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Financial and Consumer Education Resources
on the Web
The Web sites were reviewed and selected as useful,
non-commercial sites for additional information. Note: while every
effort will be made to keep the information about the Web sites
current, content, organization and URL may change.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- The Office of Financial Education,
created in 2004, is a division in the Governor's Office. Its goal
is to coordinate efforts and promote cooperation among agencies
addressing financial education and literacy. A Governor's Task
Force for Working Families was formed to address its goals. Hilary
Hunt is the director of the office
| Contact information:
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
333 Market Street, 16th floor,
Harrisburg, Pa, 17101-2290
Tel.: (717) 783-7151
Fax: (717) 787-8773
E-mail: hihunt@state.pa.us |
- The Department of Banking
supervises banking processes in the state and provides relevant
information related to banking legislation. It is organized into
three bureaus: Examinations; Supervision and Enforcement; and
Licensing, Compliance and Consumer Services. In addition to the
three bureaus, other major components of the department include
the Office of Chief Counsel, the Administration Services Division,
the Information Technology Division, the Human Resources Division,
and Fiscal Services. http://www.banking.state.pa.us/banking/site/default.asp
- PAPowerPort is
a link to Pennsylvania's state agencies and services. http://www.state.pa.us/
- The Pennsylvania Bankers'
Association (PBA) represents banking industry in the state
and federal levels. Their mission is to support the diverse needs
of the membership through volunteer participation, industry advocacy,
education and member services, delivered with excellence. http://www.pabanker.com/
- The Pennsylvania Credit
Union Association provides leadership to promote credit
unions and their philosophy. They serve credit unions through
quality products and services to meet the financial needs of their
members, to maintain a dynamic organization that fosters employee
growth and mutual respect, and to exercise prudence and the highest
ethical standards. http://www.pcua.coop/
- Pennsylvania Insurance
Department
Automotive and homeowner premiums by county can be found at this
site. Check out insurance companies. Learn about different kinds
of insurance. http://www.ins.state.pa.us/ins/site/default.asp
- The Pennsylvania Office
of Attorney General exercises powers and performs duties
that may be imposed by the law such as prosecution of organized
crime and public corruption, administers the provisions related
to consumer protection and collects all debts, taxes and accounts
due to the Commonwealth. The Public Education and Information
Unit of the Attorney General Office helps consumers learn how
to protect themselves and their wallets with a wide array of booklets.
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/
- Pennsylvania Securities
Commission
Select Investor Information to find a list of publications
and educational materials. Publication on internet fraud may be
of particular interest. http://www.psc.state.pa.us/
- Pennsylvania TAP 529
Program is a college investment plan that allows the money you
invest to grow tax-deferred. TAP 529 offers two ways to invest:
- The Surcharge-Free Network
gives listing of financial institutions in Pennsylvania by counties.
http://www.cudollar.org/
Federal
- The Bureau of Labor
Statistics provides detailed data and publications on inflation
and consumer spending, on wages, earnings and benefits, as well
on employment at http://www.bls.gov/.
- The Consumer Expenditures
Survey provides information on the buying habits of American
consumers. http://www.bls.gov/cex/home.htm
- The 2004 Consumer Action
Handbook (in pdf. and txt. formats) is a free guide that
features useful consumer tips, many sources of assistance, and
a sample complaint letter. Names and addresses (mailing and Web)
for hundred of companies and trade associations, local, state,
and federal agencies, national consumer organizations are included.
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/crh/handbook.pdf
- The Census Bureau
reports income and poverty estimates from several major national
household surveys and programs. A fact sheet from the American
Community Survey and the supplement to the Current Population
Survey is also available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html.
Statistics on poverty thresholds by size of family and number
of children are provided over the last twenty three years at http://www.census.gov/hhes/poverty/threshld.html.
- The Center for Nutrition
Policy and Promotion of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture provides
information and materials based on research and analysis including
Healthy Eating Index, Food Guide pyramid, and USDA Food Plans.
http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/
The costs of food at home at four levels (thrifty, low, moderate,
and liberal) are available at http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/foodplans.html
- The Department of Labor
launched its Retirement Savings Education Campaign (RSEC) to help
women, minorities and small businesses to save for a retirement.
