Pub. 11 2021 Issue 2

11 PUB. 11 2021 ISSUE 2 school. I’m also proud of my office’s partnership with the Department of Economic Security to help vulnerable families on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and state subsidies to attain self-sufficiency by providing them financial education as a work requirement. I appointed the first-ever statewide Financial Literacy Task Force made up of experts and members from across Arizona, which has been hard at work to find ways to provide financial education resources to students, senior citizens, military families, veterans and vulnerable families. Financial education is a critical life skill that provides a solid foundation for success to individuals from all walks of life. A lesson learned because of the pandemic was the importance of having savings, where money is already set aside to use during unforeseen emergencies. Emergency savings are critical when the unexpected occurs, as it, unfortunately, did in 2020. It’s recommended to save at least three months’ worth of expenses for these funds. Even putting small dollar amounts away every couple of weeks can get one started toward this goal. In honor of Financial Literacy Month, I encourage everyone to examine their personal financial resiliency. How can we better manage our money? What short and long-term savings goals do we need to set? Are we financially prepared for future, unexpected emergencies like the one we just experienced? Financial literacy strengthens not only individuals and families but also the overall economic health of our communities. w How can we better manage our money? What short and long-term savings goals do we need to set? Are we financially prepared for future, unexpected emergencies like the one we just experienced? Kimberly Yee Arizona State Treasurer

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