Worskshop Descriptions

MoneyChoices: An Online Course
An online course that can help you learn the skills you need for smart money management. You can take 2 online courses at your own pace. Wise Credit and Debt Management will help you manage your credit wisely and understand your credit report. Basics of Money Management will help you build a spending plan and set financial goals. Each course contains financial information, practice exercises and a quick quiz to help you know that you've successfully completed the lesson.

These courses can be found at moneychoices.com. Use code 0005600403 to register for Wise Credit and Debt Management and 0005600403 to register for Basics of Money Management. Note: Your user name cannot contain any spaces and your password must contain at least one number.

Basics of Money Management
Learn how to create a realistic monthly budget, shop for credit, spot early signs of credit problems and develop practical steps to prepare for your financial goals.

Basics of Investing
What is the difference between a mutual fund and a certificate of deposit? When you hear the terms "asset allocation", "tax-deferred investments", and "risk management", do you wish you knew more? Then the Basics of Investing is for you. This workshop provides an overview of available investment options and tips on how to approach your long-term ventures safely and wisely.

Downsizing Your Debt
Don't waste your hard-earned money on credit card interest payments! This is a step-by-step guide to organizing your personal finances so you can save money for the future while you pay off debt today. You will learn debt reduction strategies, how to use credit to your best advantage, and how to create your own personal debt repayment plan.

Holiday Survival Skills
Learn how to streamline your festivities and reduce your stress during the holidays. Timesaving tips, inexpensive gift ideas, along with the basics of creating and maintaining a spending plan will help to restore the joy of the holidays for the whole family.

Love and Money
Why is money so often a point of contention? Learn how your individual money personalities may be bringing strife into your relationship, how to resolve money conflicts and how to work on mutually agreed upon financial goals. This fun workshop incorporates games and self-assessment quizzes for greater enlightenment!

The Psychology of Spending
Stop shopping and start saving! Emotions have a powerful influence on our spending behavior. This workshop explores the dynamics that influence our buying habits, as well as personal motivations for overspending. You will learn how to end impulsive purchasing and resist the lure of marketing so you can reverse negative behavior and replace it with positive habits.

Raising Money-Smart Kids
This workshop helps parents introduce and encourage wise money habits to children of all ages. It takes a close look at identifying family money philosophies and attitudes, setting age appropriate goals and limits, and outwitting peer-pressure and advertising.

Savings 101
Save for the future today! America has the highest consumer debt and one of the lowest savings rates of all industrial nations. Financial success begins and ends with savings. Learn to establish personal savings goals and practical tips on how to save easily and painlessly. It's not what you spend or how much you earn that determines your financial success – it's how much you keep.

Steps to Financial Success
This comprehensive workshop covers financial goal setting, creating a workable spending plan and tracking expenses. Learn how to use your money to the best advantage by addressing emotional as well as external pressures. Consumer and credit-based issues are discussed, as well as practical tips you can put to use immediately to see you on the road to true financial success!

Understanding Taxes: The Basics
Dreading April 15th? Eliminate anxiety by attending this tax preparation workshop. Learn what tax forms and schedules are most appropriate for you. Exemptions, deductions, updates on basic tax laws, the various ways of dealing with a tax bill, and much more will also be discussed. Common mistakes cost Americans millions: learn how to avoid them and get the most out of your paycheck.

Understanding Your Credit Report
What is good credit and why is it critical in today's world? Let our experts demystify credit reports so you can have the key to creating and keeping an excellent credit history. How to remove errors, what your legal rights are under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and much more are discussed in this fast-paced workshop.

Women Talk Money
Think you're the only one with financial challenges and frustrations? Then log off the chat rooms and walk into this workshop! WomenTalkMoney is an ongoing discussion group that focuses on the financial issues that directly pertain to women. Facilitated by a certified financial counselor, each month a new topic will be examined and a fresh one chosen for the following session. This is your chance to ask questions, share wisdom, learn from your peers and get much needed support in your quest for financial fulfillment!

Housing Education Program Workshops

For more information on the Housing Education Program, please visit www.housingeducation.org.

Affordable Housing Options for First Time Home Buyers
Find out about federal, state and local programs designed to assist low to moderate income families with purchasing a home.

Credit Reports for First-Time Home Buyers
Learn everything first-time home buyers need to know about credit reports including what mortgage lenders look for, how to correct inaccurate information, how to improve your credit report so you can buy a house. Also, learn about special loan programs for people who have "less-than-perfect" credit.

First-Time Home Buyers: The Basics
Learn how to buy a home, how much you can afford, how to qualify for a mortgage loan, how your credit report affects your ability to borrow, and more!

How to Avoid the Mortgage Crisis!
Are you having difficulty understanding your mortgage? Are you considering a refinance into a more sustainable product? Are you facing difficulties making your payment? What are your options? Attend this FREE and timely workshop dedicated to helping consumers “solve the mortgage mystery” and understand their options to preserve the American Dream.

How to Keep Your House Out of Foreclosure
Do you know what to do when you can't make your mortgage payments?  Do you know how to contact the lender and ask for a loan modification?  Did you know that lenders will sometime reduce or suspend mortgage payments?  Come to this informative workshop and learn how to protect your largest asset – your home.

Money Management for First-Time Home Buyers
Planning is the key to a successful transition from renting to homeownership. This workshop is designed to offer a practical approach to managing your money BEFORE and AFTER you become a homeowner.

Mortgage Financing for Current Homeowners
"Should you refinance your mortgage?" is a question a homeowner may ask, but neglect to recognize all of their financing options. This workshop will introduce the differences among a Refinance, Home Equity Loan, Home Equity Line and a 2nd Mortgage.

Open Forum for First-Time Home Buyers
Roundtable discussion on issues facing first-time home buyers. The program will be hosted by CCCS' Director of Housing and will consist entirely of questions from the audience. Come early, bring your questions, and join other prospective buyers looking for answers.

Predatory Lending: How to Avoid Disaster
Learn how to spot a bad loan and predatory practices in the pre-ownership and refinance stages of the mortgage loan process. Gain information on local and national anti-predatory lending campaigns and learn what help may be available.

Understanding the Mortgage Loan Process
Learn the types of loans available, how the underwriting process works, the meaning of federal and state disclosures, and what to do if your loan is denied.