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.

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

Week 1

• Thu, Oct 1 - Thrift Saving Plan: 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 valuable resources.

• Fri, Oct 2 - Retirement Planning: This workshop focuses on sources of income, retirement planning steps, military pension systems and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Week 2

• Wed, Oct 7 - Developing Your Spend Plan: Learn to make and follow a spend plan through using a financial planning worksheet and include tips to manage spending, create a budget and set SMART financial goals.

• Thu, Oct 8 - Understanding Your Credit Report and Score: 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.

• Fri, Oct 9 - Understanding Credit Cards: In this seminar we will discuss how using credit cards wisely can benefit participants as well as the risks associated with having a credit card. We will provide tips on reducing credit card debt and understanding credit reports.

Week 3

• Wed, Oct 14 - Social Security: This seminar provides answers to your Social Security questions such as:

- When am I eligible to receive retirement benefits?
- How does early retirement affect my benefits?
- Do I qualify for disability, survivors, or spousal benefits?
- How do you get the most from your benefit?
- What is the future of Social Security?
- When should I file for Medicare?

• Thu, Oct 15 - Disability Brief: This workshop will be an open discussion.

• Fri, Oct 16 - Disaster Preparation: This workshop will be an open discussion.

Week 4

• Wed, Oct 21 - 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.

• Thu, Oct 22 - ABLE Accounts: 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.

• Fri, Oct 23 - Identity Theft: This seminar discusses how thieves steal your identity and what you can do to deter, detect and defend against identity theft.
   

Week 5

• Wed, Oct 28 - Take Control Your Finances: This workshop provides information on credit establishment, management and debt relief. Introduces debt-to-income ratio concepts, the importance of monitoring credit reports and briefly addresses SCRA and bankruptcy.

• Thu, Oct 29 - Raising Financially Fit Kids: Tips and resources to help teach your kids the concepts of "Save, Spend, Share & Invest", as they grow.

• Fri, Oct 30 - 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.

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

Week 1

• Wed, Nov 4 - Exploring Digital Assets: This seminar will discuss what Cryptocurrency is and what you should know before investing.

• Thu, Nov 5 - 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.

• Fri, Nov 6 - Tricare Open Season: Join us for an overview of Tricare and other related benefits with our Health Benefits Advisor from Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic. Topics will include: Eligibility Enrollment & Beneficiary Categories, Program Options, Priority Access to Military Facilities, Pharmacy & Dental Program Options, Transitional Coverage, Costs and Contact Information.

Week 2

• Wed, Nov 11 - Holiday - Veterans Day: No meeting.

• Thu, Nov 12 - Strategies for Successful Savings: 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.

• Fri, Nov 13 - 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 the 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.

Week 3

• Wed, Nov 18 - 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.

• Thu, Nov 19 - Financial Planning for Transition - Part 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.

• Fri, Nov 20 - Financial Planning for Transition - Part 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.

Week 4

• Nov 25-27 - Holiday Week. Happy Thanksgiving!

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/meet/993397216763?p=KmhLOiOxMj9cOt0m6n

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/meet/993397216763?p=KmhLOiOxMj9cOt0m6n