AFSAEF partnered with the New Mexico Financial Services Association on the workshops, held in Gallup, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Each session covered such personal finance basics as budgeting, managing credit use and debt problems, reading and understanding credit reports, shopping for a mortgage and alternative sources of financing. Speakers included Susie Irvine, President and CEO, AFSAEF and Bill Sharer, President, Credit Bureau of Farmington, Inc.

"It is critical that New Mexicans take advantage of any opportunity to educate themselves on matters of family finances, managing credit reports, borrowing and debt. I encourage all consumers to be informed of their rights and learn how to manage their credit wisely," said Representative James Taylor of Albuquerque's South Valley, the Majority Whip of the N.M. House of Representatives and Chairman of the legislature's Alternative Lending Practices Subcommittee.

A few years ago, AFSAEF began conducting personal finance workshops throughout the country because it saw a need for hands-on education in a setting where people aren't afraid to ask questions, said Irvine, a former credit counselor. The most common workshop questions are ones related to credit reporting (correcting mistakes and understanding what can—or can't—be done about a negative credit history) and budgeting (finding money to put towards savings).

AFSAEF's previous New Mexico workshops were in September and October 2000 for Gallup and Shiprock residents respectively, followed by another session for the Shiprock community in January 2001.

"Interactive workshops attended by smaller numbers of people with a true desire to improve their financial situation have a role along with AFSAEF's nationwide education programs," said Irvine.