Resources
Curated links and videos, organized by topic. These are outside sources we think are worth your time.
Getting started
If you are new to managing money or starting over, these are good first stops.
Two Cents (PBS)
Short, clear videos on budgeting, saving, investing, and everyday money decisions. Good starting point if you prefer video over reading.
Watch on YouTubeCaleb Hammer (Financial Audit)
Real people, real budgets, no filter. Caleb walks through actual financial situations. Useful for seeing what common problems look like and how to fix them.
Watch on YouTubeNerdWallet: Personal Finance Basics
Clear guides on nearly every personal finance topic. Good for looking up a specific term or comparing financial products without a paywall.
Read the guidesFree tools
Calculators and tools that do not require an account or sell your data.
Debt payoff calculator (Undebt.it)
Enter your debts and it shows avalanche vs. snowball payoff timelines side by side. Free plan is enough for most people.
Open calculatorSavings goal calculator (Bankrate)
Enter a goal amount and target date and it tells you how much to save per month. No account needed.
Open calculatorKindMeans browser tools
Quick calculators for everyday money decisions: can I afford this, debt payoff comparison, and more. Run in your browser, nothing leaves your device.
Open the toolsCan I afford this?
Enter a price and your monthly income. Get a clear verdict (Comfortable, Manageable, Stretch, or Wait) in seconds.
Open calculatorDebt payoff calculator
Compare avalanche vs. snowball strategies across all your debts. See your payoff date and how much interest each method saves.
Open calculatorDebt help
If debt feels unmanageable, these are legitimate, free resources. Be cautious of debt settlement companies that charge fees.
NFCC: National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Free and low-cost credit counseling from nonprofit agencies. They can help with budgeting, debt management plans, and bankruptcy alternatives.
Visit NFCCCFPB: Debt collection help
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains your rights when dealing with debt collectors and has a complaint system if you are being treated unfairly.
Read your rightsCredit
Free, legitimate ways to check and understand your credit.
AnnualCreditReport.com
The official, government-mandated site for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can get one from each bureau per year. Do not use lookalike sites.
Get your free reportCredit Karma
Free credit score and report monitoring. Shows what is affecting your score and how it has changed. Ad-supported but the credit monitoring is genuinely free.
Check your scoreCFPB: Understanding credit reports
Plain-language guide from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on how credit reports work, what is included, and how to dispute errors.
Read the guideInvesting basics
Not a guide to get rich. Just a starting point for understanding how investing works before you have a reason to use it.
The Plain Bagel
Calm, well-researched videos on investing concepts, index funds, and common misconceptions. No hype, no get-rich-quick. Good for building a foundational understanding.
Watch on YouTubeInvestopedia: Investing for beginners
Reference-style articles on investing terms and concepts. Useful when you encounter a term you do not understand. Broad coverage, no paywall on most content.
Read the guideGovernment resources
Free, reliable information from official U.S. government sources.
MyMoney.gov
The U.S. government's financial literacy site. Covers saving, credit, housing, retirement, and more. Straightforward, no ads.
Visit MyMoney.govCFPB: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Tools, guides, and complaint submission for banking, mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and more. Also useful if you believe a financial company has treated you unfairly.
Visit CFPBIRS Free File
If your income is under $79,000, you can file your federal taxes for free through IRS Free File. Includes guided software options from several providers.
See IRS Free File