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
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.
April Lunch & Learn Topics below.
Registration is not required and all classes are free!
Week 1
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Wed, Apr 1 - Your First Child and Finances: A new child means changes, especially to your finances. Whether you are having a baby, adopting or becoming a stepparent due to marriage, this course is designed to help you organize your finances efficiently and prepare you for the changes that come with your growing family.
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Thu, Apr 2 - ABLE Accounts: This seminar will assist people with disabilities and their families prepare for the future through the use of ABLE accounts. Join us to learn about eligibility, criteria, enrollment process, features of the Maryland ABLE account and the account management process.
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Fri, Apr 3 - Disabling Sickness and Conditions: It can be incredibly overwhelming if you or a family member are impacted by a chronic sickness or condition. This seminar will focus on the financial implications and help you create a plan to manage your finances effectively.
Week 2
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Wed, Apr 8 - Paying for College: Learn tips and tools to help you find ways to offset the cost of college! This seminar will discuss different types of educational benefits for the military and financial aid for you and your children, including scholarship opportunities and college savings plans.
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Thu, Apr 9 - Paying Off Student Loans: Learn tips and tools to help you find ways to offset the cost of college! This seminar will discuss different types of educational benefits for the military and financial aid for you and your children, including scholarship opportunities and college savings plans.
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Fri, Apr 10 - Identity Theft: This seminar discusses how thieves steal your identity and what you can do to deter, detect and defend against identity theft.
Week 3
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Wed, Apr 15 - Entitlement to Continuation Pay under BRS: Service members under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), are eligible for a one-time, mid-career bonus payment called Continuation Pay. During this seminar, you will have the opportunity to understand what Continuation Pay is, how to apply for it, and how best to use it.
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Thu, Apr 16 - Credit Management: 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.
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Fri, Apr 17 - Consumer Awareness: This seminar introduces consumer rights as stipulated by Federal and State laws. It discusses specific rights for Service Members. It also reviews steps to take appropriate action if you fall victim to predatory financial practices.
Week 4
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Wed, Apr 22 - Military Pay Issues: In this seminar we will discuss military pay issues and how to resolve them.
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Thu, Apr 23 - Meals in Minutes: Learn how to prepare healthy meals on a budget. We will address nutritional facts, how to navigate on-post food options and provide guidance on healthy and sustainable meal planning.
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Fri, Apr 24 - Punch Out Unwanted Money Habits: In this seminar, we will discuss how financial psychology relates to achieving financial and lifestyle goals. We will explore how personalities, goals, dreams, and emotions can affect attitudes toward money.
Week 5
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Wed, Apr 29 - Banking and Financial Strategies: This seminar explains how to choose financial services and institutions to meet your needs. Basic information on banking and checking accounts and other financial services will be provided.
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Thu, Apr 30 - Wealth Building and Planning for Retirement: Learn how to build wealth through investing.
Topics will include:Topics include:
- How Consistent Contributions to TSP Can Grow Through Compounding
- The Value of Diversification and Investing for the Long Term
- What to Consider When Using Investing Apps
- Risks of Digital Assets, Like Cryptocurrencies
- Learn How Some People Became Millionaires Through the TSP
- Protecting Your Money From Investment Scams
May Lunch & Learn Topics below.
Registration is not required and all classes are free!
Week 1
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Fri, May 1 - 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.
Week 2
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Wed, May 6 - Thrift Savings Plan: This seminar provides an overview of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). We will discuss Enrollment, Participation, Contributions, Roth TSP, Investment Funds and Withdrawal Options. We will also highlight important considerations for retirement planning and will provide other valuable resources.
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Thu, May 7 - Home Sweet Home: A house is one of the most complicated and expensive purchases you will ever make. This presentation provides an overview of the home buying and mortgage process.
Topics include:
- Determining Whether the Time is Right to Purchase A Home
- Determining What You Can Afford
- Choosing A Lender and Loan
- Selecting A Real Estate Agent
- Negotiating
- Closing the Deal -
Fri, May 8 - Planning your Finances For the Next Big event: Seminar will provide strategies to help you financially plan for a major event or for the next big holiday.
Week 3
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Wed, May 13 - Building Strong Credit: This seminar discusses the information found on a credit report - what it is used for, and how it can affect you financially. Learn about the three major credit reporting agencies and what they do with your information. Recognize which factors usually increase your credit risk in the eyes of these reporting agencies.
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Thu, May 14 - How to Reduce Your Spending: Join us to explore a variety of options to reduce the amount of money you spend to cover your priority expenses and how to reach your spending goals. You will learn how to determine your current spending habits, identify your ideal spend plan, and walk away with a variety of suggestions to consider as you look to reduce spending in lower priority categories.
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Fri, May 15 - Strategies of Paying Off Debt: This seminar is designed to teach strategies for paying off debt and work towards achieving your financial freedom.
Week 4
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Wed, May 20 - VA Home Loan Process: Join us for an informative session designed to demystify VA Home Loans and help eligible service members, veterans, and their families make confident, informed homebuying decisions.
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Thu, May 21 - Emergency Financial Preparedness: This workshop will be an open discussion.
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Fri, May 22 - Permanent Change of Station: A PCS assignment presents exciting opportunities but can also come with some financial challenges. This seminar increases awareness to the financial support that is available to service members and their families who have received a new assignment.`
Week 5
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Wed, May 27 - Financial Planning for Transition Pt 1: This workshop will provide you with an understanding of how transition will affect your financial situation through discussion of income, debt, expenses, and assets.
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Thu, May 28 - Financial Planning for Transition Pt 2: This workshop will provide you with an understanding of how transition will affect your financial situation through discussion of income, debt, expenses, and assets.
- Fri, May 29 - Developing a 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.
