Without the ability to pay their mortgage or rent, families may find it impossible to achieve a sense of security, let alone take the steps necessary to create a better life for themselves. That’s why our work in income is focused on helping people become empowered with the goal of reaching financial stability through the following programs:
Free Financial Education Workshops
United way of Brevard offers FREE Financial workshops to the community in Brevard.
Interested in attending or setting up a workshop for your organization? Please contact Morgan Bonilla or call 321- 615-3274.
Keeping Track of Your Money Workshops are held in 60- to 90 minute sessions and can be tailored for all age groups. Topics covered:
• Learn how credit cards, credit scores and credit reports can have an impact on your financial goals
• How to create a Three Step Spending Plan
• Identify ways to manage and/or decrease spending
• Managing Debt and Credit
• Strategies to get out of debt
• Strategies to reduce stress by using simple money management practices
• Identity theft Prevention/ Identity theft recovery plan
• How to plan for retirement
Ongoing Workshops
Career Source Brevard - To register for workshops at Career Source Brevard please visit the website www.careersourcebrevard.com and select the date you are interested on the event calendar.
Free Tax Preparation Services
United Way offers free tax prep to give you that extra boost, reduce debt, build savings and improve your finances. United Way Free Tax Prep site locations are available throughout Brevard or you may visit MyFreeTaxes.com depending on family household income.
We are dedicated to helping as many community members as we can and encourage taxpayers to be wary of preparers promising faster refunds through expensive financial practices, like loans.
The IRS certified volunteer tax preparers at our free tax preparation sites go through at least 15 hours of training and are certified by the IRS. We make sure our customers get high-quality, professional service from trained volunteers who are equipped to identify tax refund opportunities for customers. Tax sites will open again in January 2019.
TaxSites_YearlyRecap
Thanks to your generosity
United Way Tax Program has Big Impact on Brevard
United Way helps local families keep more of their hard-earned cash
Did you know that United Way volunteers prepared 1,577 tax returns for low-to-moderate income workers saving them the cost of tax preparation and helping them claim all the tax credits for which they are eligible? These efforts have an estimated community-wide impact of $1.7M.Tax refunds help working Americans put money in their pockets for everyday items and save for the future. According to a study from United Way Worldwide, about 23 percent of those asked say they spend their refunds for food, while 22 percent spend the money on housing costs; 31 percent use their refunds for utilities. One quarter of those who receive refunds put the money into savings or invest the funds for the future.
Here in Brevard, 30 IRS certified volunteers spent over 2,193 hours preparing taxes which collectively saved Brevard low-income residents $404,250 in fees for tax preparation services.
Interested in volunteering with United Way of Brevard as a VITA Volunteer? - Click Here
Financial Resources
Check out these online resources to help you improve your financial stability. These sites are packed with great information and interactive budgeting tools.
www.spendster.org
Use the Spendster Calculator to find out what how daily expenditures on things you don’t really need add up and what your money’s worth.
www.annualcreditreport.com
The ONLY source for your FREE credit reports
www.ftc.gov
Includes “Facing Foreclosure”
https://www.mint.com/
From money and budgeting to customized tips and more—get a clear view of your total financial life
www.mymoney.gov
Making the most of your money starts with five building blocks for managing and growing your money -- The MyMoney Five. Keep these five principles in mind as you make day-to-day decisions and plan your financial goals.
www.handsonbanking.org
Want to take charge of your own finances and reach your goals? Just pick your age group and get started!
www.americasaves.org
Once you start saving, it gets easier and easier and before you know it, you're on your way to making your dreams a reality.
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/YMM/default.aspx
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater encourages you to learn more about how to protect your hard earned money, plan for the future and avoid falling victim to various financial frauds, scams and identity theft. There are also lots of great online calculators and financial educational games for children.
http://www.dallasfed.org/microsites/cd/wealth/index.html
Building Wealth program; interactive and mobile programs
www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart
FDIC Money Smart coursework
https://www.bettermoneyhabits.com
Build your financial know-how with free tools and information to help you make more confident decisions.
It's a simple way of getting real, practical knowledge, brought to you by Bank of America
www.consumerfinance.gov/money-as-you-grow/
Learn about resources for parents and caregivers
“Paying for College” at www.consumerfinance.gov/payingforcollege
Make informed decisions about paying for college, from comparing costs to repaying student debt
www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint
To file a complaint about consumer financial products or services (mortgages, credit cards, student loans, bank accounts, credit reporting, auto loans, debt collection, payday loans, money transfers, and more), or call 855-411-CFPB. The CFPB call center offers assistance in 189 languages
“Owning a Home” at www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home
To make informed decisions about buying a home, from interest rates to loan options to closing with ease
www.consumerfinance.gov/older-americans/
To learn how to prevent elder financial exploitation and to view easy-to-understand booklets to help financial caregivers for older Americans
www.consumerfinance.gov/servicemembers/
To learn about financial resources and financial protection for service members
www.smartaboutmoney.org
compound interest calculators, budget calculators and resources regarding money management
www.powerpay.org
calculates your debts and offers the best payment plan
www.choosetosave.org
money management resources
www.consumerfinance.gov
money management resources and free materials
www.ftc.gov
Federal Trade Commission - money management resources and free materials
www.americasaves.org
money management resources