Older Adults Offered $150 to Learn About Money Management

Financial education classes in Southfield provide cash incentive for seniors to attend sessions on budgeting, scams, and more.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Older adults in the Southfield, Michigan area are being offered $150 to attend a two-part financial education program called "Savvy Seniors". The program, funded by a grant from First Merchants Bank, aims to help seniors learn about budgeting, avoiding financial scams, and other money management topics. Participants who complete the two-session course will receive the $150 payment, which organizers say can help seniors build an emergency savings cushion to cope with rising costs of living.

Why it matters

Many seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to keep up with inflation and higher prices for essentials like food, utilities, and healthcare. The financial education program seeks to empower older adults with the knowledge and resources to better manage their limited budgets and avoid falling victim to financial exploitation schemes that frequently target the elderly.

The details

The Savvy Seniors program will hold two financial education sessions on March 9 and March 16 from 11am to 1pm at the Gesher Human Services headquarters in Southfield. The classes will cover topics like budgeting, identifying financial scams, understanding legal rights, and finding community resources to help seniors stretch their dollars. Participants will receive a $150 payment, either electronically or by check, after completing both sessions. Space is limited to the first 25 or so registrants, and a waiting list will be established if demand exceeds capacity.

  • The Savvy Seniors financial education sessions will be held on March 9 and March 16, 2026 from 11am to 1pm.
  • Seniors can register for the program at www.geshermi.org/events or by calling 248-233-4299 from 8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays.

The players

Gesher Human Services

A Southfield-based non-profit organization that is hosting the Savvy Seniors financial education program.

First Merchants Bank

An Indiana-based bank that provided a $5,000 grant to fund the $150 payments for Savvy Seniors participants.

Laltsha Cunningham

The financial education manager at Gesher Human Services who oversees the Savvy Seniors program.

Laura Castone

The director of CRA at First Merchants Bank, who manages the bank's community reinvestment efforts in Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“We know that access to basic financial education and small‑dollar resources can be a turning point for individuals of all ages working to build financial stability.”

— Laura Castone, Director of CRA at First Merchants Bank (Detroit Free Press)

“The $150 is really to get them started to build that cushion for themselves.”

— Laltsha Cunningham, Financial Education Manager at Gesher Human Services (Detroit Free Press)

What’s next

If the initial Savvy Seniors classes in March reach capacity, Gesher plans to hold additional sessions in April to accommodate more participants.

The takeaway

This program highlights the financial challenges many seniors face and the need for accessible financial education resources to help older adults on fixed incomes manage rising costs and avoid falling victim to scams. The $150 incentive demonstrates a creative approach to engaging seniors and empowering them to take control of their financial wellbeing.