Five key components of financial literacy

Hello and welcome back to school, and for our newcomers, welcome and all the returners welcome back! This week will pick up right where we left off, let’s talk financial literacy.

Here is a quick recap: The blog’s purpose is to provide you with the necessary skills for a sense of financial awareness. What is financial literacy? Financial literacy is “the ability to use knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial wellbeing” (The President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, 2008).

While researching financial literacy, five key components consistently appear. The five components are earning, spend, save, and invest, borrow, and protecting. During the continuation of this blog, we will better investigate each of these components of financial literacy. We ended the year on saving, and I hope that you had the opportunity to save, save, and save more money than you anticipated over the summer. If not, that is ok. I have good news for you; it is always ok to begin again. 

Daryl Singleton
Daryl Singleton

Last year we learned that earning is “when you trade your time and energy for money” (Donati, 2020). In laymen’s terms, you earn by the hour working during the time allotted. Spending money is/should be the perfect way to increase your overall value. Spending money should be a well-thought-out process, and the best way to remedy financial literacy is by budgeting. You must be willing to save according to what seems to stretch you beyond your limits. Saving can, at times, feel like a sacrifice because it is. Living in a society that thrives on instant gratification can rob you of the joy that comes after persevering. In the coming weeks, well will cover investing, borrowing, and protecting your money.

I want to caution you that as we explore, together, that you take what is necessary for your financial health. In other words, this is not a one-model-fits-all blog. This blog is a person-centered-approach blog where you collect information that is beneficial for your financial wellbeing. Let’s build!

New nursing scholarship created in memory of Marilynn Campbell

The St. Clair County Community College Foundation (SC4 Foundation) and the Community Foundation are honored to work with Herbert Campbell to honor his late wife, Marilynn Campbell, through a new nursing scholarship.

“I funded this nursing scholarship in loving memory of my wife of 70 years,” said Herbert Campbell. “She was a passionate believer in the value of nurses who cared for patients with compassion and professionalism.”

Marilynn was a graduate of Port Huron High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She also graduated from the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City before marrying Herbert. Marilynn raised three wonderful children with Herbert and lived up to her No. 1 goal of providing love and care for her family.

When her children grew up, Marilynn had a strong desire to become a registered nurse. She enrolled at Port Huron Junior College (now St. Clair County Community College), received her associate degree in nursing in 1973 and became a registered nurse.

Marilynn used her nursing degree to work at Port Huron Hospital and served the community for several years caring for mostly pediatric patients.

“She was soft spoken, but so caring and gracious,” Campbell said. “It would make Marilynn so happy to be part of helping students become nurses. I appreciate the SC4 Foundation and their partnership with the Community Foundation for making the process of opening this charitable fund so easy.”

The Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Scholarship will help her legacy of being a devoted wife, mother and loving caregiver live on for future generations of nurses.

“We are grateful to Herb for creating the Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Scholarship in honor of Marilynn,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, SC4 president. “It’s clear she had a profound impact in the lives of family members, friends and strangers alike. This scholarship will enable her legacy to live on through the life and work of SC4 nursing alumni for years to come.”

Marilynn Campbell in a nursing uniform

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Herbert and help customize the ideal way in which he wanted to give back to the college and honor his wife’s legacy of caring for others,” said William Oldford, president of the SC4 Foundation. “The fact that he trusts the SC4 Foundation with her legacy is a true honor.”

SC4 nursing students can apply for the Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship beginning in 2022. Selection will be based on financial need with a preference for students who reside in St. Clair County.

The SC4 Foundation connects donors with opportunities to support St. Clair County Community College in whatever way fits their interests. Whether it’s supporting students, opportunities on campus or enhancements of learning spaces, the SC4 Foundation is proud to support our community’s college.

St. Clair County Community College and the Community Foundation bring to the area a combined 175 years of service to the community in education and philanthropy. Since 2018, the collaborative philanthropic partnership between the organizations allows donors to have an even greater impact on both SC4 students and the community.

More information about the SC4 Scholarship and Foundation.

SC4 President’s Honor List for Summer 2021

A total of 274 St. Clair County Community College students earned a spot on the President’s Honor List for the 2021 summer semester, which ended Aug. 6.

Students must take at least six credits and have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher to make the list.

President’s Honor List for the 2021 summer semester, ordered by hometown:

ALGONAC — Emily Cross, Brenda Furtah, Jessica Green, Raven Gunnells, Mickenzie Heim, Jeremiah Jones, Madelynn Saddler and Kristen Vohs.

ALLENTON — Evette Beuschlein.

ALMONT — Maria Bussone and Timothy Wolf.

APPLEGATE — Kristina Osborne.

