Curated links
Trusted, free tools and official resources to take your financial knowledge further. Everything here is vetted and genuinely useful.
Government & official tools
The only government-authorized site to get your free credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You're entitled to one free report per bureau per year.
Get your free report →Free federal tax filing for people who earn under $79,000. Offered through major software partners, guided by the IRS directly. No reason to pay if you qualify.
File free →The CFPB is the federal agency that protects consumers from predatory financial practices. Their site has plain-English guides on mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and more.
Visit CFPB.gov →The Securities and Exchange Commission's investor education site. Compound interest calculator, guides on stocks and bonds, and how to spot investment scams.
Visit Investor.gov →Free in-person tax preparation from IRS-certified volunteers, available at libraries, schools, and community centers. Available to people earning under ~$67,000 a year.
Find a VITA location →The official U.S. government financial literacy site with resources on spending, saving, borrowing, and planning — all organized by life events like getting a first job or buying a car.
Visit MyMoney.gov →Free tools & calculators
Our own free calculator — plug in your income and expenses to see how your spending breaks down against the 50/30/20 rule, with personalized feedback.
Try the calculator →Official SEC calculator that shows how compound interest grows your savings over time. Adjust the rate, time, and contribution to see the difference starting early makes.
Calculate growth →Free credit score monitoring with explanations of what's helping or hurting your score. No credit card required — they make money from partner offers, not from you.
Check your score →Updated comparison of the best high-yield savings accounts available right now. Rates change frequently, so this is a better source than a fixed article.
Compare rates →Enter your balance, interest rate, and monthly payment to see exactly how long it will take to pay off debt — and how much interest you'll pay in total. Eye-opening.
Calculate payoff →Fidelity has no minimums, no account fees, and fractional shares starting at $1. One of the most beginner-friendly brokerages, and trusted by millions of Americans.
Open an account →Further reading
A no-nonsense step-by-step approach to paying off debt and building wealth. Heavy on the debt-elimination philosophy. Available at most libraries for free.
The founder of Vanguard makes the case for low-cost index fund investing. Short, clear, and one of the most influential investing books ever written.
Written for young people, this book covers banking, budgeting, investing, and automation in a practical, no-guilt way. Great entry point for beginners.
All books are available at public libraries — check Libby or your local branch before buying.