Financial Resources

Educational content, tools, and references to improve your financial literacy and well-being. These resources complement our assessment tools by providing deeper insights and practical guidance for your financial journey.

Financial literacy is a critical life skill that empowers you to make informed decisions about your money. Our curated resources are designed to help you build knowledge, develop practical skills, and implement effective financial strategies.

Whether you're looking to understand financial concepts, use practical tools, or reference specific terms, you'll find valuable resources below to support your financial journey.

Articles Financial Tools Glossary

Financial Articles

Educational content to improve your financial knowledge and decision-making skills

Our articles cover key financial topics with practical insights and actionable advice. Each article is based on current financial best practices and research to help you make informed decisions about your money.

Understanding Money Personalities

Understanding Money Personalities

Learn how different money personalities approach financial decisions and how to leverage your natural tendencies. This article explores the psychological aspects of financial behavior and provides strategies for working with your unique money personality.

Read Article
Building an Emergency Fund

Building an Emergency Fund

Discover strategies for creating and maintaining an emergency fund that provides financial security. Learn how to determine the right size for your emergency fund, where to keep it, and how to build it efficiently even on a tight budget.

Read Article
Smart Debt Management

Smart Debt Management

Learn effective strategies for managing and reducing debt while building a strong financial foundation. This article covers debt prioritization methods, consolidation options, negotiation techniques, and how to avoid common debt traps.

Read Article
Investment Basics

Investment Basics

An introduction to investment concepts and strategies for beginners looking to grow their wealth. Learn about different investment vehicles, risk management, diversification principles, and how to create an investment strategy aligned with your goals.

Read Article
Budgeting Techniques

Budgeting Techniques

Explore different budgeting methods and find the approach that works best for your lifestyle. This article covers zero-based budgeting, 50/30/20 rule, envelope system, and other techniques to help you manage your money effectively.

Read Article
Financial Protection

Financial Protection

Understanding insurance, estate planning, and other ways to protect your financial future. Learn how to assess your protection needs, choose appropriate insurance coverage, and create essential estate planning documents to safeguard your finances.

Read Article

Financial Tools

Interactive calculators and planners to help you make informed financial decisions

Our financial tools help you apply financial concepts to your specific situation. These interactive calculators and planners provide concrete numbers and personalized insights to support your financial planning process.

Budget Calculator

Create a personalized budget based on your income, expenses, and financial goals. This tool helps you allocate your income across different spending categories and identify opportunities to reduce expenses and increase savings.

Use Calculator

Debt Payoff Planner

Compare different debt repayment strategies and create a customized payoff plan. This tool helps you evaluate the snowball method (smallest balance first) versus the avalanche method (highest interest first) and see how extra payments can accelerate your debt freedom.

Use Planner

Savings Goal Calculator

Determine how much you need to save regularly to reach your specific financial goals. Whether you're saving for a home down payment, vacation, education, or other goal, this calculator helps you create a realistic savings plan with specific targets.

Use Calculator

Mortgage Calculator

Calculate mortgage payments and compare different loan scenarios. This tool helps you understand how loan amount, interest rate, term length, and down payment affect your monthly payment and total interest paid over the life of the loan.

Use Calculator

Investment Return Calculator

Project the growth of your investments based on different return scenarios. This tool illustrates the power of compound interest and helps you understand how different contribution amounts, time horizons, and rates of return affect your investment outcomes.

Use Calculator

Insurance Needs Estimator

Estimate your life, disability, and other insurance needs based on your financial situation. This tool helps you determine appropriate coverage amounts by analyzing your income, expenses, debts, and family circumstances.

Use Estimator

Financial Glossary

Key financial terms and concepts explained in plain language

Financial terminology can be confusing, but understanding these terms is essential for making informed decisions. Our glossary provides clear, concise explanations of common financial concepts to help build your financial vocabulary.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

401(k)

A tax-advantaged retirement savings plan sponsored by employers. Named after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that established it. Contributions are typically made pre-tax, reducing your current taxable income, and investments grow tax-deferred until withdrawal in retirement.

Asset Allocation

The strategy of dividing investments among different asset categories, such as stocks, bonds, and cash to manage risk and optimize returns. Asset allocation is based on the principle that different assets perform differently in various market conditions and economic environments.

Budget

A financial plan that outlines expected income and expenses over a specific period, typically monthly or annually. A budget helps you track where your money goes, ensure you're living within your means, and allocate funds toward your financial goals.

Compound Interest

Interest calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods, resulting in exponential growth over time. This is often described as "interest on interest" and is a powerful force in long-term investing and saving.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

A personal finance measure that compares monthly debt payments to monthly gross income, expressed as a percentage. Lenders use this ratio to assess borrowing risk and determine loan eligibility. A lower ratio indicates a better balance between debt and income.

Emergency Fund

Money set aside for unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, such as medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. Financial experts typically recommend having 3-6 months of essential expenses saved in an easily accessible account.

Fixed Expenses

Regular, predictable costs that remain relatively constant each month, such as rent/mortgage, insurance premiums, and loan payments. These expenses form the foundation of a budget and are typically harder to adjust in the short term.

Gross Income

The total amount of money earned before taxes and other deductions. This includes wages, salaries, bonuses, and other forms of income before any withholdings or deductions are applied.

1 2 3 4 5

Additional Learning Resources

Expand your financial knowledge with these recommended resources

Books

  • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel - Explores how people think about money and how their personal experiences with money shape their behavior more than financial education.
  • I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi - A practical approach to personal finance with specific action steps for people in their 20s and 30s.
  • Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez - A holistic approach to money management that connects financial decisions with personal values and life energy.

Online Courses

  • Khan Academy's Personal Finance - Free courses covering budgeting, saving, debt, investing, housing, and more.
  • Coursera's Financial Planning for Young Adults - Comprehensive course covering financial goal setting, saving strategies, and investment basics.
  • edX's Finance for Everyone - Introduction to finance concepts for non-finance professionals.

Government Resources

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Government agency providing consumer financial education and protection.
  • MyMoney.gov - Financial literacy and education resources from the U.S. government.
  • Investor.gov - SEC's resource for investment education and protection.

Ready to Improve Your Financial Well-Being?

Start with understanding your money personality or checking your financial health today. Our interactive assessments provide personalized insights that complement these educational resources.

Discover Your Money Personality Check Your Financial Health