Talking Fin Lit

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  This episode features a lively and informative interview with loan manager, Elizabeth Zelasko of  Countrywide Bank by Talking Fin Lit co-host Dr. Kathy King. Elizabeth provides behind the scenes information that every loan applicant should know about mortgages in general and for the changing landscape of this financial vehicle today. From application fees to points, locking in rates, ARMs, fixed rates, taxes, stated income, credit scores, to “junk fees,” we are here to de-mystify the terms and the process!

You will find many money-saving and powerful suggestions for how to prepare for mortgages as adults and pose it for young people to understand the need to prepare now, for instance: building a credit history, savings and banking literacy!

Mark and Kathy also discuss the details of how to use mortgages and this life need as a vibrant classroom learning focus. Resources, lesson ideas and discussion abound.

Join us as we bring an expert on board to provide complete information in a form for all to understand.

 Elizabeth (Lisa) Zelasko contact information:

Countrywide Bank, FSB
Home Loan Consultant
Office: 201-556-4724
Fax: 866-433-2940
Email: Elizabeth_Zelasko@Countrywide.com

 WEB: http://countrywidelocal.com/elizabethzelasko

 Resources for this Episode

• Countrywide Bank, FSB Resources
  •  http://my.countrywide.com/

• Lisa’ Countrywide Bank site with calculators and articles
  • http://countrywidelocal.com/elizabethzelasko
  • Current rates for various mortgages
  • Payment calculators
  • and much more

Mortgage Calculators

• Amortization Tables
  • Also http://calculator-loan.info/mortgage-calculator.php

• 

 

• Mortgage Calculator shows annual tax and insurance fee, too.
  • Annual tax and fee plus Mortgage Calculator (All Fees)

•  Credit Worthiness Calculator
  • At Bankrate.com

• Calculator: “Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio”
  Comparing your earnings against your spending , also known as a debt-to-income ratio, is one of the most popular approaches for evaluating if you have too much debt. Lenders, for years, have looked at debt-to-income ratios to get a better grasp on a person’s current financial picture to determine credit-worthiness.
  • Debt-to-income ratio calculator

Other Resources

•  Informational Website
  • “ Understand Your Debt-to-Income Ratio or Creditworthiness”

•  How to Calculate Your Debt Utilization Ratio
  • Debt Utilization Ratio Calculator

Contact Us

You may contact Mark and Kathy by

• leaving a comment here on the blog/site
• emailing us at podcast@talkingfinlit.org

Podcast Feed:

Our podcast feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/talkingfinlit

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Talking Financial Literacy is produced in collaboration among the MS in Adult Education and HRD at Fordham University and The McGraw-Hill Companies.

• (C) Talking Financial Literacy is copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008 - 2009. All rights reserved.

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 Ep 19 A Nation At Financial Risk: Play Now | Download (451)

A cutting edge episode from Kathy and Mark about how the patterns of Nation at Risk report of 25 years ago relate to our need for financial literacy in our curriculum today. How do we measure up? What is the score? Great resources to help with new perspectives and possibilities. The Talking Financial Literacy Podcast.Join hosts Mark Gura and Dr. Kathleen P. King (Kathy) for another episode of this series which provides professional development and resources for educators, students and lifelong learners. Financial Literacy is Mission Critical Lifelong Learning.

Talking Fin Lit Podcast: Continuing the global conversation about personal financial literacy for educators

Resources discussed in this episode:
Theme: A Nation @ Financial Risk -

The State of Fin Lit in Our Nation’s Schools… Parallel to A Nation at Risk 

Education Week’s special coverage marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark report A Nation at Risk, which urged schools to add more learning time to children’s lives. Read about initiatives under way to lengthen the school day or year, and about the latest research on the effects of extra time on learning.

