Financial Education Resources
General Financial Education
America Saves is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups helps individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, America Saves assists those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement.
The National Endowment for Financial Education works to help all Americans take control of their financial health. The site contains resources for youth, students, families, and older individuals to help them manage their finances and save for the future. NEFE offers grants to support research in the area of financial literacy and publishes studies on its site.
Econ 4 U packages information about financial management into easy-to-digest quiz formats designed for young people ages 18 to 25. Because most young adults have never received formal training in handling their finances, this site provides a basic introduction to important concepts.
Resources for Youth
The Jump Start Coalition provides extensive curricula and resources to help young people achieve financial literacy. The site includes downloadable materials and a long list of links.
The Financial Literacy Education Foundation (FLEF) offers elective courses in several public and public charter high schools in our Nation’s capital. FLEF also partners with community groups to provide financial literacy workshops to young D.C. residents.
The Educated Consumer Project (ECP) provides youths in low- and moderate-income areas in Washington, DC with a comprehensive financial education program. Through its work in public high schools and charter schools in the District, ECP helps teens realize their full potential: to be empowered managers of their personal finances, informed and aware of traps that may impede their earnings, and well-versed in financial products that can aid in their success.
Junior Achievement help students understand and participate in business and entrepreneurship. The site includes resources for students, teachers, and volunteer leaders.
The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network uses hip-hop music and culture to promote education, economic literacy, community engagement, and other causes.
Banking on Our Future is sponsored by Operation HOPE, and contains financial literacy lessons from young people in grades four to 12. Topics include all types of bank accounts, credit, investing, and more.
Savings and Retirement
The Choose to Save® public education program promotes the idea that saving today is vital to a secure financial future. Choose to Save® provides Internet tools to help consumers plan all aspects of their financial security, and includes the Ballpark Estimate Retirement Planning Worksheet to help users estimate how much they need to save for retirement. The site includes financial calculators to help users project future savings and assets depending on what they are earning, spending, and saving now. The calculators help weigh the risks and benefits of specific financial decisions and investments based on current position and goals.
Taxes
The DC Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign helps DC residents claim tax refunds even if they don’t make much money.
Insurance
The DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking sponsors Insure U, a website to educate consumers about insurance policies, how to get good rates, and what kind of policies are necessary and worthwhile for each individual or family.
