Finding Paths to Prosperity, Participant Workbook

by Inger Giuffrida and Peter Genuardi (published by National Endowment for Financial Education, 2001)

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Summary:

The primary focus of this workbook is the Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which offers extremely-low- to mid-income families the opportunity to increase designated saving earmarked for buying a home, capitalizing a business, or continuing their education.  Overall, the workbook instructs adults in general financial literacy, leading them through many topics of concern, including:      

·    Building assets

·    Long-term planning

·    Communicating about money

·    The importance of good credit

·    Investing for retirement

In addition to the general overview on financial matters, this workbook is filled with practical detailed information that is pertinent to lower income families.  For instance, it outlines Earned Income Credit (EIC) options, compares banks to credit unions, and offers income and expense worksheets and various other charts and exercises to effectively teach the material. 

The curriculum is free to download and free by mail but includes a $50 shipping fee.  The facilitator’s guide is a necessary companion that comes with the workbook. These materials were produced jointly by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), and the Fannie Mae Foundation.

Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?

Program directors desiring to create an IDA program will find the workbook and facilitator’s guide to be a complete and effective curriculum—the format is easy to follow, the language is simple and clear, and the content is thorough.