Sandy expo offers consumers financial savvy

SANDY — The people walking around the Utah Credit and Savings Help (CASH) expo Friday at South Towne Expo Center ranged in age from teenagers to seniors, but they all had one thing in common. They each were in search of answers to their many questions about personal finance.

 

"(I) learned a lot of good ways to save some money and save better for expenses," Natalie Carlson, a social worker from Harrisville in Weber County, told the Deseret News. "I like the idea of shopping with a menu and want to implement that more in my life."

 

She said having concrete suggestions for managing her money is something that would help her and others at the expo in their daily lives.

 

Credit expert Al Bingham, who moderated one of the numerous workshops at the free event, said one of the keys to successful personal money management is getting control of spending and credit.

 

"If you're going to get past this (credit crisis), you're going to have to have a stellar credit rating," he said. Those who have less than excellent credit will suffer economically as credit providers charge higher fees, he said. That will translate into higher interest rates for many and reduced availability of credit for many others.