SMART MONEY

Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment

Learn. Plan. Build. Grow.

The Smart Money Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment Program helps individuals strengthen their financial knowledge, take greater control of their finances, and develop practical strategies for building long-term financial stability.

Through interactive workshops, hands-on exercises, real-life financial planning, coaching, and guided support, participants move beyond simply learning about money—they begin applying what they learn to their own financial lives.

How the Program Works

Smart Money is a structured 3-month financial empowerment workshop series designed to give participants time to learn, practice, and apply financial strategies to their everyday lives.

3 Months

A focused learning experience that builds financial knowledge step by step.

Every Other Wednesday

Bi-weekly sessions give participants time between workshops to put what they learn into practice.

6 Interactive Sessions

Each session combines financial education with hands-on exercises, real-life financial planning, coaching, and guided support.

2–3 Hours Per Session

Participants have dedicated time to learn, ask questions, work through financial exercises, and begin developing strategies for their individual financial goals.

What You’ll Learn

Smart Money takes participants through a practical financial journey—from understanding where their money is going to developing strategies for credit, savings, investing, and future economic growth.

01 — Break Even

Financial Awareness & Spending Control

Build a stronger understanding of your current financial position and learn how to take greater control of your money.

Participants will explore:

  • Financial mindset
  • Income vs. expenses
  • Understanding your financial position
  • Expense tracking
  • Budgeting exercises
  • Break-even analysis

02 — Credit Literacy

Credit & Responsible Borrowing

Understand how credit works and develop practical strategies for making informed borrowing decisions and improving your financial profile.

Participants will explore:

  • Credit fundamentals
  • Credit scores
  • Credit reports
  • Credit improvement strategies
  • The dispute process
  • Responsible borrowing

03 — Wealth Building

Financial Mobility & Economic Opportunity

Move beyond managing day-to-day finances and begin developing strategies for long-term financial growth and opportunity.

Participants will explore:

  • Emergency funds
  • Saving strategies and discipline
  • Introduction to investing
  • Budgeting for long-term goals
  • Income growth strategies
  • Career advancement and entrepreneurship
  • Financial planning

Turning Knowledge Into Action

The program concludes with participants developing and presenting their own Personal Financial Action Plan—turning the knowledge and strategies gained throughout Smart Money into clear next steps for their financial future.

What You’ll Walk Away With

Smart Money is designed to help participants turn financial knowledge into practical tools they can continue using long after the workshop series ends.

By completing the program, participants will walk away with:

A Clearer Financial Picture

Understand where you stand financially and gain greater awareness of your income, expenses, and spending habits.

A Working Budget

Develop a functional budget and expense-tracking system that can be used in everyday life.

A Credit Improvement Strategy

Build stronger credit awareness and identify actionable steps for improving and responsibly managing credit.

A Savings Strategy

Create a structured approach to saving and begin building the discipline needed to work toward short- and long-term financial goals.

Foundational Investment Knowledge

Gain an introduction to investing and a better understanding of how long-term financial planning can support wealth building.

Your Personal Financial Action Plan

Complete the program with a personalized financial action plan that brings everything together and identifies your next steps toward greater financial stability and economic mobility.

Learn it. Apply it. Build on it.

Meet the Smart Money Facilitators

Guidance. Knowledge. Real-World Support.

Smart Money is designed to be more than a financial education workshop. Our facilitators help participants understand financial concepts, work through practical exercises, ask questions, and begin applying what they learn to their own financial goals.

Throughout the series, participants receive education, hands-on application, financial planning guidance, coaching, and support as they work toward greater financial stability and economic mobility.

Learn From People Who Are Here to Help You Grow

Our facilitators bring knowledge, experience, and a commitment to helping individuals and families strengthen their financial foundations. From budgeting and credit to saving, investing, and economic opportunity, they help turn financial information into practical steps participants can use in everyday life.

Matteo Giunta Fausty-Director of Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment

Matteo Giunta Fausty is a financial literacy educator, economic empowerment strategist, entrepreneur, and Founder of Capeesh Co, a Baltimore-based marketing and business development firm focused on helping individuals, organizations, and small businesses build sustainable growth and long-term success. As the lead facilitator of the Smart Money Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment Workshop Series, Matteo delivers dynamic, results-driven financial education designed to equip individuals and families with the tools needed to achieve financial stability, wealth-building, and economic independence.

His instruction focuses on practical application and real-world financial strategies, covering budgeting, credit restoration, debt management, saving, investing, financial planning, and wealth development. By combining financial education with behavioral and mindset-based approaches, Matteo empowers participants to transform financial knowledge into meaningful action and long-term lifestyle change.

Driven by a strong commitment to community advancement and economic equity, Matteo is passionate about expanding access to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity within underserved communities. Through his work, he continues to advocate for sustainable wealth-building initiatives, mentorship, and community-centered solutions that help close wealth gaps and create stronger, more financially empowered communities.