Money Skills & Growing Your Money

It is important to learn skills to manage and grow your money. We share a list of financial programs and resources below.

In addition, some organizations offer programs that allow you to save some of your money in special accounts. Some of these accounts come with matching funds. This means that when you save money, the government or an agency also puts money in your savings account. Most of these accounts have restrictions on how you can spend the money you have saved.

The Vermont Matched Savings Program can help people start saving some of their earned income for a home purchase or repair, higher education, a business, or to buy or repair a car. Ask about it at your local community action agency

Family Self-Sufficiency Programs (FSSs) can help families increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies. FSS accounts help you to save money.

Learn more about FSS accounts on U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) website.
Ask about the FSS program at your local Public Housing Authority.

Financial programs and resources

Find more information about improving money skills:

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) financial education - 1-802-860-1417
Opportunities Credit Union financial education - 1-800-865-8328
Your local Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center
USDA Rural Development, New Hampshire and Vermont State Office - 1-802-828-6000
Taking Charge: Plan Now for Future Financial Control

Guides to Managing Money

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has written a series of guides to managing money. The guides can help you make basic decisions about managing your money

Each guide features short tips to help you avoid financial problem areas. The guides also tell where to make a complaint if you’re having a problem with a financial product or service.

Ways to Receive Your Money

Have you received a paycheck but aren’t sure which is best – to cash it or put it into a bank account? You can use this guide to compare the benefits and risks of getting paid in cash, with a check, by direct deposit or on a card.

English |Español

Checklist for Opening a Bank Account

If you’re interested in opening a bank or credit union account, you can use this guide. Use the checklist to make sure you have the paperwork you need to open your account.

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Ways to Pay Your Bills

Are you trying to decide whether to pay your rent by check or credit card? Take a look at this guide to compare the benefits and risks of paying regular and one-time bills by check or money order, by direct debit, online or in cash.

English | Español

Selecting Financial Products and Services

If you’re trying to decide which financial services are right for you, this guide can help. It provides information about bank accounts, common transactions, and prepaid cards, debit cards and more.

English | Español

You can search for financial education materials in several languages on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website. Languages including Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, French, Tagalog, Chinese and Arabic.