Monthly Archives: February 2026

Even with years of experience in finance, Senior Accountant, Sherry-Lee McLean, says enrolling in the JN Financial Academy’s Smarter Credit Course offered fresh insight and practical lessons that have further strengthened how she approaches money management.

Working in the financial services industry, she explained that her decision to enroll was driven by professional curiosity. After seeing information about the course through the JN Group E-newsletter, she decided it was an opportunity worth exploring.

“I just wanted to see what the course was about and if there was anything that I needed to know, just for knowledge’s sake,” she said.

Despite her background, the course proved to be insightful and informative. She pointed to debt management strategies as one of the areas where she gained new understanding.

“I knew about debt consolidation as a way of paying off loans, but I didn’t know about the snowball and the avalanche methods,” she shared, noting that the course helped her to clearly understand terminology and concepts she had previously encountered informally.

The interactive elements also stood out, particularly those focused on budgeting.

“I used to record my expenses, but I wouldn’t normally do a budget, per se,” she said. “The budgeting activity was very informative. I found the course educational and, most importantly, helpful.”

She added that the course offered practical, real-life lessons that many people often overlook. One example was guidance on preparing for annual expenses such as motor vehicle insurance payments by setting aside small amounts each month.

“A lot of us don’t think that way,” she said. “But by budgeting for these expenses monthly, you will ensure that you actually have the money when the payment becomes due.”

According to her, the design of the Smarter Credit Course makes it accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of financial knowledge.

“It’s easy to navigate, the material is clear, and the presenters break things down in a way that even someone with no background in finance can understand,” she said. “It’s for anybody, and there’s always something new to learn.”

Rose Miller, financial education consultant at the JN Foundation, underscored the importance of financial education in empowering individuals to make better decisions.

“The Smarter Credit Course is designed to help Jamaicans at every stage of their financial journey build confidence in how they understand and manage money and credit ,” she related. “By improving financial literacy, participants are better equipped to avoid common pitfalls, reduce debt stress, and plan more effectively for the future.”

The course consists of a self-paced portion, complimented by  a series of webinars. The next webinar will take place on February 25.

Members of the public are invited to enroll in the Smarter Credit Course by registering on the JN Financial Academy’s website at jnfinancialacademy.com.

The JN Financial Academy is administered by the JN Foundation.

For this senior accountant, the experience reinforced a simple truth: there is always something new to learn and the area of finance is no exception, even for financial professionals.  And this learning can lead to smarter choices and greater financial well-being.

The start of a new year brings a wealth of possibilities, key among these is the opportunity to take control of your finances and build healthier money habits. With rising costs, unexpected expenses and economic uncertainties following the passage of Hurricane Melissa having a clear plan can make a significant difference to your financial outcomes, according to Rose Miller, financial education consultant at the JN Foundation.

She recommends this seven-point New Year financial checklist that will provide practical steps to help individuals and families set realistic goals and make smarter financial decisions throughout the year.

1. Review Last Year’s Spending

Begin by looking back at your spending habits and expenses from the previous year. Pick out areas where you may have overspent and identify ways to reduce unnecessary spending. Understanding past habits is a great first step towards change and improvement.

2. Create or Update Your Budget

A budget is the roadmap for managing your money. List all sources of income and outline monthly expenses, ensuring essentials such as rent, utilities, transportation, and groceries are included. A consistent and disciplined approach to this exercise will be highly rewarding.

3. Set Clear Financial Goals

Define what you want to achieve financially in the coming year. Goals may include building an emergency fund, reducing or paying off debt, saving for education, or starting a small business. Whatever the goals, be realistic, not only with each goal but also about the timelines for achieving them. And remember, track your progress regularly.

4. Prioritise Saving

Make saving a non-negotiable part of your financial plan, by making it a fixed expense. Aim to save a percentage of your income consistently. Start where you can even if it’s small, the outcome at the end of the year will surprise you. To increase your chances of success and build discipline, automate the process by having the funds transferred directly to your savings account

5. Build an Emergency Fund

Unexpected expenses can disrupt financial stability. Strive to save at least three to six months of living expenses this will improve resilience and help protect you and your family from financial shocks.

6. Tackle Debt Strategically

Review outstanding debts and focus on paying down those with highinterest first since these are more costly. At the same time, avoid accumulating new debt unless it is absolutely necessary.

7. Plan Before Spending

Avoid impulse purchases by planning and remaining focused. Create shopping lists and spend according to the limits of your budget. Do not be swayed by attractive deals which can easily railroad your plans. Be intentional when you spend, always bearing your goals in mind.

“Revisit your financial plan every few months to assess progress and make adjustments. Life changes, and your financial plan should adapt accordingly,” Mrs Miller recommends.

She emphasised that the journey to financial security is never an easy one, but starting the year with a financial check-up and a checklist can help turn intentions into action. “With planning, consistency and discipline, the new year can be a giant step towards greater financial security and peace of mind,” she pointed out

After years of using debit cards and only recently venturing into credit cards, Ana Miles with her occupation in marketing, admits she did not fully understand the complexities of credit management.

That changed after enrolling in the JN Financial Academy Smarter Credit course, a financial literacy programme designed to help Jamaicans better understand credit, loans and debt management strategies.

“I thought a credit card was as simple as using it and making a payment,” Miss Miles shared. “What I didn’t understand was how easily balances can roll over, how interest works, and how quickly things can get out of hand if you’re not careful.”

Miss Miles said her decision to sign up for the course came at a critical time. She recognised the need to take a more proactive approach to manage her credit obligations and to better understand effective financial strategies, rather than learning through trial and error.

One of the most impactful lessons for her was learning about structured debt repayment methods, including the snowball and avalanche approaches.

“I had heard about these concepts before, but the course really broke them down in a way that made sense,” she said. “It helped me see that managing debt doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.”

Since completing the course, Miss Miles has adopted more disciplined financial habits. She now keeps a written budget, tracks her expenses, and prioritises making payments on time. She also maintains regular communication with creditors, rather than waiting for collection calls.

“I’m organising my finances in a way that works for me,” she noted. “I’m staying on top of payments, even if they’re small, and that alone has made a difference in how confident I feel.”

While she has not yet made major credit-based purchases, Miss Miles believes the knowledge gained has better prepared her for future decisions.

“It’s about getting ahead of the game. Now I know I need to educate myself before jumping into anything, whether it’s another credit card, a loan, or eventually buying a home.”

Miss Miles encourages others who may be unsure about their financial knowledge to consider the Smarter Credit course.

“If you want to go beyond just swiping a piece of plastic and really understand how credit works, this course is worth it,” she said. “There are so many things happening behind the scenes that affect your credit, and you need to know where to find that information and how to manage it properly.”

Rose Miller, financial education consultant with JN Foundation, said that the Smarter Credit course empowers participants with practical tools to build healthier financial habits and make informed credit decisions.

She highlighted the upcoming January 2026 cohort, encouraging participants to start the new year by focusing on building strong credit habits. The first of three webinars is scheduled for January 28 with the remaining two slated for February 11 and 25. Members of the public are invited to enroll to take the course by registering on the JN Financial Academy website at jnfinancialacademy.com.

“The Smarter Credit Course is a free, self-paced, practical, easy-to-follow programme designed to help you manage your credit and make smarter financial decisions,” she said. “Whether you want to improve your credit score, better understand credit reports, or position yourself for future opportunities, this course provides you with the tools and guidance you need. You will benefit from expert insights from industry professionals, real-world examples, and practical strategies you can apply immediately,” she added. Mrs Miller disclosed that participants will get immediate access to course material once enrolled for the course.