For many college students, getting money is an obstacle. And saving money seems to be nearly impossible.

The Money 2000 and Beyond program is being offered by Iowa State University Extension as a way to help people set their own goals about saving money.

According to one of their pamphlets, in 1995 only about 55 percent of families saved something the previous year which means the other 45 percent saved nothing.

The point of the program is to teach people to save a certain amount of money or pay off a certain amount of debt, or a combination of both, by 2000 or beyond, said Elizabeth Kiss, state specialist for Extension.

Janeanne Stout, associate dean and program director of the College of Family and Consumer Science, said the program will help families establish their own goals.

She said the amount the family saves might be more or might be less.

Money 2000 and Beyond is about trying to help people reach financial security, Stout said.

It takes a market approach with a wide variety of programs to help them reach their goals.

“The program might be video tapes, computer aid programs, non-credit classes, workshop seminars … [it’s a] marketing promotion program with strong and comprehensive educational support,” Stout said.

She added that people can personalize their own program by what they choose to attend.

A pamphlet distributed by ISU Extension about Money 2000 and Beyond states the programs are to help reduce debts and the stress that goes along with them, establish clear and attainable financial goals and to help organize and manage financial records.

Another pamphlet stated, “One of the program goals of ISU Extension is to help families and individuals manage resources for improved family economic stability through the development of financial management skills and enhanced savings.

Thus, Money 2000 fits very closely with our organizational mission and is an extension of programs we’ve already been providing.”

Subscribers will receive the quarterly newsletter, information about other support programs and help for improving their finances, Kiss said.

This is a statewide program, and other states offer similar programs, Stout said.

The first Money 2000 and Beyond newsletter has tips about staying motivated, how to be a smart credit shopper and how to reach your financial goals.

In addition, there is also information on how to start an emergency fund and statistics on how the average family spends their income.