Resources

Free e-mail tips

If you want some quick, easy tips to help improve your financial picture, we can help. We send out free financial planning tips through our monthly e-letter and regular blog posts. We take complex financial issues and break it down for you into an easy-to-understand format. And, if you have a question for us, let us know and we might answer it in an upcoming email.

So, what are you waiting for? Click the the button below to sign up and we’ll send you great, practical tips straight to your inbox. And, as an added bonus, we’ll send you our TWO free ebooksHow to Build Your Business for Financial Success and Seven Secrets to Financial Independence. You don’t want to miss it!

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Recommended books

There are a ton of books on the market that offer financial planning advice. If you’re not sure which ones to choose, here are some books that we recommend:

Why Smart People do Stupid Things with Money – by Bert Whitehead, MBA, JD

Don’t Make a Budget: Why It’s So Hard to Save Money and What to Do about It – by Ken Robinson, JD, CFP®

The Financial Wisdom of Ebenezer Scrooge – by Ted Klontz, Ph.D, Rick Kahler, CFP and Brad Klontz, Phsy.D

The New Retirementality – by Mitch Anthony

Useful links

Auto

  • Car Buying Tips – Free information on buying new and used cars, leasing and avoiding auto scams.
  • CarFax – See the history of the car you are considering (VIN required)
  • Edmund’s Publications – Consumer information experts.  Easily run comparisons on new and used vehicles.
  • Fighting Chance – For $34.95, you receive complete pricing data on the vehicle you’re considering, plus its record in the market place, available cash incentives, negotiating tips, and access to a “live” purchasing coach.
  • Intellichoice OnLine Car Center – Automotive research and comparisons.
  • J.D. Power & Associates – Automotive marketing research.
  • Kelley Blue Book – New and Used vehicle pricing reports.
  • RoadLoans – Competitive rates on financing for new and used cars (refinancing, too).

Banking

  • FDIC site – Check to see if your bank is FDIC insured or if it is in trouble.
  • Bankrate – Offers rate calculators for loans and investments.
  • Mint – Track all of your financial accounts in one free, secure location.

Education

  • Finaid – A comprehensive site that covers all aspects of financial aid.
  • National Center for Education Statistics – Information on past three years of college/university costs.
  • Salliemae – Calculators for estimating college costs, savings needs, and student loan payments as well as a great deal of financial aid and scholarship information.

Financial Planning & Tax Organizations

Income Tax

  • IRS Website – The IRS Website, information on forms, publications, and frequently asked questions.

Investments – Discount Brokers

Investments – Financial News & Quotes

  • Bloomberg – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • CBS MarketWatch – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • CNN Financial News – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • InvestorGuide – Comprehensive stock research tool.  “Tools” tab provides links to other sites.
  • Money Central – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • Yahoo – Keep track of your overall portfolio and get detailed charts on your individual stocks and bonds.

Investments – Investor Education

  • Investorwords – This site is a database of more than 5,000 key investment terms, plus some 15,000 links related to words and concepts.
  • Motley Fool – Online calculators and information to help answer basic questions.
  • SEC Investor Education site – Online calculators, broker and/or advisor information, investor alerts, plus links to other government sites.

Investments – Mutual Funds

  • Fund Alarm – Stay abreast of significant changes influencing the people behind the funds, and receive email alerts whenever a fund you own announces a key development.
  • IndexFunds.com – A resource on the use of index funds, or passive investing, versus conventional actively managed mutual funds.
  • Morningstar – This company is well-known for its mutual fund star rating system, and this site has many useful research and analysis tools.
  • Mutual Fund Education Alliance – A large source of mutual fund news and information, plus daily price info and one-, five- and ten-year annualized returns.

Investments – Publications

  • Forbes – Online edition of Forbes magazine.

Mortages/Real Estate

  • Bankrate.com – Mortgage calculator and basic information.
  • Realtor.com – National Association of Realtors’ site offers customized searches by city, mortgage information and glossary.

Smart Spending

  • Consumer Reports Magazine – Informational articles and product recalls are free on this site (subscription required for full online version).
  • The Dollar Stretcher Tips – Free online newspaper full of tips, hints, stories and links for living better for less.