Candace Chambers
The Blue & White Flash / News Editor
Did you know that if you spend $4 a day on coffee, your spending in a year can equal $1400 and over $7000 in 5 years? This interesting fact and more money managing tips were presented at the 11th Annual Personal Money Management Financial Education Seminar hosted by the College of Business’ Department of Entrepreneurship and Personal Development.
The seminar was composed of two sessions held on Feb. 12-13. Theodore “Ted” Daniel, President/CEO of the Society for Financial Education and Personal Development Inc., was the guest presenter.
Daniels, who has more than 35 years of experience in financial management and investments as stated in his bio, stressed to the packed lecture room of students the importance of being a coach of their own life by taking control of finances now to prepare for the future.
He also emphasized the need to monitor positive and negative cash flow by having a written and mental budget for keeping track of expenses and to have the conscious ability to ask questions such as: Do I need it?, Am I buying it because my friend bought it? And Can I afford it?
When college students receive refund checks, the latest Jordan’s or new car accessories are sometimes the first items purchased. The seminar recommends that students save the monies and if needed, use it to pay off loans or to reduce credit card debt.
Good credit, with a target score of 750, can open doors when buying a new house, a new car, or applying for a job. Daniels recommends freshmen and sophomore students wait to obtain a credit card because the first two years of school are essential for establishing a strong academic foundation. As a junior or senior, a credit card purchase and the consistency in paying off the loans can exemplify responsibility and can increase the credit score.
Other tips given at the seminar included:
*Always keep a low credit card balance
* Look at the total cost to pay off an item bought on credit instead of small payments
* Remember the longer it takes to pay off an item, the higher it will cost in the end.
Daniels also mentioned that retail store cards do not positively contribute to a credit score.
Daniels asked the audience to raise their right hand and make a pledge, “I will graduate from JSU and become successful professionally and financially.”
Donald Causey, Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Entrepreneurship, believes that educating students will aid them as they journey in life and as they build wealth.
“It is important to learn to use the resources they will have as a result of being educating themselves. The resources will help them increase their earning power, make good financial decisions, and when starting a business,” said Causey.
Cynthia Evans, a senior business administration major from Jackson Miss., said, “I learned how to manage money and about credit.”
Jeremy McNeal, a junior accounting major from Clarksdale, Miss. said, “I learned how to be patient and make decisions with a level head with time.”
To gain information regarding how to pay student loans, students can visit the website: www.nslds.ed.gov. For a free annual credit report, the website is www.annualcreditreport.com.
