With an iPad on one side and a notebook on the other, Rhonda Thom is absorbing lessons on finance from her dining room table. This week, she’s spending time to learn about budgeting.

“All my notes that I’ve been taking in the course,” said Thom, showing the meticulous information written down.

Budgeting isn’t something she is accustomed to doing. But recently, Thom decided it was time to invest in something for herself. With rent rising, she is looking to buy her first house.

“I feel like I’m back in school,” joked Thom as she went through her notes.

She has lived in Schenectady since 2013, after moving here from New Jersey. Thom is hoping to buy a home in Mont Pleasant.

In order to reach this goal, she has enrolled in an online financial confidence seminar hosted by Better Community Neighborhoods.

Alexandria Carver, the director of housing counseling and the mastermind behind this curriculum, says the goal of this is to change the narrative around finance, while giving individuals and their families the tools they need to be financially literate.

“No question is too small,” Carver said. “Just reach out and let me know how I can assist you as well as our facilitators.”

The launch of this seminar coincides with Financial Literacy Month in April. The course is five weeks long and covers topics like budgeting, spending, bank accounts, and credit reports.

Carver says it’s important for everyone to learn about finances. She hopes by the end of these five weeks, individuals will have the knowledge to get their finances in order. 

“[They should] be able to overcome any possible financial hardships that they could possibly be going through at this time or reaching any financial goals they’re looking to achieve,” Carver said.

Thom knows it’ll be a lot of work to reach her goal of becoming a homeowner. But she’s feeling more confident now that she’s budgeting.

“It is, but you just have to keep hope alive and keep going,” Thom said.