Financial literacy allows you to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, credit management, budgeting, borrowing, investing, and more. Being financially literate enables individuals to better prepare for specific financial setbacks, decreasing the chances of personal financial distress. Below are available resources to guide you in understanding financial literacy and to get you thinking more about your financial well-being.
Do you have the strength and the willpower to bypass your wants and only focus on the necessities? Needs are things you cannot live without, such as a place to live and food to eat. Wants are nice but not necessary, such as entertainment or gym memberships. I challenge you to look at your bank statement for the past month and add up all the charges that were Wants and not Needs. You will likely find that a two-dollar soda, a 20-dollar Amazon trinket, and a few items off a fast-food dollar menu add up.
With any goal setting, you must first have the mindset and the willpower to fulfill your goal. Financial goal setting is more than saying you want to save money, do not want to live paycheck to paycheck, or get out of debt. What are you doing daily to accomplish your saving goal? You must first set smaller, proactive financial goals to achieve your larger financial goal. This requires deep thought and planning while being honest and realistic with yourself. If your long-term goal is getting out of debt, your short-term goals should focus on steps that need to be made to reach a debt-free lifestyle, such as researching Dave Ramsey's How the Debt Snowball Method Works.
Four questions you should ask yourself to prepare for a successful budgeting experience.
Before you take out a loan, it is crucial to understand that a loan is a legal obligation that makes you responsible for repaying the amount you borrow with interest. Even though you do not have to repay your federal student loans immediately, you should not wait to understand your responsibilities as a borrower.
College is an investment in your future. For many students, borrowing to finance their college degree is necessary. While student loans may be a necessary part of financing your degree, it is essential to borrow responsibly. This means only borrowing for what you need. Manage your debt by only having to take out a single loan. This eliminates the need for a second credit check and reduces the number of loans you must manage once you finish school.
Understanding the basics of financial management (including loan management) is a vital skill for financial health and wellness.
"A good financial plan is a road map that shows us exactly how the choices we make today will affect our future." -Alexa Von Tobel
We are excited to share new workshop opportunities around financial literacy – in partnership with Wings Financial Foundation.
Financial literacy allows you to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, borrowing, investing, and more. Being financially literate enables individuals to better prepare for specific financial setbacks, decreasing the chances of personal financial distress.
There will be seven workshops throughout the semester, each geared toward a specific topic. Feel free to register for a single workshop or multiple different workshops. DCTC is invested in your long-term success, and we hope these workshops can help you plan for a better financial future during and after college.
| Budgeting Basics – Why budgeting is important and the first steps to proper budgeting and saving money. | September 6, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| Financial Hardship: Stretching your Dollar – Learn how to do more with less. | September 13, 2023 | 8 - 9 a.m. |
| Dream Beyond Debt – How to reduce debt and live a financially stable lifestyle. | October 12, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| The Key to Credit – Credit 2.0 – Learn more about credit cards, credit history, and credit reporting. | October 23, 2023 | 1 - 2 p.m. |
| How to Retire Young – Investments for Beginners – Learn how and when to invest. | November 9, 2023 | 12 - 1 p.m. |
| Understanding Your Financial Worth – How to calculate your worth, interpret benefits, and negotiate your salary. | November 16, 2023 | 8 - 9 a.m. |
| People's Choice Q&A – Open forum: your financial concerns answered! | December 13, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Students with questions regarding financial aid should contact their Academic and Financial Aid Advisor in the Enrollment Services Office.
General Financial Aid Questions?
