More Than One Way Out.  This fast-paced workshop covers the purpose of budget counseling, other types of available counseling, collection practices and laws that protect you, what happens to bills as they age and ways to approach credit issues, lawsuits and garnishments.  It also examines repayment options, gives an overview of bankruptcy and weighs the advantages and disadvantages of each bankruptcy option and the possible impact of bankruptcy filing, including availability of future credit.

Grow Your Dough: Asset Building on a Limited Budget.  Think it’s hard to save money?  This presentation offers a step-by-step guide to saving money for a rainy day or retirement.  It includes handouts with tips on how to start saving today.  If saving even a little feels like a big task, or if the sheer number of available saving options feels overwhelming, this class is a good place to gather basic information needed to start short or long term saving.

Holiday Spending: Have a Debt Free Holiday.  Bring the joy back to the holidays! This one-hour presentation gives participants holiday saving tips and alternative gift ideas which can reduce financial stress by learning how to plan a reasonable holiday expense budget.

Ten Ways to Stop Identity Theft Cold.  Examines simple ways you can reduce your exposure to identity theft. Provides ten practical ways for any individual consumer to reduce the risk of personal identity theft, along with step-by-step outline of what to do if you discover you are a victim of identity theft.

FICO Factor: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Credit Building.  A two hour class that teaches consumers how to establish a credit history, how credit is scored and what can be affected by a credit score.  Also provides practical tips for consumers paying off collection debt, rebuilding credit history or disputing inaccurate information on a credit report.  

The College Challenge:  Higher Education with Lower Debt.  This comprehensive presentation about financing college education includes information and referrals for high school students and their parents seeking debt free financing as well as basic student loan borrowing and repayment information.

Less Payment, More Payback:  Maximizing Student Loan Repayment.  This class provides information on ways to reduce loan repayment through public service, gives specific information and links for considering consolidated loan repayment and discusses what to do if your student loan is in default

Choosing Life Insurance:  What Do I need?  How Do I Shop?  This class covers the basics of life insurance, with goals of understanding basic insurance terminology as well as learning the different types of insurance available.  Class also covers how to determine how much insurance is needed via class activities and handouts. 

Choosing Health and Disability Insurance:  From HMO’s to PPO’s.  This class covers basics of disability and health insurance, with the goal of helping people understand what types of health insurance coverage might best suit their needs.  Class will also cover the advantages and drawbacks of different insurance plans from HMOs to PPOs and guides consumers in determining how much insurance is wanted based on their own personal risk assessment.

Student Survival Guide to Credit.  A 50-minute class offered to students on establishing credit, making right credit choices, managing credit cards wisely, the importance of good credit and rights under the Fair Credit Act.  It is primarily presented to college students, but can be altered for high school students, or any group that wants to learn more about this topic.

Kids and Money.  When should you start giving allowances?  Learn how to teach your child the wise use of money and help your child develop responsible spending habits.  Class includes spending plans, guidelines, savings, sharing and spending money for kids.

Who wants to be a Millionaire?  This one-hour class is a simple guide to money management.  It covers the basics of banking, money, credit, budgeting and saving.  This presentation is also available in Spanish.

Reverse Mortgages.  Are you house-rich and cash-poor?  A reverse mortgage is a special kind of home loan that lets a homeowner turn the value of his or her home into cash.  Enjoy the benefit of living in your home while using your money for other purposes.  To qualify, you must be at least 62 years of age and own your own home.

Homebuyer “101.”  A four-hour workshop presenting an overview of all aspects of the home buying process including budgeting for a down payment and closing expenses, finding the right house, working with a realtor, what lenders look for in your credit report and job history, financing options, closing process and responsibilities of homeownership.  This presentation is also available in Spanish. 

Home Maintenance (3-part series - $25 for all three)

Weed and Seed – a three-hour informative presentation covering basic landscaping and gardening for beginners and beyond.  Improve the appearance and value of your home by learning lawn care and inexpensive, cost effective landscaping.

Pipes and Circuits – a three-hour informative presentation covering basic plumbing and electrical repairs that will save you money.  Learn how to stop leaky faucets, running toilets, rewire plugs, and change out light switches.

Paint and Paper – a three-hour informative presentation covering basic effective dos and don’ts of painting.  Learn inexpensive ways to decorate and improve your home, inside and out, with paint and wallpaper.

Rental Housing in Kansas.  Content and length varies based on class attendees and their needs.  Presentations can be built to fit anywhere between a one-hour presentation (general public) to a four-hour workshop (public service providers or property managers).  This class provides an overview of tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities based on the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. 

Money Smart (8-session series).  This FDIC comprehensive program to help adults to enhance money skills and create positive banking relationships.  This programs helps individuals build financial knowledge, develop financial confidence, and use banking services effectively. 

Topics include:  Introduction to Bank Services; Introduction to Credit; Choosing and Keeping a Checking Account; Keeping Track of Your Money; Save, Save, Save; Consumer Rights; Credit History and Credit Future;  Credit Cards; Borrowing and Homeownership.  The class is geared towards the public with low to moderately low levels of income, and a very basic skill set. 

Strategies for Success (8-session series).  Series encompasses tenant rights and responsibilities, basic budgeting community resources, and developing the life skills necessary to overcome the barriers to self-sufficiency for those of very low income.  This class is taught to the public with very low income and those living at local shelters.

Live a Richer Life.  Two-hour class for people who have already filed for bankruptcy and need to complete the education requirements of the new bankruptcy law.  This program will cover rebuilding following bankruptcy, “wants” vs. “needs”, developing sound financial habits, decision making, budgeting skills, goal setting, understanding credit, credit reports, credit scores, rebuilding your credit, predatory lending, identity theft, insurance, finance tools, and resources.