Education Week Special Report_ Several Related Articles

A Related Commentary 

by former U.S. Secretary of Education, Riley

• EdWeek Article

 Financial literacy should be a standard requirement in public education
Why isn’t the teaching of personal finance basics considered more important than trigonometry, which few of us will ever use again, asks financial-literacy expert Braun Mincher. A solid grounding in financial basics would help young people make better fiscal decisions, Mincher writes. The Christian Science Monitor (9/23)

Financial-education course aims to better prepare teens for future
A financial-literacy course developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education offers high-schoolers unversed in tending to their own finances an introduction to the fundamentals of money management. Education Week (premium article access compliments of Edweek.org)/Associated Press (8/4)

Report: Many Indiana students poorly prepared to manage money
Six of ten Indiana high-school students failed a national money-management survey, and about the same number say they learned everything they know about the topic at home, according to a new Indiana Youth Institute report. Schools would do well to instruct students on money management, helping them to distinguish between wants and needs and the proper use of debit cards, said Lena Yarian, president of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Ind.) (6/2)

Financial Literacy Education (FLE) in Indiana’s Schools
http://www.doe.in.gov/octe/facs/IndianaFinLitEd-FrontPage.html

Contact Us

You may contact Mark and Kathy by

• leaving a comment here on the blog/site
• emailing us at podcast@talkingfinlit.org

Podcast Feed:

Our podcast feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/talkingfinlit

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Talking Financial Literacy is produced in collaboration among the MS in Adult Education and HRD at Fordham University and The McGraw-Hill Companies.

• (C) Talking Financial Literacy is copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. All rights reserved.

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 Ep 19 A Nation At Financial Risk: Play Now | Download (451)

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 Episode 7 TV411- Managing Your Money- Curriculum : Play Now | Download (333)

Dr. Kathy King and Mark critical issues in Managing your Money on the personal, local, national and global scope. From rising fuel and food costs, to food riots. How do they interconnect? Then down to the educational connections. Kathy delivers a sample copy of TV411 Financial Literacy  curriculum. You get and inside view of the depth of the material and how it can be used. Please note this curriculum was chosen for review because of the high caliber of TV411 in the public education field. This program is not endorsing the product, nor do we receive benefit from any purchase. Tune in for a vibrant episode that covers the ground of global events, to how do we help students of all ages navigate their financial lives.Curriculum Options  TV411 Financial Literacy “Minding Your Money”

• Produced by KET (PBS television network in Kentucky)
• http://www.ketadultlearning.org/adult/tv411_kits.htm
  
• Regarding use in school: the site says “More than half the states in the U.S. have licenses for one or more series — with great discounts! Call 800.354.9067 to find out if your state is one of those”

Abundant additional web-based materials from KET and TV411

• Managing your money-related articles
  • Examples:
  • Financial Management
  • Tax Tip
  • Playing the lottery: What does it cost you?
• Many additional Math lessons
  • Math lessons
  • Math lessons in Spanish

TV411 FINANCIAL LITERACY KIT (Description for TV411)
By teaching how to track and control spending, save money, shop, and use credit responsibly, this kit helps learners achieve their financial goals.
Six units:
* What’s on the Stub? Understanding Your Paycheck
* Reading the Fine Print: Don’t Be Fooled
* Rent-to-Own: Is It Really a Deal?
* Wise Decisions: Selecting and Using Credit Cards
* Getting on Track: Making a Budget
* A Home of Your Own: From Dream to Reality

NYACCE New York Association of Continuing/Community Education
Conference where Dr King learned of TV411 curriculum

Special thank you to Tony Buttino, of Buttino Bunch Media, for loaning us the kit for review from his inventory at !

Articles discussed in this  episode:

Rice and Wrong, Food Costs Flummox

Article at The Street.com by Suzanne Barlyn

 Excerpt for the article: Food prices are igniting riots in developing countries — and quietly claiming a chunk of my family’s bottom line. Record rice and wheat prices were clearly reflected in my family’s recent $350 grocery bill for mostly grain-based and dairy products. The continuing global agricultural crisis has obviously ensnared my local community and probably many others.

Inflation Calculators -

A few examples of the may available on the web

• NASA’s Inflation calculators http://cost.jsc.nasa.gov/inflate.html
• This site has a list of many but also includes such highly technical ones as
• Consumer price index (CPI) inflation calculator http://cost.jsc.nasa.gov/inflateCPI.html
• Employment cost index inflation calculator http://cost.jsc.nasa.gov/inflation/eci/inflateECI.html
• GDP Deflator inflation calculator http://cost.jsc.nasa.gov/inflateGDP.html

Still more!

