Financial Empowerment Program

Many of our clients struggle with not having their personal finances in reasonable order and often limited knowledge of the steps to take to improve their standing. This concept is daunting as it can feel overwhelming as to where to start! AEDC recognizes the lack of financial literacy as a leading cause of generational poverty and a major stumbling block to individuals’ economic stability. 

AEDC launched a financial empowerment program in 2020. Guided by an advisory committee of regional experts, AEDC works with residents to improve their understanding of money as a critical resource and providing the knowledge necessary to make long-term financial decisions. 

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Why Should I Participate? 

  • If you don’t have a good understanding of your personal finances and where to start to improve them
  • Credit scores not optimal, no savings and/or substantial debt load
  • No plan to improve credit, savings or reduce debt
  • A desire to start a small business, but not enough financial stability to do so
  • A desire to improve family economic security

The overall goals of the Financial Empowerment Program are to empower residents to have the knowledge and tools to make sound decisions regarding their short, and long-term financial goals and enabling more to fully participate in the economy. This will result in improved wealth/asset building and specific measures such as improved credit scores, establishment of personal savings, or the ability to acquire assets; thereby enabling financial security. 

Participation in AEDC’s Financial Empowerment Program is FREE, CONFIDENTIAL and customized for as little or as much assistance as needed.

For more information on the AEDC Financial Empowerment Program - contact us:

Call: 518.891.5523

Your Money, Your Goals: A Financial Empowerment Toolkit‍

A Publication of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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Module 1: Setting Goals

Creating effective goals and planning for life events and large purchases.

Module 2: Saving

The reasons to save, taking the first step to saving, and making saving automatic.

Module 3: Tracking Income & Benefits

Income, deductions from paychecks, and tools for tracking income and benefits.

Module 4: Paying Bills

Planning for bills, wants versus needs, creating a bill calendar, and cutting expenses.

Module 5: Getting Through the Month

Making a cash flow budget and improving / adjusting cash flow.

Module 6: Dealing with Debt

Types of debt, avoiding problems with debt, and tools such as debt log and debt to income calculation.

Module 7: Understanding Credit Reports & Scores

Why do these matter, requesting and reviewing your free credit report, disputing errors on the report.

Module 8: Choosing Financial Products & Services

How to open a checking and savings account, tools for comparing financial service providers.

Module 9: Protecting Your Money

Learn how to ask the right questions, avoid scams, guard your information, and protect your identity.

*This program includes assessments to assist individuals in discovering what areas of financial literacy they need help with so that the appropriate modules can be covered with them.