What does it take to become financially savvy? Homework! Yes, we must all gain a better understanding of our finances. For some, the journey has already begun. For others, it is a brand-new world. No matter your level of awareness, the Office of Student Financial Services provides tools to help you understand your finances.
Your short-term goal may simply be to understand your student loans. However, financial literacy consists everything from controlling credit card debt and establishing a monthly budget to planning for the future. The Web sites below provide information on these important topics.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
Sensible Strategies Workshops
Budget Webinar
RepayReady Webinar
Couples and Finances
Real Estate Basics
Financial Experts Forum
Working towards the Bigger Goal
Nicole Fortuna, CCOM 2014 - Downers Grove
"Going Dutch"
Rebecca Ledeboer-Martinez, Pharmacy 2013 - Downers Grove
Penny Pinching Perfected
Daniel Molinaro, CCOM 2012 - Downers Grove
Financial Literacy
Rebecca Petroski, CCOM 2012 - Downers Grove
Thrifty is the Name of the Game
Peter Nguyen AZCOM 2013 - Glendale
Seeking Financial Independence
Michael Cronin, AZCOM 2014 - Glendale
The Equation
Conrad Hilton, AZCOM 2014 - Glendale
My Financial SOAP Note: A Healthcare Providers Take on Financial Literacy
Kasidy McKay, CPG 2013 - Glendale
USA Funds Life Skills Student Guide
How to dispute inaccurate information on a credit report
U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission
www.mymoney.gov
MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Whether you are planning to buy a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401k, the resources on MyMoney.gov can help you do it better. Throughout the site, you will find important information from 20 federal agencies government wide.
Get Rich Slowly
www.getrichslowly.org
Get Rich Slowly was recently named the most inspired financial blog by Money magazine and is devoted to personal finance. The author shares stories about debt elimination, saving money, and practical investing. Readers will also find links to personal finance tools, articles, book reviews, and software.
Feed the Pig
www.feedthepig.org
Free financial information and tools to empower 25- to 34-year olds to take charge of personal finances and live with their means. You will find fun tools, quizzes, tips, and resources. This site is sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy
http://360financialliteracy.org
360 Degrees is a national volunteer effort of the nation's Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills. It focuses on financial education as a lifelong endeavor-from children learning about the value of money to adults reaching a secure retirement.
American Savings Education Council
www.choosetosave.org
The Emmy and Telly award-winning Choose to Save® national public education and outreach program is dedicated to raising awareness about the need to plan and save for long-term personal financial security. This site is co-sponsored by the Employee Benefit Research Institute www.ebri.org and the American Savings Education Council www.choosetosave.org/asec.
Bankrate Website
www.bankrate.com
Bankrate.com 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. In addition to rate data, Bankrate publishes original and objective personal finance stories to help consumers make informed financial decisions.
Bankrate's Guide to Financial Literacy
Bankrate's Financial Literacy Series breaks down personal finances into manageable pieces for the consumer. This year Bankrate explores four topics of importance to readers: Focus on Careers, Families and Finance, How to Prosper, and Facing Retirement.
CNN's Money 101
A step by step guide to gaining control over your financial life.
Jean Chatzky's Practical Money Skills for Life
Smart About Money.org
Get quick tips on budgeting, reducing debt, and setting financial goals. The site is sponsored by the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®), an independent, nonprofit foundation committed to educating Americans on a broad range of financial topics and empowering them to make positive and sound decisions to reach their financial goals.
Spendster.org
This unique site allows people to share their purchases they now regret while they rate and discuss those of others. The site also provides tools to calculate how costly items like unopened DVDs and spotless coffee makers really are and how much could have been saved if that money were put to more productive use. Sponsored by The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®).