1. WHEN PEER PRESSURE IS POSITIVE, IT’S CALLED PEER SUPPORT! September 2 013

2. Top 5 Reasons to Join the Monthly Support Network Calls  Learn new and creative strategies for family strengthening and support  Build a stronger community of peers  Be a change maker and let your voice be heard  Develop more tools for your toolbox  Learn healthful strategies for work-life balance

3. Sharing Our Collective Success Name Center One family support success story

4. Family Friendly Budgeting: Part 1 10 Tips & Techniques on Budget Basics Every Parent Should Know Developed from How Stuff Works

5. Leveraging Your Trusted Relationship to Help Build Economic Self-Reliance What percentage of families access services such as: Housing Assistance Utility Assistance Food Pantry Clothing Closet What percentage of families experience stress related to: Unemployment Transportation Affordable Childcare

6. Trusted Relationship Whether you are helping a family with emergency assistance, completing the Colorado Family Support Assessment, or creating a family development plan… YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE JUST BY STARTING THE CONVERSATION

7. Family Support & Encouragement Understanding finances can be complicated Planning and restricting spending can be challenging Setting aside budgeting time and having self- discipline can be difficult Trying to foster financial discipline with children while navigating today’s commercialized society can feel almost impossible Families need positive encouragement, family-friendly resources, and do-able budgeting strategies

8. 10. Tracking Family Income & Expenses Budget Basics:  Use last three months of income and expenses  Gather bank statements, paystubs, and bills  Start collecting receipts ahead of time if possible  More detailed you can get, the better you can assess where your money goes

9. 9. Assess NEEDS Versus WANTS  Key strategy is to draw some hard lines between what the family needs and what it merely wants  Must be decided by the family, for the family  Examples include decisions on food, clothing, internet access  Create prioritized list for each

10. 8. Plan Your Spending and Set Goal Once the monthly spending habits are known and a list of prioritized needs and wants, next is the necessary step of planning your budget 1. If your loosing money and digging into debt, the first priority will be to limit spending and start saving- first savings goal should be an emergency fund 2. Consider options to improve income- work overtime, ask for a raise, take a second job or a new job 3. When possible, focus on long term financial security that involves setting bigger goals

11. 7. Use Grocery Lists  Food is often one of the biggest necessary expenses for families  Food planning lets families maximize their spending power, eat well, and avoid overspending on last minute expensive prepared food  Making grocery lists are essential to a food budget  Keep a supply of fruits, veggies, grains as staples in house  Involve family in the planning!

12. 6. Research Best Prices  Set aside time to list the food products typically bought to compare costs amongst your favorite stores  Don’t stress over individual items that result in extra time taking trips to multiple stores  Save money and buy seasonal produce  A smart shopper is a frugal shopper- for any item being purchased!

13. 5. Use Coupons Find coupons for items already planning to buy Sign-up for preferred customer discounts On-line websites, email updates, phone apps Buy discounted gift cards and make purchases during seasonal clearances Keys to coupon savings are flexibility and organization

14. 4. Use Hand-me-downs and Buy Used  Cost of clothes for growing children can rack up with each new season requiring different items  The ritual of hand-me-downs, passing clothes down from one child to another, is a great way to encourage family unity, cooperation, and save $$$  Thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to find bargains on new and used clothes- and goes beyond clothes into furniture and other household items.  Remember shops have weekly specials!!!

15. 3. Revisit the Family Budget  Key to budgeting- recheck how you’re doing!  Families with busy schedules can easily lose track of certain expenses  After first month, sit down again and see how you did as a family  Don’t be too hard on yourself  Might need to revaluate from over or under estimating expenses, or to plan for seasonal expenses

16. 2. Redo the Budget When the Situations Changes  In the chaos of family life,  it seems the only things that’s  constant is change  Biggest and most dramatic changes usually have to do with loosing and switching jobs  This directly influences income which affects your budget  Whenever long-term goals change, revisit your budget to re-evaluate your situation

17. 1. Involve the Children  Many parents worry that starting a budget will upset their children and family peace  If kids aren’t used to hearing “no”, it will certainly be an adjustment to learn money is tight  Instead of letting the budget be a burden on the family relationship, use it as an opportunity to teach about financial discipline  Budgeting is something the whole family can learn and work at together

18. 1. Involve the Children  To keep things positive, avoid the word “no”. Instead when a child asks for things, tell them to keep a list of what they want and prioritize the list  Later, the family can revisit the list and talk about it  Older children and teens can learn money management by being given a precise budget for their essential purchases, like clothing  In the end, the budget is a blessing. Kids and parents alike will ultimately learn a deeper appreciation for the things they have. And the communal struggle could make your family closer than ever.

19. Peer Success Stories

20. Open Q&A What questions would you like to ask other family workers? What story would you like to share? What resources would help you in your work with families? Peer-to-Peer Sharing

21. Portal Resources  Collaboration > Family Resource Center Association > Community Library > Family Development > Family Development Support Network Collaboration Family Resource Center AssociationCommunity LibraryFamily Development  Support Network PowerPoint  Training Templates  Support Materials

22. Next Network Call: October 16 12:00-12:45 PM Family Friendly Budgeting Series: September 26-10 Budget Basics Every Parent Should Know October 16- Tips for Managing Your Credit Score November 21- 10 Money Saving Tips for the Holidays December 19-Great Ideals for Frugal Family Fun