While not a financier by today’s standards, Benjamin Franklin offered up some of history’s best wisdom regarding rates of return: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

In recognition of Get Smart About Credit Day, we’d like to share about how United Way of Northeast Florida’s RealSense initiative puts Franklin’s advice into practice.

Committed to strengthening the financial stability of Northeast Florida, RealSense has shown that financial literacy is vital to improving money management in a way that is positive and sustainable. While often recognized for the extraordinary impact of annual free tax preparation, RealSense matches this great work with an educational workshop series to help families manage their refunds and income wisely.

RealSense workshops are all about empowering individuals to set and achieve important financial goals, from building credit and writing a budget to buying a car or starting a new business. With trained and certified educators, RealSense provides insights on the basic skills necessary to make financial prosperity a reality, and that makes life better for all in Northeast Florida.

RealSense’s workshops and tax services have been internationally recognized with independent research showing that participants report better money management habits 6-months later compared to when they began attending workshops.

RealSense encourages everyone to begin making an investment in financial knowledge today. We invite you to find out what topics are relevant to improving your financial future and attend a free workshop. RealSense is offering a class for first-time home buyers twice in the next week, which will touch on important considerations on a major credit decision. Our financially savvy team will also be holding a financial recovery class on Oct. 23 to help individuals and families get back on track to a better financial future.

See the full schedule, and start investing for free in knowledge that can yield dividends for a lifetime.

The RealSense Prosperity Place is part of a larger, national partnership between Wells Fargo and United Way to build stronger communities by helping people become more financially stable. United Way of Northeast Florida is one of only eight that received a three-year $300,000 grant to participate in the Financial Capability Network, allowing Prosperity Place, located in the Wells Fargo Bank building within the Historic Springfield Community Learning Center, to offer year-round access to financial management resources, including free classes that help residents create budgets, manage bank accounts, save for the future and achieve financial stability.