MCC on Main Partnering With Local Breweries To Promote Financial Education For Young Adults

Budgeting, paying bills and managing debt are just a few of the money challenges young adults face as they transition from school to the real world. Yet, chances are, few of them received much guidance on handling these tasks during their formal education. According to the 2011 Survey of the Statespublished by the Council for Economic Education, neither economics nor personal finance is a required course in Connecticut’s K-12 curriculum.  

This fall, MCC on Main is teaming up with local breweries on an innovative program to help fill this knowledge gap. Taking advantage of the recent boom in handcrafted beer, a new evening series hopes to draw young adults to Manchester Community College’s facility on Main Street for networking, beer tastings, sliders and a shot of practical money advice. “Beer, Burgers and Managing Your Bucks” will kick off at 5 PM on Wednesday, November 13, at MCC on Main, located at 903 Main Street. 

Tony Karlowicz, who co-owns Back East Brewing Company in Bloomfield with his cousin, Edward Fabrycki, Jr., is excited to be partnering with MCC on Main on this venture. Back East is the featured brewery for the first “Beer, Burgers and Managing Your Bucks” event on November 13 and will offer a sampling of its beers. 

“As entrepreneurs,” he says, “we know how important it is to have a basic understanding of personal finance. We think the MCC on Main program is a great idea, and we’re more than happy to help.” 

Lisa Bielawski, General Manager at Bloomfield’s Thomas Hooker Brewing Company, which is providing beer for December’s event, agrees: “Young people today have a lot of money issues to deal with, especially if they’re paying off student loans. This age group is a big part of our market, and we think it’s important to support them in learning how to make good financial decisions.”

Potential topics for the series’ presentations include credit and debt management, investing, staying financially safe in today’s digitally-invasive world, tips on financing the “fun” things in life, and using personal finance apps to stay in control of your money.

Besides being treated to a selection of handcrafted beers, attendees will also enjoy sliders served by Manchester’s popular Main Street burger bar, Catsup & Mustard. Admission to “Beer, Burgers & Managing Your Bucks” is $5 at the door.