Financial Readiness Program

Other helpful financial readiness links include:

• Thrift Savings Plan: A Federal Government-sponsored long-term retirement savings and investment plan, available for both Federal civilian employees and members of the uniformed services.
• U.S. Savings Bonds: A shorter-term savings option with competitive interest rates and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
• Military Saves: A component of the nonprofit America Saves and a partner in the Department of Defense’s Financial Readiness Campaign, Military Saves seeks to motivate, support, and encourage military Families to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth.
• Money Matters: A mobile-optimized resource with calculators for savings, debt reduction and other reference material in one location.
• Housing Resources for Military Members: The National Military Family Association has compiled a great list of resources to help Military Families who are struggling with the pitfalls of the housing crisis.
• Army OneSource: Network of the services and delivery of support to Soldiers and their Families.
• Military OneSource: A Department of Defense-funded program that provides comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, National Guard, reserve members, and their Families.
• Office of Servicemember Affairs: A component of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau helps to educate and empower military members, veterans, and their Families in the consumer financial marketplace.
• Saveandinvest.org: A project of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, a free, unbiased resource dedicated to your financial health. Helps you make informed decisions through easy-to-use tools and resources, and arms you with the information you need to protect yourself from investment fraud.
• Better Business Bureau Military Line: Provides specialized education and support services, which meet the needs of active and retired military personnel and their Families. 

Military Classes

Reservation is required for all Financial Readiness Classes. Attendees should contact +1 (804) 765-3800 to secure a seat.

Unit Training Available

• Thrift Savings Plan
• Home Buying
• Consumer Awareness
• Identity Theft
• Banking and Checking
• Developing a Spending Plan and Debt Management
• Money and Moving
• Debt Elimination

All Financial Readiness Program financial topics (to include community class topics) are available for Units and FRGs upon request.

Reservation is required for all Financial Readiness Classes. Attendees should contact +1(804) 765-3800 to secure a seat.

Credit Management
Participants will learn how to establish and maintain good credit in addition to understanding credit scores and reports. Class Date: July 11, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Debt Elimination
Learn how to identify your debt to income ratio and establish an effective power plan for debt elimination. Class Date: July 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Personal Spending Plan
Learn the key components of developing an effective spending plan and maintaining a personal budget that works! Evaluate your present financial situation and establish personal financial goals. Class Date: April 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Retirement Planning
Learn military and/or civil service retirement financial preparation techniques. Also, learn how to estimate retirement funding needs, along with comparing and evaluating different retirement account options. Class Date: September 12, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Thrift Savings Plan
Participants will learn detailed information on the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and understand how TSP can assist in providing financial security during retirement. Class Date: August 29, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Maximizing Your Tax Refund
Learn tips/techniques to identify wise usage of your 2021 tax refunds. Class Date: February 22, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Identity Theft Awareness
Learn popular techniques to deter identity theives and how to effectively monitor and safeguard your financial accounts and billing statements. Class Date: January 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (As of January 17th, this class scheduled for January 25 has been cancelled due to facility maintenance.)

Savings & Investing Basics
Participants learn the fundamentals of saving and investing, in addition to the various types of savings and investing accounts. Class Dates: March 14 , 9 - 10:30 a.m. & October 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Real Estate Investing Basics
Participants learn the specific steps involved in making a wise home purchase and determine how much they can afford to spend. Class Date: June 13 & September 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Common Military Training - Continuation Pay
This class is for Active Duty Service Members under the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Attendees will overview Continuation Pay under the BRS. Class Dates: January 11, 9 - 10:30 a.m. and May 9, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Common Military Training - Promotion
Learn how to create and manage a spending plan. Also learn future financial benefits afforded by the Department’s Career Investment Programs & more. Class Dates: February 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and October 10, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Common Military Training - Permanent Change of Station
Learn about the typical costs and entitlements associated with a change in duty station. Calculate differences in pay and benefits, changes in expenses and more aspects of a PCS. Class Dates: April 11, 9 - 10:30 a.m. and August 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The following classes are new and a mandatory requirement to all Active Duty Service Members.  Class is only open to Active Duty Service Members.

Common Military Training - Continuation Pay
This class is for Active Duty Service Members under the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Attendees will overview Continuation Pay under the BRS. Class Dates: January 11, 9 - 10:30 a.m. and May 9, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Common Military Training - Promotion
Learn how to create and manage a spending plan. Also learn future financial benefits afforded by the Department’s Career Investment Programs & more. Class Dates: February 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and October 10, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Common Military Training - Permanent Change of Station
Learn about the typical costs and entitlements associated with a change in duty station. Calculate differences in pay and benefits, changes in expenses and more aspects of a PCS. Class Dates: April 11, 9 - 10:30 a.m. and August 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Classes can also be taken via the Army Family Web Portal and Financialfrontline.org

Regulations: DODI 1322.31 Common Military Training and DODI 1322.34 Financial Readiness of Service Members

Service members are especially at risk for becoming victims of identity theft.

Soldiers deploy, move frequently and use their Social Security Number for a variety of official purposes. Identity thieves use a variety of tactics to steal your identity. Risks include lost or stolen purse/wallet, internet/E-mail/file sharing, store/bank/restaurant employees, dumpster diving, mail theft, telemarketers/sweepstakes and, in the workplace.

Limit the information you give out, such as Social Security numbers, date of birth, mother's maiden name, account numbers and driver's license numbers. Ask how information will be used and verify the source.

To obtain your free credit report, authorized by law, go to: www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Myth #1
You have a 3-day right to cancel any purchases or contracts. The fact is: You have 3 days to cancel large item purchases. There are return policies. Make sure you are aware of it. Cancel all contracts in writing and send it Certified Return Receipt within the allotted time.

Myth #2
Deposits are refundable. The fact is: A deposit is an agreement between you and the business. You may not receive your deposit back. Get all promises in writing!

Myth #3
Retailers are required to give refunds. The fact is: A store is not obligated to accept items for refund, exchange, or credit except in cases where the item is defective. Find out the store's refund policy before purchasing an item.

Myth #4
If my car breaks down, I can return it under the "Lemon Law." The fact is: Virginia's Lemon Law applies to new cars only and used cars under dealer warranty. There are a number of steps, requirements, and procedures, which must be documented and followed.

Myth #5
The bank cannot cash a post-dated check before the date on the check. The fact is: Most checks are processed through the bank electronically. The date on the check is a memo for your purposes only. Once you write a check, it is a valid negotiable instrument and can be cashed immediately.