Money Smart Week Kicks Off April 10; Focuses on Helping Those Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic

By Jim Murray| Central Library Business, Science & Technology Department

One thing that we all learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that our financial situations can change abruptly and unexpectedly. Of course, there is no way to predict what sort of economic calamity might befall us this year or at any time in the future, but we can strive to benefit from the tribulations that we have experienced with COVID by better preparing ourselves for what may come next.

A particularly good way to prepare for the unexpected is to gain as much knowledge as you can about those issues that affect your well-being. When it comes to the issue of personal finance, one of the best sources of knowledge are the learning tools made available during Money Smart Week.

Begun in 2002 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as an effort to promote financial literacy among residents of the Windy City, Money Smart Week has grown into an extensive national public education initiative that is held annually in April. Although the 2020 edition of Money Smart Week was cancelled due to COVID, the event is back and better than ever in 2021 with an all virtual format.

The series of webinars kicks off on Saturday, April 10 and will consist of one program each day through Saturday, April 17. Topics to be covered include saving options, budgeting tips, choosing a bank account, managing federal student loans, income tax fraud, and housing protection.

Program presenters will be money management experts from a variety of educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Program content will consist of a combination of 10-15-minute presentations, checklists, toolkits and other pertinent resources.

All Money Smart Week webinars are free and open to the public, but registration is advised.

For more information about Money Smart Week, as well as other resources related to financial literacy available at BPL, please contact Jim Murray of the Central Library’s Business, Science and Technology Department by email at jim.murray@cobpl.org or by calling 205-226-3640.