• The inflation calculator: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
• Money Chimp Inflation calculator- www.moneychimp.com/articles/econ/inflation_calculator.htm
  • provides some concise explanation of how it s tied to Bureau of Labor Stats and Feds.
• Cost of living calculator -comparisons http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

Contact Us

You may contact Mark and Kathy by

• leaving a comment here on the blog/site
• emailing us at podcast@talkingfinlit.org

Podcast Feed:

Our podcast feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/talkingfinlit

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Talking Financial Literacy is produced in collaboration among the MS in Adult Education and HRD at Fordham University and The McGraw-Hill Companies.

• (C) Talking Financial Literacy is copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. All rights reserved.

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 Episode 7 TV411- Managing Your Money- Curriculum : Play Now | Download (333)

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Interview with Phyllis Frankfort

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Reflections on Mark’s interview with Phyllis Frankfort, founder and director of W!SE ( http://www.wise-ny.org ) a pioneering and powerful organization for financial literacy education. Under her leadership W!SE programs reach more than 20,000 students each year including the development of a financial literacy certification. Join us as we hear the inspiring story of how she conceived, developed, and launched this program which has made a great impact in financial literacy education in schools.

Working In Support of Education (w!se) is an educational nonprofit dedicated to providing educational support services nationwide, building financial literacy, fostering business and social entrepreneurship, and preparing students for college and the global workplace.

The w!se family of innovative programs positively affects the lives of young people and improves the quality of education. w!se inspires young people to dream and prepare for their future, equips them with the tools and life skills they need to achieve their full potential, and encourages them to make good choices.

w!se serves urban secondary school students in low-to-moderate-income areas. Extensive partnerships with schools and the private sector and a reputation for sustainable programs with measurable results have made w!se a leader in the educational community.

Reminder about the ISTE NECC MEET-UP!

• June 30, 2008- San Antonio, TX
• You are invited!
• Raffle prizes from Otterbox for iPods and iPhones
• Learning and networking opps- even be part of a podcast
• You are invited! Read more…

Contact Us

You may contact Mark and Kathy by

• leaving a comment here on the blog/site
• emailing us at podcast@talkingfinlit.org

Podcast Feed:

Our podcast feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/talkingfinlit

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Talking Financial Literacy is produced in collaboration among the MS in Adult Education and HRD at Fordham University and The McGraw-Hill Companies.

• (C) Talking Financial Literacy is copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. All rights reserved.

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 Episode 4 Words from the W!SE: Interview with Phyllis Frankfort [15:32m]: Play Now | Download (416)

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Interview with Lloyd Bromberg, Federal Reserve Bank of NY, Director of Education Services

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Join us for this exciting episode of top news items and US federal resources for financial literacy. It’s Not Too Late - Flagging Economy Propels Financial Education discussion with Mark and Kathy combined with an educator’s interview with the Federal Reserved.

 

An interview with Lloyd Bromberg/ Director of Education for Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Articles Presented in the Episode:

A. The Next Slum? (Atlantic ) http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/subprime

B. Flagging Economy Propels Financial Education http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/02/20/24finance.h27.html Resources Presented in the Episode:
1. Federal Reserve Bank of New York: http://www.newyorkfed.org/
· Education Section of above: http://www.newyorkfed.org/education/index.html

• Econ Bowl
  The Federal Reserve Bank of New York invites upper elementary and middle school social studies classes to participate in the Econ Bowl.

http://www.newyorkfed.org/education/elemiddleschool.html

• Econ Explorers Journal “ Discover the world of economics in your home, neighborhood and school by completing your Econ Explorers Journal” – Downloadable PDF curriculum

http://www.newyorkfed.org/education/econexjrnl.pdf

Also –

• Federal Reserve Education
  http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/FRED/?CFID=8591833&CFTOKEN=21338021

• Federal 101 http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/fed101/
  

2) Citi (Citigroup) Citi Financial Education Program

http://financialeducation.citigroup.com/citigroup/financialeducation/

Citi Financial Education Videos
http://financialeducation.citigroup.com/citigroup/financialeducation/videos.htm

3)ING Direct

Planet Orange – Financial Literacy Web Site for Kids

http://www.orangekids.com/

Contact Us
You may contact Mark and Kathy by

• leaving a comment here on the blog/site
• emailing us at podcast@talkingfinlit.org

Podcast Feed:

Our podcast feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/talkingfinlit

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Talking Financial Literacy is produced in collaboration among the MS in Adult Education and HRD at Fordham University and The McGraw-Hill Companies.

