I want to read general articles on Creating a Personal Financial Plan.

• "The Power Of Planning" – USAA Educational Foundation
• "Have A Plan for Your Money" – AARP
• "Ten Commandments Of Personal Finance" – Bankrate
• "Understanding And Controlling Your Finances" – BYG Publications
• “5 Money Mistakes Even Smart People Make” – Bankrate

I want to read general articles about Financial Planning in a Tough Economy.

• “5 Ways To Outlast Inflation” – Bankrate
• “Rebuilding Your Wealth” – SmartMoney
• “Personal Finance: 20 Dos & Don'ts For 2009” – Yahoo! Finance
• “How To Make A Solid Financial Plan For 2009” – MarketWatch
• “Suze Orman's 10 Tips For A Fresh Financial Start” – Suze Orman
• “7 Ways To Save For Retirement During A Recession” – U.S. News & World Report
• “Tune Out Hysteria To Build Your Wealth”- Chicago Tribune
• “Stash Cash: Handling Finances Amid Hard Times” – Tulsa Word

I want to read general articles on Creating a Financial Disaster Kit.

• "Financial Readiness Pays Off During Disaster -- Or In A Pinch" – Bnet Business Network
• "Emergency Financial First Aid Kit" – Federal Emergency Management Agency
• "Don’t Let A Natural Disaster Uproot Your Financial Stability" – ClearPoint Financial Solutions

I want to read general articles about Hiring an Advisor.

• "Investment Professional Selection Tips" – MoneySmartz
• "You Need A Financial Advisor" – Fool.com

I want to find helpful Non-Profit organizations.

• The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) created a multi-faceted program, 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, to educate the American public, from school children to retirees, on financial topics that apply specifically to their particular stage of life.
• The mission of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning.
• The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) is an independent, nonprofit foundation committed to educating Americans on a broad range of financial topics and empowering them to make positive and sound decisions to reach their financial goals.
• The USAA Educational Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that provides consumer information to the military community and the general public. Since 1989, The USAA Educational Foundation has published information on important personal and financial issues.

I want to find helpful For-Profit organizations.

• CNN offers a helpful suite of personal financial planning tools, resources and calculators that make it easier to create your own financial plan.
• MarketWatch serves as a helpful online resource providing timely business news, market information, personal financial tools, and online video content. We believe the wide-array of subjects addressed in the Personal Finance section is especially beneficial to our audience.
• The Wall Street Journal offers a wide array of personal financial planning tools, resources and calculators that will help you create your own financial plan.
• Morningstar, Inc. is a trusted source for insightful information on stocks, mutual funds, variable annuities, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, separate accounts, hedge funds, and 529 college savings plans.
• Yahoo! Finance is a helpful resource in particular for individuals looking for basic information pertaining to their personal financial well-being.

I want to find helpful Government organizations.

• The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission manages and maintains a website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about personal finance. Whether you are planning to buy a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401(k), the resources on MyMoney.gov can help you.

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I want to receive a free Personal Financial Planning Toolkit.

• DOL.gov – Financial Independence Toolkit

I want insight into hiring a Financial Advisor.

• RichfieldCompanies.com – Advisor Questionnaire
• AllBusiness.com - Top 10 Mistakes Made When Hiring a Financial Advisor
• FINRA.org – Tips to Consider Before You Invest

I want a resource to guide me through Personal Financial Goal Setting.

• MsMoney.com – Introduction to Financial Goals
• LendingTree.com – Setting Financial Goals

I want to learn if there are any regulatory actions against an Individual Broker or Brokerage Firm.

• FINRA.org – Check the Background of Your Investment Professional

I need to find helpful Financial Planning Calculators.

• The America Saves Personal Wealth Estimator is a two-part financial calculator. In the first part, you can determine your current net worth. If you wish, you can then proceed to the second part of the Estimator to determine your future net worth, based on assumptions that you make about additional savings, interest rates, rates of return, and other factors.
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently surveyed investors to get an idea of what people know – and what people may not know – about investing. This quiz includes some of the questions from our survey, and explains the correct answers. As part of FINRA’s mission of protecting investors and ensuring market integrity, we are committed to providing objective educational information for investors.
• CNN Money offers The Prioritizer calculator which helps you rank a series of goals or options which are most attractive to you.

There are countless personal finance self-help “gurus” trying to convince you they alone offer the most insightful, sincere and helpful solutions. They hope you will buy their latest self-help book, workbook, newsletter, or whatever else it is they are offering.

However, a handful have written books or offer guidance on GETTING STARTED in a manner that may be more beneficial, more affordable, or less annoying than their peers.  Following are gurus and books you may enjoy.*

• Bert Whitehead, Facing Financial Dysfunction: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things
• Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
• Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not!
• Suze Orman, The Laws of Money, The Lessons of Life: Keep What You Have and Create What You Need

* Note: The Site Creator has not been compensated in any way for referencing any “gurus” or books on this site.

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