BALANCE Partner Tools

Financial Fitness Workshops Brochure

Our printer-friendly Financial Fitness Workshops brochure contains descriptions of all the workshops we offer as well as information on licensing materials and our Financial Fitness Training.

Download the PDF

Workshop Materials Update Chart

To ensure our materials are timely, we update them regularly. Also, many of our workshops have multiple versions available for licensing such as a version in Spanish or an alternate version designed to be presented as a webinar. This chart shows the date the materials were last updated as well as each version available for each topic. We will automatically provide you updated materials at the time of your license renewal. If you would like the update sooner, or would like to add to your list of workshop licenses, please contact your partner relations manager.

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Choose Your Workshop

BALANCE offers a menu of workshops – the topics range from basics such as developing a realistic spending plan and understanding credit reports, to more advanced concepts like preparing for retirement and buying a first home. Please review the workshop descriptions below, download the printer-friendly brochure, or view the up-to-date workshop availability chart.

In addition to the full versions and in-person presentations, the following options are available:

Plastic Surgery: Getting Out of Debt While credit is a great financial tool, it can create problems if it is not used responsibly. This seminar examines the wise use of credit, warning signs of credit trouble, and options available for getting out of debt and improving one’s credit score.
Repaying Student Loans The goal of this workshop is to help participants to avoid being intimidated about repaying their student loans. Topics discussed include repayment plans, consolidation, cancelation, deferment, forbearance, and how to get out of default.
Solving the Mystery of Credit Reports Most people are concerned about their credit reports. This seminar provides an overview of the sections in a credit report, credit scores, making improvements, disputing inaccuracies, and preventing or dealing with identity theft.
Understanding Credit This workshop provides a broad overview of credit-related issues, including knowing the basics of credit reports and scores, improving one’s credit standing, paying down debt, and managing one’s money in a manner not reliant on credit.
Your Credit Score Knowing how credit scores work can help consumers obtain credit at a low cost. This workshop reviews the various types of scoring models being used today, including FICO and VantageScore, how they are calculated and what one can do to have a good score.

Identity Theft Identity theft is an increasingly common and inventive crime. This presentation provides an overview of types of identity theft, techniques thieves use, tools for preventing identity theft, and specific steps that victims can take to recover from identity theft.
Financial First Aid Many events can destroy even the best plans. This workshop is specifically for those in crisis – focusing on regaining control of their financial situation through careful financial assessment, expense prioritization, and effective negotiation with creditors.
Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis The goal of this workshop is to help people who experienced a hardship get their finances back on track. Topics covered include budgeting, repaying debt, rebuilding credit, establishing emergency savings, and replenishing retirement savings.

First Time Home Buyer For many, owning a home is the American Dream. This seminar discusses preparing one’s finances to purchase a home, determining what is affordable, selecting and applying for a mortgage, and searching for and putting an offer on a home.
Guide to Renting Renting an apartment can be an intimidating process for those who are doing it for the first time. Topics discussed in this presentation include searching for an apartment, signing a lease, having a roommate, and breaking a lease	Webinar only
Using Home Equity Many homeowners wonder if they should take advantage of their home equity. This presentation covers how second mortgages, refinancing, and reverse mortgages work, the benefits and drawbacks of each, and factors to consider before using home equity.

Basics of Personal Finance Personal finance covers a wide range of topics, but achieving financial success does not require one to be an expert. This workshop covers the fundamentals of essential financial topics, including money management, credit use, investing, and retirement planning.
Building a Better Budget A budget is a powerful tool for establishing financial control. After identifying goals, participants learn how to track spending and design a realistic budget that allows them to live within their means and save. Also discussed are tips for sticking to the budget.
Psychology of Spending What we buy is not based solely on personal preference. By understanding factors that can influence spending decisions, such as advertising, the desire to keep up with the Joneses, and conflating money and love, participants become more informed consumers.
Ten Steps to Financial Success These ten steps can help people find financial success regardless of their income. From developing a budget to setting goals to weighing insurance needs, this presentation covers the core concepts necessary to develop and maintain personal financial control.

Breezing Through the Holidays Unplug the holiday machine and put the fun back into this time of year. Workshop participants learn how to set a holiday budget and stick to it, ways to lower common holiday costs, such as gifts and decorations, and planning ahead for next year.
Checking 101 Not knowing how to use a checking account properly can lead to money management difficulties and costly mistakes. This workshop covers such fundamentals as making withdrawals and deposits, avoiding overdrawing, and balancing the account.
Drive Away Happy With so many choices available, buying a new car can be difficult and stressful. Participants will learn how to make the best car shopping and financing decisions based on their particular financial situation, credit rating, and desires.
Women and Money Women often face unique situations and expectations. This workshop covers topics that all women deal with, such as budgeting, and credit, as well as the financial impact of life stages many women face, such as having children, divorcing, and becoming a widow.

A Financial Guide To Small Business Ownership With a high rate of failure for small businesses, being informed is crucial. This workshop focuses on the financial aspects of starting and running a small business, including choosing a legal structure, writing a business plan, finding financing, and paying taxes.
On the Road to Riches: The Basics of Saving and Investing Investing builds wealth, but what works can vary among individuals. Participants in this workshop will learn how to set goal amounts, what savings and investment tools are available (including tax-advantaged options), and how to minimize investment risk.
Retirement Planning To ensure a comfortable retirement, it is important to take the proper steps now. Participants in this workshop will learn how to estimate their financial needs, how to budget for savings, and what types of plans are available.

College Financing 101 Rising college tuition costs continue to outpace inflation. Participants will gain an understanding of long-term saving and financial aid opportunities, so they can make continuing education for their kids or themselves – a reality.
Personal Finances for College Students This workshop provides students with the tools they need to begin financial adulthood on the right foot. They will learn how to use credit wisely, establish a positive credit history, manage their checking and savings accounts, create a budget, and pay bills responsibly.
Raising Money-Smart Kids Taking the time to teach children about finances today can help them manage their money successfully as adults. Topics discussed include giving an allowance, creating a spending plan, dealing with shopping challenges, and saving.
The Road to Financial Independence This presentation teaches young adults the fundamentals of financial independence. Topics discussed include money management, checking account management, credit, renting, and buying a car.	Webinar only
Teens And Money This workshop is designed to educate and motivate adolescents to be financially responsible. It discusses money management, preparing for future bills, buying a car, managing checking and savings accounts, using credit wisely, and investing. (Available for licensing only)