Workshop Topics & Descriptions

Understanding personal finance and making smart decisions has become more important than ever.  Through fundamental lessons on budgeting, credit and money management, our Financial Smarts program helps individuals and families build strong financial foundations.

Financial Smarts Offerings:

We also have programming aimed at specific groups through:

Show Me My Money - A Lesson on Saving and Spending

Participants are empowered to take charge of their financial wellbeing and to follow the proper steps towards saving for a better future.  This workshop helps participants become aware of the "why behind the buy," and how to identify spending habits, set financial goals and develop spending plans that make sense.

Length of Workshop:  1.5 hours

Good Credit for Life

Participants learn the importance of viewing credit as an essential asset-building tool.  Students are given an overview of the most commonly-used language in the credit industry, types of credit available and the associated costs.  They learn about the steps to establishing credit, how to determine how much debt to take on and how to develop a recovery plan when overwhelmed.

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

Scams and Schemes: Dodging Financial Predators

Participants attending this workshop learn about the most common strategies that predatory lenders use to lure unsuspecting consumers, and how to protect themselves from unfair practices.

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

It's Business, Not Personal

This workshop will help participants understand the fundamentals of starting a business.  Participants learn about all of the necessary components of small business ownership from understanding the various types of business structures to constructing a comprehensive business plan.  Participants will also receive information about resources available to small businesses.

Length of workshop: 1.5 hours

Understanding Your Credit Report

Participants learn about the importance of using credit responsibly, and the factors that lenders use to determine their creditworthiness.  Information on how to obtain, read and correct information on a report and steps to take to improve their credit scores, are offered.

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

Saving & Investing 101

Participants learn that financial security is built on a solid habit of saving and investing.  Although the benefits of savings are widely known and accepted, some individuals tend to view investing with skepticism.  This workshop, designed to help dispel popular myths, uses simple language and illustrations to explain the common terms used in the investment industry.

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

Keys to Homeownership

Participants are provided with an introduction to the key steps in purchasing a home for the first time.  Students learn how to prepare financially for the homeownership process - understanding how to plan not only for the mortgage process, but also the ongoing costs associated with homeownership, ensuring that participants will be able to remain in their homes.

Length of Workshop: 2 hours

Scams and Schemes: Guarding Against ID Theft

This workshop provides participants with an overview of ID theft: what it is, the impact, prevention measures and recovery steps.  Students leave the class with information on how to prevent ID theft opportunities, and how to obtain and use their credit report, steps they can take to prevent or recover from being victimized.

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

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Recovering From Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can be a devastating event, but there is a way back to financial viability. This workshop is designed to provide participants with the skills needed to rebuild their financial lives. They learn the importance of setting financial goals and tracking their spending. Attendees also learn how to develop a budget and to research savings products that best suit their needs.

Length of Workshop: 3 hours

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the importance of setting SMART goals
  • Learn how to research savings products to choose the best ones
  • Learn how to rebuild a solid credit history
  • Distinguish between good debt and bad debt 

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Philadelphia Saves

Start Small, Think Big!

  • This is our introductory course whose goal is to help you understand the basics of saving and money management, while also creating and maintaining an understanding of motivation and self-discipline.

Periodically, Philadelphia Saves partners with the Philadelphia Chapter of the Financial Planners Association to offer other workshops.

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FinanciallyHers

Unlocking the Mystery - The Why Behind the Buy

  • The purpose of this course is to set a firm foundation for women to understand the importance of their relationship with money and how it impacts them in their financial decisions.

How to Run Your Household Like a Business

  • The purpose of this course is to help women become comfortable with the idea of budgeting and taking control of their spending.  This course emphasizes the fundamentals of the basic budget and the tools required to assist her accomplish her goals.

Give Yourself (Good) Credit

  • The purpose of this course is for women to understand the importance of credit and the impact it has on many aspects of their lives, from home ownership to insurance rates.  This course also includes the basics to understanding a credit report.

Investigate Investing: Learn How to Save

  • The purpose of this course is to help women understand the critical need to save money for both now and later. This course is designed for women who are familiar with budgeting and want to learn about savings. We also introduce you to the concept of investing and teach you the basics behind how it works.

Your Worth is Worth Protecting: Learn the Basics of Insurance

  • The purpose of this course is for women to evaluate the areas in their lives that are of value and make efforts to keep them safe. We help identify major areas in their lives that require proper coverage and management, which includes insurance.

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Youth Financial Education

Goal Setting and Decision Making

This class is designed to give students a jumping off point for thinking about their own spending and savings priorities.  Through a series of interactive activities, students are asked to connect their spending patterns to their personal values and goals.  Students are also charged with creating and setting a series of SMART financial goals for themselves which is then used to illustrate the basics of a financial plan.

