Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? I didn’t either, but now I do and so do you, so that’s a start! Libbie tells us more in her second installment of “Money Talks” today.
There are SO many resources and apps to use to get smarter about your finances. But where to start? I checked out this list of Great Money Saving Apps from Financial Experts from Experian.
Survey says… check out Mint.com and their free mobile apps, too. They say that their “free iPhone app is the can’t-live-without-it way to keep track of your finances“. Luckily, several of Experian’s experts seem to agree. In just minutes, you can set up an account to see where your money is going, how your investments are performing and where you could save money. Mint automatically pulls all your financial information into one place, so you can get the entire picture. The best thing is that it is FREE. How? They get commissions from financial institutions and make recommendations on how/where you can save money. That’s OK with me. You can check out the the app HERE.
Another often recommended site with free resources and affordable paid online financial planning tools is LearnVest. Need help managing your money? LearnVest’s free Money Center will help you create a budget. Their free bootcamps will help you take control of your money, cut your costs or plan to get out of debt. And they offer premium financial plans managed by LearnVest Certified Financial Planners if you are ready to up the ante. I love their news stories on their resources page (free). I just followed LearnVest on Twitter.
Also check out great resources targeted toward women at Daily Worth. DailyWorth is “the leading multi-platform financial media company for women who want more — more net worth, more self worth, and ultimately, more joy.” Sounds good to me! I get their (awesome) newsletter and often pass on the advice here! And heck, it’s good for men, too . I get their newsletter and follow Daily Worth on Twitter.
Are you financially literate? What tools do you rely on? I rely a bit too much on the husband for this. Another goal to add to my list!
In our second installment of Money Talks from my MIL, Libbie, a great idea for helping kids (and their parents) to learn about managing finances.
“You can never be too thin or too rich” – Babe Paley
April is Financial Literacy Month as declared by the U.S. Senate in 2004. Although Congress is unable to decide on its own strategy for a stable financial future, the Senate has declared this to be the month in which all Americans should focus on the challenges of saving, investing and planning for their own financial futures. This sounds like a good idea since we now know that 40% of Americans will likely never gain a net worth in excess of $10,000 (See more on this at American Dream Education Project).
Financial Literacy Month began in the year 2000 when Jump$tart started promoting financial literacy for youth. Today numerous financial institutions and non-profit educational organizations support the resolution by hosting events and conducting research promoting awareness. Browse Jump$tart for a variety interesting ideas on educating kids about money matters. Jump$tart strives to prepare youth by developing successful financial decision making skills. There are valuable resources available at the website including the Jump$tart Coalition Clearinghouse, an online library of financial education run by Anne Bannister who is available to answer any questions. There is a great “Reality Check” online for children who are about to leave home and set up their own lifestyle to help them determine their own cost of living.
For the “big kids” in all of us, visit the website Avengers: Saving the Day. This free financial literacy comic book was created by Marvel Comics and Visa, Inc. It includes the Avengers, Hulk and Spider-Man to introduce basic money concepts to children . This website also carries classroom modules, games and DVDs such as Financial Soccer or Financial Metropolis so check it out teachers! The host website, Practical Money Skills for Life, also has many helpful resources, tools and calculators for adults on managing their finances.
Financial Literacy Month is not just for kids. Check out some great free online tools and resources from: The Council for Economic Education, Financial Literacy Month, mymoney.gov and MORE.
Now that you know how to save money, check out these awesome deals where you can, um, save more money… sort of:
> As usual, great stuff from Gilt City:
- Check out 50% off vouchers for Cureeo – a website that offers a wide variety of one of a kind art pieces for a wide range of budgets. Cool!
- Also, get 50% off vouchers for BlueNile.com – Mother’s Day is coming!
- Also – free – click HERE to get a 25% off coupon for J. Crew Outlet (in store or online)
- This looks fun! Check out 40-45% off on Love is Art Kits for couples. Be creative, have fun and show your work. I like it!
- Get nearly 50% off on cool custom address stamps from Mason Row.
- In Chicago, check out 53% off at Roque Salon in River North or other great Chicago deals.
- In NYC, check out $24 for a 30 day pass for new members at NY Sports Clubs (worth it to use the lockers and showers!) or other great NYC deals.
> Check out this great offer from SpaFinder NOW!: Get an AcuMat by StyleWellness for $22.99 (51% off)
> In Chicago, check out $29 for a Fireworks Kayak Tour from Travelzoo – 50% off! They still have $19 for a day pass at Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym, too!
> Hey Mud Loving Runners and Bikers, check out REI Muddy Buddy bike, run and obstacle off-road races and get 40% off from Gearbuzz. The Muddy Buddy Mud Run features a 3-4 mile course and obstacles. Or try the Muddy Buddy Bike & Run, a 6-7 mile route where you and your buddy trade off running and biking every mile along the course. Register and get 40% off with online code GEARBUZZ through April 17. 2013 REI Muddy Buddy cities/dates: Atlanta (June 8); Nashville (June 22); Chicago (July 20); Boulder (August 10); Seattle (August 18); San Jose (September 28); Los Angeles (October 26).
> Also from Gearbuzz, get 40% off Pro Compression Marathon socks with the code GB4.
> Monday is TAX DAY – ACK – check out this list of freebies from Learnvest!
> I think I mentioned this, but Google Offers is now offers lots of FREE local offers that you can download on your smart phone. Check it out.
> Another FREE thing that I have been trying to take advantage of it the free song and books downloads on the Starbucks iPhone App. There are some fun new tunes and they go directly to your iTunes library. Why not check them out?
That’s all I have for now. I hope that you have a great (SUNNY! fingers crossed) weekend. And, please don’t forget to check out my blogiversary giveaway and daily Facebook giveaways until Monday! Have a great day!
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