By now, many people find that their New Year’s resolutions have not worked! Still, it's not too late to develop positive financial habits.
The America Saves Financial Challenge — a free five-week program beginning Sunday and ending March 29 — can help, whether you are in great financial shape or desperately trying to manage your money. Plus, there are cash prizes to help motivate you.
The online challenge, in cooperation with the Rutgers Extension Service, helps you practice 10 daily financial habits. Each time you do the financial action, points are awarded.
The 10 daily financial management practices include personal actions such as tracking money spent and completing an online personal finance calculation or financial quiz. Download paper tracking forms so you can make records before entering them online. Participants can compare their daily and weekly progress, and there will be weekly and grand cash prizes awarded.
Participating in the financial challenge helps remind us of the important, little things we do each day. I encourage you to take the challenge and develop positive financial actions such as saving money and learning more about financial topics.
For more information, contact me at 683-8431 or ecourtne@ufl.edu.
WHAT: The 2014 America Saves Financial Challenge
WHEN: Feb. 23 through March 29
WHERE: Register at the Rutgers Small Steps to Health & Wealth website
Elaine Courtney is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: America Saves Financial Challenge begins Sunday