Financial Planning Resource Guide

Preparing for the future requires a financial plan to navigate through the winding economic market. A financial plan can alleviate pitfalls and help deviate financial hardships. Financial planning focuses on financial goals, priorities, and creating balance through managing assets, savings, capitol, and debt. It is the process of achieving life long goals by managing your wealth efficiently. The following links provide the necessary tools and resources vital to accomplishing those goals.

Financial Planning

• Forbes - This international finance magazine features stock, business, and personal finance news.
• Financial Planning- Five chapters focusing on personal financial planning.
• Finance Tool Kit- A planning guide for future financial security.
• Financial Well-being- Plan for retirement, career changes, or personal life changes with this planner.
• Retire Well- A how to guide on retirement.
• Retirement planning- Social Security Administration retirement planner.
• Personal Finance Management- A thorough guide on self-management planning.

Budgeting Tools

• Budget for the Present and the Future- An Online budget worksheet for monthly living cost.
• Mint- A free interactive budget tool.
• Education and Planning- Plan a budget with this interactive tool.
• Quicken- Fee Online personal finance software.

Establishing Credit

• Wise Credit Choices- How to establish credit using sensible choices.
• Establishing Credit- A credit-establishing guide on the basics of credit reports, credit cards, loans, and savings.
• How to Establish Credit- A family goal oriented financial management planner on establishing credit.
• Establish Credit- County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs provides insight on establishing credit.
• Your Credit- Federal Trade Commission provides guidance on establishing and maintaining credit.
• How to Obtain Credit- Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs article on how to establish credit.
• Establish and Protect Your Credit-Consumer information guide on building and protecting credit.

Financial Calculators

• Tools and Calculators- Calculators on budgeting, credit debt, loans, and savings.
• Budget Calculator- Create a personalized budget with the budget calculator.
• Monthly Budgeting- A simple to use budget tool.
• Choose to Save- Bond comparison calculator.
• Financial Calculator- Credit and savings calculator.
• Personal Finance Calculators- Collection of debt, savings, and retirement calculators.

Mortgages

• Mortgage Finder- Guidance on finding the best mortgage to fit your needs.
• Your Home- Mortgage guide for California consumers that can be helpful to those residing outside California as well.
• Avoiding Foreclosure- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides insightful information on avoiding foreclosure.
• Buying a Home- These calculators may help in deciding on a type of mortgage that is best suited for certain financial situations.
• Mortgage Basics- A Military approach on how mortgages may affect military members.
• Mortgages- An in depth guide on mortgage purchases, avoiding foreclosure, finding loans, refinancing, and loans for veterans and seniors.

Credit and Debt Management

• Financial Freedom- Free tools, worksheets, and calculators for debt and credit management.
• Credit and Debt Management- Tips, strategies, and video on managing debt.
• Debt Management- An United States Treasury guide on managing debt and avoiding entering the Bad Credit Hotel.
• How to Manage Debt- An interactive guide on managing debt.
• For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List- Tips for choosing a credit counselor and sticking to a debt management plan.