Personal Finance Classes

We educate women, girls and families about banking, saving, budgeting, credit management, and investment planning. Classes are presented to a broad audience that includes: welfare recipients, professional women, employees onsite during the work day, college students, and youth at public and private schools.

We offer free financial education classes using the FDIC Money Smart™ and US Department of Labor Wi$e Up™ curricula. For a list of all classes, click here. The courses have been proven to have positive effects on individual financial behavior.  A 2007 evaluation of Money Smart™ found that the courses lead individuals to open deposit accounts, save money, use and adhere to a budget and be more confident about their financial abilities. Classes are taught by trained volunteers in English and Spanish and last from 1 to 1 ½ hours. 

MoneySmart™ and Wi$eUp™ Classes

Open and free to the public.

Workplace Classes

The Women's Resource will teach classes during the work day for employees. Workplace classes have been linked to greater career satisfaction, reduced turnover and often increase participation in savings plans- all of which can help boost an employer’s bottom line.  Contact Kelly Keith to request a class.

FDIC Money Smart™ Series

MoneySmart™ is available in English and Spanish for both adults and teens age 13+. You can request a single class or the entire series.

• Bank on It - the basics of banking, the different types of financial institutions and the services they might offer
  
• Check It Out - how to open a checking account, compare and use accounts, write a check and keep records.
  
• Borrowing Basics - overview of when and how to use credit and the different types of loans available
  
• Pay Yourself First - recognize the importance of saving money, how to save, how money can grow and the different types of savings and investment accounts
  
• To Your Credit - tools to understand a credit report, how it is used, how to start repairing it, and to recognize credit repair scams
  
• Charge it Right - describes the costs and benefits of using a credit card
  
• Money Matters - understand the concept of budgeting, recognize the benefits of using a budget, and budgeting tools
• Financial Recovery - steps to recover financially and rebuild credit after a financial setback. Identifies ways to increase income, decrease spending, prioritize expenses, and develop a financial recovery plan
  

FDIC Money Smart™ Series New Young Adults Series

• Bank On It - an introduction to bank services
  
• Check It Out - how to choose and keep a checking account
  
• Setting Financial Goals - how to keep track of your money
  
• Pay Yourself First - why you should save, save, save
  
• Borrowing Basics - an introduction to credit
  
• Charge It Right - how to make a credit card work for you
  
• Paying for College and Cars - general information on installment loans
  
  

Wi$e Up™ Courses

• Money For Life - setting financial goals, realizing lifelines and life stages, and getting files and records financially organized
• Money Math - how to prepare a net worth statement and a Statement of Income and Expense, how to track your spending and set financial goals
• Money Basics - building a realistic budget, comparing banking needs and options
• Credit in a Money World - how to calculate debt-to-income ratio, evaluating a credit report, and learn how finance charges are determined
• Savings Basics - how to establish an emergency fund and select the best savings options
• Insurance and Risk Management - how to assess risk, evaluating insurance coverage, how to evaluate employee insurance
• Becoming an Investor - basic investing principles
• Achieving Financial Security - making investments in yourself and planning for the future
  
  

Class Locations

Classes are taught at social service and government agencies in 39 zip codes throughout the greater Houston area.  A partial list of organizations where we teach is below.

• Career Recovery & Resources, Inc.
• East Side University Village Community Learning Center
• Harris County Women's Jail
• Houston Food Bank
• Humble Area Assistance Ministries
• Katy Christian Ministries
• Lone Star College
• Mission of Yahweh
• Memorial Assistance Ministries
• Northwest Assistance Ministries
• Salvation Army
• San Jacinto College
• Star of Hope Mission
• Volunteers of America