Free confidential support to help you feel more confident about your money.
Money stress is common - and it can show up whether you're living paycheck to paycheck, managing a household, supporting others, or navigating a financial transition. You don't need to be in crisis, and you don't need to have everything figured out to reach out for financial coaching.
Financial Coaching Cats offers free, one-on-one financial coaching for individuals and families across Tucson and Southern Arizona. Coaching is a conversation - not a lecture - focused on what matters to you.
How to Get Started with Financial Coaching Cats
Getting started with financial coaching doesn't require have a plan, or even a specific problem to solve. If you're feeling curious, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin - that's enough.
Step 1: Find a Coaching Option That Works for You
There are a few different ways to connect with Financial Coaching Cats. You can choose what feels most comfortable.
Just Want to Talk Today?
At certain community locations, Financial Coaching Cats offer drop-in coaching hours, where you can stop by without an appointment and talk with a coach one-on-one, either in person or over a computer, phone, tablet or other device.
Drop-In Schedule:
(This schedule may change based on location and availability. Check back regularly for updated drop-in locations and times, or email us at financialcoachingcats@arizona.edu to ask about current availability)
- Fridays from Time TBD
Take Charge America Institute
McClelland Park Building Suite 308
650 North Park Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85721
- Saturdays from Time TBD - Location
Prefer to Schedule Ahead?
Some people like knowing their time is set in advance. If that's you, there are two ways to schedule a one-on-one financial coaching session. you can choose the option that works best for you.
Option 1: Schedule Using Our Online Calendar
You can schedule a coaching session directly using our online calendar. This option allows you to:
- Choose a date and time that works around your schedule
- Schedule a first session or follow-up/check-in
- Select your preferred Financial Coaching Cats coach
Online scheduling is free and confidential, and you don't need to prepare anything in advance.
-- Schedule an Appointment Online --
(If you don't see a time that works, or if online scheduling isn't a good fit, you're welcome to email us at financialcoachingcats@arizona.edu for help.)
Option 2: Schedule Through a Community Partner
Some of our community partners offer the option to schedule a coaching session directly at their location. At these partner sites, staff may:
- Help you sign up for a coaching appointment
- Share upcoming coaching days or schedules
- Connect you with a Financial Coaching Cats coach during set hours
This option can be helpful if you're already connected with a library, school, or community organization where coaching is offered.
(Availability and scheduling methods vary by partner site. Coming Soon: A list of current partner sites where appointments with one of our Financial Coaching Cats coaches can be scheduled.)
Community Events and Referrals
Not everyone starts financial coaching by scheduling an appointment - and that's completely okay. Many people first connect with Financial Coaching Cats through community spaces and trusted organizations they already know.
These entry points are designed to make getting started feel more approachable and less overwhelming.
Attend Community Events & Pop-Up Coaching Days
Financial Coaching Cats regularly participates in community events and pop-up coaching days in partnership with local organizations. At these events you might:
- Stop by a table or booth to learn what financial coaching is
- Have a brief, informal conversation with a coach
- Ask questions without committing to a full session
- Sign up for a future coaching appointment if you'd like
Some events also include on the spot coaching conversations, while others focus on introductions and connection. There's no pressure to do more than feels comfortable.
Get a Referral from Libraries, Schools, or Other Organizations
You may also hear about Financial Coaching Cats through a local library, school, community center, or another organization you trust. In these cases:
- A staff member may suggest financial coaching as a resource
- You may receive a flyer, link, or QR Code to learn more
- You may be offered help signing up for a coaching session at that location
Referrals like these are simply an invitation - not a requirement. You always decide whether and when to connect with a coach.
Outreach All Across Tucson & Southern Arizona Communities
Financial Coaching Cats works with partners across Tucson and Southern Arizona to bring financial coaching into different neighborhoods and communities. Because outreach locations and schedules can change, the easiest way to learn about current opportunities is to:
- Ask at a participating community organization
- Attend local events where Financial Coaching Cats is present
- Email us with questions about where coaching is currently offered
Step 2: What to Expect in You First Financial Coaching Session
Your first session is a chance to get oriented and see if financial coaching feels helpful to you. There's no pressure to know exactly what you want to work on - and no expectation that you'll have everything figured out.
Here's what that first conversation usually looks like:
A few things to know going in
- You don't need to bring paperwork or documents
- You don't need a budget or a clear goal
- You're in control of what you share
- Coaching is free, confidential, and voluntary
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial coaching is a supportive, judgement-free conversation that helps you:
- Think through your financial situation
- Clarify goals or priorities
- Explore options and next steps
- Feel more confident making decisions
Our coaches won't tell you what you should do or judge past choices. Instead, they listen, ask thoughtful questions, and help you move forward at a pace that feels manageable.
You don't need a budget, a plan, or a specific question to get started.
Financial Coaching Cats is open to community members in Tucson and Southern Arizona, including:
- Individuals and families
- Parents and Caregivers
- Adults navigating work, school, or life transitions
- Anyone feeling stressed, stuck, or unsure about money
Coaching is free, confidential, and voluntary.
People bring many different topics to coaching, including:
- Managing day-to-day expenses or budgeting
- Feeling overwhelmed or stressed about money
- Debt or credit concerns
- Saving for goals or planning ahead
- Preparing for a financial transition or change
- Making sense of financial options or resources
You decide what we talk about. There's no "right" reason to schedule a session.
We work with community partners across Tucson and Southern Arizona to make coaching accessible.
You may connect with Financial Coaching Cats through:
- Community locations like libraries, schools, or community centers
- Special events or pop-up coaching days
- Referrals from partner organizations
- Online or in-person scheduled appointments (when available)
Availability may vary by location an dpartnership.
Financial coaching works well if you're looking for:
- A space to talk things through
- Support without judgement
- Help taking next steps - even small ones
- Someone to listen and help you sort options
If you need immediate emergency financial assistance, legal help, or technical services like tax filing or investment advice, we can help point you toward appropriate resources.
Ready to Get Started - or Have Questions?
If you're interested in financial coaching, or if you're not sure where to start, we're happy to help.
Email: financialcoachingcats@arizona.edu
Location:
Take Charge America Institute
McClelland Park Building - Suite 308
650 North Park Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85721
About Financial Coaching Cats
Financial Coaching Cats is a program of the Take Charge America Institute (TCAI) at the University of Arizona developed in partnership with the Norton School of Human Ecology and its Personal and Family Financial Planning (PFFP) Program. Through this partnership, trained University of Arizona students and staff provide financial coaching while gaining hands-on experience - expanding access to free, respectful financial support in the community.
All financial coaching is free, confidential, and voluntary.
We strive to make financial coaching accessible. If you have questions about language access, accommodations, or format, please reach out to our program coordinator at financialcoachingcats@arizona.edu and we'll do our best to support you.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity institution. The university prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin (including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics), age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. As required by Title IX, the University of Arizona does not discriminate based on sex in its educational programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the university’s Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, or both. The university's nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures and information about how to make a complaint of discrimination is available online.