of the Washington Finance Alliance, Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is pleased to support our military personnel with four Military Saves Week events this week – at Fairchild Air Force Base, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor and the Coast Guard in Seattle.

The Washington Finance Alliance is a group of organizations - including Army One Source, The Dept. of Financial Institutions, American Red Cross, Better Business Bureau, and more - devoted to promoting and enhancing financial education throughout Washington State, particularly for military servicemembers and their families.

Holly Petraeus, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Assistant Director of the Office of Servicemember Affairs, is headlining these events – talking directly with base leaders, servicemembers, family members and local organizations supporting our military personnel about the financial challenges our military members face and how the CFPB and local organizations can help.

Learn more about how the CFPB is helping servicemembers at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/servicemembers/

Learn more about Washington Saves Week at http://www.dfi.wa.gov/saves-week/

Holly Petraeus Talks with Servicemembers

Jump$tart Washington TWELVE Event

Jump$tart Washington invites you to participate in TWELVE.

Jump$tart has challenged speakers to give a fast-paced burst of information conveyed in less than TWELVE minutes using TWELVE or less slides.
 
The cost? Just $12.

Mark your calendar today for TWELVE. Get updated on the state of financial education in Washington, meet TWELVE new contacts with an interest in financial education and perhaps learn TWELVE new things!

Time:    11:30 a.m. Registration & Networking, TWELVE o’clock lunch
Date:    Thursday, October 9
Where: Billy Baroo’s Grill at Foster Golf Links, Tukwila
 
Speakers
Esther Rich, Educator, Renton High School
“Adapting Financial Education Concepts for Low Income Students”

Cathy Brorson, Outreach Coordinator, Kitsap Community Credit Union
“Training on the Edge”

More information on our speakers’ programs can be found on the registration page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/twelve-the-washington-jumptart-member-event-tickets-6040753055

American Winter Documentary Showing in Everett - June 10

Personal stories of NW families struggling to make ends meet and avoid foreclosure highlight the need for community involvement and support.

The foreclosure crisis is anything but 'over' for thousands of Washington families.   Though the number of foreclosures is gradually decreasing, data from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed more than 25,000 homes in the foreclosure process at the end of 2013.  Those numbers represent real people, real families, who are struggling to make ends meet -- some of whom are facing homelessness.

To encourage a community dialogue — including what community members can do about the matter of foreclosure and homelessness — the Foreclosure Prevention & Housing Outreach Coalition has arranged a screening of American Winter Documentary in Everett.

6 - 9 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Henry M. Jackson Conference Center
Everett Community College
200 Tower St.
Everett, WA 98201

Tickets are free at http://americanwintereverett.eventbrite.com
For more information call (253) 572-5134 or e-mail vls@tacomaprobono.org

Q&A with Local Experts
Guests are invited to stay following the film for a brief panel discussion and Q & A with local experts about how the themes of American Winter are relevant in our community, and learn more about the resources available in Snohomish County to help prevent foreclosure and its consequences.

About the Documentary
The documentary, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz (Taxicab Confessions, The Defenders), follows the personal stories of eight families struggling in the wake of the economic downturn. Shot over the winter of 2011-12 in Portland, OR, this powerful film reveals the human impact of budget cuts to social services, rising poverty and economic inequality, and the fracturing of the American Dream.

This screening is brought to Washington by the partners of the Foreclosure Prevention & Housing Outreach Coalition.

Participate in Money Smart Week Washington 2014

The Jump$tart Washington Coalition — a non-profit coalition dedicated to financial literacy for K-12 children — is sponsoring Washington Money Smart Week® April 5-12.

Money Smart Week® is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of organizations including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. These groups come together once a year to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers about where they can get help and provide free educational seminars and activities throughout the week.

Become a Money Smart Week Partner
We hope you will consider becoming a Washington Money Smart Week partner by registering at http://www.moneysmartweekpartners.org/registration.

Register Your Money Smart Week Events
Once you’ve registered, please add your already scheduled (or scheduled specifically for Money Smart Week) financial education events to the Money Smart Week 2014 calendar https://chicagofed.org/applications/msw_calendar/public.htm?campaign=14.

