By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
If you care about your financial well-being, your family’s financial well-being, you had an opportunity on Saturday, April 11, to gain a wealth of knowledge about how to handle such matters.
Deborah Barnett conducted her quarterly “Getting Your Affairs in Order” workshop, which started at 10 am at Rogers High School. Suzette Cowell, ThD, held her “Understanding Credit” workshop at 12:30 p.m. at the Monroe Street branch of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union.
The good news is, if you made it to one or both, you are much better off for it. Actually, there is no bad news. If you missed Saturday’s events, you will still have opportunities because both Barnett and Cowell will be conducting such workshops again in the future.
Barnett, a former banker and current owner/president of N’Sync, a consulting firm, has been holding these workshops for several years, bringing in a host of local experts from the public and private sectors to present ideas on not just dealing with personal and family financial affairs but also enhancing net worth in many cases.
Cowell, CEO and treasurer of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, has been advising members of the credit union and those in the community for three decades on how to manage financial matters.
The expertise and the impact on the community was on full display at both workshops.
The Getting Your Affairs in Order event pulled together about a dozen speakers on a variety of subjects related to personal financial matters.
“The purpose is a thoughtful, responsible step that you can bring to yourself and your loved ones,” said Barnett during her opening. “This process may feel overwhelming but taking the time to organize important documents, clarify your wishes and make difficult decisions ensures that your intentions are honored and your family is supported during these challenging times.”
By documenting wishes and organizing information, she continued, “you reduce stress and confusion for those who may at on your behalf.”
The speakers on the program included Cynthia Wilkes from the City of Toledo’s Department of Public Utilities; Lucas County Recorder Michael Ashford and David Perkins; Lamont Rivers from the Lucas County Treasurer’s office; Lucas County Auditor Katie Moline and Austin Finnerty; Matt Benner from the Huntington Bank; Brandon Key from Legal Shield, Agent Sara Ross from State Farm and attorney Arthur Battle.
Deeds and other property issues, wills, living wills, trusts, bank accounts and fraud prevention, life and homeowners insurance, powers of attorney and transfers of assets were among the topics of discussion during the Getting Your Affairs in Order discussion.
At the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, Cowell and Olivia Holden, director of Assets Toledo, held forth and conducted a workshop on proper budgeting and managing credit.
“You need to be proactive for yourself,” said Holden as she led off the discussion. “Look at every penny. You need to have disposable income … if you go to Starbucks and McDonalds every day … STOP IT!
“Pay your bills on time and ask ‘was it a need or was it a want?”
Holden advised the attendees “don’t bury your head in the sand about credit.”
Following up on Holden’s entreaties to budget carefully to maintain good credit, Cowell also emphasized that point. Cowell advised attendees to pay bills as early as possible; to keep credit card balances low – 30 percent of the funds available; to monitor credit reports as often as possible. Cowell advised them to establish their own accounts so that they can check their credit whenever they like with all three credit reporting agencies.
Next up. The Getting Your Affairs in Order workshop series continues. The next event is October 17, 2026. The Toledo Urban’s 2026 Financial Wellness Workshop Series continues with an event on September 19 with a discussion on debt management strategies.
