Habitat for Humanity to host money-management course

Financial Peace University, a free, public, personal money-management course, will be offered by Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity starting Saturday, Jan. 31.

The interactive class will meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 31 through March 28, at Genesis Community Church, 1300 S. Broadway in Montgomery.

Individuals and couples earning up to $45,000 annually are invited.

Instructors will be Habitat interns Alesha Lieser, Aurora; Jasmine Mitchell, Oswego; and Meghan Crotty, Addison. All are Aurora University social work majors.

Course topics explore saving, money and relationships, budgeting, credit and collections, giving, insurance, bargain buying, saving for college, retirement planning and cash-flow management.

At each class, students will view a video lesson and participate in discussion groups.

Students will learn a step-by-step process for getting out of debt and staying out of debt, crafting a monthly spending plan, and setting financial goals and communicating about money to others.

Each student receives the FPU workbook, audio CD library, budgeting forms, a cash-management envelope system, debit card holders, tip cards and more.

Emily Vose, Habitat assistant executive director, said, "More than one million families have attended FPU with amazing results.

"More than one million families have attended FPU with amazing results. On average, they paid off $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 in the first 90 days of the course," Vose said. Seating is limited. To register or for more information, call (630) 859-3333 or email jmitchell@foxvalleyhabitat.org.