TDCI Participates in Statewide Jump$tart Conference
NASHVILLE –The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Consumer Insurance Services are participating in the Tennessee Jump$tart Personal Financial Education Conference held June 8-10 at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg. This annual conference is open to financial educators and practitioners ranging from public, private, and home school teachers, to community organization, non-profit, or business outreach specialists.
The Jump$tart Conference is focused on empowering educators by offering opportunities for professional development, networking, W!SE National Financial Literacy Certification, high quality resources and lessons, personal finance exhibits, activities, presentations and more. TDCI will host presentations and exhibits featuring consumer resources to help youth navigate insurance issues and avoid scams and identity theft.
“It’s not always easy to understand the many aspects of personal finance,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “Early education can keep young Tennesseans from becoming vulnerable to deceptive business practices, scam artists and identity theft. The Department is glad to partner with the Jump$tart Coalition to offer services and resources to help financial educators improve the personal financial literacy of Tennessee’s youth.”
TDCI reminds consumers of the following building blocks for sound financial education:
ABC’s of Personal Finance
A is for “Ask for Help” Personal finance involves multiple parts, including how to effectively manage personal expenses, savings, investments, debt, credit cards, insurance and more. With a wide variety of options, many consumers struggle to navigate the financial landscape. Fortunately, help from TDCI is just a click or phone call away.
TDCI Advocacy Resources:
Start with the Division of Consumer Affairs and TDCI Consumer Insurance Services Section to access educational resources. There you can also file a complaint against companies, individuals or scam artists who attempt to steal your money or trick you into revealing your financial information for fraudulent purposes.
B is for “Budget” To prevent financial vulnerability, consider setting a budget. Realistically assess your income and spending habits in order to manage your personal finances and save money for the future.
Budgeting Resources:
Computer software programs can also be useful for maintaining your budget, balancing your checkbook and creating plans to pay down your debt. The Federal Trade Commission offers a free “Make a Budget” worksheet that may be helpful to begin your budget.
C is for “Credit Check” Check your credit report to ensure the information is correct and up-to-date. Monitoring and evaluating credit history is important because it may also affect credit card approvals, apartment rental agreements, mortgage rates, cell phone contracts or even job applications. Doing so also helps you detect signs of identity theft, which can happen at any age.
Credit Check Resources:
Receive a free annual credit report through www.annualcreditreport.com. This service allows you to request a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian).
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