Home, Energy and Money

The Take Control of Your Money for Renters program is designed to provide education and skills on managing your finances and understanding the rental process. Register to attend at: https://ocextension.eventbrite.com.

Learn the steps to home ownership and how to obtain an affordable mortgage in the online First Time Homebuyer workshops, offered in English and Spanish. UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling agency. The homebuyer workshop meets the education requirements for down payment assistance programs. You must complete both sessions to receive the certificate of completion. Participants will be mailed a certificate of completion at the end of the workshop after all class requirements are met. Register to attend at: https://ocextension.eventbrite.com.

Take Small Steps to Enhance Your Financial Wellbeing 

Financial stability doesn't happen over night. Find blocks of time weekly to read a financial tip of the day, create a budget sheet that fits your household needs, or watch a video on how to manage your credit history and score. Create a digital folder that contains financial tips and strategies you can reference as needed.

Tools to Organize your Finances

Use a Money Management Calendar - inquire about how to receive a FREE Money Management Calendar at 407-254-9220.

If you’d prefer to use an app to organize your finances, give Dollarbird or Mint a try. 

Saving and Tracking Tips

When saving for multiple goals, the envelope method is an excellent way of keeping all the monies separate for their intended uses. Simply mark each envelope with a stated goal and contribute regularly to each until the goal amount is met.

For a fun, informative way to teach your children the importance of earning, budgeting and saving money, tune in and watch Sammie Learns to Earn.   

Check out these additional strategies to develop good financial habits. 

Browse the following sites for more financial tips:

Coping with a Money Crunch

Improving Savings, Health, and Happiness by Modifying How the Family Operates the Home

COVID-19 Resources for Orange County Residents

• Cares Act / Stimulus Checks Information   
• Find Your Local Food Bank
• Utility Assistance 
• Mortgage and Rent Payment Options
• Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance - Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE) – provides rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to help prevent eviction and homelessness.
• Orange County Crisis Assistance Programs: Citizen Resource & Outreach Division Phone: 407-836-6500
• Visit the Resident Resources tab on ocfl.net/Coronavirus for more helpful links. 

Hurricane Preparedness

• Create a Plan
• Prepare a Kit
• Protect Your Home

• Orange County Hurricane Safety Guide
• Weather.gov Hurricane Preparedness