August is National Wellness Month, which was founded to encourage people to focus on their health – self-care, stress management, and healthy routines. But financial health is a big part of a person’s overall wellness too. Financial issues contribute to stress, put strain on relationships, and diminish self-esteem. Addressing your finances during National Wellness Month can help you address the core causes of your personal wellness challenges. As you participate in National Wellness Month, take time also to focus on your finances – commit to taking action on at least one financial area that you feel may have impact on your overall health and well-being.
It’s That Time of the Year Again!
No, not holiday season but scholarship season! UW Whitewater’s scholarships for 2024-2025 school year will open on December 1, 2023. The scholarships are now viewable in the students WINS account and can be searched by the students college (Letters & Sciences) or non applicable. We suggest students search in both areas to maximize their opportunity for scholarships and apply for all they can. Scholarships are free money and who wouldn’t want free money to go to school! PLUS the more scholarships awarded the less student loans a student will need.
But…don’t stop the search there! Students check with your family members to see if the company they work for has any scholarships available. Check with in your home town to see if any business’s, local Moose Lodge, VFW Hall etc. are awarding scholarships.
Lastly don’t forget to search for scholarships this spring online. UWW’s financial aid office as a list of safe scholarship websites. For more information on scholarship scams go to: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scholarship-financial-aid-scams
Good Luck!
Impulse Spending is on the Rise!
In a recent survey Sarah O’Brien a Personal finance reporter found that 45% of the respondents know they are overspending since last reported in April 2021. Credit card debit is at nearly $1 trillion in 2021 and is climbing. Below are some tips to help/curb the overspending urges:
1. Start a budget or if you already have a budget it is time to re-evaluate your current budget.
2. Think about your goals: to be debt-free, go on vacation, buy a home and write them down and before you act on your spending look over your goals.
3. Leave the item in your shopping cart for at least 24 hours. Do you have the strong need for the item or have you forgotten about it?
4. Unsubscribe from marketing emails.
5. Take your credit cards off of your apps on your cell phone.
Pick one, two or all of the above tips and implement a plan to work towards your goals and improve your overall financial wellness. Take charge of your finances now to set yourself up for future success and freedom. For more information or to set up a financial coaching session, contact the UWW Financial Literacy Center.