It's Money Smart Week In Michigan, April 5-12

DETROIT (WWJ) - No matter how much they have, just about everyone could use some help managing their money.

April 5-12, Michiganders who want to learn how to better manage their personal  finances are invited to take part in more than 300 free classes and events will be offered during the state's tenth anniversary of  "Money Smart Week."

If you'd like to make every penny go further — whether you're just starting out and looking to buy a home, saving for college for that little bundle of joy, or closing in on retirement — there's an event for you.

Topics include cultivating your credit rating, common financial scams and how to avoid them, various types of investment, retirement planning, saving for home buying, saving for education, preventing identity theft, and more.

The Federal Reserve's main job is to be the bank for bankers. But it says it's interested in this kind of consumer education because the smarter people are with their money, the better the economy will be.

"Money Smart Week Michigan's statewide and community-based efforts, as well as its partners' commitment, will make this initiative a success again this year," said Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President and CEO Charles Evans. "We invite consumers of all ages, including children, to take part in the week's diverse personal finance offerings."

Michigan Money Smart Week Chair Kelly Masters said the initiative takes place over an eight day period in April, which is also Financial Literacy Month.

"Money Smart Week is a valuable opportunity for all of us, including educators, service providers and the media, to work together and be part of improving our communities and our state by cultivating more fiscally sound consumers," she explained.

This year's programming also includes 'Money Smart Kids Read' story times for children 3-7 years old, at more than 100 libraries throughout the state.  With support of the Michigan Credit Union League and assistance from the Library of Michigan, organizers this years are giving away over 3,000 copies of the Berenstain Bears' "Trouble With Money" book to participating families.

"It's never to early to start the conversation about being responsible with money!" Masters said.

Budget Wise Financial Solutions Samirian Hill, who's been involved with the program for four years, said she has high hopes for those taking advantage of Money Smart Week.

"As we grow wiser in managing our money, as Americans, as Michiganders...Detroiters, I also hope that we grow more empowered in using our money collaboratively, and to make a difference in our community," Hill told WWJ's Vickie Thomas at a kickoff event Friday in Detroit.

There's a complete, comprehensive online list of events at www.moneysmartweek.org. You can search for events by date or location.

Almost all of the activities are free and are being held in more than 35 counties across the state, including Genesee, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Macomb, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne.