Public officers are getting an opportunity to improve their financial literacy.
The Ministry of Energy and Business’ National Financial Literacy Programme is currently hosting a Lunch and Learn Brown Bag Financial Wellness Series for public officers, on Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
Community Coordinator for the National Financial Literacy Programme, Kevyn Henry, underscored the importance of the four-week pilot series, saying public officers would learn how to better manage their money.
Mr. Henry continued: “We are taking these discussions to where the people are. It’s sometimes easier to go to a setting where people are, already, and don’t have the concerns of chores or the children, so they can focus on the information being shared and participate in the sessions. There are a lot of people who are eager to find out how they can better manage their money.”
He noted that the National Financial Literacy Programme has also hosted several financial literacy sessions across various communities, and participants have expressed appreciation for the knowledge gained.
Commenting on a recent community session in Hillaby, St. Andrew, Mr. Henry stated: “The turnout was encouraging. The room was full, with people standing outside, and the interaction was phenomenal. It was very, very good. This response shows the thirst that is out there for more information on financial literacy.
“That audience wants us to come back and conduct individual sessions on each of the areas identified as the five components of financial literacy. So, we have to make sure that we feed the thirst of the population, and hopefully grow together and have a stronger position financially,” Mr. Henry stated.
Owner of the Rich Girl Lifestyle, Shakita Payne, made the inaugural presentation to public officers, entitled: “From Survival to Thriving: Steps to Conquering Savings and Budgeting”.
Ms. Payne encouraged public officers to budget, save money, monitor their spending habits, and teach their children financial responsibility from early, among other things.
Senior Vice President of Clarity Life Insurance Limited, Nikita Gibson, presented today on: “From Survival to Thriving: Managing Debt and Credit”.
Ms. Gibson told her audience that good credit could open doors to important financial opportunities, such as better terms on loans. “There are different ways of managing your debt but one of the underutilised ways is negotiations. Persons should, therefore, follow the market rates that are available so they can better negotiate their loans,” she added.
Additional Lunch and Learn sessions will be held on September 20 and 27, at the Warrens Office Complex.