People Impacted: 50
SIFE Students Involved: 10
Audience: Community

A two-hour workshop using information from the Polsky Investment Project Handout and materials from Edward Jones, Solomon, Smith, Barney, and US Bank we developed an in-depth budgeting, saving, and investment curriculum. Participants each received an eighteen-page handout that detailed budgeting, saving, asset allocation, investment strategies, compounding, tax implications for investments, mutual funds, and Individual Retirement Accounts. The presentation also included sections on the new investing environment, stocks, bonds, 401(k)'s, the importance of a diverse portfolio, and the pros and cons of do-it-yourself investing versus consulting a financial advisor. The sections on mutual funds, IRA's, stocks, bonds, and 401(k)'s included divisions describing advantages, disadvantages, costs, and risks associated with each type of investment.

Results: Participants were asked two questions: 1) List five topics that you learned from this workshop that you did not know prior; 2) Will you be seeking investments within the next two years? The first question resulted in a 64% increase in investment knowledge. The second question revealed that 75% of the participants are now interested in seeking investments within the next two years.