Personal Finance
Looking for ways to make the most out of your money? Check out the staff-curated money management resources below.
The library also offers other money-related resources on topics including taxes, jobs and careers and businesses and nonprofits.
Personal Finance Resources
Your Money
Your Money
- University of Illinois Extension provides information about personal finance topics.
- How Money Smart Are You? is a series of games from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to help you learn about everyday financial topics.
Consumer Help
Consumer Help
- Citizens Utility Board offers tips to lower utility bills and avoid scams.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers information on topics like auto loans, bank accounts, credit cards, credit reports, mortgages and more.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) maintains stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system.
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) protects investors and safeguards the integrity of capital markets to ensure that everyone can invest with confidence.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides information on avoiding foreclosure, housing resources and finding shelter.
- Illinois Attorney General offers information about student loan debt assistance, consumer and health care complaints, crime victims compensation and more.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides information about product recalls. There is also the option to report or search for unsafe products.
Investing
Investing
- There are several online resources from government and regulatory agencies that can help you learn about investing. The library subscribes to two online resources, Morningstar Investment Research Center and Value Line Research Center, that have investment education sections with courses, videos and quizzes.
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- FINRA for Investors
- FINRA Learn to Invest
- FINRA Personal Finance can help with making financial goals before you start investing.
- FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to research the background of financial brokers, advisers and firms.
- Tools and Calculators
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offers a free tool to check the backgrounds of investment professionals.
- Investor.gov provides information from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission about investment products, crypto assets, fraud, and more.
Financial Planning
Financial Planning
- Guides for Financial Decisions including buying a house, paying for college and answers to commonly asked financial questions.
- Budgeting
- Credit & Debt
- Retirement Calculator
- Illinois Secure Choice is a state-facilitated retirement program that makes it easy to save for retirement.
Teaching Children About Money
Teaching Children About Money
- Money as You Grow offers activities to help you teach your children about money.
- Thinking Money for Kids Game
- Money Genius Activity Kit by Beth Kobliner
- Consumer.gov provides consumer information for teens.
Personal Finance Resources
The millionaire maker's guide to wealth cycle investing : build your assets into a lifetime of financial freedom
Maybe you own your home, have a few stocks or CDs, or contribute to a 401(k) plan that you barely pay attention to. According to Loral Langemeier, the bestselling author of The Millionaire Maker, that's more than you need to tap into the wealth-building power of direct asset allocation. What's that? It's a proven system of financial strategies that the smartest (and richest) investors have been using for years. You don't need tons of money. You don't need special insider knowledge. All you need is The Millionaire Maker's Guide to Wealth Cycle Investing. Think of this as your personal investment toolkit-packed with step-by-step instructions and sure-fire secrets to making money. You'll learn the fastest ways to supercharge your portfolio and make the most of whatever assets you have. You'll discover how to build cash in your own Wealth Account, scout out new opportunities, and invest in a wide range of asset classes through direct asset allocation. With financial expert Loral Langemeier as your guide, you can take control of your assets-and generate new income; profit from nontraditional investments; use real estate and private equity to accelerate wealth; balance your risks with even bigger rewards; and earn more money than you ever thought possible
Protecting & Prospering in Uncertain Times
"Protecting & Prospering in Uncertain Times: A Comprehensive Guide for Family Stability During RecessionsIn ""Protecting & Prospering in Uncertain Times,"" discover practical strategies and inspiring insights to safeguard your family's financial well-being and stability during challenging economic periods. This essential guide offers actionable advice on managing personal finances, fostering family resilience, and adapting to changing circumstances with confidence. Navigating a recession can be daunting, but this book equips you with the tools and knowledge to not only survive but thrive. From building a solid financial foundation and exploring home-based income opportunities to maintaining emotional wellness and strengthening family bonds, each chapter is packed with expert tips and real-life examples designed to help you and your loved ones weather economic storms with grace and strength. Key features of this book include:Effective financial strategies for tough times.Techniques for maintaining emotional stability and family unity.Practical advice on creating a resilient home environment and adapting to change.Tips on managing resources, finding support networks, and investing in personal growth. Whether you're seeking to understand financial aid options, improve communication during crises, or simply find joy in everyday moments, ""Protecting & Prospering in Uncertain Times"" provides a roadmap for navigating economic uncertainties with optimism and resilience. Embrace the journey to financial stability and family harmony with this indispensable guide."
