Financial Education Resources

There’s no end to the list of websites and electronic newsletters that provide free financial information and resources to help you make smart decisions about saving and investing. There are even special resources just for women and resources just for potential car-buyers.  We’ve included a few of our favorites below, but if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can review countless others by searching Google or another search engine.

Websites

http://www.360financialliteracy.org/
It’s never too late to start getting your finances in order.  From childhood to retirement, we could all use a little guidance and expert advice on financial matters. This web site, sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), provides comprehensive information to help you make sound financial decisions at every stage of your life. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can “Ask the Money Dr.” for one-on-one advice on any personal financial matters.

http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/
Sponsored by VISA, this site is designed to help educators, parents and students practice better money management for life. Includes classroom materials that educators can use to teach personal finance, including a teacher's guide, student worksheets and quizzes and interactive brain-teasers that can be played by students via the Web or from a CD-ROM.

http://www.bankrate.com/
As the leading aggregator of financial rate information in the U.S., Bankrate.com continually surveys approximately 4,800 financial institutions in all 50 states in order to provide clear, objective, and unbiased rates to consumers. This site provides free rate information to consumers on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. 

http://www.mymoney.gov/
This government website links to financial information and resources provided by 20 federal agencies. Whether you are planning to buy a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your retirement account, MyMoney.gov can help you do it better.

http://www.pathtoinvesting.org/index.htm
The Foundation for Investor Education and Lightbulb Press teamed up to develop this online educational resource, which combines industry expertise with personal finance and investing essentials. You’ll find clear, objective, information in a user-friendly format, plus engaging, interactive features that demonstrate key financial concepts in practical ways.

E-Newsletters

Bankrate.com – Subscribe to several weekly newsletters and rate alerts to stay informed about the financial products you use most often. 

The Color of Money – Browse online archives or sign up to receive weekly e-articles from the Washington Post’s syndicated personal finance columnist, Michelle Singelary.

Kiplinger.com – Sign up for weekly alerts on more than ten investment topics, including Starting Out, On the Job, and Stock Watch.

Motley Fool – David & Tom Gardner’s award-winning site seeks “to educate, amuse, and enrich” by helping you to help yourself with all aspects of personal finance and investing. Subscribe to their free daily or weekly e-newsletter.

Especially for Women

Women’s Institute for Financial Education – WIFE is the oldest non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial education to women in their quest for financial independence. Sign up for a free newsletter and browse WIFE’s extensive catalog of articles and resources. 

Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement – Dedicated to improving the long-term financial security of low- and moderate-income women between the ages of 18 and 65, WISER produces a quarterly newsletter to keep women informed about issues specific to their financial well-being. Copies can be downloaded free of charge.

Resources on Car-Buying

www.autofinancing101.org  – Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics (AWARE) was formed to build a greater understanding among consumers about how auto financing works. The group aims to ensure that potential buyers of new and used autos have the tools and resources they need to successfully navigate the auto financing process. AWARE focuses exclusively on the auto finance process, educating consumers in a web environment free of advertising or lead generation sales tactics.