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Smart About Money — a Program of NEFE

We provide tips for surviving the economy; a Wealth Care Kit (a guide for financial wellness); featured articles; and financial calculators. See our site, http://www.smartaboutmoney.org/

NAPFA Consumer Webinar Series

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (see www.napfa.org) offers, at no charge, a series of web-based financial education seminars, including some held from August 7, 2009 till December 4, 2009.

For information and the schedule of classes, see http://www.napfa.org/consumer/UpcomingSessions.asp. Also, completed classes are stored in an online archive at http://www.napfa.org/consumer/ArchivedSessions.asp

Small Business Dev’t Center at Santa Rosa Junior College

Do not be misled by our name. We are invested in Marin County and want to be of service to you. Small business is the heart of our local and national economic growth.

Our mission is helping people in Marin and Sonoma counties who want to start a business or have a small business that they would like to grow. You can find our local offices at the Chambers of Commerce in Novato, San Anselmo and San Rafael, the Marin Employment Connection and the Marin City CDC.

The center assists small business by providing:

1. One-on-one, no-cost, professional business counseling in many areas such as business planning, loans and capital acquisition, marketing, taxes and bookkeeping, and other areas of small business operations.
2. Low-cost workshops and seminars customized to local business issues and industry clusters.
3. A resource library providing information on small business issues; referrals; and Internet access with links to small business resources.

For more information, see our website.

Centers for Financial Education

We offer a wide variety of financial education programs, including those listed below. For more information, call 866-515-2227 or see our website

FDIC’s Money Smart Adult Financial Education Curriculum

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recognizes the importance of financial education, particularly for people with little or no banking experience. That’s why we created Money Smart, a training program to help adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships.

Financial education fosters financial stability for individuals, families, and entire communities. The more people know about credit and banking services, the more likely they are to increase savings, buy homes, and improve their financial health and well being. The Money Smart curriculum helps individuals build financial knowledge, develop financial confidence, and use banking services effectively.

The Money Smart program may be used by financial institutions and other organizations interested in sponsoring financial education workshops. Collaboration is important to the success of any education effort. The FDIC encourages banks to work with others in their communities to deliver financial education and appropriate financial services to individuals who may be unfamiliar with the benefits of having a relationship with an insured depository institution.  Read more

The 10 Money Smart Training Modules

Bank on It  
an introduction to bank services
 Borrowing Basics
an introduction to creditCheck It Out
how to choose and keep a checking account

Money Matters
how to keep track of your money

Pay Yourself First
why you should save, save, save 

Keep It Safe  
your rights as a consumer
 To Your Credit
how your credit history will affect your credit futureCharge It Right
how to make a credit card work for you

Loan To Own
know what you’re borrowing before you buy

Your Own Home
what home ownership is all about 

 Download a Money Smart Curriculum to your MP3 or other portable audio player.

See http://74.205.121.32/index.html

National Endowment for Financial Education

The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) is the only private, nonprofit, national foundation wholly dedicated to improving the financial well-being of all Americans. 

The mission of the National Endowment for Financial Education is to help individual Americans acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to take control of their financial destiny. NEFE’s mission is grounded in the belief that regardless of background or income level, financially informed individuals are better able to:

  • Take control of their circumstances, 
  • Improve their quality of life, and 
  • Ensure a stable future for themselves and their families.

See our website

Redwood Credit Union

RCU proudly offers FREE financial literacy to Members and our communities on a variety of topics, including: First Time Home Buyers, Raising Money Smart Kids, Identity Theft 101 and more! Visit www.redwoodcu.org/seminars for upcoming seminar information.

Marin Housing Authority — Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS)

Through MHA’s Family Self Sufficiency Program the following services are offered:

FSS is designed to assist motivated families or individuals who receive Section 8 housing subsidies or live in Marin Housing’s Public Housing, to become independent of welfare. A self-directed program, participants formulate a series of goals that will enable them to become financially self-sufficient within a period of five years. The FSS Case Managers meet with each participant to develop Action Steps that guide them to achieving their goals. Program staff works with local community agencies, schools, and government programs to ensure that participants obtain the resources they need to accomplish their goals. An interest-bearing escrow account may be established for FSS families whose earned income increases during their participation in the program. FSS is a voluntary program and does not require the termination of Section 8 or Public Housing assistance. The FSS Program also offers Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) through a partnership with Marin’s Prosperity Partners and EARN of SF.

Through case management and advocacy we will support you in setting a five-year plan to meet your employment or education goals. Benefits for participating families:

  • Budgeting and Credit Repair
  • Parenting skills
  • Job Search Methods and Job Training
  • Education
  • Communication skills
  • Home Ownership Education

Rewarding your progress: As your wages increase, your rent increases. However, with FSS, you get some of this money back when you finish your contract of participation. A portion of the rent increase is put in an interest bearing escrow account and upon completion of the program, you are able to use these savings to further your career or education goals or sometimes move to homeownership. This program also dovetails well with the HCV Section 8 Homeownership Program offered through Marin Housing.

Marin Family Action

Marin Family Action (MFA) is concerned about the economic, social, and wellness issues of families and individuals in Marin County. They are a strong grassroots organization that is successfully creating pathways for their clients to become knowledgeable advocates, and in that role become forceful in influencing and improving their political, social and economic quality of life.

See our website