Community Educational Programs provide relevant, realistic and worthwhile educational development relating to proper money and credit management as well as home ownership. Programs consist of a variety of six 1.5 hour workshops which are listed below. Participants receive education and advice relating to budgeting, credit use and misuse, credit reports, current consumer protection laws, “consumer beware” issues and the home purchase process. Workshops may be delivered on site for employee, church, adult education and other groups. Depending upon the mission of the group requesting an educational program, a monetary sponsorship may be requested or fees may be charged. Specific Educational Programs Include:

Personal Money Management

This 1.5 hour session focuses on development or refinement of one’s budget. These processes involve setting short-term, intermediate and long-term financial goals; distinguishing between wants and needs; prioritizing monthly spending based upon take-home income; developing a realistic spending plan by recording monthly expenditures and keeping a written budget and accurate records; establishing a savings plan/emergency reserve; shopping wisely; and evaluating net income allocated to debt repayment. Session includes time for questions and answers.

“Consumer Beware” Issues

This 1.5 hour session focuses on consumer rights and responsibilities in the marketplace and legislation that protects consumers. It likewise focuses on legal and other remedies that may be taken against consumers with delinquent debts. Finally, this session educates consumers on the repercussions and true costs involved in using non-traditional avenues for financing and obtaining goods and services (Example: “Pay-day”/loan/pawn/ finance and rent-to-own companies, etc.) Session includes time for questions and answers.

Understanding Credit/Dealing Effectively with Debt

This 1.5 hour session focuses on the various types of credit, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of credit use and misuse. Options for managing high debt loads or over-extension will also be an area of focus. This workshop also addresses the “true costs”—both evident and not so evident—of using credit. Credit contracts and pertinent terminology may also be discussed. Session includes time for questions and answers.

Obtaining and Understanding Your Credit Report

This 1.5 hour session educates CSRA consumers on how to obtain free copies of their personal credit reports annually. Also discussed is the positive and negative impact one’s credit use or misuse has on one’s credit report and subsequent ability to obtain future credit. A simple tutorial is conducted instructing consumers how to read and understand information contained in the credit report, and how to dispute and/or correct inaccurate or outdated information on the credit report. Session includes time for questions and answers.

Homeownership Education (Part I)

This 1.5 hour session begins with discussion on shopping for an energy-efficient home and energy-efficient appliances, as well as how to make an existing dwelling more energy-efficient inside and out. Also highlighted are the various roles of a realtor, the evaluation of a family’s wants and needs in a home and how to systematically search for these during the “home hunting” process. Participants learn how to make an offer or put a contract on a home. Fair housing laws and issues are likewise discussed. Additional topics include the importance of a home inspection in protecting the consumer and what to look for in a structurally sound home. In order to determine feasibility of a mortgage, participants are instructed on how to review their monthly budgets (developed in the “Personal Money Management” class). In this review, it will be determined “how much home” one can actually afford vs. the loan amount for which one may qualify. Cost comparisons will be discussed with regard to home ownership versus renting. Budgeting for “up-front” costs of home ownership and on-going home maintenance costs is addressed. Session includes time for questions and answers.

Homeownership Education (Part II)

This 1.5 hour session provides for an overview of the mortgage loan application process, following an informational on qualifying for a mortgage and securing financing. Specifically, differences between Conventional, VA, FHA and Rural Development loans, as well as an overview of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ OwnHOME and Home Buyer Programs, will be outlined. Explanations of housing-related terminology will be provided. Finally, a synopsis of the closing process and a detailed overview and explanation of actual loan closing documents is made. Session includes time for questions and answers.

Money Management Online Course

The goal of the agency’s money management education course is to provide basic proactive financial education regarding the following topics: Choosing between “wants” and “needs;” developing sound financial habits regarding spending versus savings; examining one’s current budget, including income, expenses and net worth; developing a workable budget (including short- and long-term goals, identification of factors that cause financial problems, and how budget adjustments can help with goal achievement); understanding the types and costs of available credit, wise credit strategies and alternatives to credit, as well as warning signs of credit misuse; understanding credit reports and credit scores, in addition to consumer laws and regulations which protect consumers; rebuilding credit through positive credit habits; understanding and avoiding predatory lending and/or identity theft; and understanding various types and costs of insurance and how to decide how much coverage is sufficient.