Voices of CARE

In this episode, Ellie Lo, CARE’s 2020-21 Student Liaison and high school student, interviews Judge Kindred of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia about personal finance, paying for college, and her own personal stories, experiences, and advice about how students should navigate financial decisions that will affect their future.

Navigating student loans is both a complicated and important process. In the latest episode of the Voices of CARE podcast, Paula and Tom from ECMC share their tips on how best to manage the financial aid process from completing the FAFSA to signing your award letter.

In the latest episode of Voices of CARE, Tammy Hettinger, CARE’s Executive Director, interviews Pamela Simmons-Beasley, a volunteer with the CARE South Carolina chapter and a Chapter 13 Trustee. Follow along as Pam talks about how she started volunteering with CARE and why she continues to volunteer, and shares a story about one of her cases from 2007 where she filed bankruptcy for the third generation in the same family.

Pam also addresses some of the things she hopes students walk away with after one of her presentations: develop and put a lot of focus on your emergency fund, as well as how to understand the difference between wants versus needs, and how to recognize and deal with them.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo moves beyond his Top 10 Personal Finance Tips and shares how you can take charge of your finances. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the importance of financial security and how 8 of the top 14 stresses in life are money related. Learn more about how having a financial plan and sound financial habits are crucial in every person's life.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo shares his tenth and final personal finance tip: Make sure that you get the best value for every education dollar that you borrow or spend. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the importance of determining whether or not college is right for you. Learn more about how to be honest with yourself and "business-like" when looking at things like interest, aptitude, work ethic, and likely academic success.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo shares his ninth personal finance tip: The only good debt is debt that you can afford to repay and have a plan to repay. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the importance of determining affordability and having a realistic payment plan when you are in debt. Learn more about how to make sure you are not taken advantage of by individuals in the financial industry.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo shares his eighth personal finance tip: Don't make anticipated expenses false emergencies. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the difference between anticipated expenses and emergencies. Learn more about how to plan and save for anticipated expenses so that you are not forced to go into debt because of them.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo shares his seventh personal finance tip: Don't make wants, wishes, luxuries, and conveniences into false needs. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the importance of distinguishing between wants and wishes and what you actually need. Learn more about how retailers and marketers have convinced us over time about how we "need" certain things that are not actual needs and can prevent us from saving for retirement and accomplishing our other financial goals.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo shares his sixth personal finance tip: Money matters. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the importance of building good money spending habits so that you get the best possible value for all of your hard earned money. Learn more about the difference between being cheap and being frugal and how you can you can change your spending behavior to make better choices with your money.

In this episode, Judge Ninfo shares his fifth personal finance tip: Save if you want to do priceless things and live richly. Follow along as Judge Ninfo talks about the reality of saving and how 40% of Americans don't even have $400 saved for an emergency. Learn more about why saving for things such as emergencies, anticipated expenses, and retirement are so important and gather tips that could help you start saving for your future.