Saving Your Bag

-Project Overview-

Saving Your Bag was a data collection and analysis project conducted to examine financial literacy, awareness, and saving behaviors among Black American adults in early adulthood. The study focused on understanding economic trends, saving habits, and financial goal-setting within the African American community, particularly in the Southeastern United States.

The project was designed in response to research indicating economic insecurity disproportionately affecting Black Americans. The goal was to gather primary data to better understand financial education gaps and identify potential areas for intervention.

-Goals & Objectives-

The primary objective of this study was to analyze trends in financial awareness among Black American adults ages 21–39.

Specific goals included:

Identify current saving habits and behaviors

Analyze short-term and long-term financial goal trends

Assess levels of financial confidence and literacy

Explore potential gaps in financial education access

Provide insight into areas where financial education initiatives may be needed

Target Population

Black/African American adults

Men and women

Ages 21–39

Located in the Southeastern region of the United States

The target population was intentionally selected to focus on early adulthood, a critical life stage for establishing long-term financial habits.

-Resources & Tools Used-

Qualtrics (Survey Design & Data Collection Platform)

Social media financial wellness groups for distribution

Personal social platforms for recruitment

Data analysis and interpretation methods from coursework

Video presentation platform (Canvas/Instructure Media)

-Process & Implementation-
1. Problem Framing

The research was grounded in literature highlighting economic insecurity within Black communities. I defined the performance gap as a need for increased financial education and awareness during early adulthood.

2. Instrument Design

Using Qualtrics, I designed a structured survey that measured:

Saving frequency

Financial goal planning

Budgeting behaviors

Financial confidence levels

Exposure to financial education

The instrument included clear consent language and was designed to be completed by participants over the age of 21 to ensure ethical compliance.

3. Distribution Strategy

The survey was distributed through:

Financial wellness social media groups

Personal social media networks

The distribution plan prioritized voluntary participation and informed consent.

4. Data Collection & Analysis

Responses were collected and analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and potential educational gaps. Findings were synthesized into a recorded presentation explaining methodology, results, and implications.

Outcomes & Insights

This project provided:

Insight into saving behaviors within the targeted demographic

Identification of potential disparities in financial literacy exposure

Data-driven evidence supporting the need for expanded financial education initiatives

Experience translating raw data into actionable interpretation

The project strengthened my ability to move from conceptual research questions to structured data collection and analysis.

-Why I Am Highlighting This Work-

I am highlighting Saving Your Bag because it demonstrates:

Research design and ethical survey planning

Data literacy and analysis skills

Cultural awareness and community-centered inquiry

Ability to translate social issues into measurable research questions

Clear communication of findings through multimedia presentation

This project reflects my ability to apply analytical thinking to real-world issues and design research that informs strategic decision-making. It showcases competencies in data collection, interpretation, and presentation — skills that are highly transferable to instructional design, program evaluation, and learning analytics roles.