Saving money
Saving money is an important part of life and there are plenty of ways to do so. Sometimes saving money can even earn more money for you by collecting interest. Read about the benefits of saving your cash in this title for money-savvy students
The Debt Escape Plan : How to Free Yourself From Credit Card Balances, Boost Your Credit Score, and Live Debt-Free
Winner of the American Society of Journalists and Authors' 2016 Outstanding Book Award in the Self-Help categoryPraise for Author's Last Book:"Confessions of a Credit Junkie is presented in a conversational tone, without confusion, techno-speak complexity or excessive industry jargon. The book breaks through delusion and naiveté and can, given a chance, inspire even the most wide-eyed spender to avoid the pit of debt that snared Harzog and so very many others.-C you're in credit-card debt and you're tired of being told that all you need to do is give up your daily latte-and cut up all your credit cards-this is the book for you.Former credit junkie Beverly Harzog racked up thousands of dollars in credit-card debt during a decade of overspending. When she decided she wanted to break free from debt, she found that conventional advice about personal finance didn't work for her.So, Beverly created her own unique debt escape plan and succeeded in paying off more than $20,000 in credit card debt in two years.In The Debt Escape Plan, you'll find easy-to-follow advice, often laced with a touch of Southern humor, to help you conquer-and stay out of-credit-card debt.In this much-needed book, you'll learn:Why a one-size-fits-all approach to credit card debt doesn't work.How to use the Money Personality Quiz to customize your own debt escape plan.The nine biggest debt mistakes and how to overcome them.Seven secrets for giving your credit score a quick to overcome the hardships of medical bills.How to debt-proof your future so this never happens to you again!
Taurus : personal horoscopes 2013
Find out what 2013 holds in store for you, Taurus. Packed with insightful information to make 2013 a meaningful year for the Bull, the second sign of the zodiac, Taurus: Personal Horoscopes 2013 includes: Week-by-week forecasts for your sign, covering love and relationships, family and friends, finance, health, career and travel At-a-glance monthly charts highlighting the best and worst days for romance, friendship, career, health and more Your zodiac sign's qualities, elements, planets and houses Personality profiles of famous Canadian and international figures born in your sign Compatibility guides for every combination of signs, detailing your best relationship matches - and those that may challenge you Start 2013 off right with your personalized look at the stars
For the love of money. Navigating Personal Finances with Stewardship and Faith
This delightful book will guide you through creating the canvas for your financial life. Even if you think you are not financially savvy, this book will teach you a simple, yet comprehensive, approach to handling your financial affairs. There is a science and an art to managing your personal finances- all you need to do is discover it. It's time to realize that YOU are your own best Financial Manager! "For the Love of Money" will reveal the practical steps to building your own money management plan. Sadahri Berry guides you towards a lifestyle of greater financial wellness, mindful spending, and a sense of faith in your financial life
Financial adulting : everything you need to know and do to be a financially confident and conscious adult
Perfect for anyone seeking to get a firm handle on their personal finances, Financial Adulting is a must-have resource that demystifies and simplifies complex topics and makes understanding personal finance fun. From the founder of The Fiscal Femme, a popular feminist money platform, and author of The 30-Day Money Cleanse, Ashley Feinstein Gerstley's Financial Adulting: Everything You Need to be a Financially Confident and Conscious Adult delivers an easy-to-follow, informative, and fun financial guide. From budgeting and consumer activism to retirement investing and paying down debt, you'll learn everything you need to know and do to be a financially savvy adult. In this important book, you'll: master fundamental concepts, including dealing with student loans, maximizing your 401(k), and preparing for salary negotiations; use a racial and feminist justice lens to tackle rarely discussed topics in money and equity and better understand deep-seated historic and systemic obstacles; recognize that your circumstances, goals, and values are unique and require a custom approach in order to succeed financially; and receive a simple step-by-step guide to reaching your financial goals while living a big, exciting, and meaningful life
Spending my money
