Financial Literacy educator

​Rebecca “Beckey” Addington
 
Rebecca is a Financial Literacy Educator that educates and empowers individuals and families by providing financial education and solutions in a very simplistic way, but in a realistic manner.  She shares these financial solutions locally at your home, church, business, community center, neighborhood, or online from the comfort of your home.
 
Recognizing that times are changing and times are unpredictable, there is an even greater need to help families build a solid financial foundation – make, save and protect their money - with an understanding of how money works and using financial resources. Moving people from being insecure to secure and helping families win is the goal. 

New Hope Community Development Group is excited to have Rebecca on our Financial Team lending support to our board and executive director as well as serving as our Financial Literacy Educator!

Financial Literacy ​Dollars & CENTS!
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 Steps to Help You Manage Your Money During the Pandemic     
Several organizations in our community are offering support to many of the families that are impacted by the virus. Knowing where to go for help, what to ask, and how to document your situation is key to successfully managing your finances and recovering once the crisis has ended.
See the four steps below to help you manage your money during and after a pandemic.

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Analyze Available Resources      
Many programs are available throughout the city and county to help consumers stay healthy and financially fit.  Check with local churches and other community organizations for available resources.  Take advantage of the ones that can help you.  Local television and radio stations are keeping consumers informed also.
Other available resources may include the availability of unemployment benefits. Check with your State employment office.  Some banks, credit unions and other financial institutions are providing help to consumers impacted by the virus.  Check with individual lenders to find out what’s available for you.
Contact the local Board of Education to see where there are free meals for children for pick up at school or other designated locations.
  Create a Priority-Based Spending Plan
Evaluate your budget and create a priority-based spending plan during this time. Consider all sources of available income and make a realistic list of your expected monthly expenses, prioritizing what you must have.   
You must consider your rent or mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, transportation and medication. If the income that you have is less than your total monthly expenses, anything that is not considered a priority will need to be deferred until there are changes with your financial situation. Do the math!!
 Contact Your Creditors
If you cannot meet all your financial obligations, contact your creditors to ask for assistance. Some programs are already in place to help stop evictions and foreclosures. Contact your landlord or your mortgage provider right away to ask for help. Document the following:  date and time of call, representative you spoke with, what was offered, how info will be reported to the credit bureaus and the plan that was agreed upon.
The same goes for providers of automobile, student loans and personal loans, including credit cards. Creditors might offer reduced payments and fees, deferred payments through forbearance, or other types of hardship.
Recover Strong
Consider making a financial recovery plan once things get back to normal.  Plan to be prepared to handle the next emergency that may arise.  Set a goal to save $1,000 in your Emergency Plan and fund it to at least three months or $3,000 to handle future emergencies.  Also, if you have consumer debt, ask for assistance to help you create a rapid debt-repayment plan to free you from debt forever.