Common Ground

Common Cents by Common Ground

Strengthening Financial Futures

Common Cents by Common Ground is a comprehensive 8-week financial empowerment program designed to educate families who are at-opportunity with essential financial knowledge and skills. We combine in-person workshops with online learning through a hybrid approach that includes:

  1. Weekly online modules via our learning management system
  2. Bi-weekly workshops at community locations across both counties
  3. One-on-one financial coaching sessions with easy online booking
  4. Mobile-optimized financial tools and resources accessible on participants’ own devices
  5. Peer learning communities for ongoing support

Our curriculum addresses the unique economic challenges through a progressive eight-week sequence:

  1. Financial Foundations Assessment: Personalized capability assessment and empowerment planning
  2. Banking & Financial Services: Account options, fee avoidance, digital banking
  3. Credit & Debt Management: Credit reports, debt reduction, borrower rights
  4. Saving & Emergency Planning: Building emergency funds, automation strategies
  5. Housing & Major Purchases: Renting vs. buying, mortgage readiness, purchase planning
  6. Income Maximization: Education/training opportunities, benefit coordination
  7. Long-term Planning: Retirement basics, education funding, wealth transfer
  8. Sustainability & Growth: Implementation review, accountability partnerships, ongoing resource access

All participants receive comprehensive financial education materials including resource USB drives with offline financial tools, reference guides, premium subscription access to financial apps, financial document organizers, and resource access cards. They also receive instruction on using free financial management applications on their personal smartphones.

For participants without internet access, our Mobile Hotspot Connectivity Program provides borrowable hotspots,, and a public Wi-Fi location map, ensuring full program participation regardless of connectivity challenges.

OUR UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION

Common Cents offers several distinctive elements that set our financial literacy program apart:

  1. Trauma-Informed Financial Coaching Our coaches are trained in recognizing signs of financial trauma and providing support that acknowledges participants’ past experiences while building confidence for forward progress.
  2. Intergenerational Wealth Building Focus We emphasize long-term wealth transfer strategies relevant to low-income families, including first-time homebuyer preparation, education funding, and retirement planning approaches that can break generational poverty cycles.
  3. Coastal Economy Specialization Our curriculum specifically addresses the unique challenges of the region’s seasonal economy, including income smoothing strategies for tourism industry workers and financial planning techniques for managing seasonal income fluctuations.
  4. Banking Integration Partnerships We’ve secured commitments from regional financial institutions to offer no-fee accounts, matched savings incentives, secured credit options, and financial product opportunities specifically designed for program participants.
  5. Digital Financial Inclusion We bridge the digital divide by providing both the knowledge and tools needed to access modern financial services, online banking, automated savings tools, and digital financial management platforms.

FINANCIAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT Our Financial Capability Assessment Tool (FCAT) was specifically developed for the Common Cents program to comprehensively evaluate participants’ financial knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes:

  1. Knowledge Assessment  Evaluates understanding of core financial concepts including:
    • Banking fundamentals and account types
    • Credit reporting and scoring mechanisms
    • Interest calculation and compound growth
    • Consumer protection laws and regulations
    • Tax basics and filing requirements
  2. Financial Behavior Inventory: Measures current financial practices including:
    • Bill payment patterns and timing
    • Savings frequency and methods
    • Credit usage and management
    • Financial record organization
    • Expense tracking and budgeting behaviors
  3. Financial Attitudes Scale : Assesses psychological aspects of money management:
    • Money mindset and relationship with finances
    • Financial self-efficacy and confidence
    • Time orientation (present vs. future focus)
    • Risk tolerance and financial security perceptions
    • Financial stress and anxiety indicators
  4. Financial Resources Audit: Documents current financial tools, accounts, and resources:
    • Banking relationships and account access
    • Insurance coverage types and gaps
    • Emergency funds and savings vehicles
    • Credit products and loan accounts
    • Financial technology usage and comfort level

This comprehensive assessment requires approximately 45 minutes to complete and is available in both digital and paper formats. Results generate a personalized Financial Capability Profile that guides the development of each participant’s Financial Empowerment Plan and allows for precise tracking of progress throughout the program.

INTEGRATED FINANCIAL COACHING To maximize participant success, our program features a comprehensive coaching system:

  1. Self-Service Scheduling: Participants can book 30-minute coaching sessions directly through our learning platform or a mobile-optimized web app that integrates with our online scheduling system.
  2. Flexible Availability: Coaching appointments will be available during standard business hours, evenings, and weekends to accommodate diverse work schedules.
  3. Multi-Channel Reminders: Automated appointment reminders sent via text message, email, and in-app notifications 24 hours and 1 hour before scheduled sessions.
  4. Specialized Financial Expertise: Participants are matched with coaches who specialize in relevant financial areas based on their assessment results and goals, including credit improvement, debt management, homebuyer preparation, and retirement planning.
  5. Follow-Up Integration: Post-session summary and action items are automatically documented in the participant’s personal dashboard for continuity between appointments.

Each participant is entitled to four 30-minute coaching sessions during the 8-week program and two follow-up sessions within three months of program completion. Additional sessions can be arranged based on need and coach availability.

Contact Common Ground today to discover which program meets you exactly where you are on your financial empowerment journey.