Financial Management

The overall goal of this Departmental emphasis is to assist individuals and families to achieve economic well-being and life quality, to strengthen the capacity of Floridians to establish and maintain economic security. Specific emphases include helping youth, adults, and older adults to:

  • better manage their resources through developing spending and savings plans;
  • develop investment strategies;
  • plan for financial security in retirement;
  • evaluate alternative ways to transfer assets, develop an estate plan, prepare a will, and evaluate trust and beneficiary transfers;
  • manage credit, reduce debt and pay bills on time;
  • develop consumer competencies in the market place so they can evaluate alternatives and avoid frauds and scams;
  • learn effective consumer skills and develop shopping skills;
  • evaluate risk management strategies and develop strategies to reduce taxes; and
  • read, understand, and compare insurance policies.

Extension Programs

The Financial Management and Economic Well-Being Focus area addresses economic resources, life skills, and consumer choices critical to the well-being of youth, adults, and older adults.

High School Financial Planning Program

Research

There are three research thrusts in this focus area.

  • The first is to identify those factors that influence youth, adult, and older adult decision-making about financial resource management and consumer behavior.
  • The second is to determine what resources are available to youth, adult, and older adults to use to achieve their goals and how these resources are affected by changing social and economic circumstances.
  • The third is to define the processes used by these various groups to generate and exchange resources within the group and between the groups and its outside environment.

Faculty working in this focus area provide education directly to youth, adults, and older adults, collaborate with agencies and organizations to reach each audience, and serve as 'education brokers' for agencies, organizations, volunteers, professionals and decision makers so that they may better serve families.

Resources