Extension Financial Education Resources

• Extension Financial Education – Find a variety of resources on financial well-being, avoiding scams and identity theft, and planning for life’s unexpected events.
• Calendar of Financial Education Programs – This calendar lists upcoming Extension Programs offered in-person and virtually. Programs include Encouraging Financial Conversations, Rent Smart, Planning AHEAD, and more.
• Managing Your Personal Finances in Touch Times – learn where to start when you can’t pay the bills and what can happen when you don’t pay bills
• Managing Between Jobs -a series of publications that present valuable strategies for dealing with job loss or a drastic reduction in income (PDFs can be viewed for free.)

Income Tax Assistance in Racine County

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national program staffed by local volunteers to provide free preparation and electronic filing of tax returns. It’s an important service to thousands of individuals and families in Racine County with low-to-moderate incomes who are eligible for tax credits. IRS certified volunteers help to take the stress and confusion out of tax season and save clients on average $200 per tax return. You may qualify for VITA services if:

– You do not file Married Filing Separate

– You do not have rental or farm income

– You do not file a return for a state other than Wisconsin

The VITA program is operated by the United Way of Racine County. For more information including locations, hours, and appointments, visit https://www.unitedwayracine.org/vita

Rent Smart

Rent Smart focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience.  It challenges participants to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as know and understand the rights and responsibilities of their landlord. The 6, 1-hour modules cover topics including choosing a rental that fits your budget, who is responsible for repairs, pre-rental inspection, landlord communication, eviction, and more. The program is offered monthly online, to see the schedule and register, visit https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/rentsmart/rent-smart-online/

City of Racine Financial Empowerment Center

The Racine Financial Empowerment Center in Racine (FEC) offers one-on-one, confidential professional financial counseling as a free public service. Services are available to all City of Racine residents age 18+ regardless of income. The Racine FEC helps you reduce your debt, improve your credit, create a budget, grow your savings, connect to safe and affordable financial products, plan for home ownership, and much more. Visit the web site https://www.racinefec.org/

Resources

• DATCP – Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection – Consumer topics and resources such as tenant rights, consumer protection
• Landlord / Tenant Guide – a guide for landlords and tenants from DATCP
• Tenant Resource Center – rental rights – 877-238-RENT
• Federal Trade Commission – FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
• HUD – US Dept of Housing and Urban Development
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling – NFCC – 800-388-2227 – resources and can check to see if credit counseling agency is certified
• Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education – AFCPE – resources and can check to see if credit counseling agency is certified