Join attorney Carolyn Spring, realtor Jennifer Juliano, and loan officer Renee Guidaboni Coleman in this three-part series! Each session will help you learn about different ways to take charge of your finances and feel more confident in making decisions that affect your financial well-being.

On September 17, the topic is: "Credit: How Does Your Score Work?" The discussion will include how credit can affect you when buying a home, post-divorce, and when widowed. Bring your questions!

The sessions will meet Tuesdays, September 17,  October 1, and October 15. Please register for each session that you plan to attend. Areas to be discussed include:

• Understanding credit scores (What is a credit score? How are they calculated [FICO vs. VantageScore]? Factors that influence your credit score)
• Building and maintaining good credit (Steps to establish credit for beginners; importance of paying bills on time; managing credit card usage effectively; strategies for improving credit scores)
• Types of Credit (Differences between secured and unsecured credit; understanding credit cards, loans, and lines of credit; pros and cons of different credit products)
• Credit Reports (How to obtain and read your credit report; importance of monitoring your credit report regularly; addressing and disputing errors on your credit report)
• The impact of credit on your financial future: (How credit affects loan approval and interest rates; the role of credit in renting an apartment or buying a home; credit’s impact on employment opportunities)
• Managing debt (Strategies for paying down debt; understanding the risks of high-interest debt; the importance of avoiding excessive borrowing)
• Credit myths and facts (Common misconceptions about credit; debunking myths that can harm your credit score)
• Identity theft and credit protection (How to protect your credit from identity theft; steps to take if your identity is stolen; the role of credit freezes and fraud alerts)