The Financial Readiness Program offers education, counseling and support services to assist Soldiers and their families with their financial affairs, including living within their means and investing for the future. Services offered FREE to Soldiers and their families include:
- Financial Education
- Scheduled classes - See schedule below.
- Unit Training & FRG Training - Financial Readiness classes offered to the units and FRG. Classes can be tailored to fit the needs of your group.
- Consumer Credit Counseling Services
- Debt management - Are in a financial hardship or crisis? FREE confidential assistance is available. Let us assist you in developing a plan to lower your monthly payments, become debt free, manage your credit and avoid potential bankruptcy.
- Budget counseling - Are you overwhelmed in managing your finances? Let us help you develop a budget that will work for you. We will review your assets, liabilities and financial goals and arm you with the knowledge, skills and resources to achieve those financial goals. Brochure
- Consumer Affairs
- Consumer Complaint Resolution - Have your consumer rights have been violated? If so, you can file a DA Form 5184-R Consumer Complaint and submit to our Consumer Advocate at ACS. When filing a complaint please attach all relevant and supporting documentation, i.e. warranties, bill of sale, correspondence with merchant, etc.
- Emergency Food Vouchers - Emergency food voucher is to assist active duty and retired military families with food in an emergency, not to exceed 3 days.
- Family Supplemental Substance Allowance (FSSA) - The FSSA is designed to offer an additional cash subsistence allowance of up to $500 for military families or households. It is an initiative to increase Basic Allowance for Subsistence and remove military families from the food stamp program. Program Screening
- Personal Financial Coaching - One on one financial coaching available to assist soldiers and family members achieve their personal financial goals.
- Financial Track Club - Whether you are financially challenged or savvy, if you are interested in improving your financial health this club is for you. All Service members, Family members, and Civilians on Fort Bliss are welcomed. For more information contact Ana Hernandez at 568-7088
Let the Financial Readiness Program at Army Community Service teach you how to prepare great food on a shoestring budget. Make fantastic pasta, sauces, appetizers, desserts and more, all while stretching your dollars.
Dinner on a Dime focuses on making quick, healthy meals for a price you can afford. Classes take place at ACS, Bldg. 2494 on Ricker Road. The class is free, but pre-registration is required. Register by phone at 569-5365 or 568-1132; register by e-mail at aisha.ruhland@us.army.mil, or register in person at ACS.
Future classes are scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon on the first Tuesday of every month:
- August 3
- September 7
- October 5
- November 2
- December 7
Free child care will be provided for children registered with Child, Youth and School Services.
For more information, call 568-1132.
ACS is hosting an Investing Seminar on August 17 at the Army Community Service - Bldg 2494 - from 0900 – 1200. The seminar will cover topics such as: saving and budgeting, reaching your financial goals, reading a prospectus, what makes up the indexes (Dow Jones, S&P 500), discussing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Individual Retirement Accounts and exploring the internet for useful sites that can help you make wise investment decisions. Your chance to ask questions, so you can make your money work for you and retire RICH!! Contact Leonard C. Foleen, Financial Readiness Specialist at 915-569-7747 for more information.
The Better Business Bureau is coming to Army Community Service to offer consumer awareness classes. Learn to make purchases without becoming a victim.
- August 24, 9-11 a.m.: Wheel Deals...Car buying done right
- September 22, 1:30-3 p.m.: Wheel Deals...Car buying done right
- October 27, 9-11 a.m.: Identity Theft Prevention
All classes will be held at ACS, Bldg 2494 on Ricker Road. Please call 568-7088 to reserve your seat.
Come to our preventive classes at Army Community Service for Soldiers and family members who are feeling overwhelmed with financial issues. ACS has a staff of financial educators to provide information on getting finances under control.
Classes take place from 1:30-3 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday at ACS. The classes provided are Banking and Checking, Planning and Budgeting, Understanding Credit, Savings, Investments, TSP, Debt Management, and Car Buying and Insurance.
Child care vouchers are given for free child care for children registered at CYSS. Call 568-8956 for assistance in getting your child into daycare and attend a financial class!
- First Term Financial Readiness Training: THIS IS A MANDATORY TRAINING FOR E1 TO E3 ON THEIR FIRST ENLISTMENT, PER AR 608-1, in-processing to Fort Bliss. This training can now be easily conducted online at www.myarmylifetoo.com. For more information, call 568-4614.
- Understanding Credit: There are so many credit card offers and loans out there, how do you know which is best for you. This class will explain the different types of accounts that exist, the importance of viewing your credit report, knowing your debt to income and ratio, and more. To register for the class, call 568-7088.
- Car Buying & Insurance: Car buying requires time and research. You will leave with tips, resources and facts that will make you a smarter shopper when it comes to vehicles. To register, call 568-7088.
- Saving, Investing & TSP: You don’t need to have a lot of money to save money. There are three types of saving accounts you should have: emergency, short-term goals, and retirement. If you have all three, you’re in great shape. If you only have one or neither, than come to our Saving, Investing & TSP class to learn how. To register, call 568-7088.
- Planning & Budgeting: Do you feel like no matter how hard you try to pay all your bills, you still find yourself living paycheck to paycheck, worse yet; strapped for cash? If so, this class is for you. To register, call 568-7088.
- Debt Management: Are you up to your eyeballs in debt? Do you find yourself paying more in fees than the original balance? Come learn how to minimize your debt. To register, call 568-7088.
Are you in a financial crisis with creditors? Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) assists individuals in financial crisis by working with creditors to develop plans to pay off debts and live in a cash-based lifestyle. Army Community Service in partnership with CCCS, offers a NO COST, budget counseling and debt management service with certified credit counselor Philip Priest. He will work with you on money problems caused by pay issues, separation and divorce, reduction in pay, overspending, credit abuse, predatory lending problems and more. To get control of your debt, call ACS at 568-7088. Appointments are scheduled in the morning and walk-ins start at 1 p.m.
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