April 11, 2016 (Wilmington, NC) – LifeWise Strategies is proud to announce that through a contract with the U.S. Marine Corps, Money Habitudes® materials are now being used as the foundation of an innovative new Marine Corps personal financial education training course called Your Money Personality. Compared to other financial education curricula, the training is unique in two major ways. First, it is built around positive behavior change by helping Marines address their financial habits and attitudes. Second, the course takes a fun, hands-on approach to the difficult topic of personal finance.
The mission of the Personal Financial Readiness program is to provide personal financial education, training, counseling, and financial information and referral at no cost to the Marine. This program enhances individual readiness and positively impacts unit readiness and cohesion. The Department of Defense has found that personal financial management is linked to many mission readiness issues. These include security clearances, stress, suicide, divorce and retention.
Money Habitudes® cards are often used in financial education programs, including in all of the US armed services. The game-like cards help participants talk about money, understand their financial habits and attitudes, and make the learning and self-assessment process fun and hands-on. For the new money personality course, LifeWise adapted the standard cards and facilitator materials to fit the Marine Corps audience.
“Organizations that teach financial education are increasingly incorporating behavioral aspects into their programs. It’s great to be able to work with the Marines and build such an important part of their curriculum,” said Lee Gimpel, Director of Development for LifeWise Strategies.
The course will be taught in the Marine Corps’ facilities around the world. Currently there are about 184,000 Marines; the Corps brings in about 21,000 new Marines each year who have access to the Marine Corps Personal Financial Readiness Program.