Financial Readiness

We have several certified and accredited Personal Financial Counselors who will work with you to achieve your financial goals through personalized counseling. Active Duty, Guard/Reserve Members, Retirees, and their families are eligible to use one on one services. DoD Civilians are eligible to participate in our workshops.

Budgeting 102
Discuss the dreaded “B” word – BUDGET which is simply a plan for how you want to spend your hard-earned money. This workshop touches on how to track spending and how to complete a cost averaged budget with a saving account attached. We will delve into resources to fill in gaps, discuss how to lower spending and how to manage debt.

Bundles For Babies
The Bundles for Babies workshop is designed to teach expectant / adoptive parents parents of newborns, financial skills to help when budgeting for their new baby, car seat safety and much more. This workshop is open to Service Members and spouses of all branches as well as DoD Civilians and is not limited to a first pregnancy/newborn adoption. Eligible members will receive a monetary deposit to assist in purchasing needed items for baby. Goody bags will be provided to all others.

Car Buying
Join us for an informative workshop where you will learn everything you need to know about car buying! Discover the benefits of buying new vs. used, explore financing options, and understand the differences between leasing and lease-like loans. We will also guide you through researching and comparing various vehicles to help you make an informed decision.

Ditching the Dorms
Financial preparedness workshop for dorm residents. Provides anoutline of developing a spend plan, cost of moving/ BAH rates and tips on what to look for in your new place.

Estate Planning
Workshop led by local attorney proficient in Massachusetts Estate Laws. This workshop identifies the benefits of an  estate plan, how to reduce or eliminate taxes, revocable trusts and how to enhance your family’s financial security.

Financial Wellness
This workshop delves into your financial wellness to identify patterns and behaviors to keep your financial goals and wellness a priority.

Holiday Spending
This workshop is designed to help service members create a timely plan for the added expenses of holidays and to develop strategies to avoid overspending and accumulating excessive debt.

Identity Theft
This workshop covers what information ID thieves are looking for and how it’s stolen, what to do when you are the victim and reliable prevention strategies.

Raising Financially Fit Kids
This workshop is designed to help parents learn how to teach their children sound financial management skills. During the course, parents will examine their own financial skills and behaviors so that they can determine how to best implement age-appropriate financial practices for their children.

The True Cost of Convenience
Join our workshop on Cost vs. Convenience. In this session we will explore key topics such as:
– Generational Approaches to money
– Understanding the balance between cost savings & convenience
– The Cashless Effect
– The Bandwagon Effect
– Does Convenience = Happiness?

Thrift Savings Plan/Blended Retirement System Basics
Learn about the Thrift Savings Plan and Blended Retirement System Basics and how to ensure you are getting the most out of your TSP options.

Understanding Credit
In this presentation we will discuss the different types of credit, how they affect the credit report, the 3 C’s to credit, history & new regulations. We will also cover how to read a credit report, the credit score itself and how to manage debt. In partnership with Hanscom Federal Credit Union.

VA Home Loans
This workshop provides Information on the VA home loan amounts/types/fees, the overall process and eligibility to qualify.

Click the links below to be redirected to an external website:

Personal Finance Calculator
See your current financial status right in front of you, using this calculator tool.

https://finred.usalearning.gov/ToolsAndAddRes/Calculators

https://www.tsp.gov/calculators/

Thrift Savings Plan
Need information on all TSP topics? Check out the link below for webinar information. All webinars are taught by the experts from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB)!

https://www.tsp.gov/online-learning/