Class Descriptions

Budgeting/Saving/Credit

Learn the basics of credit and its importance for your financial health. Explore the importance of budgeting and how to create a plan that you can stick to. Gain tips for saving money – even when you are living paycheck to paycheck – by living off the land and staying out of the commercial re-sale market. Discover how to translate tangible skills into successful saving and budgeting for your family and creating a secure future for your family members in case of emergency.

Credit Essentials

Take an in-depth look at credit reports and scores, including what comprises a FICO score and how credit bureaus gather financial data. Understand why having credit is an important today, especially when our ancestors have gone ages without it, and explore the role credit plays in navigating the rising cost of living. Learn what types of information are reported to credit bureaus, how to recognize and prevent fraud, and why regularly checking your credit report is essential. Gain knowledge on the difference between helpful and harmful debts and walk away with practical dos and don’ts for improving and maintaining credit.

Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education

Understand how to financially prepare for mortgage payments, with a strong emphasis on the importance of budgeting before your purchase. Learn what escrow is, how it affects your monthly payment, and why it matters in the homebuying process. Discuss the process you follow once you submit a mortgage application, including what to expect and how to prepare for closing. Learn what closing means, what happens when closing is finalized, and how to ensure you are financially prepared for homeownership.

Post-Purchase Homebuyer Education

Prepare for long-term savings and expected maintenance costs by knowing who to contact if you find yourself in financial hardship as a homeowner. Gain practical tips for maintaining your home with basic, daily maintenance that can help you avoid larger costs later and keep your energy costs low.

Retirement

Learn how to prepare for retirement and why it’s important to start preparing at a young age. Get guidance on how to create and access your own account on ssa.gov, where you can track your Social Security benefits and explore resources such as retirement calculator tools to help you estimate your savings needs based on your personal information. Understand the differences between common retirement savings options such as 401(k)s and Roth IRAs. Discover the importance of enrolling in Medicare by 65, and get answers to frequently asked questions about when to retire and how to find and work with a financial advisor to create a personalized retirement plan.

Insurance

Taught by a lifelong insurance agent with experience in both homeowners and commercial policies, this session answers frequently asked questions about the importance of homeowners insurance – what it covers, what it doesn’t, and why. Learn how to shop for insurance effectively, what to look for in coverage and offers, and why it’s importance to have insurance in place before an emergency – coverage cannot be backdated! Gain knowledge on flood and earthquake zones, the need for supplemental insurance in these areas, and how to approach claims – understanding the difference between using insurance for routine maintenance vs true emergencies and why knowing when NOT to file a claim is just as important as knowing when to. 

Post-Purchase Home Maintenance (4 Seasons)

Taught by THRHA’s Safety Coordinator, there is one maintenance class for each season – Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each class focuses on the importance of both indoor and outdoor home maintenance applies to each respective season and is applicable to Alaskan housing and the Temperate Rainforest of Southeast. You will also learn safety items such as checking fire extinguishers, safe snow removal, cleaning chimneys and flues, clearing gutters and downspouts, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, safe woodstove maintenance, checking roofs and foundations/crawl spaces. Ventilation, frozen pipe prevention and other items that people don’t necessarily think about will also be covered, as well as how to prepare for, or how to inspect to prevent disasters and emergencies.

 Spring Maintenance:

• Roof Inspection Tips and Necessities
• Preparing Your Outdoors for Growth and Warm Weather Enjoyment
• Spring Cleaning Must’s
• Checking for Winter Damage

Summer Maintenance:

• Time to Paint and Clean Exterior of Home
• Short Window for Necessary Outdoor Repairs- What Are They?
• Maintenance on Your Heating Unit is Year Round
• Tips for Keeping Your Household Safe

Fall Maintenance:

• Fall Means RAIN- Clean Those Gutters and Downspouts!
• Furnace Tune Up and Inspection- Why this is Important
• Weatherizing your Home for the Rain and Cold Season
• Preparing for Fire Safety in Your Home

Winter Maintenance:

• Freezing Temperatures are HERE- How to Protect Your Home
• Snow and Ice Safety and Necessities
• Wood Stove and Heat Pump Safety and Tips
• Winter is the time for FIRE- How to Prepare for Potential Disaster

Fraud and Identity Theft Prevention
Protecting Your Finances and Personal Information

In this essential workshop, participants will learn how to recognize, avoid, and respond to common forms of fraud and identity theft. We will cover the latest scams targeting individuals and communities, especially those in rural and tribal areas, and provide practical tools to safeguard your personal and financial information.

Topics include:
• Understanding identity theft and fraud schemes
• Recognizing phishing, phone, and online scams
• How to monitor your credit and report suspicious activity
• Best practices for protecting your personal information
• Steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft

This class is ideal for anyone looking to build confidence in managing their financial safety in today’s digital world. Whether you are just getting started or want to strengthen your defenses, this session will equip you with actionable tips and resources to stay one step ahead.

New-Age Budgeting: Using Apps to Take Control of Your Money
Modern Tools for Smarter Saving and Spending

Take the guesswork out of managing your finances. This hands-on workshop explores how to use today’s most popular savings and budgeting apps to take control of your money, reduce stress, and build financial confidence. Participants will learn how technology can simplify budgeting, track spending in real time, set savings goals, and even automate progress toward financial wellness.

Topics include:
• Overview of top budgeting and savings apps (like Mint, YNAB, Rocket Money, and more)
• Creating a personalized, mobile-friendly budget
• Setting and tracking savings goals
• Linking bank accounts safely and securely
• Managing subscriptions and reducing spending leaks
• Choosing the right app for your financial habits and lifestyle

Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or just learning the basics, this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to make digital budgeting part of your everyday life.

Small Business Development: The Basics
Turning Your Ideas into a Sustainable Business

Are you ready to start your own business but unsure where to begin? This introductory workshop covers the fundamentals of launching a successful small business. Whether you have a side hustle, a business idea, or are simply exploring entrepreneurship, this session will walk you through the basic steps needed to get started.

Topics include:
• Turning your idea into a viable business model
• Understanding legal structures and business registration
• Basic startup budgeting and financial planning
• Creating a simple business plan
• Introduction to marketing and finding customers
• Overview of available resources and how to access capital

This class is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage business owners, and anyone interested in building economic independence through small business. Learn the building blocks of entrepreneurship and take your first steps toward owning and managing your own business.