Financial Capability Education

Financial Capability Education

Finances can be a challenging part of life – regardless of your age or income level. Having financial security allows individuals and families to enjoy life more and alleviates worry and stress about income, bills, credit debt, school loans, unexpected expenses and more. Extension has several programs dedicated to building financial capability and even offers individual coaching sessions to help Fond du Lac County and Wisconsin residents build financial awareness, skill sets and work to get their finances on track!

Programs and Classes

Rent Smart

Rent Smart is a six-hour training for individuals who have little to no rental experience and those who have had difficulty obtaining rental housing. Participants may be first-time renters, homeowners transitioning to renting, and individuals with poor rental or credit history. Rent Smart provides practical education to help people looking for rental housing to find and keep suitable housing. Rent Smart is offered virtually via Zoom and in-person in Fond du Lac.

Planning AHEAD

Planning AHEAD is an end-of-life planning curriculum for all ages developed by UW–Madison Division of Extension faculty and staff. This 7-session research-based program will help participants understand how to prepare for the end of life for themselves or a loved one, and why it’s important to have a plan in place.

Registration for upcoming classes coming soon.

Money Matters

Money Matters is free and offered through online self-study modules. The online modules span twelve different areas of personal finance, designed to help learners understand their current financial habits and choices, build their knowledge base, and provide a tool kit to develop new money management skills and awareness. Each financial topic provides a comprehensive learning approach with fact sheets, videos, self-guided assessments, and additional resources.

E.F.C.

Encouraging Financial Conversations (EFC) is an Extension-developed series that will help you engage in positive conversations around money. The six-hour training is geared for helping professionals (case managers, social workers, and other front line staff), but open to anyone! You will learn how to help empower others to achieve their financial goals and manage their money.

Resources

Building and Maintaining Your Credit

Information on how to build and maintain your credit and manage your credit score. By law, everybody can obtain free credit reports each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. It is important to check your report regularly to make sure it is accurate and up to date. The credit reporting system is set up so that you are responsible for finding and correcting errors in your reports.

Financial Education for Children Ages 4-10

Children learn about money from talking to adults and watching how others spend, save, share, and borrow money. UW-Madison Division of Extension has created parent guides for popular children’s book about money The guides provide discussion questions to talk about as you read the book with a young child. Then enjoy the fun activities that can be done at home, at the store, or in the community! You can also choose to listen with your child and watch the Money As You Grow Series on YouTube. In these videos an Extension educator reads the story and asks your child reflection questions. Pause the video as you go and enjoy the conversation with your child!