Get your financial house in order for 2016

Bay Federal Credit Union is collaborating with Watsonville/Aptos Adult Education in offering personal financial education classes on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the GreenValleyCenter, Room 8, at 294 Green Valley Road. Although Watsonville may be a bit of a drive for North County residents, the five free classes offered once a month could make a decided difference in a person’s or a family’s financial life.
Certified Educator in Personal Finance Tiffany Zachmeier of Bay Federal Credit Union will be teaching the five 90-minute classes on how to get your financial life in order. You will learn to stop living paycheck to paycheck, budgeting, how to shop for a car or truck, about checking accounts and credit. Take all five classes or pick and choose the class or classes most helpful to your situation.
Wednesday, January 20^th – “Stop living paycheck to paycheck” teaches how to reduce your debt and expenses, plug spending leaks, save money, and live within your means. It will also help you to learn how to pay down/pay off debt and pay less interest on loans and credit cards.
Wednesday, February 10^th – “What is a budget and why should I care?” This class is recommended for teens and adults of all ages. It teaches how a budget can help manage your money, achieve financial goals, live within your means as well as reduce expenses, increase income and have money for things you really need and want.
Wednesday, March 9^th – “How to shop for a car or truck” Find out how to use search engines to research cars and trucks, how to calculate monthly vehicle costs (including insurance and gas), how to apply for an auto loan and how a down payment can reduce the total cost of your car.
Wednesday, April 13^th – “Checking accounts – the do’s and don’ts” Learn how to write a check, use a check register, find free ATMs, use online/mobile banking, pay bills and avoid bounced checks. You can learn to compare checking accounts from credit unions and banks to determine which one is best for you.
Wednesday, May 11^th – “What is credit and why should I care?” Good credit is essential to buy a car, rent an apartment, pay for college or apply for a credit card. Find out how to get good credit and how it can help you to determine how much money you can afford to borrow for an important purchase, like a car, by using online tools.
Tiffany has been holding classes for Bay Federal Credit Union members as well as teaching young people how to manage their money in a program called Bite of Reality” a free, interactive financial simulation that allows teens and young adults to experience the real-life challenges of budgeting and living within their means.