Common Cents

Summary

Have you ever heard it said that there is often "too much month at the end of the money?" We have. Common Cents helps low wage workers to make the most of the income that they do have - to learn to budget, retire debt, save, and repair their credit. It gives them the tools to make sure that there is enough "money at the end of the month" instead. Many of our neighbors want to do better with their money - we are showing them how.

$40,000
total goal

$37,925
remaining

17
donors

0
monthly donors

2
fundraisers

9
years

Challenge

Memphis has one of the highest poverty rates of any metro area in the nation. Many of the jobs available in our community pay low wages. Many of our neighbors live well below the poverty line. The median earnings per year for a worker in Shelby County are $28,570. The average amount below the poverty line that Shelby County families earn is $10,025. It is vital that these families can stretch dollars and make the best possible choices with their money. Common Cents shows them how.

Solution

Common Cents teaches participants money managements skills in an easy and fun way. During the six-hour workshop, participants learn about financial goal-setting, savings, budgeting, credit issues and retirement. They learn how to apply these skills their their own situations so that they can make better choices for their families. Over 2,000 Memphians have graduated from Common Cents already. Your support will enable more of our neighbors to learn how to budget and save.

Long-Term Impact

When families make better choices with their money, they are able to create a better quality of life for themselves and their children. By knowing where their money is going and developing a spending plan, they are able to choose for themselves how to do better financially. Common Cents graduates report that they have built their savings and are less likely to need to visit a payday lender. Fewer families living in poverty means a more stable community for us all.