On April 7, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas will host Money Smart Day, a financial education event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Kansas City Public Library’s Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
Money Smart Day offers free, hour-long sessions on a range of topics:
- Avoiding Financial Frauds and Scams
- Budgeting Made Easy
- Exploring Your Financial Values and Attitudes
- Get Moving! Home Financing 101
- How to Buy a Car
- Home-Buying Basics
- How to Improve and Repair Credit
- Saving for Your Future Starts Now
- Top Personal Finance Apps
- Understanding Credit
Access your free credit report and connect with financial education resources
Attendees can get a free copy of their credit report and volunteers will be available to answer questions about how to read the reports. Money Smart Day also will feature an exhibit hall of community organizations, such as External LinkHabitat for Humanity, External LinkUnited Way and External LinkCHES, Inc.
Why financial education matters
Like a person’s physical health, financial health is influenced by multiple factors, not just income; among them are financial knowledge, understanding credit and access to sound financial products.
"Improving one’s economic education provides the confidence to handle difficult financial decisions, allows for a brighter future and helps build stronger communities," said Esther L. George, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Money Smart’s evolution
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago started Money Smart Week in 2002 as a public awareness campaign to help consumers increase their financial knowledge and become more financially healthy. Money Smart Week came to Kansas City in 2007, with events hosted in collaboration with the KC Fed, FDIC, financial institutions and community organizations. Money Smart Day was added in 2008 as a feature event of the campaign.
Today, Money Smart initiatives are available across the country. In Kansas City, it has become a year-round campaign known as External LinkMoneySmart KC. The campaign’s website includes a calendar of dozens of money-related events across the Kansas City area. Representatives from the KC Fed, FDIC, community organizations and financial service providers serve as a steering committee for the campaign and help manage the website.
To learn more about Money Smart Day, watch the video below.
