Significant Debt Client Resources/Handouts

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Preparation Checklist

Meeting Agenda

Resources/Handouts

Manage Your Money, Manage Your Life! A presentation intended as basic information to help clients get control of their finances. This PowerPoint presents general information on saving, retirement planning, emergency funds, large purchases, budgeting, credit, and insurance.

Managing Debt. A handout of tips on juggling bills and basic information about credit reports.

Budgeting

Making a Spending Plan. An exercise clients can use to create a simple budget.

Plugging Spending Leaks. An exercise demonstrating how "little" choices can add up to significant dollar amounts over time.

Separating Needs from Wants. An exercise that demonstrates how perceptions of needs and wants affect client spending choices.

Shopping Smart. A handout of tips on how to save money while shopping in general, plus tips on saving money on food, transportation, entertainment, clothing, appliances, and more.

Taking a Look at Wants: Asking the Big Questions. An exercise challenging clients to examine why an item or service belongs on their "Wants" list.

Using a Bill-Payment Calendar. A handout showing how to use a calendar for a simple bill-payment reminder system.

Saving/Investing

Saving for Emergencies. A worksheet clients can use to determine how much to save for an emergency fund.

Saving Simply. A handout of simple tips on saving money to put in a savings account.

Seeing How Savings Grow. A handout showing the growth of various monthly savings amounts over time.

Using the Rule of 72. A handout showing how the Rule of 72 works in investing.

Paying Down Debt/Assistance Programs

Declaring Bankruptcy: A Last Resort. A handout with basic information about bankruptcy.

Determining If You Have Too Much Debt. A handout listing the top 10 signs of too much debt.

Getting Help with Credit. A handout of ideas on getting help with credit, including calling creditors and using a credit counseling service.

Locating Nonprofit Credit Counseling Information. A blank worksheet to list names and phone numbers of credit counseling agencies. The planner should collect local agency information prior to meeting with the client.

Using a Debt Recovery Worksheet. A worksheet showing clients how to prioritize a debt-repayment plan.

Rebuilding a Credit History

Correcting a Credit Report. A handout describing your options for correcting errors on your credit report.

Managing Credit and Debt A handout explaining how to build good credit.

Understanding Credit Reports. A handout about reviewing your credit report and building good credit.

Credit Cards

Comparing Credit Cards. A worksheet allowing side-by-side comparisons of different creditors.

Taking Control of Credit Cards. A handout describing the wise use of credit cards.

Using Credit Cards Wisely. A handout describing the need for credit cards, how they can help you establish credit, and the consequences of making only minimum payments.

Behavior Modification

Avoiding Money Traps. A handout describing payday loans, rent-to-own stores, and other sources of high-cost short-term loans.

Setting SMART Financial Goals. An exercise clients can use to establish SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Trackable).