Financial Readiness Program

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.

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

Week 1

• Wed, Jul 1 - Holiday Planning Brief: 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.

• Thu, Jul 2 - Banking Essentials: 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.

• Fri, Jul 3 - Fourth of July - Federal Holiday, no meeting.

Week 2

• Wed, Jul 8 - FAP Safety Plan:  Join ACS in learning safety planning tips. We will provide techniques to use when safety within the home is no longer safe. Learn how to protect yourself against domestic violence.

• Thu, Jul 9 - Marriage and Finance: Marriage is not only a meaningful commitment to your partner but also a financial commitment, and financial stress can play a big role in a marriage. This seminar will provide tips and tools to help you minimize stress and optimize your finances.

• Fri, Jul 10 - Divorce and Finance: The financial effects of divorce are stressful! The goal of this class is to help reduce uncertainty associated with the financial aspects of divorce. We’ll share information to help you make smart, informed financial decisions so you can emerge from your divorce with greater financial confidence.

Week 3

• Wed, Jul 15 - Planning for Retirement: This seminar offers important retirement information and provides useful insights to people who are planning for retirement, and those already retired who are rethinking their retirement finances.

• Thu, Jul 16 - Survivor Benefit Plan: This seminar will assist you in making informed decisions about SBP’s role in your retirement plan.

• Fri, Jul 17 - Continuation Pay: 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.

Week 4

• Wed, Jul 22 - Exploring Digital Assets: This seminar will discuss what digital assets are, and what you should know before investing.

• Thu, Jul 23 - Achieving Financial Wellness Like A Millionaire: This seminar will teach you how to meet your current and future financial obligations and feel secure in your financial future.

• Fri, Jul 24 - 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.

Week 5

• Wed, Jul 29 - Paying Off Debt: This seminar is designed to teach strategies for paying off debt and work towards achieving your financial freedom.

• Thu, Jul 30 - First Child & 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.

• Fri, Jul 31 - Gambling Awareness: This seminar discusses gambling statistics, the prevalence of gambling problems, military directives on gambling and the warning signs of compulsive/pathological gambling.

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

Week 1

• Wed, Aug 5 - Dream Big Plan Now: A secure future doesn't happen by accident; it is built through deliberate planning. Take the first step toward realizing your biggest financial goals.

• Thu, Aug 6 - Strategies for Successful Saving: 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, Aug 7 - The 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 2

• Wed, Aug 12 - Thrift Saving 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.

• Thu, Aug 13 - Healthy Relationship and Finance: Money can be a large stressor in relationships, this seminar will focus on strategies that will help couples and families manage their finances while maintaining a strong healthy bond. We will address various aspects of relationships concerning money and finances such as:

- Exploring the Impact of Finances On Couples and Families
- Communicating With Your Partner About Finances
- Resolving Conflicts
- Setting and Achieving Goals Together
- Building Long-term Wealth

• Fri, Aug 14 - 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.

Week 3

• Wed, Aug 19 - 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, Aug 20 - 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.

• Fri, Aug 21 - Paying Off Student Loans: Don't let student loans hold your financial future hostage. Join us for this strategic seminar to build a tactical plan to eliminate your student debt once and for all​​​​​​​.

Week 4

• Wed, Aug 26 - 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, Aug 27 - Exploring Digital Assets: This seminar will discuss what digital assets are, and what you should know before investing.

• Fri, Aug 28 - 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 investmens.

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