• (C) Talking Financial Literacy is copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. All rights reserved.

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Financial Literacy is Mission Critical Lifelong Learning

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Welcome to the series! Our first episode provides an introduction to the new world of Financial Literacy. Talking Financial Literacy is a global discussion dealing with educational needs emerging from the ever changing world of personal finance. Co-hosted by Mark Gura and Dr. Kathleen P. King (Kathy) this new series provides professional development and resources for educators, students and lifelong learners. Finding our way to and through the impressive amount of material on this subject, this 24 episode series will be both a report and an investigation.

Defining Financial Literacy
A continuing theme… let’s begin with a definition from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_literacy
Financial literacy is the ability of individuals to make appropriate decisions in managing their personal finances. Raising levels of financial literacy is now a focus of government programs in countries including Australia, Japan, the United States and the UK. …”

We will be looking for academic standards in Financial Literacy as the series progresses.

Financial Literacy is not simply enhanced by technology, but the use of tech in this area is essential!

Be heard! Email us podcast@talkingfinlit.org

• Send us an email to introduce yourself!
• Send us your feedback or your financial literacy in education topics!

Headlines

(The Need for the Population to be MORE Financially Literate)

• From Fortune Magazine: “8 Ways to Recession Proof Your Job”
• From CCN Money.com “IRS Warns of Rebate Scams”
• From CCN Money.com “Boomers: How to Age Gracefully”
• From Reuters “Pension Funds Loose 1.5 Trillion”
• From Reuters “Accounting Watchdog Proposes Pension Changes”
• From The Motley Fool “You Missed the Best Day to Buy “
• Forbes “Refinancing a Mortgage? Move Fast”
• From Money: Your Kids Don’t Need Life Insurance

We will be probing the state of financial literacy in schools

Financial Literacy (Education Specific) Headlines

• From BBC News:” Parents Back School Money Lessons” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7195713.stm
• WJLA/NewsChannel 8: “Make a Resolution to Teach Kids Money Management Skills” http://cfc.wjla.com/articles/getarticle.cfm?id=52
• WJLA/NewsChannel 8: “Make Financial Fitness a New Years Priority for the Entire Family” http://www.knbc.com/money/14519332/detail.html
• White House Press Releases
  • “President Bush Announces President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy” http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080122-7.html
  • “President Bush Participates in Meeting on Financial Literacy” http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070425-3.html

  Recommended Resources

  • Game (grade 6 – 12) www.themint.org
  • 2006 Jumpstart Coalition http://www.jumpstartcoalition.org/
  • JumpStart Clearing House http://www.jumpstart.org/search.cfm
  • Google Alerts http://www.google.com/alerts
  • REMTECH http://www.remtech.biz/FactsAndStats.htm
    • (Commercial site with free information that is useful)
  • Financial Literacy News http://financialliteracynews.com/
  • NEFE (National Endowment Financial Education) http://www.nefe.org/
  • My CASH Counts
    • http://www.mycashcounts.org/default.aspx
    • http://www.mycashcounts.org/financial-literacy-news.aspx
  • Bank Rate (financial index) http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/Financial_Literacy/Financial_Literacy_toc_a1.asp
  • Suzie Orman website http://www.suzeorman.com/

Contact Us
You may contact Mark and Kathy by

• leaving a comment here on the blog/site
• emailing us at podcast@talkingfinlit.org

Podcast Feed:

http://www.talkingfinlit.org/feed.xml

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Talking Financial Literacy is produced in collaboration among the MS in Adult Education and HRD at Fordham University and The McGraw-Hill Companies.
© Talking Financial Literacy is copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. All rights reserved.

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 Episode 1: Welcome & Scoping Out the World of Financial Literacy [30:25m]: Play Now | Download (430)

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