“C” Gets an A in Finances

“C” first came to Easter Seals Greater Houston as a participant in a Credit Workshop hosted by Volunteers of America Conroe.  She decided to set up a one-on-one coaching appointment for herself and her husband.  She entered Easter Seals Greater Houston’s Financial Coaching Program with bad credit, $8,000 worth of debt and a family budget that was out of control.  Her goal was to stick to a set monthly budget, reduce her debt and improve her credit score in order to buy her first home.  Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and campus restrictions, she was unable to finish her nursing program training, however she has diligently worked to communicate with and pay off creditors, reduce debt and spend less money each month.  Her credit score improved from a 520 to a 637, she reduced her debt from $8,000 to $184, and she decreased her monthly expenses by $1,814.  We are so proud of C!

Did you know that anyone can participate in our FREE one-on-one financial counseling or our classes that help you with your budget, money management, raising your credit score and more? Learn more about Easter Seals Greater Houston’s free Financial Education, Homebuyer Education Services & Public Benefits Programs today!

Making Houses Homes

Are you a First Time Home Buyer ready to purchase your new home?  If so, congratulations, you have made the first step by reading this blog. My name is Jenny Lopez-Martinez and I am a Financial and Housing Coach for Easter Seals Greater Houston. I would like to invite you to our virtual Homebuyers Education Classes where you will learn the tools needed to become a homeowner.  We will discuss various ways to budget; every participant will receive a budget sheet at the end of session 1. The budget sheet is a tool used to help participants create and reach their financial goal. The class will also discuss the importance of having a savings especially if you are buying a home. The class will introduce the steps on how to pull your credit report, review your credit report and rebuild your credit. We will also review the mortgage loans products, the down payment assistance programs, and every participant will receive additional resources from Freddie Mac.  This is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approve course and open to anyone who is ready to buy their first home. Since the classes are virtual, we are providing the classes in session 1 and session 2. At the end of session 2 or once both classes are completed, you will receive a certificate for your participation. We welcome you to learn more about and participate in our upcoming Homebuyer Education Classes.

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Learn more about Easter Seals Greater Houston’s free Financial Education, Homebuyer Education Services & Public Benefits Programs today!

THRIVE-ing in 2021

Is one of your goals for 2021 to budget or to save money? Easter Seals Greater Houston’s THRIVE team is launching an online Zoom financial education class focusing on budgeting and food. In this class we will discuss a wide range of tips and tricks on how to save money at the grocery store including: why creating a budget is important; how to easily work making a grocery list, checking sale ads and coupons to save money into your life; how to navigate grocery store apps; and how you can implement these cash saving tips in your life.

Check out some of the tips we have for saving money! Join our class and get the in depth knowledge by emailing JGaehring@eastersealshouston.org today.

• Did you know that there are sale cycles on products?
• Being aware of when and what goes on sale and combining coupons is the secret extreme couponers use
• Did you know there’s a way to get a Sunday paper for only a $1.00?
• Did you know there are now manufacture digital coupons or that some grocery stores will match their competitors pricing?
• Did you know there are certain tricks you can combine to save the most money?
• Did you know that there are websites that do all the work for you and recommend where to go for best sale and coupon combinations?

We will be going over how to use grocery store apps, sale ads and coupons to your advantage and how planning ahead can save you money. Learn the secrets and tips to save money on your grocery store trips. Please contact Jessika Gaehring at Jgaehring@eastersealshouston.org if you are interested in this class.

Our THRIVE Program aims to help Veterans, those with disabilities, and their caregivers learn how to budget, one-on-one financial coaching, home buyers education classes and help finding a job.

To learn more about Easter Seals Greater Houston programs please contact

Homebuyers Education Classes & One-on-One Financial Coaching – Jenny Lopez-Martinez at JLopez@eastersealshouston.org

One-on-One Financial Coaching and Financial Classes – Jessika Gaehring at Jgaehring@eastersealshouston.org

Thank You Greater Houston Community Foundation!

Jessica W., a single mother, became a Easter Seals Greater Houston client after Hurricane Harvey.  She sought assistance after being flooded in the home she was renting.  We provided assistance and helped her get back on her feet.  About a year later, Jessica hit another rough patch; she was laid off from her job.  Jessica became a Food Scholarship Program participant to help ease food costs, and started working more closely with a financial coach.  Jessica found another job, and this time stayed with the program, working first to create a realistic budget, and then to build her credit.  Eventually, Jessica was able to get her credit where it needed to be to buy a home.  Then COVID-19 hit.  Jessica was unable to attend our first Homebuyer Education Classes and she took another financial hit.  Her dreams of buying a home were slipping away.  However, with COVID-19 Funding we were able to prevent Jessica from falling behind.  She was able to stay afloat and overcome the hardest financial impacts of COVID.  On September 30^th, Jessica was able to close on a home for her and her son.  She is now saving money from what she was paying in rent.

We cannot thank the Greater Houston Community Foundation enough for its constant support of Easter Seals Greater Houston’s work and its role in the distribution of emergency funds after disasters.  We could not help families like Jessica’s stay afloat, away from crisis, and towards their dreams with GHCF’s partnership.  Thank you Greater Houston Community Foundation, and our amazing liaison, Stephanie Blair!

Learn more about Easter Seals Greater Houston’s broad resources and programs, including Emergency Assistance and Financial Education.