KINGSTON, Jamaica — For paralegal Dawn Griffiths, completing the JN Financial Academy’s Smarter Credit course has changed how she approaches her financial obligations, particularly paying bills and managing credit.

The JN Foundation said in a release that while Griffiths was already accustomed to budgeting, the course made her more conscious of meeting commitments on time and understanding how her financial behaviour affects access to credit.

“The course made me more aware of how to go about planning financially,” she stated. “Just ensure that bills are paid in a timely manner.”

Griffiths said she initially signed up to understand how credit bureaus operate, what they consider when assessing consumers and the practices that can negatively affect a person’s credit rating.

She was surprised to learn that paying a bill after its due date could affect her credit profile, even if the payment was made within the same month.

“I normally pay my bills on time, but sometimes if I have something else, then, you know, it’s two days late, it’s not an issue,” she said. “But then I realised that if it’s later than the due date… it affects your credit rating.”

The course also strengthened her understanding of borrowing and the importance of selecting financial products suited to one’s needs.

Griffiths said the lessons helped her to become more financially aware and disciplined, especially when considering loans and determining which financing option best suits a particular purpose.

“It was comprehensive. The course made me more aware of how to go about planning financially,” she said.

Her experience has also convinced her that financial education should begin early. She is recommending the course to people of all ages.

“I think everybody should do it,” she said. “I think even a youngster in school should be aware of it. As I said, it does change how you go about handling your finances.”

Griffiths’ experience comes as the JN Financial Academy prepares to offer another cohort of its Smarter Credit course, beginning September 9.

The course is intended to provide participants with practical knowledge to help them better understand credit, including the role of credit bureaus, factors that influence credit ratings, responsible borrowing and the importance of meeting financial obligations.

Sydoney Preddie, lead, Youth and Education Programmes of the JN Foundation, is encouraging individuals to register for the upcoming course and take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen their financial knowledge.

“Understanding credit is an important part of making sound financial decisions, whether you are preparing to apply for a loan, managing existing obligations or simply building a strong financial foundation,” she said. “We encourage persons to sign up for the Smarter Credit course and gain practical knowledge that they can apply to their everyday financial lives.”

For Griffiths, the value of the course extends beyond learning about credit. She said it has helped her to become more deliberate in managing her finances and better prepared to make informed decisions when borrowing.

“It was very, very informative. I’m glad I did it,” she said.

Individuals can register for the course on the JN Foundation website at https://www.jnfoundation.com/