Financial Beginnings

September is National Preparedness Month, an important reminder that being prepared includes protecting your financial information and knowing how to recognize a scam.

Scammers often take advantage of severe weather and natural disasters by posing as contractors, charities or government agencies. They may pressure people to act quickly or request payment through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency or payment apps.

A few ways to protect yourself:

• Research contractors before hiring them
• Ask for identification and written estimates
• Be cautious of unexpected requests for donations
• Never let someone pressure you into paying immediately
• Pause and verify before sharing personal or financial information

Financial preparedness can help you make informed decisions when circumstances are stressful and time matters most.

Please help us welcome Nikki Keating, our new Coordinator, Program Partnerships!

Nikki spent 11 years building relationships in the food and beverage industry before returning to college to find a new path — one with purpose. Growing up, financial literacy wasn't something her family discussed, and navigating student loans and credit card debt on her own showed her firsthand how important this education really is.

"I wanted to join a team with a powerful mission, which led me straight to FB... Now, I am eager to help make a real difference and learn alongside an incredible group of people. After all, life is about the journey and the incredible humans you meet along the way." — Nikki Keating

Welcome to the team, Nikki! We're so glad you're here.

As three members of the Financial Beginnings Board of Directors conclude their service, we’re feeling especially grateful for the leadership and perspective they’ve brought to this organization.

Marc Wright has been part of Financial Beginnings for nine years, beginning with the Financial Beginnings Washington Board in 2017. He helped guide the organization through change and continued to be a steady, thoughtful voice as Financial Beginnings grew and evolved.

Martha Mickelson brought deep insight into how we partner with financial institutions. From helping open the door to one of our early licensing partnerships to strengthening our understanding of CRA and how we communicate with banks, Martha has helped us think more strategically about partnership and growth.

Tom Soma helped lead Financial Beginnings through a remarkable period of transition. He played an important role in bringing the Oregon and Washington organizations together, recruiting new board members, hiring CEO Ronecca Norvell and strengthening our relationship with key supporters. He also helped create a board culture that was engaged, inclusive and, yes, fun!

Marc, Martha and Tom, thank you for showing up for Financial Beginnings in so many ways. Your contributions are woven into where we are today, and we’re grateful for the foundation you’ve helped build for what comes next.

What does culturally grounded financial education look like in practice?

On September 17, Financial Beginnings is hosting a free virtual deep dive into SAGE: Sustaining Ancestral Guidance and Empowerment, our Native-focused adaptation of SAFE.

Facilitator Stephanie Cote, founder of Eagle Woman Soars LLC, will share how SAGE connects practical financial topics with Indigenous perspectives, community values and lived experience.

Whether you work directly with Native learners, partner with tribal communities or want to learn more about culturally responsive approaches to financial education, this session offers an opportunity to explore the thinking behind SAGE and how it can support learners.

Register for free at: https://hubs.li/Q04x5kXg0

401(k) Day is a good reminder to take a few minutes and check in on your retirement plan.

Consider asking yourself:
- Am I contributing regularly?
- Am I taking full advantage of any employer match?
- Do my investments still align with my long-term goals?
- Is my beneficiary information up to date?

Retirement planning doesn’t require having everything figured out today. Consistent steps over time can make a meaningful difference.

And if you’re thinking about your long-term financial plans, join Financial Beginnings on September 15 at 12 p.m. PT for our free online Community Drop-In, Estate Planning and Retirement.

Register for free at https://hubs.li/Q04wsBxP0

Financial literacy took a prominent place on the global stage last week.

In a statement issued during the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, leaders described financial literacy as foundational to financial health and well-being. They called for expanded financial education that is objective, high quality and broadly accessible, including education that helps people save, invest, build wealth and protect themselves from fraud.

That recognition matters.

Practical financial education can help people build knowledge, confidence and the ability to make informed decisions. But education alone cannot eliminate the structural barriers and uneven access that shape people’s financial lives.

Real progress requires both: equipping individuals with useful knowledge and tools while working to expand access to the opportunities, services and systems that support financial well-being.

At Financial Beginnings, we believe financial education should be practical, unbiased and accessible to all.

Read the G20 statement: https://hubs.li/Q04x5m6Y0

September is National College Savings Month, a good reminder that preparing for education after high school doesn’t have to happen all at once.

Saving is one part of the picture, alongside scholarships, grants, financial aid, work and other resources. What matters most is starting the conversation early: What might education cost? What options are available? What can we begin doing now?

Small steps today can help create more choices tomorrow.

Financial Beginnings offers free online financial education classes at https://hubs.li/Q04wsrYc0, with practical guidance to help individuals and families build knowledge, confidence and stronger financial habits.

Explore free classes and resource at https://hubs.li/Q04wsrYc0

When did you last review your estate plan or take a closer look at your retirement contributions?

Join Financial Beginnings on September 15 at 12 p.m. PT for Estate Planning and Retirement, a free online class designed to help you think more intentionally about your long-term financial plans.

Led by financial educator and Certified Retirement Counselor Jasper Smith, the session will explore practical steps for keeping important estate planning documents current and considering how retirement contributions fit into your broader financial goals.

Free. Online. Practical.

Information and free registration at https://bit.ly/4cULo04.

Financial education is most meaningful when it reflects the experiences, values and communities of the people it serves.

Join Financial Beginnings on September 17 from 10–11:30 a.m. PT for a free virtual deep dive into SAGE: Sustaining Ancestral Guidance and Empowerment.

Led by nationally recognized financial educator and certified professional coach Stephanie Cote, the session will explore how SAGE brings Indigenous wisdom, relational values and community-centered perspectives into practical financial education.

Participants will get a closer look at how SAGE approaches topics including mindset, goal setting, income and taxes, credit and debt, protecting yourself, saving and retirement.

Register for the free session at https://bit.ly/4yhVGjk.

A new school year is here, and free financial education is ready for your classroom.

The Financial Beginnings Educator Training Center gives K-12 teachers everything they need to teach financial education with confidence, at no cost to you. Every lesson is fully scripted with pacing and facilitation notes, so you can teach it well even if finance is not your area of expertise. The curriculum is evidence-based and student-centered.

Explore the resources, complete our free self-paced online courses to build your own financial knowledge, and bring these lessons into your classroom this year. Everything is ready when you are.

Get started today at https://hubs.li/Q04v81GV0