Length of Workshop: 1 hour

Learning Objectives:

  • Needs and Wants
  • How to Distinguish Between Short-, Intermediate-, or Long-term goals
  • Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals
  • How Values Impact Decision Making
  • The Basics of a Financial Plan

Show Me My Money

The purpose of this class is to familiarize participants with tools to help them understand where their money is coming from and where it is going.  Students will be introduced to budgeting tools, strategies for developing a spending plan and to track their spending.  The class will also cover savings vehicles, setting attainable savings goals and strategies for saving.

Length of Workshop: 1 hour

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss the importance of tracking expenses; highlight systems for tracking.
  • Compare short and long term savings options and goals
  • Review different types of savings vehicles and products offered by financial institutions
  • Explore the impact of compound interest and inflation
  • Introduce students to money management tools and resources

All About Credit Cards

Given the prevalence of credit card today, students need to be keenly aware of what lurks begin offers of “easy money”.  Already, about a third of teens owe money to a person or company, and half of those are concerned about being able to pay it back.  Among older teens, ages 16-18, about 25 percent already have more than $1,000 of individual debt.  This is an introductory workshop intended for high school students who desire a basic understanding of credit cards.  Participants will gain a more complete understanding of credit, credit cards and to develop the skills needed to use credit wisely.

Length of Workshop: 1 hour

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss the pressure on teens to spend
  • Learn key credit terminology
  • Review credit card agreements
  • Understand the “True Cost of Paying the Minimum”
  • Understand the components of a credit report
  • Understand the “Power of the Consumer

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Senior Financial Education

Budgeting on a Fixed Income

The purpose of this class is to familiarize seniors with tools to help them live on their income and achieve their financial goals.  Seniors will be introduced to budgeting tools, strategies for developing a spending plan and how to track their spending.  The class will also cover how to manage unexpected expenses, and strategies for short term saving.

Length of Workshop:  1 hour

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn to track expenses and spending and eliminate the “guesswork” in budgeting
  • Learn how to create a realistic spending plan
  • Learn to using a budget to plan for periodic expenses
  • Understand the continuing need for savings and goal setting
  • Learn how to plan for expenditures, e.g. holiday spending, trips, etc.
  • Discuss tips for small, short term savings
  • Identify the follow up services offered by Clarifi

Wise Use of Credit Cards for Seniors

The purpose of this workshop is to provide seniors with an introduction to the use and misuse of credit and credit cards.  Seniors will have a better understanding of:  the terms and conditions associated with credit and credit cards; the costs associated with credit cards; choosing the right card for their needs; protecting their credit; and appropriate credit usage.

Length of Workshop: 1 hour 

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the purpose of credit and credit cards
  • Identify the factors to consider when choosing a credit card or other loan product
  • Understand the potential “costs” of using credit and when they apply
  • Identify steps to take when a credit card is lost or stolen or fraud is involved
  • Identify the law and one’s rights with regard to credit reports and credit scores
  • Identifying strategies for protecting, improving and reestablishing credit.
  • Understand the appropriate uses for credit and credit cards
  • Identify the services Clarifi offers and explain the difference between our services and Credit Repair Services

Understanding Your Credit Report: Senior’s First Step in Credit Protection

The purpose of this workshop is to provide seniors with an introduction to reading, understanding and using one’s credit report. Seniors will leave the class with information on how to obtain, read and correct information on the credit report and how they can use the report to combat ID theft.

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the language and terms associated with credit and credit reports
  • Understand the components of the credit score
  • Understand the uses of the credit score by potential lenders and others
  • Become acquainted with the law and one’s rights with regard to credit reports and credit scores
  • Learn strategies for improving and reestablishing credit
  • Learn how to combat ID Theft using your credit report

ID Theft, Scams & Financial Predators: Recognize, Prevent and Recover for Seniors

The purpose of this workshop is to provide seniors with an overview of ID theft, scams and financial predators: what they are; what their impact is; prevention measures; and recovery steps. Seniors will leave the class with information on how to:  recognize predators and scams; prevent ID theft opportunities; obtain and use their credit report; and steps they can take to prevent and/or recover from being victimized. 

Length of Workshop: 1.5 hours

 Learning Objectives:

  • Learn what ID theft is and the different types of ID theft, scams, and financial predators
  • Gain understanding of the impact of ID theft on interest rates and insurance
  • Review consumer protection laws
  • Recognize the common types of financial scams and predators
  • Learn steps to take to protect yourself from financial predators
  • Learn how to report these crime
  • Discover recovery procedures and resources
  • Find out how to combat ID Theft using your credit report

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

The purpose of this class is to familiarize seniors with the features, benefits and possible negatives of the Reverse Mortgage product.  Seniors will learn what the product offers and requires and the costs associated with buying this type of mortgage.  The class will also learn alternative solutions and how they might be used.

Length of Workshop: 1 hour

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the history and evolution of reverse mortgages
  • Learn the eligibility requirements for a reverse mortgage
  • Compare the features of a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and  a proprietary reverse mortgage product
  • Understand the pros and cons of reverse mortgages
  • Determine how to decide if a reverse mortgage is the right thing in your circumstances
  • Explore alternative options

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