Resources are available to recognize the importance of saving
and to motivate them to start saving. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/savingmatters.html#section5
- The Department of Treasury
Office of Financial Education provides personal finance
resources--many at no cost. Four areas are emphasized: basic saving,
credit management, homeownership, and retirement planning. http://www.treasury.gov/offices/domestic-finance/financial-institution/fin-education/
Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at
Home, a site developed by the U.S. Department of Energy
contains sections on energy use in the home, insulation and weatherization,
heating and cooling, water heating, windows, lighting, appliances,
major appliance shopping guide, etc. Tips on this Web site will
save you energy and money and, in many cases, help the environment
by reducing pollution and conserving our natural resources. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/
- The Economic Research
Service (ERS), USDA, State Fact Sheets contain frequently
requested data for each state and for the total United States.
These include current data on population, per capita income, earnings
per job, poverty rates, employment, unemployment, farm and farm
related jobs, farm characteristics, farm financial characteristics,
top agriculture commodities, top export commodities, and the top
counties in agricultural sales. The fact sheets have been redesigned
to make it easier for users to find data and directions to additional
information sources. New farm balance sheet data for 2003 and
poverty estimates for 2002 have been added. The fact sheets are
downloadable as Excel spreadsheets. For further information, go
to:
http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts
- Federal Citizen Information
Center answers questions about the Federal government
by a nationwide toll-free number 1-800-333-4636 or 1-800-FED-INFO,
and e-mail through a partner at FirstGov.gov. There is an online
knowledge base of frequently requested information. Other information
at this site is the Consumer Action Handbook, Kids.gov and National
Contact Center. http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
- Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation is an independent agency that supervises banks,
insures deposits up to $100,000, and has an extensive financial
information including Money Smart, an adult education program.
http://www.fdic.gov/quicklinks/consumers.html
- The Federal Reserve
System provides publications and educational resources
related to banking, consumer protection, mortgages, interest rates,
loans, and credit.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/
http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/FinEd/
http://www.newyorkfed.org/education/econ_eduforall.html
Keys to Vehicle Leasing
Publication on vehicle leasing available in English or Spanish.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/leasing/
- The Federal Trade Commission
enforces federal antitrust and consumer protection laws that prevent
fraud, deception and unfair business practices, including The
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA). http://www.ftc.gov/
The consumer section contains publications on automobiles;
credit; diet, health and fitness; e-commerce and the internet;
energy and environment; identity theft; investments; privacy;
products and services; scholarship and employment services; telemarketing;
telephone services; tobacco; and travel. Publications can be downloaded
or multiple free copies can be ordered. http://www.ftc.gov/index.html
Sample Web scams. http://www.wemarket4u.net/
- The Financial Literacy
and Education Commission was established in 2003 to improve
the financial literacy and education of persons in the United
States. A Web site was designed to link all federal agencies that
deal with financial issues and markets. The listing of Web sites
is available in English and Spanish. http://www.mymoney.gov/
- First.Gov for Consumers
provides timely consumer information from the federal government
and online links to the federal agencies responsible for the information
at http://www.consumer.gov.
- The Internal Revenue
Service provides assistance to tax payers through toll-free
telephone lines, correspondence or visits to its more than 400
offices nationwide. The toll-free number is 800-829-1040 and available
Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Many forms
and publications are available on the site. http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/individuals/index.html
- The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) works within the
U.S. Department of Transportation. NHTSA is responsible for reducing
deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle
crashes. This is accomplished by setting and enforcing safety
performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment,
and through grants to state and local governments to enable them
to conduct effective local highway safety programs. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
- Social Security Online,
the official Web site of the U.S. Social Security Administration,
provides information of social security issues. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/
- TreasuryDirect is
the first and only financial services Web site that lets the customers
buy and redeem securities directly from the U.S. Treasury in paperless
electronic form. Product information and research is offered across
the entire line of Treasury Securities, from Series EE Savings
Bonds and I Bonds to Treasury Notes in electronic form. http://www.savingsbonds.gov/
- The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission works to ensure the safety of consumer
products. Publications and descriptions of recalls are provided
at http://www.cpsc.gov/
- The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration posts the most recent list of recalls and
market withdrawals at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
- The U.S. government's
official Web Portal gives access to government information,
services, and resources. http://firstgov.gov/
- The U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission's (SEC)
mission is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of
the securities markets. The SEC oversees key participants in the
securities world, including the stock exchanges, broker-dealers,
investment advisors, mutual funds, and public utility holding
