FinancialLiteracyMonth.com

A new approach to money management, including a 30 step path to financial wellness.  Each step is designed to increase your financial knowledge and to improve your finances for the rest of your life. Helpful tools available on the site include income and debt worksheets, customizable financial goal certificates, and expense trackers.

66 ways to save

Popular publication offering specific ways for consumers to save money - insurance, utilities, banking, transportation, housing...


calculators

Calculators are a great way to explore potential solutions. Some of my favorite calculator sites: Financial Calculators, FinanCenter, and myFICO.


do not call registry

Now you have the opportunity to "opt out" of unwanted telemarketing solicitations. You can register your land line as well as cell phone. The registration is effective for five years. You can take separate steps to be removed from marketing lists. The Direct Marketing Association can assist with consumer removal from mailing, telemarketing, and e-mail lists. Some states maintain separate do-not-call lists [which you would need to register for separately].


getting organized

Numerous resources are available to help provide order to your financial lives'. Some good starting places include: record keeping by ISU Extension, a detailed getting organized publication by Wisconsin Extension, creating a will...


homeownership resources

More and more people enter the housing market daily. Obviously there are many issues to consider - here are some links to a few of the prominent decisions as well as some accompanying resources.
articles
buying vs. renting
credit/credit score impact on APR
homebuying guide (Fannie Mae)
hud-approved counseling agencies
mortgage calculator
mortgage professor
mortgage qualifier
relocation tools
reverse mortgages
should I refinance?


identity theft resources

Comprehensive site providing fact sheets, identity theft publications, victims' stories, what to do if it happens to you, and other helpful resources. The Federal Trade Commission site on identity theft is another good resource.


interest rates

I've learned that having a baseline of comparison when visiting with any lender is important. The following links provide information related to current interest rates:
auto loan rates
home equity rates
mortgage rates
mortgage refinance rates
federal student loan rates


predatory lending

Payday lenders, rent-to-own ... predatory lenders are constantly becoming a more engrained part of the lending culture. The Center for Responsible Lending is a resource created for opponents of predatory lending.


social security

Link to the official website of the Social Security Administration. Information about retirement benefits, disability, SSI, Medicare, laws and regulations, etc.