Money · Financial Independence

Building financial confidence with bttr Money

A clear guide to building financial confidence through coaching, budgeting, banking basics, and safe money habits — through ILS and the Self Determination Program.

Giovanny Sarabia Aug 27 2025 6 to 8 min read

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Why it matters What bttr Money is How it is funded Core Money skills Weekly structure Financial safety Goal examples How to start FAQ

Why financial confidence matters

Money can create stress, confusion, and real risk for many adults with disabilities. Traditional systems often assume families will handle everything, or they teach money skills in ways that are disconnected from daily life. The result is adults who feel anxious, dependent, or vulnerable every time money comes up.

Financial confidence is not about knowing every rule. It is about feeling capable, informed, and safe when making everyday money decisions.

Feeling safe using money without fear or embarrassment
Understanding how to make basic financial decisions independently
Knowing where your money is going each month
Building habits that support long-term independence
Learning how to recognize and avoid scams and unsafe situations

What bttr Money is

bttr Money is one of the six core bttr skill tracks, designed to build real-life financial confidence. It is not financial advising or investment planning. It is hands-on coaching focused on the everyday money situations adults with IDD actually face — checking balances, paying bills, using a debit card safely, and building habits that reduce stress over time.

Coaching is delivered one to one through ILS, as part of an SDP spending plan, or as a blended track depending on your Individual Program Plan.

How Money coaching is funded

Regional Center

Through ILS authorization

Money goals written into your IPP under ILS independent living outcomes

Hourly sessions focused on budgeting, banking, and safe spending habits

Coaching in real community settings like banks, stores, and transit

Building routines around bills, reminders, and monthly expenses

Self Determination Program

Fully customizable through your individual budget

More frequent shorter sessions built around your specific money habits

Blended bttr Money and bttr Tech coaching for online banking and safety

Support around benefits, SSI budgeting, and communication with financial institutions

Personalized coaching structure designed around your life and spending plan

Core Money skills at bttr

bttr Money covers a wide range of real-life financial skills. Coaching is hands-on, respectful, and always adjusted to your learning style and pace. No judgment, no complexity — just practical skills that work in real life.

Understanding income

Paychecks, SSI and SSP payments, IHSS, and how different income sources interact.

Creating a simple budget

Weekly and monthly plans that match real spending, built around what you actually earn and owe.

Banking basics

Reading account balances, setting up direct deposit, and understanding bank statements clearly.

Using a debit card safely

PIN safety, tracking purchases, ATM basics, and recognizing when something does not feel right.

Bill reminders and calendars

Setting alerts, using visual calendars, and building systems to avoid missed payments and late fees.

Online financial safety

Recognizing scams, impersonation, and fraud. Password practices and protecting account information.

Building savings habits

Planning small, realistic savings goals and building confidence slowly over time without pressure.

Transportation and daily spending

Bus fare, ride apps, ordering food, small purchases, and making confident spending decisions in the community.

What a typical week looks like

Money confidence grows with consistency. Coaching focuses on repetition, real-world practice, and accountability so habits become automatic over time.

Review the past week

Go through spending and receipts from the past week. What went well? Any unexpected expenses? This builds awareness and shapes the session focus.

Practice the money skill

Work through the day's focus — updating a budget, practicing a banking task, reviewing a bill, or preparing for an upcoming expense. Step by step with real tools.

Real world practice

Many sessions move into the community — a bank, a store, or a transit stop where the skill matters in real time. Practice where it actually counts.

Plan ahead and document

End by planning for anything coming up — an outing, a bill, a purchase. The coach documents progress toward IPP money goals same day.

Financial safety and personal boundaries

Safety is a major part of bttr Money. Many adults have experienced scams, pressure from others, confusion around online accounts, or unclear expectations around money with family or staff.

Safety focus areas

Protecting financial wellbeing in the community and online

Recognizing unsafe financial situations and people who may take advantage

Knowing what personal financial information to keep private and why

Practicing how to say no clearly when pressured to lend or give money

Creating safe online habits around accounts, passwords, and financial apps

Understanding clear boundaries around lending, giving, and financial relationships

Examples of Money goals in practice

Example 01

Safe spending and daily money habits

Practicing how to check a bank balance before spending each day

Reviewing receipts weekly to build awareness of where money goes

Identifying unsafe purchases, unfamiliar charges, or potential scams

Setting a realistic weekly spending limit for outings and personal expenses

Example 02

Building a basic monthly budget

Organizing income sources and predictable monthly expenses clearly

Setting phone reminders for monthly bills and recurring payments

Tracking spending in a simple visual worksheet reviewed each session

Creating a small monthly savings habit tied to a specific goal

Example 03

Preparing for more independence

Planning for shared housing expenses in a future living situation

Understanding transportation costs and how to budget for transit

Using Google Maps, transit cards, and ride apps confidently and safely

Building healthy grocery and shopping routines connected to a weekly budget

How to start with bttr Money

Talk with your service coordinator

Let your Regional Center coordinator know you want money-related ILS goals added to your IPP. Budgeting, banking, and financial safety are all valid independent living outcomes.

If you are on SDP, update your spending plan

Work with your Independent Facilitator to include money coaching as a line item in your spending plan, connected to your IPP financial independence outcomes.

Connect with the bttr team

We discuss your current money habits, what feels hardest, and what you most want to change. We match coaching to your IPP and your real daily situation.

Start building confidence

Coaching begins with small, realistic steps. Financial confidence builds with patience, repetition, and a coach who is in your corner every session.

Frequently asked questions

Can money coaching replace a payee or conservator?

No. Money coaching builds skills but does not replace legal or formal responsibilities. We can coordinate with payees or family members if the participant agrees and it supports their goals.

How many coaching hours do participants typically receive?

It depends on the Regional Center authorization or SDP spending plan. Many participants receive weekly coaching. Others receive more intensive support during transitions or major life changes like moving or starting work.

Can money coaching help with online safety and scam prevention?

Yes. Online financial safety is a major part of bttr Money — including password practices, recognizing scams and impersonation, and protecting account information from fraud.

Does coaching involve physically handling a participant's money?

No. Coaches teach, guide, and observe — but participants remain in full control of their money, cards, and accounts at all times. This is non-negotiable.

Can Money goals blend with other bttr skill tracks?

Absolutely. bttr Money blends naturally with the Tech, Life, and Connect tracks for participants building full financial and community independence at the same time.