Free financial literacy workshop in Portage aims to educate 30 Million by 2030 – PortageOnline.com

World System Builders has launched its “30 by 30” Financial Literacy Workshop in Portage la Prairie this week, part of a North American campaign to empower 30 million individuals with money management skills by 2030. Led by local advocates John Schellenberg, Charity Schellenberg, and Calgary-based trainer Chinekwu Ibeabuchi, the free event focuses on strategies for debt reduction, retirement planning, and wealth-building.

John Schellenberg, Marketing Director with World Financial Group and a campaigner for World System Builders, emphasizes the urgency of financial literacy. “The objective is to provide financial education to 30 million people by the year 2030,” he says. “It’s a lofty goal, and it’s a reachable goal.” The workshop teaches foundational principles like “paying yourself first” — prioritizing savings over discretionary spending. Schellenberg challenges attendees to rethink habits: “Why don’t I pay myself first before I pay for a Netflix subscription? That small amount could help create a future for my family.”

Charity Schellenberg, a Financial Advisor and John’s wife, shares their personal motivation. After chronic illnesses derailed their retirement plans, the couple turned to financial education to rebuild stability. “We saw an opportunity to learn more for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren,” she says. Now settled in Portage la Prairie after years abroad, they aim to make the community a “hub of financial education.”

Chinekwu Ibeabuchi, Mission and Marketing Director with World Financial Group, brings a relatable immigrant perspective. Arriving from Nigeria in 2010, he faced barriers to entrepreneurship due to debt. After attending financial workshops, he and his wife eliminated debt, secured funding, and built a facility for people with disabilities. “The barrier wasn’t lack of resources — it was lack of knowledge,” he says.

Ibeabuchi uses simple math to illustrate long-term discipline: “If I put aside $10 a day at an 810 daily on coffee or fast food, I’ll retire poor and blame the system.” His message underscores the workshop’s core theme: financial freedom starts with education.

The Schellenbergs, who moved to Portage four years ago, view the town as a potential model for grassroots financial literacy. “We’re training trainers in this campaign,” says Charity. “The more people we educate, the more families we can protect from unexpected crises.”

With Ibeabuchi’s support, the team aims to expand workshops across Manitoba. “People think the system is rigged,” he says. “Through education, they realize it’s not. You just need the right tools.”

They say they plan to continue these workshops, offering strategies for budgeting, debt management, and tax-efficient investing.