Smart Investing (AKA stuff they don't teach you in school, but that you'll use everyday)

Today's post is all about real life. Sure you have a paper to write, but once it's turned in are your really going to talk about interracial adoption again? Maybe, maybe not. What I 100% guarantee is that you will have to deal with your money. Not just getting it out of an ATM, or deciding how much to spend on your new honey's Christmas present. No, I'm talking about how do you save for your spring break trip? How do you budget so you have enough money at the end of the month? How do you make sure you have some savings for an emergency bus ride home?

Well, there are a lot of tools to help you learn more about smart investing. These tools are geared towards you and they help you learn and plan in fun interactive ways. So without further ado here they are:

Are you female? If you are, you should check out LearnVest. Aimed at women, this website will help you achieve maximum financial health through its dynamic Checklists, fun “bite-size” daily newsletter (takes 2 minutes to read), and straightforward, easy-to-read content. You can take their boot-camp series or you can just use their calculators and tools. They send you really useful tips on decorating, traveling and banking efficiently while on a budget. I like that they don't fill up your inbox and that they keep everything simple. 

Are you in the military? If you are, you know that financial preparedness is a key component of military readiness. FINRA developed SaveAndInvest.org as a financial education program to improve the saving and investing knowledge of military service members. Here you will find an online resource center that serves as a centralized, trusted source for unbiased information on saving and investing, including original content, interactive tools/games, links to financial education resources, frequently asked questions, and more. These resources are aimed at military personnel that are deployed and at home.

FINRA or The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA’s mission is to protect America’s investors by making sure the securities industry operates fairly and honestly. They have extensive information for investors in easy to follow formats geared towards everyone (men, women, young, old). Here you will find information on how to protect yourself from scams, as well as calculators to help you save for college, big purchases and retirement. You'll also find lots of information on how to choose a banker or financial advisor too.

But wait! Don't forget you can also find lots of great resources at Shake Library. Titles like:


Making the most of your money now : the classic bestseller by Jane Bryant Quinn. [Call # 332.024 Q7m 2010]


New Money book of personal finance : saving, planning, investing, and borrowing-- all the information you need in one easy-to-follow guide edited by Sheryl Hilliard Tucker and the editors of Money magazine. [Call # 332.024 N532m 2002]


AARP retirement survival guide : how to make smart financial decisions in good times and bad by Julie Jason. [Call #332.024 J39a 2009]

Busy family's guide to money by Sandra Block, Kathy Chu & John Waggoner. [Ebook]

Bridal bargains : secrets to throwing a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget by Denise & Alan Fields. [Call # 395.22 F461b 2009]

Lastly, hopefully you will learn lots about credit and how to protect yourself by checking your Credit Report. Don't be fooled by gimmicks on TV. You can get this information for free. Here is a video from the Federal Trade Commission to set the record straight.