Want to take charge of your finances? The Army's Financial Readiness Program (FRP) and Consumer Advocacy Services can help with comprehensive educational and counseling programs. Learn about debt, consumer advocacy and protection, money management, credit, financial planning, insurance, and consumer issues. Through classroom training and individual counseling, participants can learn how to save and invest money, establish savings goals, eliminate debt, and save for emergencies.

 

We offer:

  • Financial Readiness Program (FRP). FRP provides comprehensive educational and counseling programs in personal financial readiness. The program covers indebtedness, consumer advocacy and protection, money management, credit, financial planning, insurance, and consumer issues. Other services offered include mandatory financial literacy, financial planning for transitioning Soldiers, financial counseling for deployed Soldiers and their Families, and the Department of Defense Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance Program.
     
  • Army Emergency Relief (AER). AER is the US Army's own nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating financial distress in the force. AER provides grants and zero-interest loans to active-duty and retired Soldiers and their Families. AER has supported over 4 million Soldiers since 1942. AER offices are conveniently located at installations around the world. Visit ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more.
     
  • Online Support and Education. Go to Financial Frontline for self-service financial literacy education and help.

 

Here are some other financial resources for Soldiers and their Families:


(Government Links)

  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a federal government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan available to both federal civilian employees and members of the uniformed services. The TSP offers the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The retirement income a TSP account provides will depend on working-year contributions and the earnings on those contributions. Learn more at the official Thrift Savings Plan website.

 

(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)

  • Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line. The BBB Military Line provides free resources to our military communities in the areas of financial literacy and consumer protection through the efforts of 112 BBBs across the US. Visit the BBB Military Line to learn more.

 

The Financial Readiness Program helps educate service members about personal financial management. Consumer assistance is offered in cases involving conflict with local businesses. In all cases, counseling is provided on an individual and confidential basis.

ACS Financial Services is now offering VIRTUAL counseling and seminars!

FRP-LunchLearn_header.jpg

VIRTUAL FINANCIAL LUNCH & LEARN
with Leary
Dates: Wednesday - Friday
Time: Noon - 1 p.m.Login and listen to our Financial Readiness Program Counselors, Leary, as he hosts dynamic discussions of current events, financial topics, take your requests and questions, and engage the audience. This is an opportunity to listen in as your schedule allows.

December Lunch & Learn Topics below.
Registration is not required and all classes are free!

Week 1

  • Wed, Dec 3 - How To Reduce Your Spending: Join us to explore a variety of options to reduce the amount of money you spend in an effort to cover your priority expenses and reach your goals. You will learn how to determine your current spending habits, identify your ideal spending plan, and walk away with a variety of suggestions to consider as you look to reduce spending in lower priority categories.

  • Thu, Dec 4 - Planning Your Finances for The Next Big Event: We will provide strategies to help you financially plan for those major events or for the next big holiday.

  • Fri, Dec 5 - Vesting In the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): We will discuss vesting in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Topics will focus on: Saving for Retirement, an Overview of the Blended Retirement System (BRS) and Understanding the Purpose of TSP.

Week 2

  • Wed, Dec 10 - Car Buying: Purchasing a car can be a difficult and frustrating process. This seminar you will teach you how to negotiate with dealers for the best price and explore how you can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your next vehicle purchase! In addition, discussion will help you determine how much car you can afford.

  • Thu, Dec 11 - Preparing To Rent: This seminar is designed to increase the knowledge and comfort level of first-time renters, and to serve as a refresher for current renters.

  • Fri, Dec 12 - Holiday Spending: This seminar is designed to help you plan for the added expenses of the holidays and special events. We will discuss strategies to avoid
    overspending and accumulating excessive debt.

 Remainder of December: Happy Holidays! No workshops.

January Lunch & Learn Topics below.
Registration is not required and all classes are free!

Week 3

  • Wed, Jan 14 - Medicare, Medicaid and the Marketplace: This seminar will help you understand the Medicare basics, the different coverage options, enrollment and more. Helpful resources and tools will be provided. and with this information you will be able to make confident Medicare decisions.

  • Thu, Jan 15 - Tax Updates: This workshop discusses the U.S. Tax System and the goals of personal tax planning. We will discuss the current tax updates.

  • Fri, Jan 16 - Finances and Promotion: In this seminar, we will review your finances to help set you up for a successful and prosperous future. We will cover four main topics: Financial Planning, Saving for Retirement, Career Investment Programs and Financial Resources.

Week 4

  • Wed, Jan 21 - Saving and Investing: This seminar will identify reasons to save and how to set goals for a savings plan. Participants will explore the difference between short-term savings and long-term investments.

  • Thu, Jan 22 - Psychology of Spending: Spending habits can be influenced by a variety of factors, both internal and external. When it comes to budgeting and spending, it's important to not only determine what, but the why and how. Join us to learn more about the psychology of spending and how to use this awareness to ensure your spending habits align with your goals.

  • Fri, Jan 23 - Paying Off Debt: This seminar is designed to teach strategies for paying off debt and work toward achieving your financial freedom.

Week 5

  • Wed, Jan 28 - Financial Planning for the Future: This workshop focuses on sources of income, retirement planning steps, military pension systems and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

  • Thu, Jan 29 - Building Strong Credit: This seminar provides information on credit establishment, credit management, and debt relief. It introduces debt-to-income ratio concepts, the importance of monitoring credit reports and scores, and briefly addresses the SCRA and bankruptcy.

  • Fri, Jan 30 - Building A Realistic Budget: This seminar focuses on how to create a realistic budget, the benefits of budgeting and budgeting tools to help you achieve your financial goals.

Sign-in using the MS Teams link below at least 5 minutes prior to the start time.

Registration is not required. If you're not already a member, you will need to download Microsoft Teams (MT) and join using your browser.

Meeting Link: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/meetup-join/19%3adod%3ameeting_fa05f9ce9fe74eecbda9633ea427aa11%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22fae6d70f-954b-4811-92b6-0530d6f84c43%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f14eefb9-bf53-4af5-81a0-13c3337e7565%22%7d

Personal Budgets - Handling Credit Wisely - Planning for the Future
ACS Financial Professionals will be at the ready to give you professional advice and answers...virtually!