Program offers free financial literacy workshops for youth

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) — The City of Charleston is offering free virtual classes for young adults to learn about personal finance.

On Friday morning, their workshop will be on smart spending and realistic goals, and the next two will be on building credit and managing debt, and long-term financial goals. The first meeting took place last week, but this recording will be available online.

Schedule and subjects:

• Week 1: June 17 – Budgeting, saving and the importance of a bank account
• Week 2: June 24 – Smart spending and realistic goals
• Week 3: July 8 – Credit Establishment and Debt Management
• Week 4: July 15 – Long-term financial foals: college, investing, big-ticket items

The Bank on Charleston Financial Empowerment Initiative will be held virtually for three additional weeks, and all high school and college-aged children are encouraged to register.

Director Mindy Sturm says financial mistakes are common at all ages and the more access to financial information the better.

“Young people don’t often get this kind of information. Schools are busy focusing on academics, as they should be, and financial literacy sometimes gets lost in the shuffle,” Sturm said.

Along with learning new skills, there are also incentives to participate. They will raffle prizes among those who complete their tasks each week.

The link to the class is sent each week before Thursday. To register, email Mindy Sturm at [email protected] or call 843-860-2233. Classes are open to everyone and it’s not too late to register.

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