companies and promotes disclosure of important information, enforcing
the securities laws, and protecting investors who interact with
these various organizations and individuals. http://www.sec.gov/
Organizations
- American Council of
Life Insurers
Go to the Consumer section to learn about different types
of life insurance, annuities, long-term care, disability income,
and retirement savings plans. http://www.acli.org
- The Alliance for Investor
Education is dedicated to facilitating greater understanding
of investing, investments, and the financial markets among current
and prospective investors of all ages. Through the Investor's
Clearinghouse the Web site provides links to other sites with
the resources on investment. http://www.investoreducation.org/index.cfm
- America Saves
is a national campaign, initiated by the Consumer Federation of
America foundation, to persuade Americans to increase savings,
to "build wealth, not debt." http://www.americasaves.org/
- The American Association
of Individual Investors (AAII) specializes
in providing investment education in the areas of investing
basics, financial
planning retirement, comparing
mutual funds, stock
market investing, and improving an investment
portfolio. AAII is a nonprofit organization that arms the
individual investor with the investment education and tools needed
to manage their finances effectively and profitably. http://www.aaii.com/
- American Association
for Retired People (AARP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization for people age 50 and over. AARP is dedicated to
enhancing quality of life for all as we age. AARP provides a wide
range of unique benefits, special products, and services for its
members. http://www.aarp.org/
- American Council of
Life Insurers. Go to the Consumer section to learn
about different types of life insurance, annuities, long-term
care, disability income, and retirement savings plans. http://www.acli.org/
- The American Savings
Education Council (ASEC) is a nonprofit national coalition
of public- and private-sector institutions. ASEC develops and
distributes educational materials in all aspects of personal finance,
including credit management, college savings, home purchase, and
retirement planning. http://www.asec.org/
http://www.choosetosave.org/
- The Better Business
Bureau is dedicated to fostering fair and honest relationships
between businesses and consumers, instilling consumer confidence
and contributing to an ethical business environment. The BBB system
has proven that the majority of marketplace problems can be solved
fairly through the use of voluntary self-regulation and consumer
education. http://www.bbb.org/
- Building Wealth: A Beginner
Guide to Securing Your Financial Future helps consumers
to plan for building personal wealth and presents an overview
of personal wealth-building strategies. The Federal Reserve Bank
of Dallas produced the publication. http://www.dallasfed.org/ca/wealth/index.html
- The Center on Budget
and Policy Priorities is a policy organization working
on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income
families and individuals. The Center conducts research and analysis
to inform public debates over proposed budget and tax policies
and to help ensure that the needs of low-income families and individuals
are considered in these debates. http://www.cbpp.org/index.html
- The 2004 Earned Income
Tax Credit Outreach Kit provides information about the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit and operates
two campaigns to help working poor families receive key benefits
for which they are eligible. http://www.cbpp.org/eic2004/index.html
- Consumer Action
is a non-profit education and advocacy group. The site has sections
on banking, cars, credit, fraud, housing, immigration, insurance,
investment, money management, pricing surveys, privacy rights
(check out the credit card surveys to illustrate variation in
costs), telephone, and utilities. Educational materials are available
in Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages.
http://www.consumer-action.org/
- The Consumer Federation
of America (CFA) has been an advocacy, education, and service
non-profit organization since 1968. This Web site supplies free
information about CFA work on dozens of issues and includes information
about CFA, press releases, policy publications, consumer publications,
state and local consumer groups, consumer cooperatives, and links
to other consumer Web sites. http://www.consumerfed.org/backpage/banking.html
- Consumers Union,
publisher of
Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and
information organization providing consumers with unbiased information
about products and services, personal finance, health and nutrition,
and other consumer concerns. http://www.consumersunion.org/
Consumer Reports is at http://www.consumerreports.org/
- The Federal Reserve
Bank of New York promotes economic and financial education
and greater understanding of the roles of the Federal Reserve
System by providing instructional materials and programs for school
and college students and educators. http://www.ny.frb.org/education/index.html
- Insurance Information
Institute
Learn about auto, home, life, health, and disability insurance.
http://www.iii.org/
- Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety
Vehicle ratings in crash tests, information for teen drivers,
shopping for a car, about airbags, and many other topics are addressed
at this site. Educational videos are available for purchase and
publications may be downloaded free. http://www.highwaysafety.org/
- The Investment Company
Institute is a trade association of mutual fund investment
companies.The site contains a Learn about Investing section,
a Statistics and Research section ,and a Key Issues
section. In the Learn about Investing section look for
Investor Awareness and Educational Resources section for
a list of pdf publications on mutual funds. http://www.ici.org
- The National Endowment
for Financial Education (NEFE) is a non-profit foundation
providing Americans with practical money-management skills and
fundamentals of money management. Although not restricted to a
particular age group, the goal is increasing financial literacy
among the nation's youth through the organization's longest-standing
public service effort, the NEFE High School Financial Planning
Program (HSFPP). http://www.nefe.org
- The National Foundation
for Credit Counseling provides quality credit counseling,
debt reduction services and education for financial wellness.
