Students Learn Personal Money Management Basics From TopLine Federal Credit Union

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwire - Dec 8, 2011) - TopLine Federal Credit Union was cordially invited to host a special money management workshop on the campus of North Hennepin Community College last month for the College's GPS (Goals + Plans = Success) LifePlan program, which helps students develop skills in the five LifePlan areas of Career, Education, Finance, Leadership and Personal.

The GPS LifePlan is an individualized program that helps students define personal, professional and career-related goals, establish plans and develop successful life skills. This program has the flexibility to be used by students of all ages and at all life stages. Students explore each of the five plan areas through campus workshops, on the web or though an electronic portfolio.

TopLine was tapped to host a campus workshop to support the FinancePlan developmental area. The session, "The Real World of Personal Money Management," included the nuts and bolts of helping students understand how to better manage finances. Topics covered in the workshop included the importance of setting goals and creating budgets, saving and paying yourself first, how to use credit wisely; understanding credit -- what a credit score means, how it affects you and how to build and maintain a good score; where to obtain a copy of a credit report and how to read it; budgeting tips; and strategies on how to reduce debt and prevent identity theft. The interactive session included thought-provoking questions with real life examples to show students how actions today can have an impact on financial options in the future.

"A special thanks goes to North Hennepin Community College's GPS LifePlan Committee for inviting us to speak on the importance of personal money management," says Harry Carter, president and CEO, TopLine Federal Credit Union. "We are committed to improving everyone's financial literacy and pleased to be a part of the GPS LifePlan developmental workshop series to support students who are committed to their own personal and professional growth, and to improving their financial well-being."

TopLine offers financial literacy seminars throughout the year. Please visit www.Toplinecu.com to check for upcoming sessions and/or to contact the credit union to host a customized session.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $300 million. Established in 1935, TopLine offers a complete line of financial services from its five locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.