Financial Readiness Program (FRP)

Financial Planning and Consumer Affairs Services – Personal Financial Planning and Consumer Affairs Services are offered to help Soldiers and their families develop and maintain a realistic spending plan, reduce debts, improve their credit, plan for the future through savings and investment, and resolve consumer complaints.

Individual Counseling – Individual counseling is available for Soldiers and Families requiring or wishing to receive personal assistance.

Classes – The Financial Readiness Program (FRP) offers regularly scheduled classes on money management, saving and investing, credit and debt management, and consumer affairs, such as home and car buying. Classes are also offered to units in all areas of personal financial planning.

Special Classes – In addition to routine classes and individual counseling, our staff is available to teach financial readiness classes required by AR 350-1 or to present to groups.

 

Financial Counseling (by appointment)

• Budget Counseling

• Debt Management Counseling

• Overall Financial Planning

• Basic Investment Planning

• Retirement Planning

• Student Loan Management

• Credit Counseling

• Credit Reports & Scores

• Home and Car Buying

• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

• Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA)

 

Debt Management

If you find yourself in the position of considering loan consolidation, you may be headed for financial difficulty.

The following are danger signs:

• More than 20% of your take home pay is used for credit payments (excluding home mortgage).

• You have one or more loans from lending companies at 18% or more interest.

• You use credit cards impulsively.

• You routinely use your overdraft protection.

• You do not pay your bills on time.

• You pay only the minimum amount down on your charge accounts each month.

• The use of advance check cashing and pay day loans is part of your regular budget plan.

• Your car loan is financed at 12% or more interest.

If any of the above describes you or your spouse, don't wait! Stop by or call (315) 772-2919 / 5196 and schedule an appointment with a financial counselor.

 

Financial Management Tips:

1. Obtain a yearly credit report. The three major companies are:

            TransUnion Corporation (800) 916-8800

            Experian (888) 397-3742

            Equifax (800) 685-1111

2. If you want telemarketers to stop calling your home, register with the “Do Not Call” Registry. For the federal government, contact http://donotcall.gov/default.aspx or call 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone you wish not to be called. New York state can be contacted by calling 1-800-697-1220 or online at www.consumer.state.ny.us.

3. For every pre-approved credit offer you receive, an inquiry has been made into your credit report. The number of “hits” on your account may work against you. To exclude your name from a list of pre-screened names for a two-year period, call the Opt Out Request Line at 1-888-567-8688.