Borrowing Money in Plain English
January 5 , 2013 by Susan LyonThis video introduces the risks and benefits of using a bank to borrow money. It tells the story of Rachel who reaches her goal of publishing an album by making smart decisions based on interest rates and timeframes. The video includes: APRs - the fees involved in borrowing money Basic borrowing plans Risks of borrowing money Avoiding penalties and late fees
Apps for Children: Jungle Coins and iAllowance
December 1 , 2012 by Heather McCueKids love technology and, let’s face it, games make learning fun. These iPad Apps will help your family get a handle on money:
Lulu Walks the Dogs
December 1 , 2012 by Heather McCueHow do you help your children make sense of dollars and cents? Sharing stories like Lulu Walks the Dog by Judith Viorst is a perfect way to start the conversation.
Start Saving, Henry!
December 1 , 2012 by Heather McCueHow do you help your children make sense of dollars and cents? Sharing stories like Start Saving, Henry! by Nancy Carlson is a perfect way to start the conversation.
Morningstar Investment Research Center
November 15 , 2012Morningstar® Investment Research Center offers a real-time, easy to use solution for investment research. Users have access to many popular Premium features of Morningstar.com®, including research and independent opinions on thousands of mutual funds, stocks, and exchange-traded funds.
Teaching Children To Save
May 4 , 2012 by Heather McCueTax time is the perfect time to talk about saving money. Everyone has big dreams for their refund checks--including children. How do you begin to teach the little ones in your family the value of saving? Stories are a perfect way to introduce concepts and start talking. In Tía Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina, a little girl and her aunt dream of buying a car big enough for their whole family and perfect for driving to the beach. It's hard because they are also saving "helping money" to send to their family back home. One of the great parts of this story is that the little girl and her aunt work together to save for the car. It's important for little ones to know that even they can help make a difference. If a car seems too big, then try one of the other titles below to find the right one for you and your child.
Recommended Financial Reading
June 8 , 2012 by Todd BarrettI want to recommend two books for you to read.
Mysterious savings bonds…let them go and watch them grow!
June 30 , 2012 by Amber CWhen I was a kid, I won a history contest and was knighted at the state capitol as a “Lady of the Golden Horseshoe” (seriously, it happened). For me, the more exciting benefit of this award was that it came with $100… then I found out that it was a $100 savings bond. I wasn’t going to have access to that money for YEARS? It had to GROW first?
Kick-Start a Savings Account
May 15 , 2012 by Joanna BixlerWhat if you’re having trouble finding money to put aside for a rainy day? Here are some ideas to help you think of new ways to bring in some cash for an emergency fund:
Can I still get free checking?
May 15 , 2012 by Todd BarrettFree checking is getting harder to find, but some banks still offer it. It all depends on your existing relationship with the bank. If they are making money some other way from you they may offer free checking. For example, if you have a mortgage, keep a large minimum balance, etc. If any of those conditions apply to you then free checking is probably in your future. If those conditions do not apply to you then I would suggest looking into joining a credit union. Many have loosened their membership requirements. Click the ncua.gov website to find one in your area.