Arizona Saves' Featured Success Story 

   Before attending the financial education workshops in January 2008 Arizona resident, Charlinda Begay, was dissatisfied with her level of knowledge about personal finance. 
     "It was bad.  I didn't know how to save money," Begay said.  
     Begay, who is Native American, said she learned about Arizona Saves' financial education workshops as a participant in the City of Phoenix's Family Self-Sufficiency Program.    As a young mother of two, student, and full-time hospital employee she realized that taking control of her financial situation would drastically increase her quality of life.  Begay said that she decided to attend the workshops because they were highly recommended by the city of Phoenix and seemed like a great learning opportunity. 
     The classes she attended were held at Hope VI Community Center and included Banking Basics, Building a Better Budget, Choosing and Using Credit Wisely and Preparing to Purchase a Home.  The courses proved worthwhile and gave Begay helpful information on how to save money, understand credit, and decipher between wants and needs while shopping.
     "I learned how to clear up my credit, which I am working on now." Begay said "I learned how to look up my credit score and manage my debt."
     She credits Arizona Saves for her new found financial awareness.  After attending the workshops she feels more in control of her financial situation.  She is changing habits that have kept her from achieving her financial goals. 
     "Arizona Saves helped me to get a formal education on spending and saving.  It motivated me to use my money more wisely and have a long-term savings plan," Begay said.
     She continues to practice the financial skills she learned at Arizona Saves' workshops in her daily lifestyle.  Currently, she is working towards her savings goal of buying a home.  She said she now budgets for necessities as well as leisurely activities.
     Begay said that in the future, "I want to take my kids to Disney World and I am going to start saving on that now."