At some point in many women’s lives, they will have to make major financial decisions. Money Talk, a course offered locally this March by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, gives women the knowledge to make those decisions and improve their lives. Sandra McKinnon, Family Finance Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, says “Women are often vulnerable when it comes to their financial future. Women tend to live longer than men, have lower wages, be more conservative in their investments and are in and out of the workforce more frequently.”

McKinnon says “The Money Talk program is designed to help women improve their money management skills and overall level of financial knowledge. Participants will develop confidence in decision making and gain control of their finances.”

The 5-session class will be held Thursdays, starting March 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Registration deadline is February 29.
Instructors for the class include McKinnon, as well as several local professionals, and will cover the following topics:

March 3: Financial Basics – Sandra McKinnon, Iowa State University Extension
March 10: Insurance Essentials – Tammy Cullen, Cullen & Associates
March 17: Investment Fundamentals – Jenny Johnson, Wiges & Johnson
March 24: Retirement Realities – Megan Roberts, Megan Roberts State Farm
March 31: Legal Issues -Jody Lorence, Otto, Lorence & Weiderstein, PLLC

The program is strictly educational, using a research-based Extension curriculum, and does not promote any company or product. Local speakers were invited to share their subject matter expertise, and to be a voice of experience for participant questions.
The cost for the 5 week program is $25 per person. This includes all sessions, handout materials and a 192-page workbook that participants will use to track their goals and progress. This program registration fee is below the usual course fee of $75 per person due to support from the Cass County Extension Council and local sponsors Cullen & Associates; Wiges & Johnson, Ameriprise Financial; Megan Roberts, State Farm; and Otto, Lorence & Wiederstein, PLLC.

For more information, or to register, contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.  A registration form can also be found on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.