THE BOTTOM LINESummer 2008

www.oklahomamoneymatters.org 800-970-OKMM(tollfree) 405-234-4457(direct)

Outreach Update: On the Road AgainOKMM’s outreach team had a busy spring, working with campuses and organizations across the state to teach Oklahomans about personal finance. Here are highlights of spring services; how can we serve you?

Absentee Shawnee Tribe. OKMM conducted a “lunch-n-learn” session teaching tribal members about easy ways to save in today’s economy.

East Central University. Our outreach team taught personal finance to high school juniors and seniors participating in a summer math and science academy at ECU.

Oklahoma College Student Personnel Association. OKMM was invited to OCSPA’s annual conference to show student service professionals from across the state how to

integrate financial education into freshman orientation.

Perkins-Tryon High School. Our outreach team shared budgeting, credit card and financial aid information with the junior and senior class.

Rose State College’s EmPower Program. OKMM partnered with this program to educate TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients about basic personal finance.

If OKMM can be of service to you, feel free to contact us at 405-234-4457 or oklahomamoneymatters@ogslp.org.

Are your students always getting an ear full—from their MP3 player? Are headphones a part of their daily wardrobe? If so, partner with OKMM to promote Money Talks, money management podcasts for college students.

Money Talks is a series of podcasts addressing a variety of personal finance topics, including:

Budgeting 101Savings SavvyCredit Know-How Understanding Your FICO ScoreManaging Your Student Loans

•••••

Show Your Students that Money Talks!Each OKMM podcast ranges from three to five minutes, offering students an on-the-go financial education experience. Visit the financial planning page at www.oklahomamoneymatters.org to listen to the Money Talks podcasts. Want to offer these resources to your students?

Call us at 405-234-4457 or 800-970-OKMM (toll-free) or e-mail us at oklahomamoneymatters@ogslp.org to discuss ways we can help you make the most of Money Talks on your campus!

Asset$ Tips of the Trade

Did You Know?

In a recent survey, 95% of respondents said they’ve loaned money to a relative, and 43% said they weren’t paid back in full.

Money Magazine

www.oklahomamoneymatters.org 800-970-OKMM(tollfree) 405-234-4457(direct)

Summer Money Lessons

“I’m bored!”

It’s summer, and if you have kids, you’ve probably already heard this phrase a time or two. With no school, your children may need more activities to keep them engaged and entertained. Take this time to teach your children some practical lessons about money.

Set up an allowance. Give your children daily or weekly chores and reward them with an allowance. Even kids as young as four can help by picking up toys or making the bed. Receiving an allowance helps kids grasp the concept of earning income.

Avoid impulse buys. Don’t purchase toys or jeans when your children ask for them in the store. Have a discussion about

needs and wants. Then, talk about setting goals and help your children save for the item they want.

Focus on saving. Teach your children to set aside money each week as savings. Creating this habit early in life will make it easier–and more natural–for them to save as adults.

Give them homework. Engage your children in some comparison shopping. Let them help you clip coupons and compare name brand products with generic ones to find the best deal.

Value-Added Resources for Your Financial Future

The Oklahoma Council on Economic Education (OCEE) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic and personal financial literacy for all Oklahomans. OCEE offers workshops, which are usually free, to help educators teach economics, financial literacy and entrepreneurship in grades K-12.

The OCEE Web site, www.econisok.org, offers a variety of resources for educators and home school parents. In addition to lesson plans, games, publications and presentations, teachers can learn about and register for upcoming workshops. The site also features resources to help parents and grandparents teach kids about money.

Check out www.econisok.org today!

The OKMM AmeriCorps Connectionfor Site Supervisors:

Make the Most of Meetings

Holding meetings with your members can be an effective way to share information and generate great discussion and ideas. Want to host a dynamic meeting with your team? Here are a few tips to consider.

Make sure a meeting is necessary. Don’t call a meeting if you can communicate effectively via e-mail or over the phone. Call a meeting only if face-to-face interaction will be beneficial for all involved.

Have an agenda. To ensure you cover everything you need to address and help your members follow along, create an agenda.

Take notes. Jot down new thoughts, ideas or concerns that are shared in or result from the meeting. Be sure to document next steps and note any decisions that have taken place during your time together.

Watch the time. Respect the attendees’ time by starting and ending when you said you would.

Encourage participation. Help attendees feel comfortable and encourage them to voice their opinions. Ask for feedback from participants who tend to be shy about sharing their thoughts and ideas.

www.oklahomamoneymatters.org 800-970-OKMM(tollfree) 405-234-4457(direct)

for Members:

Good-bye College, Hello Career!

Did you graduate this spring? Welcome to the “real world!” Making the transition from college life to the working world can be challenging. To get your career off on the right foot, consider these helpful tips.

Be on time. The easiest way to exhibit professionalism is to be on time, every time. Aim to arrive at work or for appointments at least 5-10 minutes early.

Look sharp. Save those ripped jeans and flip-flops for the weekend! Learn your employer’s dress code and follow it. You represent the company, so do your best to look polished and professional at all times.

Mind your manners. Nix the slang, be polite and don’t use foul language while on the clock. Some workplaces are more relaxed than others; you can adjust in time, but make sure your first impression is a professional one.

Avoid the water cooler. Build friendships and camaraderie with your co-workers, but try to avoid office gossip.

Jordan Hill, OSU member, June 5

Alysson Tucker, NWOSU Site Supervisor, June 12

Porsha Webb, OCCC member, July 18

Happy Birthday to our Site Supervisors and Members!

If you’d like to post information on OKMM’s Bottom Line Bulletin Board, e-mail your news and pictures to oklahomamoneymatters@ogslp.org

OCEE Teacher Workshops

Exploring Financial Markets through MathJune 24, ArdmoreJune 30, Midwest City

Ethics and FreedomJune 26, Oklahoma City

Entrepreneurship: Creating Your Own Career Self-Paced Course

Building Financial Futures: A Personal Finance Training for Teachers of Teen and Adult Women

Self-Paced Course

For more information or to register for a workshop, visit www.econisok.org.

If you’ve had an active loan of any kind–mortgage, car, credit card or student loan– between January 1987 and May 28, 2008, you could be eligible for free services from TransUnion, one the top three major credit reporting agencies.

Beginning June 16, you may qualify for a free credit report, a free credit score and free credit monitoring for six months. Or, you may be able to opt for a class action settlement of $59.75. To find out more, visit the TransUnion Web site, www.transunion.com, after June 16.

Free Credit Reporting Services with TransUnion