Public can learn about personal finance at free May 1 event on the WWU campus

April 28, 2010

Daniel O'Hair

University Communications intern

Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Financial Education will host a Financial Education Fair as part of MoneySmart Week, a statewide financial education initiative, from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 1 at Parks Hall on WWU’s campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Pamela Whalley, director of WWU’s Center for Economic and Financial Education, said the goal of the event is to provide people with an opportunity to increase their knowledge of personal finance.

“In today’s challenging economic environment, it is vital that everyone has the information they need to make sound decisions as a consumer, saver and investor,” Whalley said. “The Expo provides the opportunity to learn from local experts in their fields about these important topics.”

The event features a series of financial lectures presented by community experts:

  • 9 a.m. – “Teaching Economics in the Schools” by Whalley, “Becoming Banked and Online Banking” by Bank of America, and “Credit” by People’s Bank.
  • 10 a.m. – “Protecting Yourself from Scams and Identify Theft” by Bill Dalton of Whatcom Educational Credit Union, “Car Insurance Basics” by Scott Richardson of Allstate Insurance, and “Budgeting” by Justin Remakus of Moss Adams.
  • 11 a.m. – “Saving for Retirement” by Scott Caldwell of Waddell and Reed, “College Survival Skills – Managing Your Money” by WWU College of Business and Economics’ Beta Alpha Psi, and “Saving for College” by Jed Decker of Bayport Financial Services, and “Credit” by US Bank.

“The lectures will run concurrently throughout the morning, so [attendees] will only have time to attend three sessions,” Whalley said.

The event is sponsored by the Center for Economic and Financial Education at WWU and the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education.

Free parking for the event is available in the C lots, located immediately south of the Wade King Student Recreation Center on WWU’s campus.

For more information, contact Whalley at (360) 650-4823 or pam.whalley@wwu.edu.