Join Us for Money Matters 2025
Date: October 22, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: The Festival Conference and Student Center
Money matters are important to each of us, whether it’s developing a budget for the first time or planning for retirement. On Wednesday, October 22, take advantage of the financial seminar and vendor fair, Money Matters, being offered by JMU’s Human Resources Benefits Team.
Workshop Schedule and Descriptions
9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Financial Impact of Long-Term Care (HR2501)
Why Long Term Care should be a part of your retirement plan.
9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Going Beyond the Paycheck (HR2502)
From health insurance and retirement plans to wellness programs and professional development opportunities, learn how to leverage these benefits to enhance your overall compensation package.
9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Starting Point for Young Investors (HR2504)
Geared towards employees who are early in their career; this workshop will focus on setting goals, designing a budget, why save now, and investing.
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Home Buying (HR2503)
Is purchasing a home on your list of financial goals? Let us help you become educated and empowered to navigate the home-buying process with confidence. Wherever you are in the process, we will provide you with a roadmap of the steps you will take on your journey to becoming a homeowner.
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Financial Behavior: Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid (Employees over age 40) (HR2505)
A psychological perspective about the transition to retirement; a number of topics to include not having a plan or good awareness of income sources & assets, not reducing debt, avoiding the latest bubble and more.
9 a.m.-11 a.m. Making A Useable Budget (HR2506)
Have you ever felt like there was too much month left at the end of your money? Do you have debt that you wish you could dump? Are you on of the 2/3rds of individuals living paycheck to paycheck? If so, you are not alone. This two-hour interactive class will guide participants in developing a budget, discuss the issues that go into creating and maintaining a useable spending/saving plan, review societal shifts that have gotten us to this point, and give you some techniques to help eliminate your debt. Oh yeah.....and you will have fun doing it.
10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. College Planning Essentials (529) (HR2507)
This workshop will cover an overview about the JMU sponsored Virginia 529 program description, who can establish and contribute to the account, recent legislative updates that will benefit participants, various investment options available to choose from, the convenience of payroll deduction offered at JMU, and any other questions that you may arise during the workshop.
10 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. Getting Out of Debt (HR2510)
Looking for ways to cut down your debt? You're not alone. We'll walk you through the steps to put your debt behind you and move on to bigger financial goals like buying your next car or saving for your dream home.
10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Master Your Finances: Year-end Strategies for Success (HR2512-2501)
Don't let the year slip away without mastering your finances! Join us for an electrifying presentation where we'll unveil powerful year-end strategies to boost your financial wellness. From insider tips on open enrollment to savvy holiday budgeting hacks and crucial financial goal check-ins, we've got you covered. Discover how a few smart moves this fall can set you up for a financially strong start to the new year. Don't miss out on transforming your financial future!
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Why Everyone Needs a Will (HR2508)
Review of best practices and considerations when creating a Will. Insights delivered by an experienced attorney.
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Teaching Your Kids about Money (HR2511)
From hosting a lemonade stand to preparing for college, it is never too early - or too late - to start teaching kids about money. Join us for practical tips on how to start setting your child up for a financially healthy future at any age.
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Medicare 101 (HR2513-2501)
Join us for this educational presentation on Medicare and learn what you need to know about enrollment, rules, options and more.
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Protecting Savings & Retirement with Supplemental Insurance (HR2509)
Healthcare costs are the #1 reason for bankruptcy in the United States, and 91% of people who filed medical bankruptcy were covered by major medical health insurance throughout the year. Supplemental health insurance is one way to help avoid unexpected medical costs.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch/Key Note "Your Spending & Savings Plan" (HRHR2514)
Everyone needs a budget. When you learn how to manage your money, you can spend within your comfort zone and still save. Learn more about developing your spending and savings plan.
1:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Whole Life Insurance (HR2516)
What is the difference in Term, Whole Life Insurance, and Guaranteed Issue?
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Home Buying (HR2503-2502)
Workshop description provided previously-see earlier session.
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Navigating Student Loans (HR2515)
Student loans are intimidating. Learn how you can start repaying them.
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Managing My Money (HR2517)
This workshop will help you identify the three core components of a sound budget, begin/build your emergency savings fund, and get control over prioritizing debt.
1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Credit Repair (HR2518)
Learn how your credit score affects everything from how much you pay on your loans and credit cards to how much you pay for home and auto insurance. We'll show you how credit scores work. How to take control of your credit and provide tools to help you repair your credit.
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Master Your Finances: Year-end Strategies for Success (HR2512-2502)
Workshop description provided previously-see other session.
2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. How to get the Most out of Your Retirement Income (HR2520)
Geared towards employees who are mid-career: Discover how to maximize your retirement income to ensure your financial security doesn't stop when you stop working.
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Protecting Your Identity (HR2519)
Have you ever fallen victim to a scam or worried your identity could be stolen? In this workshop, you'll learn more about how to take control of your money, detect fraud, and protect your assets.
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Financial Behavior: Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid (Employees under age 40) (HR2523)
A psychological perspective about the transition to retirement; a number of topics to include not having a plan or good awareness of income sources & assets, not reducing debt, avoiding the latest bubble and more.
2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Medicare 101 (HR2513-2502)
Workshop description provided previously-see earlier session.
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Automobile Buying (HR2521)
Whether you're purchasing a car for the first time or upgrading your older vehicle, buying a new car can be stressful. There are many options for purchasing a car, such as leasing, financing, or buying outright. Maybe your budget has changed, and you are unsure what you can afford now. In this workshop, we will discuss each option in detail, help you learn how to calculate affordability, and get you closer to purchasing your dream car!
3 p.m.-4 p.m. Social Security and Your Retirement Including PLOP Overview (HR2522)
Social Security benefits are an important element in retirement planning. Attend this workshop to better understand the role of Social Security and how it can help you develop a more effective retirement strategy.
These seminars are open to all full-time and part-time employees…it’s never too early or too late to realize that Money Matters!
In addition to the sessions, our benefit vendors will be available throughout the day to meet with you to answer any questions you may have concerning your benefits.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, October 22nd!
