YOUR MONEY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS DESERVE THE BEST OF THE BEST OF THE BEST.

That’s why I’m sharing my personal list of favorites. It’s all here, from the number-one guide book that teaches families how to afford college, to the only website that actually gives you a free credit report (hint: it’s not the one in the catchy commercial jingle), to a list of my much-admired peers in the personal finance blogosphere.

These are the organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, books, magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, and more that I would recommend to my closest friends.

Am I missing any great resources that have helped you? Let me know.

Kids & Money

InsureKidsNow.gov
Apply here to find out if your child or teen is eligible for no-cost or low-cost health insurance coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Parents may also be eligible.

MoneyAsYouGrow.org
Launched by the White House and developed by the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability (I’m a member), this initiative gives parents the tools to teach their kids the 20 things they need to know to live financially smart lives.

NFTE.com
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship is a great organization that provides educational programs and camps that inspire young people from low-income communities to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities and develop business skills.

SavingForCollege.com
Everything you need to know about 529s, state-sponsored educational savings plans that help families prepare for kids’ college costs while offering tax advantages similar to those of 401(k)s and IRAs.

SesameStreet.org: For Me, For You, For Later
Through videos starring Elmo (and me—I teach him about money!), activities for kids, and materials for parents and educators, this bilingual financial education initiative hooks kids right away.

TIME.com: Dan Kadlec’s Moneyland blog
Dan Kadlec cares deeply about kids’ financial education and always reports on the latest.

Budget & Basics

BANKING, BILL PAYING, & CREDIT CARDS

Bankrate.com
Shop around and compare rates for checking and savings accounts, credit cards, CDs, and more.

CreditCardConnection.org
Find low-rate credit union credit cards and locate credit unions near you that are insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

CreditUnion.coop
If you’re considering switching to a credit union, find one in your area here.

FederalReserve.gov: Consumer’s Guide to Credit Cards
Everything explained: Your offer, your statement, your rights as a consumer, and tips on how to pay off your balance.

FTC.gov: Identity Theft
These tips on how to prevent identity theft and what to do if your identity is stolen are courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission.

Manilla.com
If you get some or most of your bills electronically, use this free site to manage your bills, get automatic payment reminders, and organize all your paperless statements in one place.

BUDGETING & SHOPPING SMART

BillShrink.com
Find out if you’re getting the best deals on savings accounts, credit cards, cell phone and TV service, gas, and more.

Dealio.com * F atWallet.com * RetailMeNot.com
When shopping online, don’t hit the checkout button until you’ve looked for a discount code or coupon on one of these three sites.

Kayak.com
This site rounds up the best travel deals from many sites, including Travelocity and Expedia, and shows you where to find the cheapest flights, hotels, and rental cars without having to hit each site separately.

Mint.com
This free budget website can help you see exactly where your cash goes in easy-to-use pie chart views, allowing you to determine where you can cut back.

PriceGrabber.com
This granddaddy of comparison-shopping sites searches millions of products—groceries, computer software, you name it—from hundreds of vendors to get you the best price.

Shopper.CNET.com
Go here before buying any electronics! This site features authoritative reviews from the editors at tech bible cnet.com.

Smartphone Apps: Google Shopper, ShopSavvy, and Save Benjis
For comparison shopping apps on the go, check out apple.com/iPhone to download iPhone apps or handango.com for other smartphones.

CHARITY

BBB.org: Wise Giving Alliance
Check out charities you’re interested in and read complaints and reviews on this site from the Better Business Bureau.

CharityNavigator.org
See how charities rate versus similar organizations, find out how they allocate the funds they receive, and more.

VolunteerMatch.org
Find volunteer opportunities of interest where you live.

Serve.gov
Find volunteer opportunities or create your own in your community.

CONSUMER TIPS

BBB.org
The Better Business Bureau is a clearinghouse that lets you find reputable businesses, look up companies to see if they’re accredited, or file complaints.

ConsumerFinance.gov
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a consumer watchdog that keeps even the most predatory establishments honest, with a scrutinous eye on student loans, mortgages, and credit cards.

FTC.gov
The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection protects the public against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. Go here to learn your rights and avoid scams when renting a car, buying health insurance, and more.

FTC.gov: Money Matters
This helpful website from the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has tips on avoiding scams, managing your money, dealing with debt, mortgage payments, and job hunting.

GENERAL ADVICE

ChicagoTribune.com: Gail MarksJarvis’s column
Personal finance columnist and blogger Gail MarksJarvis takes a smart, sharp, and sensible approach to money issues that affect folks nationwide.

GetRichSlowly.org
Created by a self-described “average guy” who took control of his finances and worked his way out of debt, this site provides smart coverage on a variety of money topics.

Kiplinger’s * Money * Smart Money
My three favorite personal finance magazines/websites.

Money.MSN.com: Liz Weston’s column
Liz Weston keeps her finger on the pulse of today’s personal finance issues, providing simple and practical ways to address each one.