Cash or credit? This helpful book explains both! Readers will learn the different ways we spend money through a clear, simple narrative full of playful illustrations. In addition to its practical uses, this unique text teaches readers how money can sometimes make us feel: happy, disappointed, satisfied, and more. This essential emotional element will help readers relate to the text as they learn responsible spending habits. Educators will appreciate the activities section that provides instructions for hands-on lessons to enhance the reading experience and to give readers a tangible understanding of money
Set Priorities & Plan Success
In the 4th, completely revised edition of this groundbreaking guide, published by an award-winning publisher, renowned experts (overview in the book preview) combine their knowledge with interactive AI. This unique combination of decades of experience and state-of-the-art technology enables you to master challenges on a whole new level. Thanks to the innovative transfer of information, complemented by personal experiences of success, you can realize your goals and reach your full potential. Because good time management suffers in everyday life with many people because they set priorities wrong and go through unstructured decision-making processes. Often uncomfortable tasks are postponed rather than being completed immediately. And often we don't dare to clearly prioritize things that are important to us and communicate this accordingly. Good, correct decisions are extremely important for success in everyday life and in the professional world. This book shows how to tackle this problem and thus helps to make your own working day better, more productive and more structured. For its concept "Information as Desired," the publisher won the Global Business Award as Publisher of the Year and received government funding. It is also a partner of the Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany. The goal to give you the best possible content on topics such as career, finance, management, recruiting, or psychology goes far beyond the static nature of traditional books: The interactive AI Extended Books not only provide AI-optimized content in several languages based on data analysis but also allow you to ask individual questions and receive advice tailored to your personal interests. Each book contains detailed information and examples for your successful use of AI. You can utilize AI software for free, download e-courses, collaborate with workbooks, or engage with an active community. So you gain valuable resources that enhance your knowledge, stimulate creativity, and make your personal and professional goals achievable and tangible. Expertise and technical innovation go hand in hand, as we take the responsibility to deliver well-researched and informed content seriously, honoring the trust you place in us. Due to the unique combination of human expertise and innovation, we can publish works that meet your requirements in every aspect. And furthermore, we want to offer you the opportunity to make your journey towards personal growth and success even more unforgettable. We understand that true change occurs not just in the mind but primarily through personal experiences and application. Therefore, we've conceptualized special success journey experiences tailored to each book for you. Be inspired to elevate your life to an entirely new level. By purchasing the books, you can also do good: The publisher dedicates about 5 percent of book sales revenue to socially relevant or sustainable projects. We provide scholarships, support innovative ideas, and contribute to climate protection initiatives. Publisher Simone Janson is also a bestselling author and one of the top 10 influential German bloggers according to the Blogger Relevance Index. Additionally, she has been a columnist and author for renowned media outlets such as WELT, Wirtschaftswoche, or ZEIT - more about her can be found, among other places, on Wikipedia
Tightwads and spendthrifts navigating the money minefield in real relationships
"A revolutionary guide to navigating the financial aspects of real relationships Have you ever asked yourself "What if I'm a tightwad and my significant other is a spendthrift?" or vice versa? Scott Rick, a behavioral scientist at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, knows that many people do. He also knows that the financial aspects of an intimate relationship can become a money minefield if couples try to navigate it without first discussing all of the financial issues between them, especially if those two people have different approaches to spending. Tightwads and Spendthrifts is a science-based guide to understanding and transforming how we manage money, both on our own and in relationships. Building on his original research, and surveying a vast body of interdisciplinary work, Tightwads and Spendthrifts will help you understand your own financial psychology and how it plays out in your relationships. Can tightwads and spendthrifts live together in harmony? Rick says "yes," but not without first asking hard questions about whose opinion should count most when making a financial decision. After all of the issues have been aired, he tells readers how to create a game plan for navigating financial decision making that both Tightwads and Spendthrifts can rely on for a happy life together"--