An official army family and MWR Site

Financial Readiness Program

 

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:

  • 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.

 

Here are some other financial resources for Soldiers and their Families:


(Government Links)

  • 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.

 

(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)

  • 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.

 

rsa_psyfi classes web banner.jpg

P$yFi (Psychological Finance) classes are offered monthly from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST to examine how you think, feel, and behave with money. You can attend online through MS Teams 

Military members must preregister here!

25 JAN: Preparing for Divorce
Reduce the stress and uncertainty associated with the financial aspects of divorce and prepare to make smart, informed financial moves so you can emerge from divorce with greater financial confidence.

7 MAR: 2nd Annual Financial Symposium *IN PERSON ONLY*Look out for registration in February.  Combined with the Army Emergency Relief Campaign Kickoff, you will be offered a full day of classes to increase happiness, effectively meal-plan, account for finances in and beyond life, and prepare for a F.A.B. retirement.  FREE lunch, refreshments and goody bags provided!

4 APR: Disabling Sickness or Condition
It can be incredibly overwhelming if you or a family member experience a disabling sickness or condition...or if you become the caregiver for a parent or sibling.  This class will help you manage your finances more efficiently by bombarding you with resources and knowledge, deterring caregiver burnout. 

25 APR: First Child
A new child means changes, especially to your finances. Whether you are having a baby, adopting, or becoming a stepparent, this class is designed to help you organize your finances efficiently and prepare you for the changes that come with your growing family.

23 MAY: Permanent Change of Station
Moving often means adjusting to change and starting new routines. This is especially true for your finances. This class will help you optimize your resources and strategize ways to complete your upcoming move without breaking your spend plan. 

27 JUN: Pre-Deployment
Deployments can be stressful. Planning and preparing for the financial changes associated with a deployment can reduce stress on you and your family and help you make the most of the situation. This class covers some of the benefits and potential financial pitfalls of deployment so that you can be more financially secure.

25 JUL: Entitlement to Continuation Pay (Blended Retirement System)  *SOLDIERS ONLY CLASS* If enrolled in the Blended Retirement System (BRS), you are eligible for a one-time, mid-career bonus payment called Continuation Pay.  During this class, you will have the opportunity to understand whether you want to take Continuation Pay in exchange for an agreement to perform additional obligated service.  The class is purely educational in helping you with decision-making.

22 Aug: Vesting in Thrift Savings Plan (Blended Retirement System) *SOLDIERS ONLY CLASS
If enrolled in the Blended Retirement System (BRS) and you have 2 years of service, the Automatic (1%) Contributions you’ve received in your TSP are now yours to keep (i.e., vested).  Additionally, you are eligible to receive matching contributions into your TSP.  This training is designed to give you a better understanding of your TSP benefits and how to maximize the opportunities.  . 

26 Sep: Post-Deployment
When thinking about the re-integration process, it is important to consider how your finances may be affected, as well as your attitude towards money.  This class is all about transitioning your finances following a deployment so you can focus on what really matters: Reuniting with friends/family. 

24 Oct: Marriage
Congratulations! Taking your relationship to the next level is a big decision. Marriage is a meaningful commitment to your partner but also a legal and financial one. Starting your new life together on the same financial page will help improve communication and minimize stress later. 

21 Nov: Promotion
As your career advances, it’s a great time to hit the pause button and review your finances to set yourself up for a more successful, prosperous future.  In this training, we will cover financial planning, saving for retirement, career investment programs, and resources. 

Want more? Check out the P$yFi podcast, where new episodes are posted regularly at The P$yFi Podcast

Join the P$yFi Teams Channel for 2022, 2023, and 2024 P$yFi class recordings/resources

Basic Financial Education Program

Virtual 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.  

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

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

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

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.