Teachers, what kinds of free financial literacy materials do you (and your students) use most?

Newsworthy	December 2008

Holiday Budgeting Center
It's easy to let holiday spending get out of hand, but with a little planning and some creative thinking, you can increase holiday cheer without creating needless financial stress this holiday season. Read more…

Innovative Educator: Mike Feagans, Rensselaer Central High, Rensselaer, IN
Mike Feagans' marketing students are out in the community helping Indiana business owners make environmentally sound choices in an initiative they call The Footprint Program. Student and business adoption alike may see the program go statewide, but Feagans is less focused on the broad impact than he is on the skills his students are learning in the process. Read more…

Employer Provided Benefits
While job-hunting, it's important to weigh the value of the benefits offered by potential employers. Salary negotiations often stay focused on exactly that: salary. This is a mistake when benefits such as a 401(k) plan or Flexible Spending Accounts can save you big money in tax advantages. Educate yourself on employee benefits so that you make the right decision. Read More

Financial Literacy Education: New Guide for
the 50+ Crowd.
In partnership with AARP and Chase, Visa Inc. has co-written a special financial guide for consumers over 50 called "50 Ways to Love your Money." This free guide is designed to help seniors take more control of their personal finances while making their money work for them and features an introduction by Jean Chatzky. The guide was released at AARP’s Life@50+ National Event and Expo.

Financial Literacy Education: Early intervention is everything
Jean Chatzky on Financial Education
There's a very simple reason so many millions of Americans find themselves overwhelmed by personal debt. They don't know any better. They've just never received training that could help them manage their finances.

Money management skills aren't something you're born with. They're something you're taught and learn how to do. Yet millions of young adults graduate from high school and college without basic skills - things like balancing a checkbook or critically comparing credit card offers. Read More

Watch online. Anytime. Financial Literacy & Education Summit 2008 On-Demand Video
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Visa Inc. thank all who watched the Financial Literacy & Education Summit 2008 webcast on April 21st. This year's event was a unique gathering of some of our nation’s leading thinkers and practitioners in the field of financial literacy education. We heard extraordinary insights, powerful inspiration, and new and surprising connection. Watch now.

Free FICO® Score Estimator
Keep on top of the scores - not of the big games, but of your own credit risk. Use Visa's free score estimator from FICO®, the most trusted name in credit scoring, to answer 10 easy questions. Based on your answers, you'll get a free estimated range of your three scores from the main credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Your FICO scores affect the amount and terms of loans lenders offer you. Stay ahead of the financial game and get your score today.

Jason Alderman’s Practical Money Matters

November 21, 2008
Helping others when money is tight
During the holiday season, many people reflect on what they can do to help those less fortunate. In 2007, caring Americans gave a record $306.4 billion in charitable donations – which doesn't even include the countless hours spent on volunteer activities.

November 14, 2008
Protecting your pension
If your employer provides a traditional pension plan you are part of a vanishing breed. According to the Department of Labor, only about 20 percent of private sector workers are covered by pensions today, about half the level of 30 years ago.