Research shows that money is one of people’s biggest stressors. However, according to West Virginia University Extension’s Financial Literacy Education Team, if you learn how to manage your money and make confident financial decisions, you’re more likely to feel secure and satisfied in life.
To help jumpstart your financial literacy journey to security and satisfaction, all West Virginians are invited to participate in Virtual Money Smart Week 2021, which will be held Saturday, April 10 to Saturday, April 17.
This free weeklong virtual initiative aims to help people in all life stages learn to better manage their personal finances. This year’s program is focused on helping those who have been most affected by the financial strains of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everyone can benefit from financial literacy education, even those of us who have been teaching personal finance classes for years. We can always learn something new,” Lauren Weatherford, associate professor and WVU Extension agent in Fayette and Nicholas counties, said. “The short, easy to follow lessons available throughout Money Smart Week are rich in content and bring attention to a variety of important topics.”
Each day, a new topic will be presented during a quick, 15- to 20-minute webinar, which means participants can increase their financial literacy without giving up much of their time.
The schedule and topics include:
- Saturday, April 10 at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. CST) – Talking Cents
- Sunday, April 11 at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. CST) – Saving
- Monday, April 12 at 1 p.m. (Noon CST) – Basic Banking
- Tuesday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. CST) – Student Loans
- Wednesday, April 14 at 2 p.m. (1 p.m. CST) – Fraud Protection
- Thursday, April 15 at 2 p.m. (1 p.m. CST) – Personal Finance
- Friday, April 16 at 1 p.m. (Noon CST) – Housing Protections and Resources
- Saturday, April 17 at 11:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. CST) – Budgeting
Registration and more details are available at www.moneysmartweek.org. Events are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged. Questions for the panelists can be submitted during the registration process.
“Participating in Money Smart Week is the perfect way to test and expand your financial knowledge. At WVU Extension, we want to help every West Virginian become more financially literate,” Jennifer Friend, Extension instructor and WVU Extension agent in Harrison County, said. “Spending just 15 minutes learning more about a topic, like saving or budgeting, can help you live a less stressful, more comfortable life.”
Encouraging participation in Virtual Money Smart Week and other financial literacy education opportunities is just one small part of the Financial Literacy Education Team’s role. The goal of this team is to create statewide programming that addresses finances at every life stage, from basic money skills for kids to end-of-life planning for adults.
To learn more about WVU Extension programs, visit
extension.wvu.edu, or contact your local WVU Extension office. Keep
up with the latest in WVU Extension news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by
following @WVUExtension.
-WVU-
hb/04/6/21
CONTACT: Hannah Booth
Communications Specialist
WVU Extension Service
304-293-8701; hannah.booth@mail.wvu.edu