Promoting Savings at Tax Time through a Video-Based Solution-Focused Brief Coaching Intervention

• Main Authors: Lance Palmer, Teri Pichot, Irina Kunovskaya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Prairie Press 2016-09-01
• Series: Journal of Financial Therapy
• Subjects: coaching; solution-focused brief coaching; VITA; savings intervention; savings motivation
• Online Access: http://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1103&context=jft

Solution-focused brief coaching, based on solution-focused brief therapy, is a well-established practice model and is used widely to help individuals progress toward desired outcomes in a variety of settings. This papers presents the findings of a pilot study that examined the impact of a video-based solution-focused brief coaching intervention delivered in conjunction with income tax preparation services at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance location (n = 212). Individuals receiving tax preparation assistance were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) control group; 2) video-based solution-focused brief coaching; 3) discount card incentive; 4) both the video-based solution-focused brief coaching and the discount card incentive. Results of the study indicate that the video-based solution-focused brief coaching intervention increased both the frequency and amount of self-reported savings at tax time. Results also indicate that financial therapy based interventions may be scalable through the use of technology.