Released October 7, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - As part of the advisory council for Money Smart Week, the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is working to provide financial education to people in a time of economic uncertainty.

Money Smart Week, held Oct. 11-18, is sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The week is filled with free workshops and activities designed to help people of all ages spend, save and borrow wisely and to make them aware of the community entities that can help them do so.

"In uncertain economic times, it's important to know where you're spending your money. We'll teach people how to track expenses, manage finances and plan for the future," said Elizabeth Kiss, Purdue Extension specialist in consumer and family sciences. "We're hearing so much about the economic conditions that are making people uneasy. Money Smart Week offers opportunities to take a step toward dealing with financial uncertainty."

Throughout the week, Purdue Extension specialists and educators will teach courses, including "Where Does Your Money Go?" and "Making Your Money Work," which will help individuals learn techniques for smarter money management.

A schedule of events and locations are available online at http://www.moneysmartweek.org. Questions should be directed to Kiss at (765) 494-8299, kissde@purdue.edu.

Purdue Extension county offices participating in Money Smart Week, include Allen, Benton, Clark, Dearborn, Delaware, Floyd, Greene, Hamilton, Hendricks, Huntington, Jasper, Johnson, Lake, Marion, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Warren and White. For more information on specific counties call Purdue Extension at (888) EXT-INFO.

"Because we'll be hosting Money Smart Week statewide in Indiana, we'll give people an opportunity to learn about the many different financial resources in their communities," Kiss said.

--30--

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008b/081007KissMoneysmart.html

Contacts: Elizabeth Kiss, (765) 494-8299, kissde@purdue.edu

Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-6682, jsstewar@purdue.edu