Neighborhood Housing Services of the Lehigh Valley Inc. will offer free financial fitness workshops to Northampton County residents in the communities of Bangor, Bath, Hellertown and Walnutport this fall.

Financial fitness teaches students about basic financial planning, money management, saving and investing, banks and other financial institutions, credit, credit reports, taxes and insurance.

Information will be shared on setting and achieving financial goals, developing a spending plan, understanding a credit report, solving credit problems, check writing and checkbook balancing, understanding loan terms, rates and fees and how to avoid predatory lending.

"We are very pleased to introduce this program to the residents and citizens of Northampton County," said Stacy Milo, NHS executive director.

"The program is designed to enhance our participants' understanding of budgeting and saving as well as to alert them to the many scams and credit traps that can threaten their financial future. Strong financial skills can lead our residents to be able to buy homes, be prepared for financial emergencies and be more comfortable in retirement."

Workshop participants will receive instruction and course materials at no cost. The workshops will be presented by a certified, experienced instructor.

Upon completion of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will be invited to participate in other NHS events and programs in the future.

For more information on this program, contact NHS at 610-437-4571.