Who We Are and What We Do
Penny Forward is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization founded and led by blind people. Through education, mentoring, and mutual support, we help each other learn to confidently navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance. We offer self-paced online financial education courses, weekly and monthly personal finance workshops, and one to one financial counseling provided by blind financial counselors.
Join
Penny Forward
Do you want to become a better manager of money but you’re feeling a little lost?
Our self-paced online courses will provide both the blind and sighted communities with tools and techniques they can use to navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance. In addition, you will also have access to exclusive member-only Zoom chats where you can ask questions and practice your growing money management skills with other members and our instructors. You can also schedule one to one sessions for more personalized help. If that isn’t enough, you’ll also get early access to all Penny Forward podcast episodes, A members only newsletter, and bonus content created exclusively for our members.
And, thanks to a generous donation from YNAB (You Need A Budget), we’re able to offer a limited number of YNAB subscriptions to our monthly and yearly members for free. This is one of the most accessible budgeting apps we know of, and the subscription alone is worth the price of a Penny Forward membership. Don’t delay, though, because these subscriptions won’t last.
Learn About
Penny Forward
Penny Forward is committed to transparency to our members and supporters. Use these links to learn more about all aspects of Penny Forward.
Sponsor
Penny Forward
Your support helps us continue our mission of providing accessible financial education to people who are blind. Choose a sponsorship tier that aligns with your commitment to financial literacy and enjoy the exclusive benefits that come with each level.
Online Courses
Penny Forward’s self-paced courses have been designed to make it easy for people with and without vision loss to learn without having to learn how to navigate a complicated learning management system. Take as many courses as you want, and work through them at your own pace. And, if you need any help, we’re available by email at any time or by phone every weekday.
Financial Independence Contest
We’re excited to announce our latest contest to welcome more people into the Penny Forward community and prove that financial independence truly is for everyone!
Don’t Miss An Event
Visit our Event Calendar page to register for upcoming events.
From Workshops, Book Brunch, and Webinars, Penny Forward is your resource for the latest financial information, tools and tips.
Early Access Podcast Episode Released To Members: From Anger to Action with Mike Calvo
07/30/2024: 6:00 am
Chris, Liz, and MOe talk with Mike Calvo, co-founder of Pneuma Solutions, about how, as a high school dropout, running with the wrong crowd, he found growth, success, and belonging in the blind community. In addition to our online courses, member calls, weekly newsletter, and access to one to one financial counseling, Penny Forward members…
Tuesday’s Turning Pages Book Brunch
07/30/2024: 10:00 am
Get ready to turn those financial faux pas into smart money moves with our latest book selection at Tuesday’s Turning Pages Book Brunch! This July and August, we’re diving into “The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs” by Jill Schlesinger. Join us every Tuesday at 10am…
Read the Blog
Penny Forward provides helpful information related to personal finance, investing, budgeting, and financial management through our blog and weekly newsletter. Be sure to subscribe to receive updates on the latest posts!
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Celebrating Progress in Improving Equity in the Delivery of Payments to Customers Receiving SSI
Social Security AdministrationJuly 16, 2024 We are dedicated to improving the lives of the American public by prioritizing the delivery of payments to customers receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We are proud to share our progress in addressing underpayments. SSI underpayments Today, roughly 7.5 million people receive SSI. Underpayments, typically back payments from the time…
Listen to the Podcast
The Penny Forward Podcast is a show about blind people building bright futures one penny at a time. It’s released every other Tuesday and guest and paid members get access to every episode a week early.
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Penny Forward Podcast: Orientation and Mobility Immersion Program with Guide Dogs for the Blind guest Marc Gillard
In this episode of the Penny Forward podcast, Marc Gillard from Guide Dogs for the Blind discusses the Orientation and Mobility Immersion program, detailing its evolution and impact on individuals with visual impairments. The hosts, Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and MOe Carpenter, explore the challenges and successes of the program, which provides comprehensive training at…
Join our Book Brunch
Every Tuesday at 10:00 AM Central Time
Dive into a unique literary experience every Tuesday morning at our ‘Tuesday’s Turning Pages Book Brunch.’ Delve into insightful discussions on financially based books and actively explore their suggestions as we read together. All featured books in our book brunch series are accessible in the NLS Catalog, free for blind individuals to sign up. Additionally, many titles are available in various formats on Amazon and other platforms. In this engaging book club, we’ll focus on one book for two months, allowing ample time to absorb and discuss the material. The reading workload between meetings will vary based on each book, ensuring a flexible and enjoyable experience for all participants. Join us on Tuesdays for a flavorful blend of finance and literature!
Learn More About Our Book Brunch
Next Book Brunch
Tuesday’s Turning Pages Book Brunch
07/30/2024: 10:00 am
Get ready to turn those financial faux pas into smart money moves with our latest book selection at Tuesday’s Turning Pages Book Brunch! This July and August, we’re diving into “The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs” by Jill Schlesinger. Join us every Tuesday at 10am…
Latest Book Brunch Recordings
Learn Together at our Wednesday Workshops
Each week, Penny Forward members meet to learn from and support each other as they become better money managers. These workshops are recorded so members can listen to workshops they missed or refer back to particularly memorable topics.
Learn More About Our Wednesday Workshops
Next Wednesday Workshop
Wednesday Workshop: Investing Playground, a Fun Way to Grow Wealth
07/31/2024: 6:30 pm
Are you curious about investing but unsure where to start? Ready to take the plunge into the world of finance but want to keep it fun and engaging? Look no further! We are thrilled to announce our upcoming workshop, “Investing Playground: A Fun Way to Grow Wealth”. This 1-hour session is designed to make learning…
Latest Workshop Recordings
Join our Monthly Financial Sense¢ Live Stream
Join us every third Thursday for Financial Sense¢, a monthly public live stream and Zoom call offered through the American Council of the Blind Community Events platform. These calls feature engaging speakers and interactive discussions about financial topics of interest to people with and without vision loss.
Next Financial Sense¢ Program
Get the Penny Forward App
The Penny Forward App allows you to access many of our online resources including:
- My Account and Profile
- News Articles
- Podcast Episodes
- Self-paced Accessible Online Financial Wellness Courses
- Financial Calculators
- and more!
Download the app today for instant access wherever you are!
Get One to One
Financial Counseling
Penny Forward’s unique approach to financial counseling bridges the gap between expertise and experience, offering tailored support specifically designed for the blind community. Our team of financial counselors, all accredited with the prestigious AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor) certification, stand at the forefront of financial education and empowerment for individuals navigating financial challenges with visual impairments.
Financial Calculators and Tools
There are any number of online tools that can help you to better understand your finances. We’ve selected the ones that work best with a screen reader.
Support Penny Forward
Your donations help blind and disabled people learn to confidently navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance through online courses and group and one to one mentoring. Please donate $19 per month to continue this life-changing work.
We accept:
- Online donations by debit or credit card.
- Donations of securities.
- Qualified Charitable Distributions.
- Donations from workplace giving platforms.
- And more.
Stay In Touch With Penny Forward
Sign up for a free guest membership and get:
- Early access to the Penny Forward podcast.
- Access to our weekly email newsletter.
- Limited access to our online financial education courses.
Shop Penny Forward Merch
Support Penny Forward, and the blind community, in more ways than one.
- Our Penny Forward branded merch is stylish and practical.
- Where noted, our merch has been designed and produced by blind-owned businesses.