Made possible by a grant from the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
Monday, January 25, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Let’s Get Out of Debt
Angel Zimmerman, Managing Partner
Zimmerman & Zimmerman, PA
Anju Mishra, HUD Exam-Certified Counselor
Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.
Feeling overwhelmed by past-due notices or feel plagued with garnishments. Join Angel and Anju to learn:
- what laws protect you when you have debts in collections
- rules that apply for enforcing loan terms
- how different types of debts impact your bank account, paycheck and credit score
- repayment options (available through HCCI) so you can get out of debt and on with your life.
Angel graduated from Washburn School of Law in 2006. She became the inaugural president of the Kansas Bar Association Law Practice Management Section in 2007 and Law Practice Management committee chair in 2015. Angel chaired the International JRCLS-WIL Women in Law committee (2016-2018).
Anju is a graduate with honors, Bachelor of Economics, University of Delhi. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling named Anju “Counselor of the Year” for 2018. In accepting the award, Anju credited HCCI with providing extensive training and support for all their counselors.
Anju joined HCCI’s staff in 2006. She also manages HCCI’s Lawrence office. Anju leads work by HCCI with the United Way of Douglas County to promote financial literacy work with other community partners.
Monday, January 25, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Banking Basics: Modern Money
Dana Branam, Director of Consumer Affairs
Director of Consumer Affairs
Anju Mishra, HUD Exam-Certified Counselor
Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.
Join Dana and Anju to get an unbiased view of the different banking options available to consumers:
- questions to ask yourself when shopping for a financial institution
- what to expect when opening an account
- technology – apps to stay on track
- how having a checking and savings account in a bank or credit union helps Keep Life $ensible
Dana manages the Consumer Affairs department of the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) where she has worked since 2002. The role of the OSBC is to regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, credit service organizations, money transmitters, mortgage companies, supervised lenders, and other lending institutions licensed or chartered in the State of Kansas. The Consumer Affairs department investigates consumer concerns regarding entities within the regulatory jurisdiction of the OSBC. Dana also manages OSBC community involvement and the Consumer Education Grant program that awards funding to provide financial literacy education to Kansans.
Anju is a graduate with honors, Bachelor of Economics, University of Delhi. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling named Anju “Counselor of the Year” for 2018. In accepting the award, Anju credited HCCI with providing extensive training and support for all their counselors.
Anju joined HCCI’s staff in 2006. She also manages HCCI’s Lawrence office. Anju leads work by HCCI with the United Way of Douglas County to promote financial literacy work with other community partners.
Monday, March 29, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Tips for Renters – Kansas Tenant & Landlord Law
Teresa Baker, Manager, Tenant & Landlord Counseling & Education Program
Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many renters have worried about eviction when they could not pay rent on time and in full. Landlords have concerns too as they attempt to work with tenants to maintain their rental housing. Teresa will give helpful information about:
- why you need a rental contract and three things that should be in every contract
- common issues and ways to work effectively with a landlord
- maintenance issues, pets, roommates and more
- how HCCI helps both renters (tenants) and landlords with questions about rental housing issues.
Teresa joined the HCCI staff in 2007 and brings a wealth of knowledge about all issues related to the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. Teresa’s areas of expertise include Fair Housing Law and the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. She supervises two other HCCI Counselors – Ashton and Abi – who also have expertise in tenant/landlord relationships.
Teresa leads work with the United Way of Greater Topeka to promote financial literacy work with other partners. Teresa manages HCCI’s HOPE Program – a project funded by United Way of Greater Topeka to offer HCCI’s Financial Counseling plus mentoring by HCCI trained volunteers to families wanting to reduce debt, build credit and get ahead. https://hcci-ks.org/programs/hope
Prior to joining the HCCI staff, Teresa was a property manager involved with work for families earning low incomes, elderly and physically challenged individuals living in subsidized housing. She proudly served in the US Army.
Monday, April 26, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Budgeting for an Irregular Income
Rogers Brazier, HUD Exam-Certified Counselor, HCCI
Creating and managing a monthly budget might seem overwhelming when income varies widely – month to month or year to year. Rogers will discuss:
- how to create a monthly household budget when income changes dramatically from month to month
- how to manage the budget you have created so that you at least cover the necessary expenses (housing, utilities, food, child care, basic transportation)
- why a “gap” fund is important for those times when the weather is bad, or business is slow
- the importance of saving during the good months to be prepared for the down months.
Rogers joined the HCCI staff in March 2016. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to HCCI having served a long career with the State of Kansas Department of Administration and in other high-level management corporate positions. In 2012-2015 Rogers responsibilities included preparing PowerPoint presentations related to the state budget process and conducting statewide trainings for Certified Public Accountants. Rogers especially enjoys helping people develop their own personal budget and then learn skills to consistently monitor their spending.
May 24, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Modern Money – Apps for That: on-line tools to help you budget, shop smart, save.
Ginger Ellsperman, HUD Exam-Certified Counselor, HCCI
Ginger will present a very interactive chat class that lets the speaker and participants share great Apps that work to monitor spending (budget); check your credit report; shop for good deals and more. Learn about:
- personal budgeting Apps – features that work for “cash only” budgets or “online banking: or to track “overspending.”
- credit checking Apps
- saving and investing Apps
- and more.
