- Financial Readiness Program (FRP). FRP provides comprehensive educational and counseling programs in personal financial readiness. The program covers indebtedness, consumer advocacy and protection, money management, credit, financial planning, insurance, and consumer issues. Other services offered include mandatory financial literacy, financial planning for transitioning Soldiers, financial counseling for deployed Soldiers and their Families, and the Department of Defense Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance Program.
- Army Emergency Relief (AER). AER is the US Army's own nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating financial distress in the force. AER provides grants and zero-interest loans to active-duty and retired Soldiers and their Families. AER has supported over 4 million Soldiers since 1942. AER offices are conveniently located at installations around the world. Visit ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more.
- Online Support and Education. Go to Financial Frontline for self-service financial literacy education and help.
- Blended Retirement System. The Blended Retirement System (BRS) combines elements of the legacy retirement system with benefits similar to those offered in many civilian 401(k) plans. Get smart on retirement benefits with the Army Retirement Services Office and Joint Knowledge Online Training.
- Financial Readiness Affiliates
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a federal government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan available to both federal civilian employees and members of the uniformed services. The TSP offers the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. The retirement income a TSP account provides will depend on working-year contributions and the earnings on those contributions. Learn more at the official Thrift Savings Plan website.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB makes markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products. The CFPB gives consumers the information they need to understand the terms of their agreements with financial companies. Learn more about the CFPB, visit the CFPB on-demand forum and tools website, or order free CFPB publications.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line. The BBB Military Line provides free resources to our military communities in the areas of financial literacy and consumer protection through the efforts of 112 BBBs across the US. Visit the BBB Military Line to learn more.
- Basic Financial Education Program
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Hybrid classes are offered throughout the year, covering spend-planning, debt management, credit repair, car-buying, home-buying, and several other topics related to finances. P$yFi (Psychological Finance) is a unique Redstone Arsenal series that elaborates on the psychological aspects of money, examining how we think, feel, and behave with money (see information above).
If joining online, no need to register; click on Teams. If joining in-person at Toftoy Hall, register at +1(256)876-6299.
The P$yFi Podcast includes biweekly episodes focused on financially-relevant hot topics.
An annual Financial Symposium is also provided in-person at The Overlook in March, providing a full day of financial classes (look out for registration details). Certificates of completion are provided for all classes, allowing you to submit for Continuous Learning Points. All virtual classes are open to anyone. In-person classes (and Symposium) are restricted to those with access to the installation
- Unit/Organization Financial Readiness Training
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Financial wellbeing promotes readiness. Consider booking a group financial wellbeing assessment and interpretation. Have something else in mind? Financial Readiness personnel can customize a financial class or briefing to suit your unit or organization’s current needs, whether you’re looking for a light-hearted financial personality class or more preventive class on proper financial management. Call +1(256)876-6299 to schedule.
- Individual Financial Counseling
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Want to improve your relationship with money? Consider scheduling an individual, couples, or family session with your Financial Readiness Program Manager (FRPM), who is an Accredited Financial Counselor® and Licensed Professional Counselor. Taking the first step to do something different with your money can be daunting, but your FRPM is equipped to draw out and guide you toward your best hopes by creating a financial action plan. These individual sessions are available to Servicemembers, DoD Civilians, Military Retirees, and their Family Members. Call +1(256)876-6299 to schedule your appointment.
Don’t know where to start? Choose from our most popular services:
- Basic Savings and Investment Education
- Credit Report Review and Credit Repair Education
- Debt Management and PowerPay Repayment
- Financial Personality Assessment and Interpretation
- Financial Transition to Young Adulthood
- Financial Wellbeing Assessment and Interpretation
- Marital Financial Counseling
- Money Management (Cash flow analysis, net worth review, and spend plan creation.)
- Premarital Financial Counseling
- Preparing for a Major Purchase (Car, Home, Student Loan)
- Security Clearance Support and Education
- Setting Financial Boundaries
- Mandatory Financial Literacy Training
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Per DoDI 1322.31, all branches of service require financial literacy training that follows the servicemember throughout their financial developmental lifespan, referred to as milestones or touchpoints. The Army has outlined 13 milestones for Soldiers. Leadership can review required training through Vantage. Leadership tools are also available at Financial Frontline - FinancialFrontline.org. Trainings are offered online at Soldiers - FinancialFrontline.org OR in-person with your Financial Readiness Program Manager, +1(256)876-6299. The Soldier is responsible for providing the certificate of completion to their Training Manager for DTMS input.
Want to take charge of your finances? The Army's Financial Readiness Program (FRP) and Consumer Advocacy Services can help with comprehensive educational and counseling programs. Learn about debt, consumer advocacy and protection, money management, credit, financial planning, insurance, and consumer issues. Through classroom training and individual counseling, participants can learn how to save and invest money, establish savings goals, eliminate debt, and save for emergencies.
We offer:
Here are some other financial resources for Soldiers and their Families:
(Government Links)
(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)
P$yFi (Psychological Finance) classes are offered the first Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST to examine how you think, feel, and behave with money. You can attend in person at Toftoy Hall (Call +1(256)876-6299 to RSVP) or you can attend online through MS Teams
6 Jul: What to Try Before You Buy: Car
Pop the hood on your personal finances and schedule a credit checkup, make room in the spend plan, understand the current automobile market, thoroughly research the desired class of vehicles, and discuss all options with your significant other. Allow me to be your financial mechanic, passing you the right tools BEFORE you buy.
3 Aug: What to Try Before You Buy: Home
Step out of an HGTV episode, coming back to reality to crunch the numbers. Learn to calculate your housing affordability. Just because you've been preapproved for $500K doesn't mean you can AFFORD $500K. Allow me to be your financial DIY guide, tearing down financial walls and improving financial sight lines.
7 Sep: Covering Your 6: Six Things to Know about Credit, Debt, Consolidation and Settlement
As government employees, our clearances, and therefore our choices, are under continuous evaluation. Most consumers aren't aware that you can find negative information on your credit report and quickly dispute, correct, or fix the issues YOURSELF. Before you have to stand before your security manager, stand in this class.
5 Oct: Channel the Superhero: A PowerPay Demonstration
Debt. The kryptonite of consumerism. It can make the strongest of individuals vulnerable and susceptible to anxiety, depression, and relationship distress. BUT, we still have a superhero within that has just enough energy to make a final power play using the free PowerPay debt repayment calculator and calendar. A live demonstration and link to create an individualized plan will be provided.
2 Nov: Holiday $urvival Guide
Office parties, community events, kids' recitals...you'll have everyone yanking on your purse strings to keep pouring into the yuletide pot. Without proper planning/tracking, we're never fully prepared for the holidays' True expense. Our hearts are tugged with the old adage, "It's the season for giving." But is it really giving or wasting? This holiday season, learn how to be more intentional.
7 Dec: Preparing for a Financial Resolution Revolution: Investing & Retirement
Let's get geared up for the new year by thinking ahead. Let's assess our financial wellbeing and create a wellbeginning plan of action. We'll assess your investment philosophy and check your knowledge on retirement goals. Many of us need more than a resolution. We need a REVOLUTION to overthrow an old way of financial thinking, making way for clarity, order, confidence, and peace of mind.
Listen to The P$yFi Podcast, featuring 20-30 minute episodes on how psychology and finances collide.
