April Is Financial Education Month ; Take Control of Your Money

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Although Apriltypically brings "better" weather, it may not automatically bringbetter financial conditions for all Pennsylvanians. However, Aprilis Financial Education Month. "Don't just roll up your sleeves towork in the garden this spring," said Bob Lam, chairman of thePennsylvania Securities Commission (PSC). "Roll up your sleeves andtake a serious look at your financial picture. Even though many ofus are experiencing tough economic conditions, there are still somebasic steps that can be taken to make small improvements or even asmall start in terms of personal investments and savings."

Throughout April, the PSC is hitting the road to provide toolsand resources to consumers of all ages. Do not look for shovels,rakes and flower pots containing the PSC logo. Instead, look fortips to better understand your workplace retirement plan along withthe best way to make that retirement money grow for you based onyour age and your goals.

"Even if your employer does not offer a retirement plan or if youwere laid off and want to ensure your retirement money is set aside,you can still take action," Commissioner Tom Michlovic said. "Wehave online resources as well as booklets that explain how mostconsumers can open their own Individual Retirement Account (IRA) orRoth IRA. An IRA can be thought of as your own personal retirementaccount. You are the one who controls what goes into that IRA."

One of the PSC's stops will be in Luzerne County on April 12 atthe Northeast PA Job Fair in Wilkes-Barre. The PSC will give apresentation during the job fair's "Financial Wisdom Camp" and willhave free, non-commercial copies of its Investing for Successbooklet series. Titles include "Maximize Your RetirementInvestments" and "Five Keys to Investing Success."

"Understanding the simple basics of saving and investing reallycan help people if they suddenly face a crisis like unemployment ora medical emergency," PSC Commissioner Steve Irwin stressed. "Weknow some consumers may smirk when they hear education can make adifference. But many people who lost their jobs in this tougheconomy managed to have an extra 'cushion' because they regularlyadded money to an emergency fund over the years while they wereworking."

The PSC is very serious about investor education. "We understandthat if you are unemployed and you were unable to build an emergencyfund over the years, this concept is not an option right now,"Michlovic said. "However, if a young person learns the importance ofan emergency fund in school, along with other investing and savingtopics, they may be much better prepared to weather a period ofunemployment or other unforeseen financial emergency."

Situations like these are just one reason the PSC continues tooffer its Save and Invest PA! program - at no cost - to high schoolteachers of all public and private schools. Through Save and InvestPA!, a PSC representative goes to high schools throughout the stateto speak with students on how to become teen investors instead ofteen spenders. This motivational program combines the latestinvestment headlines with creative imagery from today's popularculture to engage students in "real world" financial lessons.

Regardless of the time of year, all Pennsylvanians can takeadvantage of the saving and investing resources of the PSC, at nocost. Visit www.psc.state.pa.us and click on the Investor Educationlink. Consumers without Internet access also can call toll free inPennsylvania at 1-800-600-0007 to request a Materials Request Formto receive any of the booklets and handouts the PSC offers. Teachersinterested in a Save and Invest PA! presentation can find moreinformation on the website or by calling and asking for DougHassenbein in the Investor Education Section.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Securities Commission