Financial Literacy And Giving Program (FLAG)

Helpful Resources

• New credit card rules from the Federal Reserve Bank web site
  http://www.federalreserve.gov/creditcard/

• Financial Football online game
  http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/games/trainingcamp/

• Financial Soccer online game
  http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/games/worldcup/

• Celebrity Calamity
  http://www.d2dfund.org/first_game and http://www.d2dfund.org/

• Smart Money Quiz Show in More Games Section
  http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/games/trainingcamp/

• Smart Money Quiz (from VISA)
  http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ Under "Games" tab, scroll down to Smart Money Quiz Show

• Money 101 PowerPointpresentation, student workbooks, videos, brochures, posters, etc.
  http://whatsmyscore.org/downloads

• Headed for college/renting an apartment/buying a car/the "real world" after college
  http://whatsmyscore.org/guides

• http://mappingyourfuture.org/Undergraduates/

• Guide for Low Income Students: MLRI and the Crittenton Women's Union are pleased to announce the release of a new guide for students. "Beyond Financial Aid: 2010 guide to extra help for low-income adult students." This booklet provides a comprehensive review of family supports that may be available to low-income adult students attending college or in vocational training programs.  It includes information about factors to consider before enrolling in school or taking out a loan.  It also includes information about benefit programs that you may be eligible for while a student, such as Food Stamps/ SNAP, TAFDC, Health Insurance, Child Care, unemployment Insurance and Subsidized Housing. It also includes information on Tax Benefits while a student.   The booklet is available at:
  http://www.liveworkthrive.org/site/docs/CWU_Beyond_Financial_Aid_Booklet_2010.pdf
• Credit and Credit Cards
  Credit and Credit Cards.ppt

 

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Free budgeting website from Boston Sunday Globe, 2/21/2010

MINT.COM

Pros:
Mint.com uses state-of-the-art software to extract a user's financial information from bank accounts, credit cards, and other sources. Unlike some sites, it also tracks a wide range of financial activities, from IRAs to college funds. Other features include a weekly e-mail or text message listing user's five largest expenditures. Slick, colorful graphics and an iPhone application are also appealing.

Cons:
Requires users to turn over account passwords, though the company points out that it does not store users' personal information - only data - or their passwords. Users report issues arise from downloading data from their bank or other accounts such as an inability to connect to certain financial institutions and glitches in categorizing some expenditures.

Final word:
Mint.com is the granddaddy of budgeting websites. The site said that it is working to continually support more institutions.

MONEY.STRANDS.COM

Pros:
Rolled out less than a year ago and in use at a major Spanish bank, the budget-tracking website has features older sites lack, including a Spanish-language capability, iPhone app, advanced data analysis, and support for 44 currencies. Key distinction from other sites: automated data extraction, like Mint, but also a manual capability for those leery of turning over bank account information to third parties.

Cons:
The newest of the budget-tracking sites is still working out the kinks and responding to user comments and complaints. Does not integrate investment accounts.

Final word:
The jury's out. But Atakan Cetinsoy, vice president of personal finance products, said the company is serious about creating a website that strikes the crucial balance between simplicity and usefulness. An "obvious next step" is to integrate users' investment accounts, he said.

PEARBUDGET.COM

Pros:
Popular because it's really easy to use and simplifies for people who may be overwhelmed by budgeting. Founder responds personally to users' questions.

Cons:
No automated data download - only manual expense and income entry is allowed by the software.

Final word:
Created by Charlie and Sarah Park in 2004 and still run out of their Williamsburg, Va., home. Park said he remains true to his original mission of helping people, providing personal service, and creating a homey feel.

Last Modified: April 18, 2012