Making the Most of Your Money Now by Jane Bryant Quinn
Although its 1,000-plus pages may be a bit overwhelming, this encyclopedic guide is the best.

MyMoney.gov
This government website is dedicated to teaching Americans the basics about financial education by providing tips, resources, and calculators for various life events, from the birth of a child to retirement.

TheSimpleDollar.com
Another motivational blog created by a young guy who dug himself out of debt and now wants to help other people do the same.

WashingtonPost.com: Michelle Singletary’s column
Sign up for personal finance columnist and blogger Michelle Singletary’s newsletter to get the latest scoop on everything from money to parenting to politics.

Wesabe.com
One of the biggest personal finance message boards out there, this forum gives you a chance to share tips and information with over 100,000 other people.

LEGAL

NOLO.com
Go here for downloadable legal forms including wills, trusts, and even contracts for loans among family and friends.

INSURANCE

Cheap Insurance for Your Home, Automobile, Health, & Life: How to Save Thousands While Getting Good Coverage by Carla and Lee Rowley
This book is probably the best comprehensive guide to all the major areas of insurance.

NAIC.org: A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance
This free pamphlet from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners gives basic info on auto insurance.

NAIC.org: A Consumer’s Guide to Home Insurance
This free pamphlet from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners gives basic info on home insurance.

AHIP.org: Guide to Disability Income Insurance
Find the latest information on disability income insurance in this comprehensive guide from America’s Health Insurance Plans.

Insurance for Dummies by Jack Hungelmann
This book is a good one-stop beginner’s guide to all the major kinds of insurance, how to shop for them, and what to watch out for along the way.

TAXES

J.K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax by the J.K. Lasser Institute
An excellent tax guide. Make sure to get the most current edition!

IRS.gov: Guide to Free Tax Services
Search for this free pamphlet on the IRS website to access the edition for the current tax year.

IRS.gov: Your Federal Income Tax
Search for Publication 17 on the IRS website to access the edition for the current tax year.

Dealing with Debt

DEBT

AICCA.org
The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies is a trustworthy organization that can connect you to a reliable debt counselor.

Bankrate.com: Credit Card Calculator
This easy-to-use calculator lets you figure out how long it will take to pay off your credit card debt.

FTC.gov: Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy
Solid information about credit counseling and debtor education from the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

NFCC.org
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a trustworthy organization that can connect you to a reliable debt counselor.

NFCC.org: Credit Counseling Guidelines
To find a low-cost counselor and avoid scams, refer to this guide from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

SingleStopUSA.org
A national nonprofit that connects low-income families to the government services and benefits for which they qualify, such as food stamps, Medicare, and tax breaks.

CREDIT SCORE

AnnualCreditReport.com
The only website that allows you to obtain your *free* credit report once a year from each of the reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. (Note: Other sites that claim to be “free” are often anything but.)

CreditKarma.com
Offers a free estimate of your credit score—a good site if you just want a ballpark figure.

FTC.gov: Building a Better Credit Report
Here’s how to improve your credit score, courtesy of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

FTC.gov: Credit Repair
Warnings about potential credit repair scams, from the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

FTC.gov: How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Errors on your report can affect whether you get a loan and how good the interest rate will be. To report errors, follow these tips from the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

MyFICO.com
Obtain your official credit score for a $19.95 fee—a smart idea if you need a loan in the near future and want to know what rates you’ll likely qualify for.

Paying for College

ConsumerFinance.gov: Resources for Students
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a consumer watchdog that keeps even the most predatory establishments honest, particularly the student loan industry—both before you apply for financial aid and when it’s time to pay up.

StudentAid.ed.gov
The Federal Student Aid office of the U.S. Department of Education is an informational resource on federal grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study funds.

FinAid.org
Financial aid guru Mark Kantrowitz runs this website, a great source for scholarship and student loan information and helpful loan calculators.

FAFSA.ed.gov
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official form you need to fill out in order to apply for federal student loans.

IBRinfo.org
Income-Based Repayment (IBR), the government’s little-known repayment plan, allows some student loan borrowers to pay according to how much they make rather than how much they owe, reducing their monthly payments.

IBRinfo.org: Public Service Loan Forgiveness
This program reduces or wipes out federal student loan debt for borrowers who work in public service, such as government, nonprofit, and public education jobs.

NSLDS.ed.gov
Using the National Student Loan Data System, the U.S. Department of Education’s central database, you can locate all of your outstanding federal student loans.

Paying for College Without Going Broke by Kalman Chany with Geoff Martz
One of my number-one, go-to guide books! Published by The Princeton Review and written by financial aid expert Kalman Chany, this comprehensive guide teaches families both short- and long-term strategies to afford college.

Work, Work, Work

CAREER

CareerInfoNet.org
Career One Stop is the U.S. Department of Labor’s resource for info about careers, industry trends, salary ranges, education and training opportunities, resume and interview tips, and job searching.

Glassdoor.com * Payscale.com * Salary.com
These three great sites let you research salary ranges for jobs in your area, free of charge.

IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com
Charismatic blogger Ramit Sethi doles out advice on making money, saving and investing, and advancing your career.

HEALTH INSURANCE

eHealthInsurance.com
You should comparison shop for insurance like you would for any other product, and this site’s a good place to start comparing plans and rates.

HealthCare.gov
This government website details how President Obama’s Affordable Care Act can benefit you and features a timeline of upcoming changes.

MILITARY RESOURCES

ACP-USA.org * HelmetsToHardhats.org * HireHeroesUSA.org * Military.com * RecruitMilitary.com
Use these sites to access training, resources, and job search tools for veterans.

AFI.org
Armed Forces Insurance offers home, auto, and various other types of insurance to active duty and former military personnel and their immediate families.

ConsumerFinance.gov: Service Members
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a consumer watchdog that keeps even the most predatory establishments honest, ensures that military personnel and their families get the financial protection they deserve.

CorporateGray.com * Military.com * TAOnline.com
Find job fairs in your area targeted to ex-military members.

DOL.gov/vets
The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment & Training Service (VETS) provides resources and expertise to help veterans find jobs and protect their employment rights.

FinAid.org/military
Help with educational costs—such as tuition assistance, student loan repayment programs, and scholarships—may be available to military personnel, veterans, and their families, as detailed on this helpful website from financial aid guru Mark Kantrowitz.

MilitaryFamily.org
The National Military Family Association website is a one-stop resource that compiles all the benefits and programs available to military families.

MyNextMove.org
Created for the Department of Labor, this website helps vets explore career paths that fit their interests and skill sets.

NRD.gov
The Veterans Job Bank, powered by the National Resource Directory, helps connect vets with employers who are committed to hiring them.

OperationHomefront.net
This national nonprofit provides emergency financial and other assistance to military families and wounded service members.

TSP.gov
The Thrift Savings Program is essentially a 401(k) for civilian and military federal employees.

USAA.com
Committed to serving the military, veterans, and their families, USAA offers low-cost options for investing and home, auto, disability, and life insurance.

VetSuccess.gov
This Department of Veterans Affairs’ program offers job application, interview, and resume tips, as well as opportunities to meet with a VetSuccess counselor.

Saving for the Future

BUYING A CAR

Edmunds.com
*The* experts on everything you need to know about buying a new or used car, including free price quotes from dealers near you.

KBB.com
Before you head to the dealership to buy a car, go here to find out the “fair purchase price,” or the price people typically pay dealers for that particular type of vehicle in your area.

HOME BUYING & MORTGAGES

HUD.gov: Buying a Home
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers this free guide, as well as the opportunity to get free or low-cost advice from a housing counselor.

FTC.gov: Mortgage Servicing
Find details on your mortgage servicer’s role and your rights at this website from the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

HSH.com
Easy-to-use calculators and helpful information on mortgages, refinancing, and all your other housing questions are available at HSH Associates.

RETIREMENT

ChooseToSave.org
Make sure you’re on track for retirement by using the retirement calculators here.

ChooseToSave.org: Ballpark E$timate Calculator
Not sure how much you need to save for retirement? This calculator, brought to you from the Employee Benefit Research Institute, gives you an estimate of how much you need to sock away.

ChooseToSave.org: Maximizing Your Company Savings Plan
Four must-try rules for your 401(k) or employer-sponsored savings plan are available in this free brochure from the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

FinancialEngines.com
This online tool helps you determine the best investment mix using a mathematical model developed by Nobel Prize–winning economist Bill Sharpe—and it’s my favorite way for people to divvy up their retirement savings.

The Intelligent Portfolio: Practical Wisdom on Personal Investing from Financial Engines by Christopher L. Jones
Sound advice from a top portfolio guru and the chief investment officer of the online tool FinancialEngines.com.

MoneyChimp.com: Compound Interest Calculator
This easy-to-use calculator shows how your money can grow exponentially. Try entering your current retirement contributions, estimate how much you’ll add each year and for how long, and—voila!—see an estimate of how much you’ll have waiting for you.

The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias
Here’s an excellent (and witty) overview of key investment concepts.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel
This updated classic is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about investing.

The Random Walk Guide to Investing by Burton G. Malkiel
This book provides the tools for individual investors to apply the “random walk” philosophy to their own portfolios.

SocialSecurity.gov: My Statement
Register here to get your Social Security statement online, which estimates the retirement benefits you may receive.

TreasuryDirect.gov: I Bonds
I Bonds, a type of savings bond issued by the U.S. Treasury, have built-in protection against inflation and typically offer higher rates of interest than bank savings accounts.

Vanguard.com
This is one of my favorite places to invest in index funds, which are low-fee mutual funds that purchase only the stocks in a given index like the S&P 500.

WISERWomen.org
Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement works to improve the long-term financial security and retirement prospects of all women.

WISERWomen.org: Mutual Fund Investing
What to consider when choosing your mutual funds, available from the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement.