Common Cents

As we end 2015 and plan to begin 2016, you can see how eagerly the RISE Common Cents participants are learning new skills and techniques that help them begin a habit of saving for emergencies and for the future every day.  Even though most of the individuals who attend the Common Cents Classes are from low income working families - one thing they all have in common is the desire to make better choices with the financial resources they have. 

Why do these folks come to RISE?  Either their employer has made this class possible for them to attend, or they have meet someone who has gone through the class; and seen firsthand how good money management skills can make a difference - the difference in how they are able to meet their family’s need.  Like LaTonya who is pictured here with a glowing smile.  She doesn’t earn a great deal to support herself and four children, but her co-workers constantly ask her, “How are you able to provide the things that you do for you family when you make less than we do?”  Her response is always, “I have learned through the RISE Foundation, how to comparison shop, use coupons, keep a monthly spending plan and always set aside money each month that goes into my savings account.”  LaTonya has become a walking advertisement for RISE.  She demonstrates how Common Cents has helped her save, purchase a home, car and a family computer, that both she and her children use.

In the Common Cents class, information is shared with participants not only on how to develop spending plans but how credit scores determine the cost of goods and services that they buy over time.  When class participants actually see how credit scores are determined, they are surprised to see that it does not include the amount of money that you earn – it focuses mostly on how well you manage your money, and credit card usage.  They are simply amazed that they can have a credit score of over 700 with their entry level wages, if they use the money management skills learned in the class.

One day the RISE Foundation, has a vision that everyone in the community will have the opportunity to participate in facilitated classes that will bring money management skills to everyone in the Mid-South area.  We have the waiting list, so we have people who want to move forward like LaTonya. Through your contributions and the contributions of others, RISE can make this vision a reality. Please help us today!