Does this scenario sound familiar?

Armed with a shiny new diploma from State U, the young graduate is ready to begin a new life. Of course, the bachelor’s degree is accompanied by approximately $16,000 in student loans, credit card debt of $3,500 and a need for a vehicle.

Welcome to the brave new-and-uncertain world of today’s college graduate. Adding to this debt is the likelihood that many graduates will never work for an organization that provides a defined benefit retirement plan. These individuals cannot rely on the Social Security system either.

Given the importance of this issue, the National Association of State Boards of Education convened its Commission on Financial and Investor Literacy in February of 2006. The commission’s charge was to assess the current state of financial investor education in public schools and provide education policymakers with recommendations for specific actions to help strengthen students’ financial literacy.

The commission defined personal financial literacy as the ability to read, analyze, manage, and communicate personal financial conditions that affect material well-being. It includes the ability to discern financial choices, discuss money and the financial issues without (or despite) discomfort, plan for the future, and respond competently to life events that affect everyday financial decisions.

According to the National Council on Economic Education the issue of financial education has been on the radar-screen for some time. However, it is also apparent that at present, there is no consistent approach concerning the issue of personal financial education.

Why is Financial Education an issue for individuals in K-12 and beyond?
Like all types of education, financial education begins with teaching the basics that will provide an individual with a foundation for analyzing increasingly complex financial problems. Introducing the youngest students to financial education basics in school helps them to develop the building blocks they will need to make good financial decisions throughout their lives.

What can be done immediately?
Technology Based Solutions set out to prepare training resources that would address the financial education crisis in our schools today. TBS offers a suite of courses that address the gaps identified in the study. The program is designed for secondary and post secondary students.

These courses are offered for single computers or network environments. They are individualized, self- paced with instruction and exercises delivered in an audio and visual format. TBS offers the following Financial Literacy Courses:

• Goal setting
• Basic Personal Finance
• Financial Institutions and Borrowing
• First Steps Towards Investing
• Saving and Investing

Presently TBS is engaged in developing partnerships to introduce the program to all audiences on a 24/7 basis utilizing the latest Internet technology. For more information please visit our web site at http:// www.asktbs.com/target_f.html or call Jim Roberts, President at 888-783-2283 and request a free 5-day demo CD for the program.

email: jim@asktbs.com

phone: 215.579.0901

web: http://www.asktbs.com