The accredited NFCC member agencies provide free or low cost services
to help consumers achieve financial stability. http://www.nfcc.org/
- DebtAdvice.org
is a service provided by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling
member agencies and was designed to help consumers understand
the use of credit and locate a certified counselor if they are
in need of assistance. http://www.debtadvice.org/index.html
Pennsylvania has 49 member locations for family counseling
by phone, in person or Internet. http://www.debtadvice.org/takethefirststep/locator.html
- The National Fraud Information
Center helps consumers to avoid fraud by providing them
with information. http://www.fraud.org/welcome.htm
- North American Securities
Administrators Association
Go to drop down menu to select Investor Education. Then
choose Investor Tips at the side menu. Material is excellent
if rather dreadfully presented. Many articles on avoiding scams
and fraud. http://www.nasaa.org/nasaa/abtnasaa/view_top_stories.asp?start=0&partition=1
- Public Interest Research
groups are an alliance of state-based, citizen-funded organizations
that advocate for the public interest. The state PIRGs' mission
is to deliver persistent, result-oriented activism that protects
the environment, encourages a fair marketplace for consumers and
fosters responsive, democratic government. http://www.pirg.org/
- Surcharge-Free Network
provides information about free ATMs in the area. http://www.cudollar.org/
- The U.S. Department
of Energy presents the program Energy Savers: Tips on
Saving Energy and Money at Home. Tips on this Web site will
save you energy, money, and, in many cases, help the environment
by reducing pollution and conserving our natural resources. Sections
on energy use in the home, insulation and weatherization, heating
and cooling, water heating, windows, lighting, appliances, major
appliance shopping guide, etc. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/
- The Women's Institute
for Financial Education is the oldest nonprofit organization
(since 1988) dedicated to providing financial education to women
in their quest for financial independence. http://www.wife.org/
- Partnership
for Prescription Assistance Pennsylvania PPARxPA.org
is a program that connects qualified, low-income people with discount
prescription drugs, direct from the pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Companies
- The A. M. Best Company
provides ratings of insurance companies. It requires a free user
ID and a password. http://www.ambest.com/
- Bankrate.com
is an Internet consumer finance marketplace that owns and operates
Internet-based personal finance channels including banking, investing,
taxes and small-business finance. The site aggregates information
on more than 100 financial products including mortgages, credit
cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates
of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online
banking fees. http://www.bankrate.com/coinfo/default.asp
- CNNMoney is a
comprehensive site with extensive information on personal finance,
jobs and economy, markets and news, etc. It also has several financial
tools: Money 101 (interactive course), calculators, and Money
Magazine. The editors of Money Magazine and CNN Money help you
sort through the cities, mutual funds, places to visit and new
car of interest. http://money.cnn.com/
- Edmunds.com provides
car reviews, tips and advice on car buying, selling, leasing,
safety, insurance, financing, and warranties. http://www.edmunds.com/
- Equifax
Go to Personal Solutions, then Learning. Learn about
credit reports and history, credit scores, identity theft, life
events, buying a home or car, and improving your credit. http://www.equifax.com/
- Experian
In the Personal Services section of the page, look at Credit
Education for information on credit fraud, all about credit,
and an Ask Max section which is a Q and A page. Examples of credit
reports are available. http://www.experian.com/
- Fannie Mae is
the national leader in the U.S. housing finance system. They help
families achieve homeownership by providing financial products
and services that make it possible for low-, moderate-, and middle-income
families to buy homes of their own. http://www.fanniemae.com/index.jhtml
- The GE
Center for Financial Learning was developed to promote
financial literacy and to educate adults on financial matters.
