We had a homeowner in the office the other day talking about how times remained tough for them and it was getting more and more difficult to stretch the money each month.  Truth be told we’ve heard this from many homeowners but the thing this particular homeowner mentioned really got my attention, credit classes.

During our homeownership program, we require that all families take credit classes.  Some families are thrilled to participate while others are disgruntled. Most are somewhere in the middle, not too put out by it, especially if it is a means to homeownership.  Well, our visiting homeowner said he’s made it through the down turn as long as he has because of those classes we required while he was going through the program.  It made me stop and think about the thousands of people in Bend who are currently struggling because of a reduction in hours or pay, or a job loss.  How many of those people have had credit classes?  Probably not too many.

Most people were making a comfortable enough living that they never had to stop and think about whether their budget was tight or if their monthly expenses were necessary.  And when your world shifts sideways and things start to get tough, you may think of the obvious expense reducers, like canceling cable or giving up the coffee shack coffees, but you might not be thinking clearly enough to take a really objective look at your lifestyle and restructure for the long run.

Is that internet phone necessary or just a convenience?  Do you really need to provide a cell phone for your middle school aged child? Do you buy bulk packages of meats and then freeze them in meal sized servings?  Did you know foods high in fiber are more filling, therefore allow smaller portion sizes? Beans (red, black, green and refried) being huge on that list.  Did you know when your children say they NEED the latest game for their DS, you have the right to say no?  Perhaps that tip belongs on a blog post about parenting tips.

The point is that what you’ve known in the past and what you are experiencing now are not the same thing and you may not be seeing too clearly in your current state of anxiety.  So why not seek credit counseling?  Colink offers a five week course to help you figure out the best way to restructure and move forward.  Armed with the right education, you can accomplish anything.  What if it turns out you knew every single thing they covered in the class? Then the worse that happened was you were reminded of the best practices.  Education is never a waste of time.

Be open-minded. Be coachable. Approach your current situation from a new angle. The homeowner who mentioned how thankful he was for those classes took them when he was in a better place in life, but ended up using the knowledge when his circumstances changed. I applaud him for being open-minded and coachable even when he didn't think he needed it. For more financial aid and education assistance, visit our Links & Resources page.