ARMADA — Kayla Campis and Nicole Sawitzky.

ATTICA — John Lindsey and Miranda Pekala.

AVOCA — Sarah Koch and Amy Liebler.

BAD AXE — Nicole London.

BERLIN TOWNSHIP — Sydney Kosewicz and Olivia McCarroll.

BROWN CITY — Grace LaBelle.

BURTCHVILLE TOWNSHIP — Sherry Bevins-Castillo and Jenna Hayre.

CAPAC — Dakota Killingbeck and Terra King.

CARSONVILLE — Alyssa Johnson and Hua Li.

CASCO TOWNSHIP — Cynthia Shurish.

CHESTERFIELD — Brianna Allor.

CHINA TOWNSHIP — Gabby Dziedzic and Allison Pietrykowski.

CLAY TOWNSHIP — Dominique Desano, Ashley Huber and Jasmine Richardson.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Marta Walsh.

CLYDE TOWNSHIP — Jordan Berg, Rebekah Delmedico, Paige Gerrow and Camry Robtoy.

COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP — Kimberly Berman, Brenda McLeod, Anna Roland, Maria Sanchez-Cerda and Brianna Swantek.

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP — Trevor Knox and April Storey.

CROSWELL — Joona Fenner, Nathaniel Hayslett and Eden Jenkins.

DETROIT — Vicki Rose.

EAST CHINA TOWNSHIP — Miah Adams, Shelby Arnett, Sarah Borunda, Katherine Brozik, Jessica Hopkins, Kristin Malcolm, Tayler Malone, Taylor-Rae Pastorius, Hannah Psink and William Schunk.

ELKTON — Cheyenne Rathje.

EMMETT — Rosemary Day, Mark Donnellon, Marie Frohriep, Chris Heiden, Sydne Kujawa, Madison Raymo, Sarah Robinson, Matthew Wetter and Nina Wicker.

FORT GRATIOT — Shawn Baker, Shelby Bombard, Alyssa Boyd, Zachary Brockway, Alexzandra Carr, Ryan Duda, Elle Fisher, Larissa John, Ethan Kane, Maxwell Kenny, Tabatha Lester, Haylee Moore, Kobi Moretz, Michele Niehaus, Tallon Palmateer, Wendy Teich, Darrell Washington and Alexis Williams.

FORT MYERS BEACH, FLA. — Brooke Snyder.

FOWLERVILLE — Eric Lardie.

GOODELLS — Jennifer Freigruber, Gracie Graber, Kelly Mertz, Carson Nolan and Ryleigh Walsh.

GRAND BLANC — Stacy Baldwin.

HARBOR BEACH — Andrei Maungca and Rebecca Roggenbuck.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Mackenzie Bryant.

HARSENS ISLAND — Angela Prize-Walker.

IMLAY CITY — Hanna Adamczak.

IRA TOWNSHIP — Megan Bishop.

JEDDO — Kristen Fleury.

KENOCKEE TOWNSHIP — Brooke Thompson.

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP — Isabel Allen, Alicia Archibald, Dawn Barr, Ashley Collier-Sullivan, Katie Gossman, Helen Hamm, Jennifer Hauck, Mikala Kish, Nicole Kozfkay, Holly Sawdon, Beth Seibert, Nichole Swinson and Cheyene Williams.

LAPEER — Kayla McCorry, Jessica Starr and Cameron Wolowiec.

LEXINGTON — Justin Galbraith.

LINDEN — Samantha Thelen.

MACOMB — Tanya Hawil.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Jordan Galvan.

MARINE CITY — Marie Bearden, Melanie Carlson, Nicole Degasperis, Lindsey Hoover, Amanda Hurst, Chassi Kuecken, Hanna Lowes, Orianne Myres, Austin Niemi, Jamie Stanislawski, Alyssa Westrick and Keith Wroblewski.

MARLETTE — Mary Hillman.

MARYSVILLE — Maria Almeida Medeiros, Robert Balwinski, Olivia Burkhardt, Jonathan Chapdelaine, Erica Devigili, Tanya Earl, Alysia Ferrier, Hayley Gilmartin, Kenneth Greenia, Alexandra Greer, William Guy, Kayla Kavanagh, Kaitlynn Kindsvater, Travis McCann, Meghan McNames, Ashley Nevarez, Matthew Reeves, Sara Schmaltz, Jennifer Thomas and Emily Westrick.

MELVIN — Ann Demaray.

MEMPHIS — Chloe Lebow, Chad Nikles, Ariana Parrinello and Erica Syck.

METAMORA — Kaitlyn Evans.

MUSSEY TOWNSHIP — Dawn Chapman, Pamela Lerash and Sara Mandeville.

