financial education
done differently
At the heart of our work is a deep respect for your lived experience and your financial goals. We use a goals driven approach, putting you back in control of your finances.We offer personalized, judgment-free support through one-on-one counseling and practical classes. Our goal is to replace anxiety, uncertainty, and discouragement with empowerment, understanding, and peace of mind so you leave feeling better, more informed, and more in control than when you came in.
The Ark offers the following financial education services on an on-going basis. Each topic can be offered in a class setting or in a one-on-one counseling session, whichever is your preference!
Setting SMART Goals with Money
Set goals with money that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relative, and Time-bound. Have a financial goal in mind but have no idea where to start? Let's work together to make that dream a reality!
Creating a sustainable living budget:
Create a budget that is goals-based rather than numbers based. At the end of the day, you are a person, not a number. If the thought of creating a budget stresses you out, this is a great place to start!
Understanding and improving your credit score:
Explore the seemingly mystical world of credit and pull back the curtain to find out exactly what makes up your credit score. You'll learn how to build and establish credit, how to deal with past-due debt and collection agencies, and tips and tricks to improve your credit in the fastest, most efficient way possible.
Best Car Buying Practices:
Buy your next car with clarity and confidence. Too often, buyers fall into common traps that cost them more than they realize. In this workshop, you'll uncover the hidden costs, sales tactics, and common pitfalls of car buying—so you can avoid them. You'll also create a practical spending plan, get credit-ready, explore financing options, and walk away ready to make a smart, informed purchase.
Plan-Ahead budget counseling:
Preparing to move into housing or navigating a major life change? We’re here to support you with personalized budget planning tailored to your future expenses, so you can feel confident and prepared for what’s ahead. In partnership with the Athens Area Homeless Shelter and Family Promise of Athens, we provide sustainable budgeting guidance to families preparing for a fresh start—helping you build a strong foundation for long-term success in your new home.
Homebuying Guidance:
Learn the key terms and concepts involved in purchasing a home—like the difference between traditional and FHA mortgages, debt-to-income ratio, closing costs, FICO scores, and more. You'll also create a personalized financial plan to help make your home purchase a success.
Predatory Lending 101:
Some loans in Georgia can carry interest rates as high as 300%—even though the legal cap is 60% APR. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to spot predatory loans like payday and title pawn products, understand how they operate, and explore safer, more affordable alternatives.
About
meet stephanie
Stephanie Cockfield is the Ark's Financial Education Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Family Financial Planning from UGA and has been providing financial planning services to low-income families in Athens-Clarke County and surrounding counties for over 12 years.
Stephanie first came to the Ark as a volunteer offering one-on-one budget counseling to neighbors as they came in for assistance. It was then that she began to notice the lack of financial education resources available for families living at or below the poverty level, so she decided to create her own curriculum designed specifically to educate, elevate, and empower low-income families.
"I believe financial education and financial planning should be affordable and accessible to people of all income levels, not just middle to upper class. In the world of finances, knowledge is power. The more knowledge we can share with one another, the more empowerment we bring to our neighbors, friends, family members, and communities."
Are you interested in free financial planning? book your appointment today!
*Financial education inquiries only. For financial assistance requests, please click here.