Ginger joined the HCCI staff in March 2016. She is a frequent speaker for HCCI’s financial literacy education classes and HCCI’s bankruptcy classes. Ginger and her husband own their own floor covering business and are raising two young daughters so they know the costs busy families have, especially during this unpredictable economy.
A Webinar Series
Featuring
Saturday, October 3, 2020
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Scams, Fraud & Identity Theft
Carol Kando-Pineda, Counsel, Division of Consumer & Business Education,
Federal Trade Commission
Each year, consumers lose billions of dollars as the result of scams, fraud and identity theft. During COVID-19, these deceptive activities have dramatically increased. Learn more about how you can recognize, avoid and address scams, fraud and identity theft from Carol Kando-Pineda, Counsel in the Federal Trade Commission’s Division of Consumer and Business Education. The FTC’s mission is to protect consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy and education.
Carol leads teams to create and distribute free consumer tips – online, in print, by video, and on social media – to help people spot scams and manage their money well. She heads up the agency’s outreach through public libraries – as well as the Military Consumer partnership. Carol began her FTC career as a staff attorney, then served for several years as a liaison between the FTC and the U.S. Congress. Subsequently, she served on temporary assignment as an attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce. She earned her A.B. from Harvard College and her J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law.
Carol speaks directly to the current economy and especially to scams regarding COVID-19 and the extensive work FTC is doing to educate the public.
Sponsored by:
Monday, October 5, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Investing
Kathy Browne, Chief of Compliance
Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner
Kansas is the birthplace of “blue sky laws.” Hear how the Kansas Securities Office and Kansas Department of Insurance protect Kansas consumers. Kathy will talk about investing, knowing your “risk factor tolerance,” the difference between stocks, bonds and mutual funds and how the Kansas Securities Commissioner’s office works to protect Kansans from investment fraud, including FAQ about COVID-19 fraud. https://insurance.kansas.gov/
Kathyhas a Bachelor of Business degree from Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma and she has completed industry examinations for Series 7, 63, 24, 9 & 10. Kathy serves on the Investment Adviser Operations Committee for the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA).
Kathy will talk about:
- questions to ask when interviewing and choosing a financial planner and other financial advisors
- how to determine your personal “risk factor” for investing
- differences between stocks, bonds and mutual funds – benefits of plans (IRA’s, 401K, others)
- fraud – where and how to report potential cases of fraud
Monday, October 19, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Why Insurance Is A Must Have Expense
Lee Modesitt, Director of Government Affairs
Kansas Department of Insurance
In 1871, the Kansas Legislature established a Department of Insurance, long before most states regulated investments and insurance after the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed. Lee will talk about why insurance is a “must have expense” and give tips for taking some of the mystery out of researching what you need to know when buying insurance for your home and auto. Hear how the Kansas Insurance Department protects Kansans from fraud, including FAQ about COVID-19 fraud.
Lee received his undergraduate degree in political science from Kansas State University and his Master of Arts in Public Policy Analysis from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Lee served nearly five years in the Topeka office of Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins prior to joining the Department of Insurance staff in January 2019.
Lee will talk about the meaning of terms such as:
- “replacement cost”
- “actual cash value” (of a vehicle, for example)
- “collision or comprehensive coverage”
You will know:
- How the Kansas Insurance Department is a resource for you.
- Why insurance is important for renters as well as homeowners.
- FAQ about COVID-19 regarding insurance and securities. https://insurance.kansas.gov/
Sponsored by:
Monday, October 26, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Understanding Credit Reports & Scores: How Credit Reports Are Used
Ginger Ellsperman, HUD Exam-Certified Counselor, HCCI
The first step to achieving strong credit health starts with investing in understanding the ins and outs of your credit score.
- why your credit score matters
- how to read your credit report
- how to establish or improve credit
- how to dispute inaccurate information
Ginger joined the HCCI staff in March 2016. She is a frequent speaker for HCCI’s financial literacy education classes and assists with HCCI’s bankruptcy classes. Ginger and her husband own their own floor covering business and are raising two young daughters so they know the costs busy families have, especially during this unpredictable economy.
Monday, November 30, 2020
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Budgeting & Saving: Put Your Budget to Work
Rogers Brazier, HUD Exam-Certified Counselor, HCCI
A good budget and savings commitment are the foundation of your financial plan. If you are new to budgeting, it’s important to understand what a budget is and how it can help you reach your short-term goals.
- how to create a budget that works for you
- track spending
- why an emergency fund is important
- how to plan for non-monthly expenses
Rogers joined the HCCI staff in March 2016. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to HCCI having served a long career with the State of Kansas Department of Administration and in other high-level management corporate positions. In 2012-2015 Rogers responsibilities included preparing PowerPoint presentations related to the state budget process and conducting statewide trainings for Certified Public Accountants. Rogers especially enjoys helping people develop their own personal budget and then master monitoring their spending consistently.
All women attending the free Women & Money Day are also eligible for a free credit report review or full consumer credit counseling session with a HCCI Certified Housing and Credit Counselor. Call 800-383-0217 to schedule an appointment by phone, video conference, or at a HCCI’s offices in Lawrence, Topeka or Emporia.
See how HCCI counseled a Manhattan couple who paid back $118,000 to credit card companies.
How does this happen?
They are good people who have worked hard all their lives, paid their bills on time but never really used a budget to save for the things they wanted. Read more.