FinanciallyHers Online
Connect with Us! 
You are invited to the Annual FinanciallyHers Breakfast. Join us for a morning celebrating the accomplishments of FinanciallyHers members. To RSVP for the event click here. 
Since its beginning in 2008, the program continues to grow with a total of 1,700 members at the end of 2011!
Partnership Update-United Way of Chester County | 
| Could you manage your money better than Lindsay Lohan (who filed for bankruptcy in 2010)? This question kicked off an interesting and often hotly-debated discussion on money management and spending patterns for the more than 30 teen parents who attended the Budgeting 101 workshop in Coatesville. Having to manage school, a child and often work gave these teens insight into the topic that made the class quite engaging.
This workshop was one of 6 sponsored by the United Way of Chester County, through a grant they have with FINRA. This 2-year grant came to a close this year and there were more than 70 participants. We wish to thank the United Way for their ongoing support and look forward to continuing to partner with them in the future!
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| Dear Friends,
As always, thank you for supporting FinanciallyHers.
Welcome to a New Year and new newsletter template! We hope you had an enjoyable holiday season. We have some exciting events coming up in 2012. On April 28th, we will host our 3rd Annual FinanciallyHers Celebration Breakfast at Community College of Philadelphia and we hope you will be able to join us. To RSVP, click here. We are also rolling out a new ongoing program, Financial Fitness Clubs, small groups of women that will meet on a monthly basis to work on their goals and support each other.
We say all the time that our members are our best advocates and we have a great example of this in Joniece Abbott Pratt who attended our Lunch 'N' Learn series this past summer and was so empowered that she facilitated a partnership with her employer, the Early Head Start Program, for a series of workshops that will be held throughout Philadelphia beginning in March.
On a more serious note, financial education for women is still a pressing and important issue. Women across all nations and segments of society, including college-educated women, continue to have lower levels of financial literacy than men. In 2012, the program's 4th year, we look forward to continuing to connect with more women to motivate and support them in reaching their financial goals.
Happy New Year!
Joy McManus, Program Manager
Adrienne Webb, FinanciallyHers Philly Fellow
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Going to College: Financial Aid & Financial Education
  In November, Citibank sponsored a special event "Going to College: Financial Aid & Financial Independence". The Free Library of Philadelphia's City Institute branch generously provided space and one of our volunteers, Michele Burkholder, a certified financial planner donated her time in teaching the workshop.
Citibank has been the program's main sponsor since its inception in 2008. In 2011, Citibank provided funding for over 100 workshops as well as 2 special events including this one. The first event was "Are You Ready to be an Entrepreneur?" in March. To see pictures from the March event, click here.
Over 30 parents and students attended this event including a cohort from the Delta G.E.M.S. (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) a local program to support and empower young girls. We wish to thank everyone who made this event a success including Citibank, the library, Michele and Au Bon Pain who donated refreshments.We are very thankful to volunteers like Michele for supporting the program. If you're interested in volunteering for a FinanciallyHers event or know someone who has knowledge to share, please conact Adrienne Webb at awebb@clarifi.org.
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What Our Members are Saying
I am ready to now begin to fight my way back to a place I was a few short years ago and truly turn my financial life around. Tomorrow I'm going to make an appointment to come in [for Credit Counseling], and I will begin with the tools you have given me.
--Give Yourself (Good) Credit, December 14th, A Woman's Place
Joy is down to earth. She gave us workable advice, not just ideas.
--Raising Money Savvy Kids, October 11th, MOM's Club of Prospect Park
The workshop answered questions I had never contemplated and made me know that I need to do some financial planning. --Estate Planning, November 29th, Crozer Library___________________________________________  We are pleased to announce an expansion to the program, Financial Fitness Clubs! We often receive inquiries from members wondering if there is a way for them to be engaged beyond the classroom. They enjoy the supportive and encouraging atmosphere of the workshop setting and find motivation to begin working on their personal financial goals by attending the workshops. However, they would like to have that same environment as they work on their goals. Well, we believe the financial fitness club is the answer! Facilitated by FinanciallyHers Program Manager, Joy McManus or by one of our volunteer experts, these clubs will provide members with an avenue to share their goals and work together with other like-minded individuals. Monthly meetings can help club members:
• Reduce your Debt
• Increase Savings
• Find Financial Balance
• Gain a new perspective
• Learn good financial habits and strategies
• Share knowledge and insights We are already taking registrations for 3 clubs expected to commence in March. If you know of anyone who is interested, they can register by clicking here.
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Partnership with Wal-Mart: Lunchtime Learning at the People's Emergency Center This past fall, we partnered with an enthusiastic group in the Employment and Training Program at the People's Emergency Center (PEC) for a two-week lunch time education series. Wal-Mart generously donated refreshments including a selection of delicious muffins, cookies and drinks! One of the PEC Employment and Training program students, Odyssey shared with the group her financial tip for success, "Always create a shopping list so you won't spend impulsively!" A simple tip but one we should all remember; sticking to a list will truly help you not to over-spend. |
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