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Financial Education

Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union offers a variety of workshops, simulations, and online resources to help our Upstate community learn, grow, and solidify a strong financial foundation. These resources are free to the community, just another benefit of local credit unions. Learn from industry experts and certified financial coaches.


My First Budget

A free financial simulation created by Carolina Foothills to help teach elementary-aged children the importance of budgeting, saving, finishing high school, and pursuing higher education. Students are given a profile with a job, salary, and a family, then they must live for one “month” paying for expenses like housing, transportation, and groceries. At Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union, we believe that financial education should start early. An informed consumer will make wiser financial decisions over time. Each workshop takes one hour to complete and needs a large room with tables.


Reality of Money

Designed for students in Middle School and High School, in the Reality of Money simulation students develop financial skills by getting a taste of the real world as they take on the role of an adult – complete with occupation, salary, family, student loan, credit card debts, and medical insurance payments. The challenge is for students to select housing, transportation, food, household necessities, clothing, daycare, and other wants and needs while creating and following a realistic budget. Students must also make payments on any debts they owe and decide how much to save. Students discover what it is like to budget for monthly expenses, manage debt and save for the future.

At the start of the event, students get a packet with information about the role they are playing, a budget worksheet, and a budget summary page. Students complete their budget worksheets as they visit all the merchants. They make adjustments to their budget and revise their purchases as needed by revisiting the merchants. Their goal is to try to have no more than $100 undesignated at the end of a month, taking into account their income, purchases, debts, and savings.

A quick introduction is given to explain what the program is about, materials are distributed, and then students get to work. Afterward, a quick debriefing is given to highlight what they have learned and experienced, and teachers are encouraged to discuss the simulation experience with their students in the classroom.

Each Reality of Money Simulation requires 12 - 22 volunteers and needs a large space like a gymnasium with 12 tables for each station.


Workshops

You’re never too old to stop learning, we have a variety of workshops available to adults as well! All of our workshops are free and a great resource for schools, companies, and organizations to provide financial education Click the + next to each to learn more.

  • Understand how to identify and avoid businesses that charge high-interest rates and fees on their loans.

    Book as an in-person or webinar event!

  • Understand how to read your credit report and how to build credit. We go over the differences between the credit bureaus, the five things that make up your credit score, and best practices for improving your credit score.

    Book this workshop as an in-person event or a webinar!

  • What’s the difference between a checking and a savings account? What’s the difference between a credit union and a bank?

    We explore all that and more in our Banking Basics Workshop. Understand the basics of opening and maintaining an account at a financial institution and how to find the right fit for you.

    Book this workshop as an in-person event or a webinar!

  • Understand how to financially prepare for college and the different types of financial assistance you can apply for.

    Book this workshop as an in-person event or a webinar!

  • Understand how to budget for the holiday season and avoid getting into debt.

    Walk away with best practices, and holiday shopping tips - it’s a holly jolly time!

    Book this workshop as an in-person event or a webinar!

  • Understand how to manage the additional costs of being a homeowner while building financial stability for your family.

    Book this workshop as an in-person event or a webinar!

  • Understand how to budget, pay off debt, build savings, and build credit to ensure long-term financial stability.

    Book this workshop as an in-person event or as a webinar!


Free Financial Coaching

Carolina Foothills has helped hundreds of members achieve their financial goals through our free financial coaching program. Each of our six Upstate branch locations has certified coaches on staff, including Spanish-speaking coaches! Simply call to schedule an appointment. We may be able to help with:

  • Budgeting

  • Debt Management

  • Savings Goals

  • Saving for a Home

  • Understanding Your Credit Score

  • & More!



Online Resources

So much to learn, so little time! We get it, that’s why we have a curated library of online learning sessions and resources so that you can take your time and learn at your own pace.

Our partners at GreenPath Financial Wellness have a robust library of videos and content to help you, our members, learn and grow in your financial knowledge. GreenPath is free to our members, simply click the link below and create to learn more on topics like:

  • Debt Repayment

  • Checking Account Management

  • Aligning Priorities

  • Housing 101

  • Navigating Auto Buying

  • Redesigning Financial Habits

  • Identity Theft

  • & More

GreenPath Financial Counseling

GreenPath’s professional counselors will listen respectfully and support you in reviewing your situation. They’ll give you advice on budgeting and planning. They’ll suggest services and options that support your goals. And they’ll connect you with information or specialized counselors to support your individual needs. Chat with a counselor today for free by calling the number below.

 
 

GreenPath Housing Services

 
 

GreenPath Articles

  • Click here to learn more from our friends at GreenPath.

  • Click here to learn more about secured vs unsecured loans from our friends at GreenPath.

  • Click here to view resources about Credit Cards from our friends at GreenPath.

  • Hear financial stories from GreenPath, click here to listen.

  • Click here for access to GreenPath’s financial calculators.

  • Click here for GreenPath worksheets.