Below is a list of resources and tools to help you learn more about financial planning and specific personal finance topics.  If you are attending a Financial Planning Day in your area, we encourage you to review these resources so that you can get the most out of your experience at the event.

Financial Planning Worksheets

The worksheets below are designed to help you create a snapshot of your financial situation and get you started with your own financial plan.

Budgeting worksheet
College Savings checklist
Debt Plan worksheet
Retirement worksheet
Spending Plan (Current)
Spending Plan (Future)

Publications by Topic

The following educational publications contain a wealth of information about financial planning and key personal finance topics, as well as guidance for finding a qualified financial planner.

General Financial Planning

Consumer Guide to Financial Planning
This brochure shares what you should know about financial planning, how to get started with your financial plan, and how to find a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional qualified to help you with your financial planning needs.

Starting Your Financial Plan: A Beginner’s Road Map
Financial planning starts with setting goals and this free guide will help you get started.

Budgeting and Cash Flow

Budgeting: Managing Your Money with a Spending Plan
This guide explains how a simple budget can help you take control of your financial life, get better use of your money and achieve your financial goals.

Living with a Spending Plan

Credit and Debt

Overcoming the Credit Barrier: Clearing the Way to Your Financial Goals
Managing credit is a challenge that cuts across all socioeconomic lines. This brochure offers a step-by-step approach to help you improve your credit record.

Saving and Investing

20 Keys to Being a Smarter Investor
Discusses the wise management of your investments. Not designed to help you predict the next market boom or decline, but to educate about time-tested investing principles and techniques that can allow you to realistically achieve your financial goals.

Saving and Investing
Use this guide’s helpful tips and worksheets for calculating your net worth, income, and expenses.
 
Saving Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future
Create your personal savings plan and prepare for retirement with this step-by-step guide.

Retirement Planning

Financial Planning: Secure Your Retirement
This free guide offers suggestions from financial planners on how to take a big picture, financial planning approach to your retirement plan.

Planning for the Stages of Retirement
This brochure addresses various stages of retirement planning, from starting out in the work world to retirement, in order to help you achieve your dream of a comfortable, fulfilling, financially secure retirement.

Income Tax Planning

Tax Planning in a Changing World
Learn how to be a proactive taxpayer. Whether you work with a tax professional or go it alone, you can become a more nimble taxpayer, avoid tax mistakes while employing tax strategies and learn tips that may help you better meet your life’s financial goals.

Estate Planning

Thinking the Unthinkable: What Everyone Needs to Know about Estate Planning 
Learn why you need an estate plan and some of the basic components of an estate plan.

Insurance Planning

Choosing the Right Insurance for Your Life's Stages
This brochure is a guide to help the public become more aware of the variety and costs of insurance available and to ensure proper coverage.

Education Funding and Planning

Planning for the Costs of Higher Education 
Provides advice on how to save for your children's education and includes several investment options to consider.

Smart Saving for College-Better Buy Degrees
This brochure provides information to help students and parents save and invest wisely for college.  Learn about 529 Plans, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, Savings Bonds, and more.  

Working with a Financial Planner

How a Financial Planner Can Help You ...and How to Choose the Right One
An introductory brochure to the financial planning process. Provides guidance on when to seek the advice of a financial planner and how to find one that's right for you. Available in Spanish.

Consumer Guide to Financial Self-Defense
Learn how to spot ten most common “red flags” to help you avoid incompetent and unethical financial advice when working with a financial advisor.  

En Español

¿Cómo le puede asistir a usted Un Asesor Financiero?

Planificación para las Etapas de la Jubilación

Planificación para los Costos de Educación Superior

Su Dinero y Futuro Economico: Una Guia Para Ahorrar