COUNTRY Financial Reps Provide Financial Education Through Non-Profit Partnerships

by Carrie Skogsberg

Where did you learn personal finance skills like managing a bank account, investing or planning for retirement? If you’re like more than half of Americans, you didn’t receive any financial education in grades K-12 or in college, and don’t feel confident in managing your finances. COUNTRY Financial® wants to empower those in the communities it serves with financial education to help them reach their goals.

COUNTRY Financial in the community

In schools

Our financial representatives are available to provide financial education to kids of all ages using curriculum from Financial Beginnings to teach the basics of finance including smart spending and saving, budgeting, banking, credit fundamentals, investing, risk management and managing debt. These resources are free to schools and to the community. 

Ed Beavers, a COUNTRY Financial Representative in Chicago, often volunteers with the Chicago Public Schools to provide financial education for both students and parents. He plays fun learning games with the teens, such as the Game of Life, in which teens are tasked with coming up with a budget after they receive an imaginary job and income.

Ed has also provided financial education for parents through the Chicago Public Schools’ Parent University, where he says sometimes parents need the financial education as much or more than the students do. “Parents and teachers love our curriculum,” Ed says. 

In the community

COUNTRY Financial representatives are active in their communities, volunteering their time and expertise through a variety of non-profits that are helping to empower individuals to reach their financial goals. Representatives are available to provide education to the community on topics such as insurance basics and financial planning.

James Hutches, a COUNTRY Financial Representative in Keizer, OR, frequently volunteers with the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) in Salem, Oregon. “I teach classes to help first time homebuyers understand the ins and outs of the home buying process and insurance that goes with that, so they can go into the process confidently.  For many, this class has helped them qualify for a loan, receive down payment assistance and eventually achieve their dream of homeownership. It’s rewarding to be part of that process and to ensure they preserve and protect this hard earned investment for the future.”

Financial Representative Andy Navarrete (pictured above) spends time providing homebuying seminars in both English and Spanish for the Atlanta and Gainesville, GA, communities through Count on COUNTRY Financial grant partner Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions. “Educating the local Hispanic community via the homebuyer seminars is very rewarding,” Navarrete says. “I enjoy sharing information and answering questions. One of the participants told me the seminar was very valuable for her and she was able to confidently buy a home.”