Personal Finance - Money Smart Week

With more and more Americans falling into debt and feeling stress that comes with failing finances, the Federal Reserve bank in Chicago created the Money Smart Week program in 2002 to promote financial literacy and offer chances for consumers of any income level to learn how to better manage their money. Through collaboration with several banks and non-profit organizations, there are “Money Smart Week” events taking place through the end of next week across the state. This hour on Focus, guest host Kimberlie Kranich talks with Karen Chan, Illinois Chair of the Money Smart Week program. Chan has nearly two decades of experience teaching about personal finance. We’ll talk with her about the courses being offered in and around Champaign and ask her about how to manage your credit, how to get out of debt and how to plan for retirement.

Kevin Waspi, certified financial advisor and lecturer at the University of Illinois College of Business, also joins the show. As he does on the third Friday of every month, he’ll be here to answer your calls and questions whether you’re just starting out and looking for advice on investing, or thinking about buying a home or sending your children to college.