Take control of your money before it takes control of you. This 6-week workshop is designed for young adults who want to build real-world financial confidence and make smart decisions from the start.

Led by Financial Literacy Coach Mary Pesek, each session breaks down essential money skills—without the jargon. You’ll learn how to budget on a student income, borrow and repay loans wisely, use credit cards without getting burned, and start building savings even when cash is tight. We’ll also cover key steps to protecting your identity, making big purchases like a car or apartment, and setting financial goals that actually feel achievable.

Topics Include:

Week 1 - Money Management Basics

Objective: Build a foundation for financial confidence

• Understanding income vs. expenses
• 50/30/20 Budgeting rule
• Creating & sticking to a simple monthly budget

Activity: Fill out a personal budget worksheet

Takeaway Resource: Budget Template + Top 5 money tracking apps

Week 2 - Smart Financial Decisions

Objective: Understanding big-ticket decisions and long term impacts

• Buying vs. Leasing a Car: cost, maintenance, & lifestyle factors
• Buying Vs. Renting a Home: equity, flexibility, & costs

Activity: Group pros/cons comparison exercises

Takeaway Resource: Car & Home decision-making checklist

Week 3 - Credit & Debit Management

Objective: Learn to Build, Protect, & Improve your Credit

• What makes up your credit score
• How to use credit cards wisely
• Strategies for paying down debt

Activity: Credit Score Myth-Busting Quiz

Takeaway Resource: Credit Score Improvement Plan

Week 4 - Frauds, Scams & Identity Protection

Objective: Recognize and Avoid Common Scams

• Types of Scams (online, phone, social media)
• How to protect personal information
• Steps to take if your identity is stolen

Activity: Spot-the-scam game using real-life examples

Takeaway Resource: Fraud prevention quick guide

Week 5 - Life Logistics & Adult Responsibilities

Objective: Learn essential skills for day-to-day adult life

• Apartment hunting tips & lease tricks
• Setting up utilities & services
• Basic home maintenance & repairs

Activity: Lease review and "red flag" spotting exercise

Takeaway Resource: Car & Home decision-making checklist

Week 6 - Side Hustles

Objective: Explore ways to earn additional income, manage workload, & avoid burnout

Materials: Side hustle idea list, pros/cons worksheet, time management tools

Activity: Brainstorm income streams; case study of a successful side hustle, create an action plan

Key Points: Align side hustle with skills/interests, legal/tax considerations, time vs. income balance

Program Highlights

• Interactive exercises every week
• Real-life scenarios & decision-making practice
• Take-home tools to apply immediately
• Optional one-on-one coaching sessions for participants