Raleigh, N.C. — A grim forecast sent stocks plunging Monday to their lowest level this month. The drop could be enough to scare off even knowledgeable investors, let alone beginners. But Triangle Family Services offers free advice to help amateur investors learn about stock picks and methods.

"It's a real nuts and bolts beginning for people who are not investment savvy,” said Rebekah O'Connell, with Triangle Family Services.

The United Way non-profit organization offers the fundamentals of investing workshop on Tuesdays.

Counselors also provide free financial education seminars on budgeting skills, first-time home buying, avoiding scams and identity theft, and using credit wisely.

"When it comes to budgeting and credit and saving money – that applies to almost everybody. There's no one that I know of who wouldn't learn something from our in-depth credit class or say our identity theft class," O'Connell said.

Counselors are even available to talk to Triangle residents one-on-one. Sessions have been credited with helping people pay back over $4 million in consumer debt each year.

"When someone comes in for a one-on-one appointment the first thing we have anyone do is fill out a budget and we find many people have never done a written budget,” O'Connell said.

Triangle Family Services says demand for its workshops has more than tripled in the last year. For more information on upcoming workshops, call 919-821-1770 or e-mail: cccs@tfsnc.org.