A recent study by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has ranked Arkansans 49th in terms of our ability to handle our money and finances, and our understanding of basic financial issues.  Since the issues of financial capability and literacy have a sweeping impact on families and the economy of the state, GenWealth Financial Advisors has taken a leadership role in a broad-based campaign to correct the problem through education.

The firm, located in Bryant, will host a series of financial workshops during the "Dollars and Sense:  Real Money. Real Answers" campaign. Advisors from GenWealth will partner with a UALR professor to host the workshops beginning Sept. 26 and running through Nov. 16.  Here is the rundown of workshops:

  • "Kids and Cash" and "Preparing for Retirement" at 7 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 26)
  • "Invest in Yourself" and "Credit Cards, Credit Scores and Credit Reports" ay 7 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 1)
  • "An Introduction to Investing" and "Put Your Company-Sponsored Retirement Plan to Work for You" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17

All workshops will be repeated at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16.

"Dollars and Sense" will also work to bring attention to how the state addresses the issue of educating our children about money. During the 89th General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature, Rep. Warwick Sabin sponsored a bill that would require a personal finance course to be taught to Arkansas high school students. Burt Hicks, a financial literacy advocate and concurrent student at the Clinton School of Public Service and the UALR Bowen School of Law, worked closely with Rep. Sabin in crafting the language of the bill after studying what Arkansas' neighboring states currently do. Although not passed, the bill was recommended for interim study by the House Committee on Education. Sabin and Hicks are hopeful the "Dollars and Sense" campaign can increase public awareness of the problem.

The workshops are free of charge and open to the public and will be held at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service building, 2301 S. University Ave., Little Rock.

For more information, call (501) 653-7355.