- If you’re interested in this program and you live within our service area, fill out our application form then follow the prompts to schedule a virtual appointment.
- If you’re unable to reserve a virtual appointment or would rather meet with one of our team members in person to begin your application process, we also accept walk-ins at all of our career centers.
Financial Basics Workshop
Goodwill and Common Wealth Charlotte have partnered together to offer a free Financial Basics class to the community. If you have questions about budgeting, setting financial goals, credit, and investing, this may be the class for you! Financial Basics is offered over the course of three days, and class meets one hour per day.
2024 Workshop Dates
| Enrollment Period | Class Dates | Class Time | Delivery |
| February 14 – March 15 | March 19 – 21 | 10 – 11 a.m. | In-person |
| March 13 – April 16 | April 23 – 25 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Virtual |
| April 17 – May 7 | May 14 – 16 | 10 – 11 a.m. | In-person |
| May 8 – June 18 | June 25 – 27 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Virtual |
| June 19 – July 2 | July 9 – 11 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Virtual |
| July 3 – 30 | August 6 – 8 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Virtual |
| July 31 – September 3 | September 10 – 12 | 10 – 11 a.m. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
Virtual |
| September 4 – October 15 | October 22 – 24 | 10 – 11 a.m. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
Hybrid |
| October 16 – November 5 | November 12 – 14 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Virtual |
| November 6 – December 3 | December 10 – 12 | 10 – 11 a.m. | Virtual |
Course Format
JUNE 25 – 27
Day 1: Financial Empowerment
Start with the basics! In this personal finance “101” workshop, you will learn the foundations of money management such as how to spend, save, and give; the monetary value of your time; how to avoid bad credit products; how to become a credible borrower; and how to set financial goals. It’s the best one-hour investment you’ll ever make in financial education!
Day 2: Financial Goal Setting
Does setting financial goals intimidate you? It doesn’t have to! This one-hour workshop on how to set short, medium and long-term SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals will leave you feeling more confident about setting and meeting goals to achieve financial success – because a goal without a plan is just a wish!
Day 3: Credit – Beyond the Basics
Want to understand credit and the credit system? It’s something everyone should know. In just one hour you will learn how the credit system began and who manages it, how to access and understand your credit report, how credit can work for you or against you, and how to raise your credit score without resorting to predatory financial products.
JULY 9 – 11 & OCTOBER 22 – 24
Day 1: Financial Empowerment
Start with the basics! In this personal finance “101” workshop, you will learn the foundations of money management such as how to spend, save, and give; the monetary value of your time; how to avoid bad credit products; how to become a credible borrower; and how to set financial goals. It’s the best one-hour investment you’ll ever make in financial education!
Day 2: Financial Goal Setting
Does setting financial goals intimidate you? It doesn’t have to! This one-hour workshop on how to set short, medium and long-term SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals will leave you feeling more confident about setting and meeting goals to achieve financial success – because a goal without a plan is just a wish!
Day 3: Buy Your Car With Confidence
Too many people pay too much for a car. You’ll learn how to be an informed consumer the next time you walk onto the lot. You’ll learn how to create a conscious spending plan, how to get credit-ready, options for borrowing, and who the enemies are in the process – all part of this money-saving educational experience.
AUGUST 6 – 8 & SEPTEMBER 10 – 12
Day 1: Financial Empowerment
Start with the basics! In this personal finance “101” workshop, you will learn the foundations of money management such as how to spend, save, and give; the monetary value of your time; how to avoid bad credit products; how to become a credible borrower; and how to set financial goals. It’s the best one-hour investment you’ll ever make in financial education!
Day 2: Financial Goal Setting
Does setting financial goals intimidate you? It doesn’t have to! This one-hour workshop on how to set short, medium and long-term SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals will leave you feeling more confident about setting and meeting goals to achieve financial success – because a goal without a plan is just a wish!
Day 3: Homebuying
It’s one of the largest assets most people will ever purchase, and not one to take lightly. Learn what it takes to be a homeowner, from the steps to qualify and what lenders look for, to an overview of mortgage programs and how to maximize this great asset to create generational wealth.
NOVEMBER 12 – 14
Day 1: Financial Empowerment
Start with the basics! In this personal finance “101” workshop, you will learn the foundations of money management such as how to spend, save, and give; the monetary value of your time; how to avoid bad credit products; how to become a credible borrower; and how to set financial goals. It’s the best one-hour investment you’ll ever make in financial education!
Day 2: Credit – Beyond the Basics
Want to understand credit and the credit system? It’s something everyone should know. In just one hour you will learn how the credit system began and who manages it, how to access and understand your credit report, how credit can work for you or against you, and how to raise your credit score without resorting to predatory financial products.
Day 3: Homebuying
It’s one of the largest assets most people will ever purchase, and not one to take lightly. Learn what it takes to be a homeowner, from the steps to qualify and what lenders look for, to an overview of mortgage programs and how to maximize this great asset to create generational wealth.
DECEMBER 10 – 12
Day 1: Financial Empowerment
Start with the basics! In this personal finance “101” workshop, you will learn the foundations of money management such as how to spend, save, and give; the monetary value of your time; how to avoid bad credit products; how to become a credible borrower; and how to set financial goals. It’s the best one-hour investment you’ll ever make in financial education!
Day 2: Credit – Beyond the Basics
Want to understand credit and the credit system? It’s something everyone should know. In just one hour you will learn how the credit system began and who manages it, how to access and understand your credit report, how credit can work for you or against you, and how to raise your credit score without resorting to predatory financial products.
Day 3: Tax Season
You don’t have to dread tax season. Instead, spend an hour learning the basics of tax preparation – who can file and what the IRS needs, what a filing status is, the types of returns, and more. You’ll come away with information on standard deductions, who can take advantage of them, and how to get your largest refund.
Prerequisite
There are no prerequisites for this workshop.
