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AP/GK: May I please speak to __First Name or Full Name of Respondent__
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[AP/GK: IF NECESSARY: I’m calling to do a brief follow-up interview related to a Financial Education training he/she attended a few months ago. He/she should remember that we would be calling, should take only about 5-7 minutes. ]
[IF RESPONDENT IS NOT AVAILABLE: RECORD BEST TIME AND NUMBER TO REACH THEM] [IF RESPONDENT IS NO LONGER AT THIS NUMBER: REQUEST NEW NUMBER / ALTERNATIVE NUMBER TO REACH RESPONDENT AND BEST TIME TO REACH THEM.]
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[ONCE RESPONDENT IS ON THE PHONE:
Hello, my name is ____________. I’m calling to do the very brief follow-up interview related to the Financial Education class you attended several months ago. Hopefully you remember that we would be calling you in a few months. This short interview should take only about 5-7 minutes of your time.
[ IF NECESSARY: I can read you some additional background:
In 2005, Congress enacted legislation that requires individuals who have filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to participate in a debtor education program. In response to this Congressional mandate, the Executive Office for United States Trustees within the U.S. Department of Justice developed a debtor education class. You may recall that several months ago you completed a questionnaire at the beginning and end of that class and had agreed to answer a follow-up questionnaire at a later date. We are now conducting the follow-up survey as part of our research study. ]
[ IF NECESSARY / HELPFUL FOR COOPERATION: Your participation in this brief follow-up
interview is important to the success of this study and it will help us learn whether debtor education helps other individuals like yourself or whether the training needs to be improved. By participating, you will be contributing to an important national effort to improve debtor education. ]
As before, your decision to answer these questions is entirely voluntary, and you may refuse to answer any or all of the questions. If you decide not to answer any or all of the questions, or decide not to participate any further in the study, we will not report this to anyone. Your deciding not to answer the questions or not to participate in the study will not influence your bankruptcy proceedings or judgments. If you are not sure about the correct answer to a question that you are willing to answer, please answer the question to the best of your ability—even if you have to guess at the correct answer.
Q1. Please tell me whether each of the following statements are “True” or “False”: [Read Item]
11. Gross income is defined as income after taxes and other withholdings have been subtracted True1 False2 from net income.
12. Credit reports can affect an individual’s ability to get a job, purchase a home, and obtain home True False and auto insurance.
13. Approximately 10% of an individual’s credit score is determined by their payment history. True False 14. Financial experts recommend having an emergency fund that is equal to 3-6 months worth True False
of living expenses.
15. A need is something that is unnecessary but desired, and a want is something that True False is a necessity.
16. Goals should only be made for long-term plans such as homeownership, college tuition, True False or retirement.
17. A debt-to-income ratio of more than 20% may indicate that a person has borrowed too much True False relative to their income.
18. Credit reports contain information on past employers, race, and medical history. True False 19. Fixed expenses are expenses that typically change from month to month such as food, True False
clothing, and utilities.
20. Higher deductibles on insurance will lower your premiums but increase your risk of True False out-of-pocket expenses.
Q2. Since completing the training program, please tell me whether you [ read item ] [ then read scale response list ]. There is no right or wrong answer.
(SELECT ONE RESPONSE FOR EACH FINANCIAL PRACTICE.)
Financial Practice Do not plan to do Plan to do in the next month Plan to do in the next 2-6 months Have been doing for 1-6 months Have been doing for more than 6 months
1. Set short and long-term financial goals. 1 2 3 4 5
2. Save money regularly.
1 2 3 4 5
3. Use a spending plan to track income and
expenses. 1 2 3 4 5
4. Reduce impulse spending and cut unnecessary
spending. 1 2 3 4 5
5. Review income and expenses before making a
large purchase. 1 2 3 4 5
6. Pay bills on time each month. 1 2 3 4 5
7. Review bills each month for accuracy. 1 2 3 4 5
8. Compare prices before making purchases. 1 2 3 4 5
9. Learn how to re-establish credit. 1 2 3 4 5
10. Search for more favorable credit terms as credit
standing improves. 1 2 3 4 5
Q3. Please tell me whether there were any other changes you have made in your financial practices. Probe: Any others?
1.
2.
3.
__________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________
Q4a. Please tell me what best describes how your overall financial position has changed since completing the program. Has your [read item] [then read scale response list]
Q4b. [ For each “Decreased” or “Increased” response also ask: ] Approximately how much did it change?
Q4a.
Decreased No Change Increased
Q4b. Approximately how much did it change? (Enter $0 if “No Change.”)
Monthly income 1 2 3 $ _______________
Monthly expenses 1 2 3 $ _______________
Total savings 1 2 3 $ _______________
Total debt 1 2 3 $ _______________
Q5. As a result of the program, have you achieved any of your personal goals, for example: buying a car, paying down debt, or opening a checking account ?
1 Yes What was the single most important goal you achieved?
2 No What things have prevented you from achieving your goals?
Q6. How are you managing your money differently since participating in the debtor education program?
That was my last question. Thank you for taking the time to complete this interview. We appreciate your help in improving this educational program.