AMES, Iowa -- Women often have unique financial needs, according to Pat Swanson, Iowa State University Extension family resource management specialist. “Eighty-five percent of women will be on their own financially at some time. Some never marry, some marry later in life, some divorce and some outlive their husbands. And of the elderly poor in America, more than 70 percent are women,” Swanson says.

To help women address those needs ISU Extension offers the Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women program several times a year in three ways -- in person, on the Internet or by mail. The next opportunity to participate is in a series of programs scheduled Feb. 9 through March 13.

Swanson and Cynthia Fletcher, also an ISU Extension state specialist, will conduct the Web-based or by-mail course on Money Talk. An in-person option is available at several ISU Extension county offices across the state.

“You will learn smart money management skills and work through action steps to become a more informed manager of your money,” Swanson says. The goal of the course is to educate and empower women to take control of their financial lives.

The modules for all three methods of instruction will cover financial basics, insurance, investing, retirement planning and planning for life events. ISU Extension education programs do not promote any product or company. The course includes the 190-page Money Talk workbook.

For either the Web-based or by-mail course send a check for $75 payable to Iowa State University, along with your name, address and email address, to Ellen Minnihan, 68 LeBaron Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa  50011.  Registration deadline is Feb. 1. [Call Minihan at (515) 294-6568 if you have questions.] A registration brochure with more information is available at www.extension.iastate.edu/finances/personal/ .

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