NEW HAVEN — Nicole Mallory.

NORTH BRANCH — Katrina Guldi and Emily Parker.

NORTH STREET — Leigh Grimes.

PORT HURON — Alicia Bailey, Judy Bloink, Jaylynn Buckley, Ashley Chattick, Hailey Clink, Noel Cosby, Cristina De Gregory, Sherry Denby, Angelic Drake, Danielle Eagle, Alesha Fay, Becky Fleming, Jasmine Garcia, Holden Gauthier, Hadley Gibbs, Nicole Griffor, Kristyana Hamblin, Samantha Herman, Samantha Howard, Kelsee Husson, Marisa Jones, Lindsey Kasten, Christian Lester, Aly Love, Kathleen Mavis, Melissa McCracken, Linsay McLain, Laura McNeill, Chrystianna Meadows, Rachel Miller, Amanda Miron, Jessica Miron, Mary Palmateer, Brandon Purcell, Mallory Reid, Nicholas Rex, Haley Rock, Theresa Schoben, Trent Sheldon, Dawn Silk, Chelsea Sterling, Autumn Strauch, Jen Thompson, April Tracy, Amanda VanThomme, Lily Vella, Alexandria Viola, Hailey Ward, Brady Wardlow, Julia Wing and Nicole Young.

RICHMOND — Camille Schafer.

RILEY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Enders.

SHELBY — Bailey Himanek.

SMITHS CREEK — Elizabeth Rylander.

ST. CLAIR — Branden Ayers, Katelyn Bartholomew, Julianna Cataldo, Amanda Chase, Andrew Cordes, Rebecca Donajkowski, Wendy Edgemon, Alestair Frantz, Kaylee Greaux, Mary Griskiewicz, Jason Gunnery, Megan Gunnery, Amelia Hamill, Joshua Hilton, Megan Jones, Therese Kalbaugh, Matthew Kerrigan, Leigh Knox, Michael Leroy, Kaitlyn Nowak, Sydni Oleksinski, Katelynn Paynter, Carrie Ravinkane, Chase Richardson, Sydney Riske, Drew Saunders, Danielle Sikora, Sarah Snider, Angela Stragier, Lia Turner, Roni Vanderwill, Jessica Westrick, Heather Woodman and Madelyn Woytta.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Michael Hartson and Heather Richter.

SWARTZ CREEK — Kallie Albert.

TROY — Victoria Franz.

WARREN — Amy DelVecchio.

YALE — Caleb Bollaert, Joel Duckert, Jada Janes, Jamie Kadarian, Hayley Kavanagh, Chad Plenda, Morganne Rapley, Kristine Silverthorn and Monica Stiles.

Financial literacy assessment

Hello TRIO fam! Welcome back, and I hope that you are excited about what is ahead.

I know I am. I get excited thinking about how our financial health is getting better as we, together, heal from financial anguish by undertaking the outlined principles in these blogs. If we are to be better stewards, it is vital to assess where we are now and do something about it.

Below there is a quick assessment I want you to take and be serious about it. Gather you a notepad and pen, then answer each question honestly.

How to assess your financial literacy

An easy way to assess your financial literacy is to ask yourself some questions about your own personal finances. 

  1. Do you know how to create a personal budget?
  2. Do you have an emergency fund that covers at least three months of basic living expenses? 
  3. Do you have a plan for retirement?
  4. If you have debt, do you have a plan to pay it off? 
  5. Do you know your credit score and how to improve it?
Daryl Singleton
Daryl Singleton

How to improve your financial literacy right now

  • If you answered no to some (or most!) of the questions above, don’t worry. There are a few concrete things you can do right now to take control of your finances and improve your financial literacy.
  • Create a personal monthly budget. Your budget is the foundation of your financial health, and it’s easy to get started. Learn how to create a personal budget by looking at the previous TRIO blogs on budgeting.
  • Start an emergency fund. Experts recommend setting aside at least three months’ worth of basic living expenses in case of an unexpected financial burden like a layoff or large medical expense. 
  • Plan for retirement. The easiest way to start investing is with a retirement account: a 401(k), a traditional IRA, or a Roth IRA are all great options. We will discuss this in a few up-and-coming TRIO blogs.
  • Decide to get out of debt. If you’re caught in a cycle of debt, planning to pay it off can save you thousands of dollars in interest.
  • Determine your credit score and learn how to improve it. Improving your credit score is another way to save money on interest. Learn how credit scores work in our next TRIO blog.
  • Spending responsibly on rent can help you achieve your financial goals. Remember, this is not a sprint but a marathon as it relates to financial literacy. Take your time and be smart. Let’s Build!