The site does not sell or promote any GE financial products. http://www.financialearning.com/ge/home.jsp
- The I Hate Financial
Planning Web site is for everyone who loves money, hates
planning, and wants answers. The site helps you to sort through
the maze of financial options, shows ways to analyze a situation,
and simplifies possible solutions. There are opportunities to
put new-found knowledge to practice, get started on some basic
investing, complete a plan over the phone, or even work with a
financial professional face to face. http://www.ihatefinancialplanning.com/about/
- Intellichoice
helps you learn more about buying a new car, used car, financing,
how much you can afford, etc. http://www.intellichoice.com/search/usedCarSearch.cfm
- Investment Company Institute
A Trade association of mutual fund investment companies.The site
includes a Learn about Investing section, a Statistics
and Research section, and a Key Issues section. In
the Learn about Investing section look for Investor
Awareness and Educational Resources section for a list of
pdf publications on mutual funds. http://www.ici.org
- Lower My Bills.com
Search for the best deals on long distance, auto insurance, credit
cards, cell phones, internet access, term life insurance, etc.
http://www.lowermybills.com/
- MyFico (Fair Isaac)
Go to the Credit Education tab and learn about credit scores
(what's in your score and what's not, how scoring helps you, improving
your score, facts and fallacies) and credit reports (what's in
your report, how mistakes are made, checking your report, and
average credit statistics). See how interest rates are higher
for those with lower scores. Extensive list of calculators are
on this site. http://www.myfico.com/
- National Association
of Securities Dealers provides investors with information
and tools to better understand investing and the markets under
Investor Information section. http://www.nasd.com/default.asp
- NASDAQ, the site
of the largest U.S. electronic stock market, provides constantly
updated information on tendencies in stock trade. http://www.nasdaq.com/
- The NYSE is the
world's leading and most technologically advanced equities market.
A broad spectrum of market participants, including listed companies,
individual investors, institutional investors and member firms,
create the NYSE market. http://www.nyse.com/
- Practical Money Skills
is a free Web site designed to help educators, parents,
and students practice better money management. Its online tools
and resources are created by Visa and also provide free classroom
materials including games, calculators, and fun activities. http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/index.php
- Quicken deals
with Investing, Taxes, Home Loans, Insurance Quotes and
Bills and Banking issues. Under Bills and Banking,
check out Tools for various calculators, Other Activities
for credit advice, compare auto insurance quotes http://www.quicken.com/
- State Farm Insurance
provides information on financial learning, prevention and safety,
life events and stages (including getting married, having a baby,
moving, buying a home or car), retirement planning, college planning,
calculators, taxes, and kid stuff. The information is available
without completing the log-in procedure. http://www.statefarm.com/homepage.htm
- Stock Exchange Information
on the stock market is provided by American Stock Exchange and
New York Stock Exchange. http://www.nyse.com/,
http://www.amex.com/
- Transunion
Go to Personal Solutions tab and see sections on credit
reporting, personal credit score, disputing credit report, fraud
victim information, FAQs, terminology and opt out information.
Examples of credit reports are available. http://www.transunion.com/
- The U.S. Payment Card
Information Network is a link to valuable information about
credit cards. http://www.cardweb.com/
- Webinvestors.com
provides information on investing http://www.webinvestors.com/
Education
- Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension provides financial Web sites resources
lists on: banking, consumer products and services, credit, employment,
estate planning, financial planning, government, insurance, investing,
legal resources, media resources, retirement planning, special
populations, search engines, trends. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/finance/index.html
- Car Costs (North Carolina
State University Cooperative Extension) is designed to
provide quick calculations of carefully estimated input data for
the many costs of owning and operating a car, not just a monthly
payment. http://apps.ces.ncsu.edu/carcosts/carcosts_web/
- Financial Security in
Later Life (Cooperative Extension
System) primarily focuses on retirement issues, but many
resources and links to other sites are available at this site.
Purdue's site Planning for a Secure Retirement (under Consumer
and Online Extension Tools) makes extensive use of linkages
to information and calculators at other Web sites. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/economics/fsll/fsll.html
- Iowa State University
Cooperative Extension gives list of publications on consumer
and financial management. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/co2.htm
- Purdue University Cooperative
Extension provides list of publications on consumer and
family sciences. http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/cfs.htm
- The University of Minnesota
Cooperative Extension developed a
guide with practical information about the inheritance of personal
property. http://www.yellowpieplate.umn.edu/
- University of Wisconsin
Cooperative Extension site has list
of publications on family finance and consumer issues. http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/showcat.asp?id=21
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