CHAMPAIGN — More than 50 events are planned in Champaign County next week in connection with Money Smart Week.

Topics cover a range of personal finance issues, including identity theft, saving for college, retirement planning, credit scores, debt management, buying a home, and trusts, wills and estate planning.

There will even be sessions on how to save on energy costs and how to shop wisely at the supermarket.

Money Smart Week is sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, in partnership with businesses and organizations throughout its district.

Nearly 20 of the events are scheduled to take place at the Champaign Public Library. Some of the other sites include the Urbana Free Library, the Rantoul Public Library, Parkland College, the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation office and the University of Illinois.

The events begin this Saturday and run through Friday, April 8.

Here's a sampling of events:

Financial Wellness Fair, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Champaign Public Library, Rooms A and B, 200 W. Green St.

Money Smart Kids Read event, featuring a reading of "The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense," 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Champaign Public Library. Kids 3 and up and receive a copy of the book and a goodie bag.

"Five Secrets of Saving for Your Children's College Education," 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St.

"Clear The Clutter, Simplify Your Finances," 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Champaign Public Library, Room C.

"Budgeting for Young Families," 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, Champaign Public Library, Room C.

"Save on Energy Costs," noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Champaign Public Library, Friends Room; and 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Garden Hills School, 2001 Garden Hills Drive, C.

"How To Buy A Used Car," 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, 302 N. First St., C.

"Banking Basics for the Latino Community," 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Champaign Public Library, Room 215.

"Five Favorite Strategies Toward Financial Wellness," 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Garden Hills Elementary School.

"Healthy Eating On A Budget Personal Shopping Experience," 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, County Market, 1914 Glenn Park Drive, C.

"Biz Kid$," 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Rantoul Public Library, 106 W. Flessner Ave.

On the UI campus, students can get help checking their credit report at the Activities and Recreation Center during various hours Monday through Thursday. They can also get free legal advice on financial issues from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday in Room 324 of the Illini Union.

Other events on campus include: a workshop on salary negotiation for students from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in Conference Room 143 of the Student Services Arcade Building, 715 S. Wright St., C; and an "I Save" conference for students from 5:15 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Activities and Recreation Center.

A full list of Money Smart Week activities in Champaign County can be found at http://www.moneysmartweek.org/Illinois/ and clicking on "2011 Events Calendar." Then, use the "find an event by region" function by selecting "Champaign County" and clicking "find."

A list of Money Smart Week activities in Vermilion County appeared in the March 25 News-Gazette.