For More Information
For more information, please contact Jump$tart Washington Coalition President Amy O’Donnell at Amy O’Donnell at aodonnell@wscpa.org or 425-586-1140 or VP Lyn Peters at lyn.peters@dfi.wa.gov or 360-902-8731.

Save the Date - Bank on Thurston County Jan 15

Members of the Bank on Thurston County initiative invite you to join them on Wednesday, January 15 to learn more about how people can find affordable and high quality checking and savings accounts.

Everyone is welcome to meet bank and credit union partners and support accessible banking in Thurston County.

Wednesday, January 15^th
1:30-3pm
First United Methodist Church
1224 East Legion Way
Olympia, WA

Questions? Call Jeanne Marie Thomas (360) 480-9244

For more information about Bank on Thurston County visit www.thurstonabc.org.

Spokane Military Financial Fitness Night – Sat. Nov. 2

The Washington Financial Alliance is sponsoring a free military family financial fitness night on Saturday, November 2 in Spokane. The evening will feature educational workshops about managing finances, preparing for your future, and more.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013
1700-2200
Location: American Red Cross
315 Nora Ave. Spokane

Register to attend online at http://ewamilitaryfamilyfinancialfitness.eventbrite.com 

Workshops include:

• Saving for College
• Retirement/Transition
• Credit
• Disaster Preparedness
• Identity Theft
• Media/Internet scams
• Budgeting
• Youth Money Smarts (ages 5+)

After the workshops, enjoy a free dinner provided by Chase Bank.

Questions? Contact: Angela Traina with Army OneSource at Angela.Traina@serco-na.com

Women: Plan for Your Financial Future with Free Community Forums from AARP

Finding the time to focus on your future is important for women, who generally have more years to cover in retirement than men.

That’s why AARP launched a free community forum for women back in May called Women to Women: Living Longer, Living Smarter. The free events are designed by and for women who want to build a successful life strategy for the future.

The free, educational events continue this Saturday, September 28, in Olympia and October 12 in Spokane.

Join AARP at these events and learn about:

• Reducing health care risks
• How to pay for possible long-term care needs
• Financial planning for the future
• Legal issues
• and more

Olympia - Saturday, September 28
St. Martin’s College – Worthington Center
5000 Abbey Way SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Register Online

Spokane - Saturday, October 12
Southside Senior and Community Center
3151 East 27th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99223
Register Online

Free Seminars and Resources at the Washington Small Business Fair - Sat. Sept. 28

Small Business Fair 2012

Small business owners or individuals interested in starting a small business won’t want to miss out on the 17^th annual Washington Small Business Fair on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm at Renton Technical College.

The free fair will feature helpful seminars, an exhibitor resource center, and tons of helpful resources.

Seminars scheduled cover topics such as:

• Starting a small business
• Using the internet to promote your business
• How to apply for government contracts
• Regulatory and tax issues you need to know about
• and more

DFI will be apart of the fair talking to attendees about our small business assistance program. A core mission of DFI’s Securities Division is to promote small business capital formation in Washington. DFI’s staff can assist small business owners considering raising capital through a securities offering.

Visit www.bizfair.org for more information about the Washington Small Business Fair. We hope to see you there.

Spokane Military Financial Night - Postponed Until November 2nd

The military financial night scheduled for July 13 has been postponed until November 2nd. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The Washington Financial Alliance is inviting Spokane area military families to join them for an afternoon of free financial education workshops on Saturday, November 2, 2013.

Saturday, November 2, 2013
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: American Red Cross - 315 Nora Ave. Spokane

Topics covered include:

• Saving for College
• Retirement/ Transition
• Credit
• Disaster Preparedness
• Identity Theft
• Media/ Internet scams
• Budgeting
• Youth Money Smarts (ages 5+)

Register to Attend
Register to attend online at http://ewamilitaryfamilyfinancialfitness.eventbrite.com/.

Free Dinner

After the workshops, enjoy a free dinner, graciously provided by Chase Bank!

Questions?

Contact: Angela Traina with Army OneSource at Angela.Traina@serco-na.com