Money topics resource list
Browse the topics below to find financial education sites and organizations that can help you provide information and programs to your library patrons.
You can also browse resources for consumers from the CFPB.
Credit management
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Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion The only source authorized by federal law for free credit reports. Request your report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months. The site allows you to see your reports updated more frequently online. |
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Credit counseling is a service provided by many housing counselors approved by HUD. |
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U.S. Department of Justice Searchable list of credit counselors across the country. |
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Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards and Financial Planners Association (FPA) Financial planners offer financial advice and financial planning, and some specialize in consumer debt. |
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Consumer Federation of America (CFA) Set aside money for your goals, including debt repayment |
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National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Member agencies provide free and affordable financial counseling and educational services. |
Visit nfcc.org |
Housing
| Description | Action |
|---|---|
CFPB U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified housing counselors can discuss options with you if you're buying a home or having trouble paying your mortgage or managing your reverse mortgage. |
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Find information and resources for homebuyers, homeowners, property residents/renters, and people experiencing homelessness. |
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National Credit Union Association (NCUA) Information on mortgages, reverse mortgages, and home ownership. |
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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Information that can help when you are thinking about buying a home. |
Identity theft
| Description | Action |
|---|---|
Federal Trade Commission The federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process. |
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Federal Trade Commission How to know if your identity has been stolen and what to do next. |
Investing
| Description | Action |
|---|---|
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Tools to check the registration, license, and disciplinary history of financial professionals. |
BASIC CFTC |
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) Understand the letters that sometimes follow a financial professional’s name. You can also see whether the issuing organization requires continuing education, takes complaints or has a way for you to confirm who holds the credential. |
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Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) Search for broker-dealers to confirm they are properly registered and check for any history of violations or disciplinary actions. |
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U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission See materials and information from the to understand how to invest wisely and avoid fraud. |
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American Library Association (ALA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation Resources and materials developed by participating libraries and their community partners. |
For libraries and librarians: |
Kids and families
| Description | Action |
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Penn State Cooperative Extension and Pennsylvania Office of Financial Education Four-session course that uses fun children’s books to introduce children to key financial concepts. The course gives parents tools and information to reinforce their own knowledge as well as positively influence their children’s future money management skills. |
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Federal Reserve Education (FRE) A collaborative group of experienced educators from across the Federal Reserve System. The group provides classroom resources and professional development designed to support educators and engage students. |
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Jump$tart Coalition Jump$tart is a national nonprofit coalition that unites state coalitions and other partners that share a commitment to promote effective financial education for all Americans, especially our nation's youth. Bringing financial education to every public, private, and charter elementary, middle, and high school in the country is their goal. |
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American Library Association and FINRA Free resources from ALA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation help libraries teach children and their parents, caregivers, and educators about financial topics — like saving, spending, sharing, and budgeting. |
Retirement
| Description | Action |
|---|---|
American Institute of CPAs and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Resources to help Americans understand their personal finances throughout each stage of life. |
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Employee Benefit Research Institute The Ballpark E$timate is an easy-to-use worksheet that helps you approximate how much you need to save to fund a comfortable retirement. |
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Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) FINRA’s Retirement Calculator helps you estimate how much to save each year to accumulate enough money for your projected retirement. |
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Social Security Administration Information about your retirement benefits, including how to apply and benefits for families and survivors. |
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Employee Benefits Security Administration (part of the U.S. Department of Labor) Understand how your employer’s retirement plan works and what benefits you will receive. |
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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and CFPB An instructor-led curriculum on how to prevent elder financial exploitation. |
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Social Security Administration When you get started with an online account, you can request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, and manage the benefits you already receive. |
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Social Security Administration Contact a regional communications director to discuss programs for your library. |
For libraries and librarians: |
Servicemembers
| Description | Action |
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U.S. Department of War Information and tools to help military members and their families get their finances in order and plan for a healthy financial future. |
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FINRA Foundation Free, unbiased financial education tools and training to service members, their spouses, and on-base financial educators. |
Student loans
| Description | Action |
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U.S. Department of Education Information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA), and loan repayment options. |
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U.S. Department of Education The Financial Aid Toolkit provides federal student aid information and outreach tools for counselors, college access professionals, nonprofit mentors, and others. |
General money topics
| Description | Action |
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The official web portal of the U.S. government Timely and valuable government information and resources on a variety of topics including consumer protection, small business, benefits, health insurance, taxes and more. |
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Financial Literacy and Education Commission Publications, information and tools from more than 20 federal agencies. |
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National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) A variety of educational information, resources, and articles designed to help people make smarter financial decisions. |
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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) A comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help people improve their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. |
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Federal Trade Commission Easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and identity theft. |
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Internal Revenue Service Estimate your federal income tax withholding, see how your refund, take-home pay or tax due are affected by withholding, and choose an estimated withholding amount that works for you. |
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American Library Association (ALA) Materials and resources about personal finance. The guide helps to address gaps within the personal finance collections of public libraries and, ultimately, enhance financial capability in the community. |
For libraries and librarians: |
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