Financial Wellness Week
The Notre Dame Law School Student Services Office and AccessLex Institute® proudly present:
5th Annual Financial Wellness Week
February 3-6, 2025
Your financial health and wellness are often overlooked during law school, and this is also a time when loans are a necessity for many students. Invest some time during Financial Wellness Week 2025 to learn valuable information and strategies you can use to improve your financial well-being now and beyond graduation.
Earn Big Prizes
Students will have the opportunity to win MONEY by participating in this week-long event. The Kickoff event on Monday, February 3 will include a Prize Wheel. Those with an active MAX account will get to spin the wheel for a chance of winning SBA merch, AccessLex swag or $$ to Crossings. Also, a Financial Wellness Week PASSPORT will be handed out. Get a punch at each event you attend throughout the week for your chance at the MONEY MACHINE during our finale event in the Commons on Thursday at 12:30!
- Attendance at (2) programs (this can include 1:1 coaching) AND completing your FREE MAX by AccessLex lessons will automatically qualify you for $25 Domer Dollars
- This will also get you your first 2 entries into the drawing for the money machine
- Each additional punch will get you additional entries into the drawing for the MONEY MACHINE
- Rules for the money machine incentive: Participants must be present at the Finale in the Commons at 12:30 on Thursday, February 6, to be eligible for the money machine. Money machine winners will have their student account credited with the amount of cash they can pull from the machine. Eligible participants who are not chosen for the money machine will receive $25 in Domer Dollars. Money machine participants receive only the amount pulled from the machine instead of the $25 Domer Dollars.
- This will also get you your first 2 entries into the drawing for the money machine
Monday, February 3
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Financial Wellness Week Kickoff Event
- 12:30-2:00pm
- Eck Commons
Come grab some pizza, meet MAX, and win prizes! Theresa Popp Braun and student AccessLex representatives will be on hand to demonstrate the financial wellness tools provided completely free to NDLS students through the MAX by AccessLex program. Plus, spin the Financial Wellness Wheel to win a fun giveaway! Will it be AccessLex merch, NDLS Merch or a $20 certificate to the Crossings? Stop by the Commons between 12:30-2:00 PM to try your luck!
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Have you Ever? (RE)Train Your Brain for Smart Money Decisions?
- 5:00-6:00pm
- Eck 1140
- Snacks and drinks will be provided
Have you ever spent money when you were stressed out? Made a purchase because your friends did? Spent money to “look the part?” Gone to the store starving and bought a cart-full of junk food? Wondered where that last $20 went? Taken on debt that wasn’t necessary? Wished you could control your spending? Made an impulse purchase you later regretted?
The money decisions we make are informed by many inputs - including background, experience, and environment. This interactive session will unpack these inputs along with some psychological biases that impact almost every money decision we make. We can retrain our brains when it comes to money decisions. Come and learn how!
Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings for $5,000, $25,000, and $40,000 scholarships to be awarded in April. Attending this program also counts as one of the two program attendances needed to have a chance in the money machine!
Tuesday, February 4
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The Other Bar Prep: Budgeting, Credit and Debt Management for the Bar
- 12:30-2:00pm
- Eck 1140
- Lunch Buffet: Mandarin House
The costs associated with taking the bar exam can add up. And did you know that bar examiners may also review how you’ve handled financial obligations when evaluating your Character and Fitness to practice law in your state? During this event you will walk through a credit and debt checklist that includes when and how to review credit scores and reports, options for funding the various components of studying for and taking the bar, and how to check Character and Fitness requirements for your jurisdiction. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings for $5,000, $25,000, and $40,000 scholarships to be awarded in April. Attending this program also counts as one of the two program attendances needed to have a chance in the money machine!
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Real Estate Ownership and Investing (Co-Sponsored by BLF)
- 5:00-6:00pm
- Eck 1140
- Snacks and drinks will be provided
Owning and investing in real estate can play a significant role in increasing your net worth over a lifetime. During this event you will discuss the benefits of real estate ownership, trends, how to prepare yourself financially for the homebuying process, and considerations for those looking to use real estate as an investment in the future. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings for $5,000, $25,000, and $40,000 scholarships to be awarded in April. Attending this program also counts as one of the two program attendances needed to have a chance in the money machine!
Wednesday, February 5
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Five Habits of Financially Successful Lawyers
- 12:30-2:00pm
- Eck 1140
- Lunch Buffet: Puerto Vallarta
Making lifestyle choices with debt-to-income ratios in mind, keeping credit usage under control, building a cash cushion, and automatically investing a percentage of each paycheck are key habits legal professionals can develop to manage money and build wealth over time. During this event you will explore these habits and provide a financial dashboard you can use to track your progress. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings for $5,000, $25,000, and $40,000 scholarships to be awarded in April. Attending this program also counts as one of the two program attendances needed to have a chance in the money machine!
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Investing Essentials
- 5:00-6:00pm
- Eck 1140
- Snacks and drinks will be provided
Investing has never been so accessible, but before you get caught up in the latest crypto-craze or meme stock, attend this session to cover the essentials of investing for the long-term. During this event you will walk through creating a simple investing plan, mutual and index funds, and basic investing tax strategy. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings for $5,000, $25,000, and $40,000 scholarships to be awarded in April. Attending this program also counts as one of the two program attendances needed to have a chance in the money machine!
Thursday, February 6
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Financial Wellness Week Finale/Money Machine
- 12:30-2:00pm
- Eck Commons
- Snacks and drinks will be provided
Turn in your PASSPORT for a chance in the MONEY MACHINE. Names will be drawn at random from those that completed 2 programs AND completed their MAX lessons. Additional participation will provide additional entries. If you do not make it into the money machine, you will still win $25 Domer Dollars. Attend our Financial Wellness Week finale with financial support vendors from Access Lex Champions, Helix Bar Prep, LRAP and more. We'll have music and lunch, and cheer on the week's top participants as they work against time to grab all the bills they can!
Financial Coaching info for students:
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1:1 Financial Coaching
- February 4-6, 2025
- 2190 Eck (Legal Writing hallway)
Dr. Theresa Popp Braun is available for in-person one-on-one 30-minute financial coaching appointments to talk through any personal finance questions you have and student loan repayment options. Theresa is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) and Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®).
You can schedule your appointment at https://calendly.com/
Appointments are first-come, first-served and space is limited, so sign-up soon to reserve your spot!