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New tools help you take charge of your financial health

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  • February 15, 2019

Financial wellness is vital to achieving successful work-life balance — at all stages of your career. UAB is rolling out more ways to stay well with Human Resources’ new Financial Wellness Program, featuring personalized counseling, educational seminars and online resources designed to help employees cope with financial stressors, build financial skills and feel confident about their future.

 

Online opportunities

Online opportunities

Curious how your life stage impacts your finances? The Financial Wellness Program website offers insight for employees at any stage of their career: If you’re a recent graduate, learn about student loan-assistance programs and public service loan forgiveness, homebuying and savings. If you’re in the middle of your career, discover more about savings and investments and college funds. Bringing your UAB career to a close? Learn about estate planning, health emergencies and retirement.
Learn with Lynda

Learn with Lynda

Take advantage of UAB’s free partnership with Lynda.com, an online learning site where users can learn or improve skills, and access its curated library of financial wellness topics, including student loans, savings and investments, retirement and more.
Celebrate savings

Celebrate savings

During America Saves Week Feb. 25-March 1, an annual nationwide initiative encouraging Americans to save money, reduce debt and build wealth over time, the Employee Assistance and Counseling Center will offer several free seminars and webinars to educate UAB employees on financial wellness.

During “The Importance of Savings” seminar 1 p.m. Feb. 26 in West Pavilion Board Room, Regions Bank Branch Manager R.T. Davis will talk rainy day funds, paying yourself first, finding money to save and retirement and investment savings. Register for “America Saves Week” at uab.edu/learn.

Through a new partnership with SmartPath, which can help participants make better financial choices through objective coaching and accountability, employees can access online webinars during America Saves Week. Registration begins Feb. 25 at smartpathcoach.com/uab.
Campus connections

Campus connections

In addition to seminars, events and online resources, the EACC also offers individual financial counseling to help employees gain a better understanding of their financial situation while learning about options for managing finances and paying off debt. Schedule a one-on-one meeting by calling the EACC at 934-2281.

The Regions Institute for Financial Education (RIFE) empowers students, faculty staff and the community to strive for financial balance and stability — an active, ongoing process which involves becoming aware of taking steps toward a more successful life. RIFE advisers are available upon request to present on topics such as debt and budgeting to classes and student organizations and also offer a Fee Forgiveness Program, peer coaching, financial counseling and microloans. Visit uab.edu/rife to learn more.
CommonBond

CommonBond

Financial technology firm CommonBond is partnering with UAB to help tackle the student loan debt weighing down UAB faculty and staff. CommonBond pays off existing student loans, including federal, private, Parent PLUS and previously consolidated student loans, and replaces them with one combined loan — the average CommonBond user saves $24,000 annually after refinancing. UAB employees will receive a cash bonus when they refinance.

Additionally, UAB is adding SmartPath to its list of voluntary benefits available to employees; like a personal trainer for your money, SmartPath financial coaching focuses on helping you build a plan, make better choices and stay accountable. UAB employees will save a percentage on a SmartPath financial coaching subscription during America Saves Week.

Stay tuned to the UAB Reporter for more information on CommonBond and SmartPath.