Welcome to Money & ME University. How Money & ME Began...

In July, 2011 Sara was challenged to teach low-income people how to manage their money. She looked at several money management curriculums and discovered that they were written for people who have money. Because of her background working with low-income people, she recognized the need for a customized curriculum. The language and culture for low-income people needed to be addressed for successful learning to take place. For example, in the middle income world, budget worksheets discuss "vacations," "dry cleaning," and "babysitting" as an expense (not an income). Even the word "debt" is not typically used by low-income people because the word debt implies having a credit card. Low-income people typically owe money to pay day loans, friends or family, student loans, etc. The Money & ME curriculum addresses "debt" as "money owed" and helps participants develop a plan to pay off ALL the places and people they owe money to. It also helps with basic life skills, organizing techniques, and self discipline. All of these simple and practical strategies lead to success.

Trainer Story #1: Think of a story about something you did as a child that cost your parent(s) money, or an unexpected expense you incurred related to your own children. Session 1: Reality Check