Area residents struggling with debt and plagued by horrendous financial decisions have a new place to look for help.
Every Monday and Tuesday at 6 p.m. a new show called ‘Get My Drift? airs on public access channels 10 and 20 for Independence Township residents.
The show, filmed at Comcast Cable TV at 5255 Maybee Road since November, is designed to help consumers understand the financial tools they need to succeed and is hosted by Beth McCoy, a Springfield Township resident and mortgage consultant.
‘I just want people to live a great life and poor finances get in the way of that,? said McCoy.
McCoy said the show is designed to help those in her community avoid the fiscal troubles she witnesses as a professional in the mortgage world since 1983.
‘We were looking for a way to provide client information on a larger scale,? said McCoy. ‘We want people to have a healthy financial picture. (The show) takes the fear away because some people are intimidated by the title financial planner.?
The show aims to promote money awareness and create an avenue of financial education McCoy thinks is needed for people of all ages.
‘I see lots of adults who aren’t financially prepared for retirement. I look at people in their thirties and forties with bad financial habits who are overwhelmed,? said McCoy. ‘They lack direction.?
Guests of the half-hour show are local professionals whose business demonstrates good character and moral values, said McCoy.
‘We do a lot of research about the business person before they are on the show to make sure they are in good standing in the community,? said McCoy.
The show is produced by volunteers, many of whom are Clarkston Schools students, who usually tape three shows a month. According to McCoy, a show is usually ready about two weeks following taping.
For each show, a free workbook and DVD related to the topic and guest are produced to distribute to viewers. McCoy estimates about eight to ten people come to watch each taping and welcomes more to come in the future.
McCoy said a show on homestaging, filmed on Feb. 13 is one of her favorites. She decided to discuss the topic after realizing how many of her friends struggled to sell their homes.
‘Homestaging helps people view their homes with an objective eye so as to attract buyers. You have to take yourself out the house. Others will not appreciate those things of personal importance to you,? said McCoy.
Show ideas often come from McCoy’s conversations with past clients and trends she sees in the field. Future shows will include topics such as how to choose a builder, home improvements that add value, and landscaping.
In the future, McCoy hopes to gain more volunteers to help produce the shwo while developing an afterschool program to promote financial education for youth.
‘Get My Drift? is also seen in several other nearby communities including Rochester, Rochester Hills, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Lake Orion and Oxford.
To learn more about ‘Get My Drift? call 248-673-9581 or 248-334-9400 (asking for McCoy). Info is also available at clarkstonpublicaccess.com. Show ideas can be sent to bethm@goldenmc.com.