LibGuides: Financial Literacy: Getting Started

What is Financial Literacy?

What is financial literacy? It is a set of skills which will help you navigate your financial life, including helping you save for the future, protecting you from financial fraud, and even preparing you to run your own business.

Financial Terminology

Investopedia's Financial Terms Dictionary

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - Glossary of Financial Terms

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Glossary of English-Spanish Financial Terms

Questions? Please contact us. We're here to help!

librarian@mendocino.edu or call us at 707.468.3245

And don't forget to check out Mendocino College's wonderful Financial Aid Office.

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

Test Your Knowledge - Take This Brief Quiz

Questions?

Mendocino College librarians are happy to assist with any questions you might have.

Library Reference Desk
librarian@mendocino.edu
707-468-3245

Book a Librarian

Get answers to your questions at a time that works for you - in person or via Zoom.

Books in the Library

Cover of Critically Compassionate Approach to Financial Literacy

Cover of Wealth Management in Any Market

Cover of Student Loans and the Dynamics of Debt

Cover of Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett: the Winning Strategy to Help You Achieve Your Financial and Life Goals

Financial Videos

FAQs

What is FAFSA?
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please visit the SBCC Financial Aid office in the Student Services building for more information.
How Do I Access the Tax Form 1098-T ?
The 1098-T, also called Tuition Statement, is an information form Mendocino College files with the Internal Revenue Service. This form is also supplied to the student to assist you, the taxpayer, in determining if you are eligible to claim any tax credits and/or deductions for educational expenses.
What is the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)?
If you’re 18 or older, or have a qualifying dependent, and you made less than $30,000 in 2020, you will qualify for the CalEITC when you file your state tax return. Did you know you can amend tax returns up to four years back if you find out you are eligible for tax credits you didn’t originally claim? Good news, you can still get this cash-back credit. This website can tell you how.
Financial Literacy Videos
CSU Northridge has a Financial Literacy YouTube channel.
Financial Literacy Institutions and Programs
Although aimed at K through 12 students, this page also includes many resources for teachers and parents as well.

Bankrate.com
An advertising-supported commercial publisher site, but: "Bankrate continually surveys approximately 4,800 financial institutions in all 50 states in order to provide clear, objective, and unbiased rates to consumers. Our flagship Web site, Bankrate.com, provides free rate information to consumers on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees."
Bloomberg
Covers business and financial market news. It delivers world economic news, stock futures, stock quotes, & personal finance advice.
CNN Money
Forbes
Fox Business
Kiplinger
MarketWatch

360 Degrees of Financial Literacy
Advice for every life stage. Produced by the American Institute of CPAs.
Ask CFPB
Objective FAQs and guides from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Consumer.gov
Guides on money management, debt, and avoiding scams. From the Federal Trade Commission.
eXtension.org
Research-based information on personal finance from America's land-grant universities.
Federal Student Aid
Information on federal student loans.
Federal Trade Commission - Consumer Information
Investor.gov
The Securities & Exchange Commission’s online resource to help you
invest wisely and avoid fraud.
Military OneSource
Personal finance guides for military service members.
MyMoney.gov
A product of the Congressionally chartered Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission.
Paying for College
Developed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in cooperation with
the Department of Education.
Right on the Money - Financial Know-How for College Students
" ... this booklet offers lessons on checking accounts, savings, and handling credit cards. It also covers tips for financing college, investing, and other topics that can help you become a savvy money manager."
Save and Invest
A project of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. Guides and calculators, including tools and information for helping military service members achieve their financial goals and for helping investors avoid investment fraud.
Wall Street Journal How-To Guide: Personal Finance
Covers investing, insurance, banking, and retirement basics like "How to buy a mutual fund," "How much car insurance do you need," and "How to make the most of your 401(k)."
Why Is Financial Literacy Important?
Investopedia article states, "Fnancial literacy is increasingly important as people manage their own retirement accounts, trade personal assets online, and carry student, medical, credit card, and mortgage debt."