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First, let us give a great big THANKS to Duane at HoCoConnect for posting about the importance of financial literacy!  Since jumping into the blogosphere just a couple of months ago, Duane has done a fantastic job of shining a spotlight on a number of non-profit organizations doing great work in Howard…

Another tax season is in the books and I’m wondering what the Liberty Tax guy that has been standing on the side of Route 40 for the past two months is doing today…  At one point a month or so ago, I rolled by with the window down and must have…

Here in Maryland -- and particularly in Howard County -- the economic stability of our community would have been shaken to the core if there were a prolonged standoff. Just look around at your own friends and neighbors to count the number who are federal employees, contractors, or receive services…

The Money Matters financial education event hosted by Council Chairman Ball on Saturday was a huge success.  The event grows every year and this year was nothing short of fantastic.  The hands on activities by each of the participating organizations were a hit with both kids and parents.  If you…

In a rare mid-week post, we couldn’t resist taking a moment to celebrate April’s arrival as financial literacy month.  We know that there are many who made that long since abandoned New Year’s resolution to improve their finances months ago.  Never fear – this is the time to get refocused!  First, let…

“Income may feed people’s stomachs, but assets change their heads.” Michael Sherraden This is so true.  Families struggling with economic instability are often consumed with the earn it and spend it cycle.  They often find it difficult to set financial goals, let alone save for the future.  Building assets through…

Recently I was a little frustrated by a colleague who discounted the connection between personal health and financial health. In reality, the two are inextricably connected and we need to recognize the direct impact that indebtedness and economic insecurity have on health issues. I had been tossing around the idea…

Seems time to celebrate if you believed the headlines this week: “Families Slice Debt To Lowest In 6 Years”. (Wall Street Journal) “Households Grow 2.1 Trillion Richer”  (CNN Money)   You just can’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside with a headline like that, right?  Hmmm — we’re skeptical.  We all…

Papa was a…  nope, not a rolling stone — he was a psychology major and has always been fascinated by human behavior.   The questions of nature versus nurture, and conditioned reflexes, were regular dinner conversation fodder growing up — and accented by the differences in the two kids around table.  There’s some amount of family…

Back on Saturday, February 5th we were thrilled to share the day with over 200 teens and their families or mentors during the Passport to Financial Literacy event at Howard Community College.  Middle and high school students came out on a dreary Saturday morning to spend a couple hours in a financial simulation…