Mortgage Payment Program Information Session

Details about how to apply for a special North Carolina Housing Finance Agency program that can pay your mortgage while you are unemployed and looking for work. The program also can pay if you are enrolled in a formal retraining program (community college or university). Payments go directly to your mortgage company; the loan is at zero interest and is forgiven if you stay in your home for 10 years.

When offered: Most Thursdays during the year from 10:00-11:30 am. The majority of the sessions are at the TFS Blue Ridge location, but occasional sessions are scheduled at the Durham County Library East Regional branch.

Cost: Free

Empowerment Zone Workshop

Lots of good advice and focused tips on budget and credit issues. Learn how to level the playing field and understand the rules when dealing with banks and financial institutions. The session also offers contact information for follow up with a counselor.

When offered: Every other Wednesday from 6-8 pm throughout the year at our TFS Blue Ridge location, with occasional sessions at various Durham County Library branches.

Cost: Free

Mortgage Zone Workshop

Detailed information about dealing with your mortgage lender when you are struggling to make payments. The workshop presents 4 key strategies to achive stable housing - budgeting, loan modifications, alternatives to lender workouts, and transition planning. Lots of emphasis is placed on getting the financials right to get a loan modification successfully through the lender labyrinth. Also explains the terminology and sequence of events when a foreclosure action is initiated.

When offered: Every other Wednesday from 6-8 pm throughout the year at our TFS Blue Ridge location, with occasional sessions at various Durham County Library branches.

Cost: Free

First-time Homebuyer Workshop

Covers the essential of buying a home, with a full day of presentations from our counselors, mortgage lender, realtor, insurance agent, and home inspector. This is a HUD-approved full 8 hr workshop that meets the requirements for down payment assistance options. The budget and credit section will provide enough information to help you fit that mortgage payment in your budget and fix credit issues that may otherwise disqualify you from getting a loan. Certificate (good for one year) issued.

When offered: Every other month at our Blue Ridge location. All workshops are on Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and include lunch.

Cost: Free.



Budgeting and Ways to Save

Our core budget class that explains why and how to create a budget, along with lots of money-saving tips. Savings ideas come from real life experiences, so you should discover at least one new way to stretch your budget.

Where offered: The class is being offered in 2011 at various Durham County Library branches.

Cost: Free.

Credit In-Depth

Our core credit class that reveals everything you need to know about credit cards, credit reports and scores, and repairing and rebuilding your credit. You are likely to be surprised when you find out how the credit game is really played.

Where offered: The class is being offered in 2011 at various Durham County Library branches, as well as at our Blue Ridge location. Note that if you miss a scheduled class, the Empowerment Zone workshop covers lots of credit issues within the session.

Cost: Free.

Unemployment Tool Kit

This class offers sound advice for the unemployed. It gives an overview of benefits available to those looking for work, and explains how to deal with the budget, credit, and housing issues that you are likely to encounter. The session helps you make your limited funds stretch as well as pointing the way to resources that can help through the transition period.

When offered: Limited public classes, as well as being available to groups for on-site presentations upon request.

Cost: Free

Cars: Here's the Deal

How to buy, maintain, and sell your auto. The class offers tips and detailed examples on how to research and negotiate, compare car deals, understand leasing fundamentals, and how to stay away from the repo man. Several top ten lists offer insight into some of the best and worst car deals around.

When offered: Limited public classes, as well as being available to groups for on-site presentations upon request.

Cost: Free

Investing Basics

Learn what investing is all about, especially if you are a casual investor who wants to understand how to allocate money for a 401K or IRA. Covers cash, stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds. You may not find out about the next Google here, but you will be better prepared to find ways to make your money grow.

When offered: Limited public classes, as well as being available to groups for on-site presentations upon request.

Cost: Free

Identity Theft

How to protect yourself from thieves who can steal your SSN or credit card number and wreak havoc on your life. Handout includes a comprehensive publication also available on the ftc.gov web site.

Where offered: The class is being offered in 2011 at various Durham County Library branches, as well as at our Blue Ridge location.

Cost: Free



Financial Teen Talk

Classes for parents or teens, or for parents and teens. Covers the basics: saving, budgeting, pay stubs, buying a car, loans and credit. Covers all the adult topics, but with a better connection for teens and younger adults.

When offered: Available to high school teachers and administrators upon request in a classroom setting and designed to fit within a back-to-back two period session.

Cost: Free

College on a Budget

Designed for first year college students. Presents the budget choices they have available as they adjust to college life and manage their finances. An optional addition covers the basics of credit card use and wise use of student loans.

When offered: Not currently planned. Available to college administrators and student loan officers upon request in a classroom setting and designed for a 45 to 90 minute presentation.

Cost: Free

$$$ Happily Ever After

For engaged couples, newlyweds - anyone sharing financial obligations. Get your budget/credit issues in order and your relationship will benefit.

When offered: Not currently scheduled, but available to groups for on-site presentations upon request.

Cost: Free