Federal Way community members have the chance to level up their financial skills for free at a workshop series hosted by the City of Federal Way.

The series runs Sept. 26 to Nov. 21, with classes being held 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Federal Way Community Center.

Those who attend at least seven out of nine classes will receive a gift card. The classes will go over skills like budgeting, paying off debt, increasing savings for emergencies, home ownership and education expenses, and utilizing the Dave Ramsey curriculum.

Dave Ramsey is a financial expert, author and radio personality who has been sharing money advice for decades. He has also developed personal finance courses, like the one shared through these financial literacy classes titled Financial Peace University.

This is the fifth time the city has offered financial literacy courses, beginning in the fall of 2023.

86 participants have enrolled between those four classes. Three of them utilized the Dave Ramsey curriculum while a fourth was hosted by the Washington State Employees Credit Union.

The format of the class will include videos and live facilitation. Facilitators have included George Houston, Paul Nordland, Jeff Wall and Melissa Vincent as well as Minda Mattox who led the version of the class through WSECU.

Bill Vadino, the policy advisor for the city of Federal Way, said that many people who have attended the class in the past or have taken the Dave Ramsey course independently in the past like to return to the class to brush up on their skills.

Not only does this provide extra support, but it also can build community and be inspiring for those who are attending, Vadino said.

“They’re learning not only from, you know, the video and the testimonials, but also from people who live in their same city” who can share what they’ve learned. “It’s affirming to have people who live here doing it,” Vadino said.

The course is for everyone of all income levels as the tools offered are applicable to a range of financial situations, Vadino said.

Councilmember Jack Dovey mentioned the program during the Federal Way City Council meeting on Sept. 3: “This is a great program. It’s done very, very well. We’ve had great graduates, and I just want to make sure people know about that, because it’s a council priority to have people think about how to help themselves and help others with finances.”

In the future, Vadino said the city is looking at taking the training directly to people who may need it and also looking at providing interpreters. One of these future partners will most likely be FUSION and Vadino shared they are looking to host a version of the course at the Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center which provides emergency shelter for families.

The city allocated $82,000 for the program, and Vadino said this was originally intended just to cover the first year. They found a way to stretch those funds and it will cover classes through next year, he said.

To sign up, Federal Way residents can register by emailing bill.vadino@FederalWayWA.gov or calling 253-835-2420

The financial skills class is currently held at the Community Center. Photo provided by the city of Federal Way.

George Houston teaching a financial skills class. Photo provided by the city of Federal Way.

This financial literacy class was hosted by the Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) and led by Minda Mattox. Photo provided by the city of Federal Way.