Video: Salvation Army Wants To Help Clients Get A Grasp On Personal Finances

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Things have been tough for Dinie Bean recently. The Tupelo woman is battling health problems, and that has brought tough financial times.

“I needed some help with utility bills,” Bean said.

So, Bean is sitting through a two hour budgeting class at the Salvation Army’s Community Center.

In 2015, the ministry started requiring clients to attend a financial management class before receiving benefits.

The class covers basics, such as the importance of credit, how to repair it and debt management.

This class is also required for those who need help buying Christmas gifts for their kids, through the “Angel Tree ” program.

“We don’t mind helping but we don’t want it to become a trend that every year you depend on us or other agencies for assistance. We want to teach you how to take what you have and make it stretch,” said Susan Gilbert, Social Services Programs Coordinator.

Melissa Simmons is one of the teachers of the class. She encourages participants to get a journal and keep track of how each dollar is spent.
Bean says that is some of the best advice she has received.

“Here in Tupelo there are a lot of restaurants that have those cheap value meals, four for four dollars, I have stopped periodically and maybe just get something to treat yourself but at the end of the day, every little money adds up and you can take it and use it for something else,” Bean said.

For Simmons, it’s rewarding to see life changing results.

“It makes me feel so great, knowing that we can offer the service to potentially get someone back on track and educate them just a little bit more and give them more information to help them rebuild their financial goals,” Simmons said.

Those who want to apply for “Angel Tree” must take the budgeting class by September 16th. For information on the budgeting class,call the Tupelo Salvation Army at 662 842 9222.